Neil Young to deliver keynote speech

Neil Young has signed on to be the keynote speaker at next year's South By Southwest music conference and festival in Austin, Texas. He will be joined on March 16th by filmmaker Jonathan Demme, who directed the new concert film Prairie Wind, which is named after Young's latest album. There's no word yet on whether the singer/guitarist will perform during the festival.

Young last traveled to South By Southwest in 2000 to promote his live CD and concert film Silver & Gold.

The Canadian is nominated for two Grammy Awards - Best Rock Album for Prairie Wind and Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for the track "The Painter."

Young is planning to tour next year behind Prairie Wind. He's also planning to release a long-delayed series of archival recordings, though no details have been announced yet.

Other speakers confirmed for this year's South By Southwest include Kris Kristofferson, Henry Rollins, Judy Collins, and Billy Bragg.

Previous South By Southwest keynoters include Robert Plant, Ray Davies from the Kinks, Little Richard, Steve Earle, and the late Johnny Cash, among others.

More information on South By Southwest is available at sxsw.com.
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