Arts Presenters, Performing Artists Converge on New York City, Jan. 15-19

Several thousand people are expected to converge on New York City, Jan. 15-19, for the annual conference of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP). Now in its 59th year, the global performing arts marketplace and conference will feature more than 1000 artist showcases, a large EXPO Hall featuring nearly 400 exhibitors, networking opportunities galore, daily plenary sessions and keynote speakers, and a wide array of professional development workshops and forums. Plenaries and select sessions will live stream free for industry professionals, artists and the public. [To continue reading this article -- including a listing of folk and roots artists who will be showcasing their talents -- click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingArts Presenters, Performing Artists Converge on New York City, Jan. 15-19

Rachael Kilgour Wins NewSong Contest

Rachael Kilgour, a Duluth, Minnesota-based singer-songwriter, was named the grand prize winner of the 2015 NewSong Contest after performing, along with eight other artists, during a music showcase and competition finals held January 7, 2016 at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium in New York City. [To continue reading this article and view a couple of videos, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingRachael Kilgour Wins NewSong Contest

2016 Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest Deadline is March 1

Entries are now being sought in the 2016 Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest that is held in conjunction with the annual Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival, May 20-22, in Richardson, Texas, just a few minutes north of Dallas. [To continue reading this short article, click on the headline.]

Continue Reading2016 Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest Deadline is March 1

Top Albums and Songs of December 2015 (FOLKDJ-L)

Hudson Harding Sampler, Vol. 10: Happy Holidays was the most-played album on folk radio during December 2015, while “Longest Night of the Year” by Joe Jencks, from that CD distributed by radio promoter Erik Balkey, tied with John McCutcheon’s classic “Christmas in the Trenches” as the month’s most-played song. So say charts compiled by Richard Gillmann from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio. The December 2015 FOLKDJ-L Top Albums and Songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. To view them, click on the headline.

Continue ReadingTop Albums and Songs of December 2015 (FOLKDJ-L)
Read more about the article People’s Music Network Winter Gathering Set for Jan. 29-31 in Albany, NY
Joe Jencks is PMN's Artist-in-Residence for 2016

People’s Music Network Winter Gathering Set for Jan. 29-31 in Albany, NY

There will be lots of singing of socially relevant songs, communal meals, jamming, mentoring, socializing, and an array of workshops during the People’s Music Network’s 2016 Winter Gathering at the Hackett Middle School in Albany, NY, Jan. 29-31. Singer-Songwriter Joe Jencks, known to many as part of the folk harmony trio Brother Sun, is this year’s PMN Artist-in-Residence and will both perform and lead workshops during the event that has taken place annually in various locales since 1977. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingPeople’s Music Network Winter Gathering Set for Jan. 29-31 in Albany, NY

2016 Kerrville New Folk Competition Entries Due by Feb. 29

Entries are now being sought for the 2016 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29, 2016, during the 45th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival in the Texas hill country. The first 800 entries received via the mail or online by February 29 will be accepted, and 32 finalists will be named in mid-April. To continue reading this short article, click on the headline.

Continue Reading2016 Kerrville New Folk Competition Entries Due by Feb. 29

Showcase Artists Sought for SS Cape May

Some 150 acts, from solo artists to full bands, will be selected to showcase at various venues over two nights during the ninth annual Singer Songwriter Cape May music business conference set for Friday-Saturday, March 18-19, 2016 in the historic Victorian-lined New Jersey seaside resort community. All artists who submit showcase applications by the Jan. 15 deadline will receive free registration for the conference whether or not they are slotted. [To continue reading this article on AcousticMusicScene.com, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingShowcase Artists Sought for SS Cape May

2015 NewSong Contest Finalists to Showcase Their Talents in NYC, Jan. 7

Ten artists/groups have been named as finalists in the 2015 NewSong Contest and will perform live during a music showcase and competition finals set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium (61 W. 62nd St., New York, NY). Admission is free, although seating is limited. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

Continue Reading2015 NewSong Contest Finalists to Showcase Their Talents in NYC, Jan. 7

Entries Sought in Telluride Troubadour Contest

Songwriters are invited to enter the 2016 Telluride Troubadour Competition held in conjunction with the 43rd Telluride Bluegrass Festival that takes place June 16-19 amid Colorado’s rugged San Juan Mountains. Entrants will vie for cash and other prizes, recognition, and the opportunity to perform at the festival. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingEntries Sought in Telluride Troubadour Contest

Grammy Awards Nominees Named

Nominees in 83 categories have been named for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards to be presented by The Recording Academy on Monday, February 15, 2016. Of particular interest to readers of AcousticMusicScene.com are the nominees for awards in the American Roots Music Field that will be presented prior to the live broadcast airing on CBS television stations that evening from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. [To continue reading and see a listing of the nominees in the American Roots Music Field and select others, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingGrammy Awards Nominees Named

January is Music Festival Time in Florida

Floridians and visitors to the Sunshine State have opportunities to escape the winter doldrums and enjoy some fine music in mid-January. Both the South Florida Folk Festival and the 30A Songwriters Festival take place over the same weekend in different parts of the state. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingJanuary is Music Festival Time in Florida
Read more about the article Top Albums and Songs of November 2015 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums and Songs of November 2015 (FOLKDJ-L)

Joy of Living: A Tribute to Ewan MacColl (Compass) was the most-played album on folk radio during November 2015, while “I Am an Immigrant” by Jesse Palidofsky and “Take Me Home” by Free the Honey were reportedly the most—played songs. So say charts compiled by Richard Gillmann from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio. The monthly Top Albums and Songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. To view them, click on the headline.

Continue ReadingTop Albums and Songs of November 2015 (FOLKDJ-L)