I often vacation in the Adirondacks, and I always keep my eyes and ears open for the local traditions. For my taste, the best performer of folk material from and about the Adirondacks presently working is Bill Smith.

Bill Smith has several excellent albums of traditional songs and stories from the Adirondacks. I have seen him perform several times and, as far as I can tell, he is the genuine article: a traditional singer and storyteller from the region. I believe he is the author of the Tales From the Featherbed volume mentioned by Joe Offer above.

Sandy Paton is correct that the Warner's include many songs from the Adirondacks in their fine collection. At least one of their principal informants was from the region. Lawrence Older's Folk Legacy record is also very worthwhile. He is another traditional singer. A revivalist named George Ward has also recorded a cassette of songs from the region.

Most of the other singers mentioned above are contemporary singer-songwriters of varying quality. All of them have written songs about the region. I expect that for this project you would want the more traditional material.

You won't go wrong with Bill Smith!