Author Archive
FAI Folk Radio Charts - December 2020

FAI Folk Radio Charts – December 2020

The Longest Night of the Year, Volume 3 [Hudson Harding Music], a two-disc compilation featuring 26 songs recorded by various artists, was the most-played album on folk radio during December 2020. Topping the monthly songs chart was “Mrs. Claus” by Pennsylvania-based “kaleidoscope folk” singer-songwriter Lisa Jeanette. Phil Ochs, the late American troubadour, was December'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. [Click on the headline or link below to view the monthly top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted here with permission.]

Entries Sought in 2021 Kerrville New Folk Competition

Entries are now being accepted for the 2021 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters that will take place online on May 22 and 23. The first 800 entries postmarked or submitted online by March 7 will be judged, and 24 finalists will be announced in April. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Liam Reilly, Songwriter & Lead Singer of Bagatelle, 1955-2021

Liam Reilly, an acclaimed songwriter and former lead singer of the Irish folk-rock band Bagatelle, died on New Year’s Day 2021 at age 65. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to view a few videos.]

Tony Rice, Bluegrass Guitar Virtuoso, 1951-2020

Tony Rice, an influential acoustic guitarist and 2013 inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, died on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2020 at his home in Reidsville, North Carolina. He was 69. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]
Lois Morton, A Witty Singer-Songwriter, 1933-2020

Lois Morton, A Witty Singer-Songwriter, 1933-2020

The Long Island music community has lost one of its most unique and gifted singer-songwriters. Lois Morton -- who delighted audiences throughout the New York metropolitan area and beyond for years with her abundant charm and humorous songs of social commentary on such subjects as cell phones, clutter, diets, psychotherapy, and road rage -- passed away on Dec. 17 at 87. [To continue reading this article and to view a few video, click on the headline.]
Winners Named in Americana Honors & Awards

Winners Named in Americana Honors & Awards

The Highwomen was the big winner in the 2020 Americana Honors & Awards that were revealed on Dec. 15. The all-female group’s self-titled debut release won Album of the Year, while one of its tracks (“Crowded Table”) took Song of the Year Honors. The Highwomen was also named Duo/Group of the Year. (To continue reading this article and learn of all the winners, click on the headline.]
FAI Folk Radio Charts - November 2020

FAI Folk Radio Charts – November 2020

Singer-Songwriter Gillian Welch was the most-played artist and had the top album (Boots No. 2: The Lost Songs, Vol. 1) on folk radio in November 2020, while singer-songwriter Tim Grimm’s “ Gone” was the most-played song for a second consecutive month. 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. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to view the monthly top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission.]
Nominees Named for 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards

Nominees Named for 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards

British Columbia-based folk duo Pharis & Jason Romero tops the list of nominees for 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards with six nominations for their album, Bet On Love. William Prince, a storytelling country-folk singer-songwriter from Peguis First Nation, received five nods for Reliever; and The East Pointers, a spirited Celtic folk trio from Prince Edward Island, were honored with four for Yours To Break. Singer-Songwriters Basia Bulat (Are You In Love?) and Catherine MacLellan (Coyote), along with Canadian Inuk musician Riit (ataataga) each received three nominations. They are among 100 nominees vying for awards in 19 categories to be presented virtually April 9-10, 2021. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and see the complete list of nominees.]

Grammy Nominees Named in American Roots Music Field

Nominees in 83 categories have been named for the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards to be presented by the Recording Academy on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT during a live broadcast on CBS television stations. Bonny Light Horseman (a new folk group featuring Anais Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson and Josh Kaufman), Sarah Jarosz and the late John Prine lead the nominees in the American Roots Music Field with two nods each. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and see a listing of nominees in the American Roots Music Field and select others.]
FAI Folk Radio Charts - October 2020

FAI Folk Radio Charts – October 2020

Songs Doc Didn’t Sing by Doc and Merle Watson was the top album on folk radio in October 2020, while the late father and son were the month’s most-played artists and singer-songwriter Tim Grimm’s “ Gone,” was the month’s most-played song. 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. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to view the monthly top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission.]
Winners Named in 2020 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition

Winners Named in 2020 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition

Six singer-songwriters have been named as winners in the 2020 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. They were chosen by a panel of judges from among 24 finalists who performed two songs each during the New Folk Concerts that streamed online October 10 and 11 on the Kerrville Folk Festival’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel as part of a Virtual Celebration held in place of the annual event on the Quiet Valley Ranch in the Texas Hill Country. [To continue reading this article, including reflections from a couple of the winners, click on the headline.]

FAI Folk Radio Charts – September 2020

Old Friends by Gathering Time was the top album on folk radio in September 2020 and features seven of the month’s top 25 songs, while the folk-rock harmony trio was the month’s most-played artist. James Lee Baker’s “100 Summers” edged out Scott Cook’s “Say Can You See” for the top song. 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. [To continue reading this article and to view the monthly top albums, songs and artists charts, click on the headline.]