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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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.]
2020 Kerrville New Folk Concerts Go Online
Twenty-four songwriters who were named as finalists in the 2020 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters will perform the two songs they submitted during Virtual New Folk Finalists Concerts slated for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11, beginning at 1:30 p.m. CDT.
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IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Winners Named
Sister Sadie –- a female quartet featuring Tina Adair, Dale Ann Bradley, Gena Britt and Deannie Richardson –- was the recipient of the coveted Entertainer of the Year award during the 31st annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards on October 1, 2020. The reigning IBMA Vocal Group of the Year also retained that distinction, while Richardson was named Fiddle Player of the Year and was also part of the Collaborative Recording of the Year (The Barber’s Fiddle).
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FAR-West Hosts a Virtual Gathering on Oct. 8
Like its counterparts at the other regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International, the board of directors of Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West) felt compelled to cancel its annual conference this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. FAR-West will, however, host a virtual gathering on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. Entitled “We Belong Together,” the free, one-day event will be in two parts and will take place via Zoom and YouTube.
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