Virtual Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival Set for Feb. 18-20

Winterfolk, Toronto, Ontario’s annual blues and roots festival, will be streamed online, February 18-20, 2022 from 7-10 p.m. EST all three nights. As was the case last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted festival organizers to pivot to an online event. The scaled-back virtual edition of the popular festival, now in its 20th year, will feature primarily Canadian artists. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article, which includes comments from several of the free festival's featured artists.]

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Mike P. Ryan Wins 38th Mid-Atlantic Song Contest

Mike P. Ryan has been named the grand prize winner of the 38th annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest presented by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington. The Clifton, Virginia-based contemporary folk-Americana singer-songwriter was recognized for his song “Between Heaven and the Ground,” which was also the first place (Gold) winner in the contest’s Folk-Acoustic category. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article, which includes extensive comments from Ryan and a link to hear his winning song.]

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Virtual Tribute to Bill Staines Premieres February 6

The Woodstock Folk Festival will present a virtual tribute to Bill Staines, the revered New Hampshire-based traveling troubadour and prolific songwriter, on what would have been his 75th birthday -- Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 1 p.m. CST/2 p.m. EST via the festival’s website (woodstockfolkfestival.org). Featuring words and music in pre-recorded performances of his songs, the tribute will also be available to view on demand after the premiere.

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Songs for Social Change Awards Celebration & Concert Streams Feb. 5

The winner and finalists in the annual Songs for Social Change contest hosted by Renaissance Artists and Writers Association will perform and talk about their songs via a Saturday, February 5, 2022 livestream on the organization’s Facebook page beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT/7 p.m. CT.

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Read more about the article St. Brigid’s Day Concert Livestreams on Feb. 1
Irish fiddle phenom Eileen Ivers performs during the Milwaukee Irish Fest (Photo: Tim Reilly)

St. Brigid’s Day Concert Livestreams on Feb. 1

A wide array of female Irish musicians will participate in a free, online St. Brigid’s Day Concert on February 1, 2022 at 8 p.m. EST, in celebration of the Irish patron saint and Celtic goddess. Presented by the Association of Irish & Celtic Festivals, with support from the Embassy and Consulates of Ireland in the U.S., the concert will be co-hosted by noted artists Eileen Ivers and Joanie Madden.

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Read more about the article Folk from the North Country Live Streams Jan. 26

Folk from the North Country Live Streams Jan. 26

Kathy Sands-Boehmer’s Harbortown Music and Michael Kornfeld’s AcousticMusicScene.com team up to present Folk from the North Country – a livestream concert featuring Ontario, Canada-based artists Benjamin Dakota Rogers, Angela Saini and The Young Novelists – on Wednesday , January 26, at 7:30 p.m. EST. Featuring songs and conversation, the show can be viewed online at Harbortown Music’s Facebook page or YouTube channel . It may also be shared via the AcousticMusicScene.com group on Facebook. Although there is no set fee to view the livestream, tips for the artists would be most appreciated (suggested donation: $20) and may be made via paypalme.com/harbortownmusic. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article, which also includes audio and video links.]

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Read more about the article Annual FAI Folk Radio Charts for 2021

Annual FAI Folk Radio Charts for 2021

Tim Grimm, a southern Indiana-based folk-Americana singer-songwriter, had the top album (Gone) on folk radio during 2021, edging out upstate New York-based singer-songwriter Reggie Harris’ Solid Ground. The Accidentals, a Michigan-based band, had the year’s most-played song (“Wildfire”), while the late Nanci Griffith was 2021’s most-played artist. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International based on radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio. [The FAI Folk Charts are posted with permission. Click on the headline to read an accompanying article, view the charts, and hear some music.]

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Read more about the article FAI Folk Radio Charts – December 2021

FAI Folk Radio Charts – December 2021

Raise the Roof by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss was the most-played album on folk radio during December 2021, while “The Turning Year: A New Year’s Toast” by Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra was the month’s most-played song. Bill Staines, the New Hampshire-based traveling troubadour and prolific songwriter who died last month, was December’s top artist. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International based on radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio. [The monthly top albums, songs and artists charts are posted with permission. Click on the headline to view them.]

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