The first surprise in speaking with Carl “Buffalo” Nichols from his hotel at a tour stop in San Diego is the time of the interview — 9 a.m., a rare time to chat with musicians — what they call “the other 9 o’clock” because many are seldom awake to experience it.

It’s almost too much. Having Tanya Tucker, Emmylou Harris, Jeff Tweedy, Sierra Ferrell, Matt Mays, Art Bergmann and so many sweet musical souls all shoved into 15 hectares and 77 hours at Prince’s Island Park from July 27 to 30 during the 44th Annual Calgary Folk Music Festival is almost too much.