Many performers who have played at Summerfolk have gone on to great commercial success, such as Leahy, Valdy, The Rankins, The Arrogant Worms, and Natalie MacMaster.
Some of these collaborations include producing The Rankins' 2001 album Song Dog, co-producing and Jimmy Rankin's 2003 album Handmade (he also co-wrote a track with Jimmy), and co-producing Alanis Morissette's 2004 album So-Called Chaos.