A couple of music festivals of note take place in Massachusetts in July: the Greater New Bedford Summerfest, July 4-5, along the cobblestoned streets of the old whaling city, and the Green River Festival features music, hot air balloons and more at the community college campus in Greenfield, July 17-18. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
The Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) has slated a free one-day event for Oklahoma's music community on Saturday, June 27, at the Oklahoma City Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave. from 9:30a.m. 5 p.m. Open to artists, promoters, booking agents, record label representatives, radio, media, music publishers, film archivists, music educators and others involved in the music industry, the day will feature artist showcases, panel discussions, and networking events. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
Two major music industry business conferences of note to the acoustic music community are slated for the fall in Nashville, Tennessee. The Americana Music Association’s 10th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference returns to the “Music City,” September 16-19, while the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s World of Bluegrass is set for September 28-October 4. Early-bird registration opened this month for both events. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
Twenty-four artists have been selected from among more than 500 applicants to perform in the Emerging Artists Showcase during the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival on Friday afternoon, July 24. Appearing in this year’s Falcon Ridge/Grassy Hill Emerging Artist Showcase are: Nels Andrews, Mary Bragg, Bread and Bones, The Brilliant Inventions, Calaveras, K.C. Clifford, Chuck E. Costa, Coyote Grace, Driftwood Fire, Emily Elbert, John Elliott, Jenny Goodspeed, Aiden James, Colleen Katau & Some Guys, Robin Landis, Liz Longley, Kelleigh McKenzie, Angelo M, Danielle Miraglia, Alastair Moock, Claudia Nygaard, A.J. Roach & His Strange Pilgrims, Sean Rowe, and Swing Caravan. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
Roots Music Report compiles weekly radio airplay charts for various roots-related genres. These are based on spin totals reported by music directors and DJs from more than 400 terrestrial and Internet radio stations. The latest Folk chart is posted here with permission. [To view the latest Folk radio airplay chart, click on the headline.]
June 30 is the postmark deadline for entries in the 14th Annual USA Songwriting Competition that is open to amateur and professional songwriters. Winners in 15 categories will be selected by a judging committee comprised of music industry professionals and will receive cash, merchandise and/or services as prizes. Songs will be evaluated based on originality, lyrics, melody and composition, without consideration for quality of performance and production. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
'Melissa [Greener]'s delivery and calm, collected yet passionate presence on stage is something to experience," maintains Kathy Sands-Boehmer, who compares the singer-songwriter's work to that of a young Ani DiFranco or Dar Williams. [To read Kathy's recent Q & A interview with Melissa Greener, click on the headline.]
2009 marks the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage to the new world on the Half Moon up the river that bears his name. Two festivals will pay tribute to that this month – the 2009 Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival and the Old Songs Festival. [To read more about these upcoming festivals, click on the headline.]
Roots Music Report compiles weekly radio airplay charts for various roots-related genres. These are based on spin totals reported by music directors and DJs from more than 400 terrestrial and Internet radio stations. The latest Folk chart is posted here with permission. [To view the latest Folk radio airplay chart, click on the headline.]
Acclaimed actor and folksinger Theodore Bikel, who turned 85 last month, will be feted on Monday evening, June 15, during a tribute concert at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall, where the versatile baritone made his debut in 1956. Joining him on stage will be Alan Alda, Arlo Guthrie, Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, Tom Paxton, The Klezmatics, Judy Kaye, Susan Werner, David Amram, Beyond the Pale, Artie Butler, Patricia, Conolly, David Krakauer, Hankus Netsky, Sarah Horowitz, Serendipity 4 (featuring Bikel, Tamara Brooks, Merlima Kljuco and Shura Lipovsky), and Michael Wex. Several photos taken during a reception preceding the concert now accompany this article. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
"Stevie Coyle is arguably one of the funniest fingerstyle guitarists known to humankind," asserts Kathy Sands-Boehmer. She cites her recent interview with the San Francisco Bay Area-based artist -- who formerly played with the eclectic string band, The Waybacks, and prior to that was a member of the folk-tribute parody group, The Foremen -- as evidence of that. [To read Kathy's not-so-quick but pretty witty interview with Stevie Coyle, click on the headline.]
Performing Songwriter is ceasing publication after 16 years. The magazine’s June 2009 issue, sent to subscribers and newsstands this week, will be its final edition, Lydia Hutchinson, its editor and publisher, has announced. [To read the article in its entirety, click on the headline.]
