Last week, the folk community lost two seminal figures: Clark Weissman, co-founder of Folk Alliance International (along with his late wife Elaine, 2005), and Reba Heyman, an omnipresent supporter (along with her late husband Vic, 2009). Aengus Finnan, executive director of Folk Alliance International, remembers them and reflects on their contributions. [Click on the headline to read this remembrance piece.]
For a second consecutive year, Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival, a festival celebrating environmental activism and education, traditionally held over the Father’s Day weekend won’t be taking place at Croton Point Park in Croton-On-Hudson in New York’s Hudson Valley due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, you can enjoy music by many talented artists from the comfort of your own home on Saturday, June 19, 2021 when Clearwater presents the Great Hudson River Revival Livestream. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to view the complete festival schedule.]
Six singer-songwriters were named as winners in the 2021 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters during the Kerrville Folk Festival’s Virtual Celebration on May 29. 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 May 22 and 23 on the festival’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. [To continue reading this short article and see the names of the winners, click on the headline.]
Peggy Seeger was the most-played artist and had the top album (First Farewell) on folk radio during April 2021, edging out Reggie Harris in both categories. Darryl Purpose’s rendition of Dave Carter’s “Gentle Arms of Eden” 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. [The monthly top albums, songs and artists charts are posted on AcousticMusic Scene.com with permission. Click on the headline to view them.]
Although health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic prevent the Southeast Regional Folk Alliance from holding its annual in-person conference this spring, it has slated SERFA In Session: A Virtual Gathering in its place, May 20-22, 2021.
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has selected Pat Morris as its new executive director. Morris succeeds Paul Schiminger, who is retiring after nearly six years at the helm of the Nashville, Tennessee-based nonprofit professional music organization that connects, educates and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide.
Although the annual 18-day-long Kerrville Folk Festival won’t be taking place in late May-June 2021 on the Quiet Valley Ranch in the Texas Hill Country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a KFF Virtual Celebration is set to stream live from there on Saturday, May 29. Meanwhile, 24 songwriters have been named as finalists in the 2021 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters and will showcase their talents online during Finalist Concerts beginning at 7 p.m. CT, May 22 and 23.
Submissions are now being sought in the 29th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Hosted by MerleFest, the contest affords aspiring writers an opportunity to have their original songs heard and judged by a volunteer panel of Nashville music industry professionals chaired by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale.
The 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards were presented virtually during a pair of 90-minute evening livestreams via the CFMA website and Facebook page, April 10-11. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and view the complete list of award winners.]
Tim Grimm, a southern Indiana-based folk-Americana singer-songwriter, had the top album (Gone), three of the four most-played songs, and was the most-played artist on folk radio during March 2021. 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 and to view the top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted monthly with permission.]
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and its partners on the City of Raleigh’s local organizing committee have expressed cautious optimism that they will be able to hold a hybrid IBMA World of Bluegrass this fall (Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2021) with a meaningful and safe in-person component in North Carolina’s capital city, as well as online content.
Winners in the 63rd Grammy Awards’ American Roots Music Field were recognized during a Premiere Ceremony that took place prior to The Recording Academy’s televised awards show on Sunday, March 14, 2021 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, while singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile paid tribute to the late John Prine, one of the winners, during the awards show that aired on CBS television stations. [Click on the headline to continue reading the article.]
