Experience the British Folk Scene

American listeners can hear some fine folk and acoustic music from across the pond streaming online and archived on the Web sites of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

“The Mike Harding Show” on BBC Radio 2

BBC Radio 2’s Mike Harding, a talented folk artist in his own right, hosts a fine weekly folk programme on Wednesdays at 8-9 p.m. (London-time) that is audio-archived for a week, along with past playlists, at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/harding/. Coming up on his show: (Feb. 7) Highlights of the Folk Awards 2007, during which Pentangle and Danny Thompson received Lifetime Achievement Awards, the band Bellowhead won several awards, Seth Lakeman was named Folk Singer of the Year, Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick took Best Duo honors, and 25-year-old mandolinist Chris Thile (formerly of Nickel Creek) was named Musician of the Year; (Feb. 14) Eddi Reader, a Scottish singer-songwriter; (Feb. 21) general show; and (Feb. 28) Nic Jones, an influential figure of the 1970s British folk scene. [Click article title in red to read more.]

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Long Island AcoustiConcerts of Note – February 2007

While a winter chill fills the air, there's no shortage of hot acoustic music acts on Long Island -- both visiting and home-grown -- to help warm your souls.

Although more listings appear in the AcoustiCalendar (LI, NY), here are a few highlights for February 2007:

Pat Wictor and David Jacobs-Strain - Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m.
University Café, Stony Brook


Danielle Miraglia - Wednesday, February 21 at 8 p.m.
Acoustic Long Island series at Cool Beanz Coffee House, St. James

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Scottish Folk & Fiddles Featured at Arts Presenters Conference

Among the musical highlights of the recent Association of Performing Arts Presenters 50th Annual Members Conference in New York was a series of showcases by contemporary musicians from Scotland. The last time I heard so much good live Scottish folk music was at the Edinburgh Folk Festival in 1981, and come to think of it, not all of that music was Scottish and fiddling was not as prominently featured. “The [Scottish folk music] scene is quite healthy; there are a lot of young people playing great music throughout Scotland [To see the entire article, click the title in red]

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Eric von Schmidt, 1931-2007

Eric von Schmidt, an influential figure on the Boston-Cambridge, Mass. and east coast folk scene during the 1960s, died peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 1 at age 75. The folk-blues guitarist and singer-songwriter had struggled to regain his health after suffering a stroke last August. [Click the title in red to see the entire article]

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Registration Open for 8th Annual Americana Music Conference

The 2007 Americana Music Conference is slated for Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 31-Nov. 3, in Nashville, Tennessee. The festivities get under way with a night of music showcases around the city. Panel discussions, a trade show, lunches and other daytime activities are being planned at the Nashville Convention Center for Thursday through Saturday, while the evenings will be filled with artist showcases and parties. The 6th Annual Americana Honors & Awards will be held at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday evening, Nov. 1.
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The Grascals: Expanding Bluegrass’ Horizons While Remaining True to Its Roots

By Michael Kornfeld

The Grascals - reining International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainers of the YearDuring their short time together as a band, Rounder recording artists The Grascals have accomplished quite a bit. The Grascals are the reining International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainers of the Year, having been named the IBMA Emerging Artists of the Year in 2005. The group made its Grand Ole Opry debut in ... [Click the title in red to see the entire article]

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Engaging Next Generation Audiences

Among the wide array of workshops and burning issues forums during the Association of Performing Arts Presenters 50th Annual Members Conference in New York was a so-called super session on "Engaging The Next Generation" with Rebecca Ryan, founder and CEO of Next Generation Consulting.

Although Ryan’s remarks focused on trends, facts and strategies for getting younger people involved in arts leadership, the research her team conducted with the Arts Council of Indianapolis sheds important light on positioning -- what venues and acoustic music presenters throughout the country can do to better reach those in the 20-40 age-range, assuming there’s an interest in doing so. [Click on the title in red to see the entire article]

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Glen Roethel’s “Namaste” Featured in Multi-media Exhibit at George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Museum in Texas

Local singer-songwriter Glen Roethel’s song, "Namaste, '" is featured in a powerful multi-media exhibit, “Children Speak: Tsunami,” by photojournalist Arlene Atherton that runs through Feb. 15 at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Museum in College Station, Texas. "Namaste" means "I greet the spirit in you." Atherton explains her joy in discovering the song because it "unifies the Buddhist traditions shared by Sri Lanka and Thailand and reflects the Christian and Islam understanding of our spiritual nature, that we have a sacred soul." "Namaste,” which appears on Roethel’s 2004 independent release, “From Beginning To End," is the finale to the Kids Drawing Project. [Click on the title in red to see the entire article]

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