Both the Philadelphia Songwriters Project and the Rhode Island Songwriters Association (RISA) are now accepting submissions in their respective performing songwriter contests. One does not need to be a member of either organization or to live in the areas they serve in order to enter. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]
Folk Alliance International (FAI) has released a white paper entitled Understanding Copyright, Royalties and Practical Applications in Folk Music. Prepared by the FAI board of directors’ advocacy committee and staff, and aimed at helping to foster understanding of this complex issue among the nonprofit organization’s membership, the paper will be presented on Friday, February 20, during the 27th Annual International Folk Alliance Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. To continue reading this article -- which also includes a preview of the conference, winter music camp and music fair -- click on the headline.
The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) presented its 41st Annual Bluegrass Music Awards on February 8, 2015 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Winners in 23 categories were honored during an awards show that capped the nonprofit organization’s 32nd national convention. [To continue reading this article and see the complete list list of SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards winners, click on the headline.]
The 57th Annual Grammy Awards were presented Feb. 8 in Los Angeles, California. Prior to the televised ceremonies from the Staples Center, awards were given to winners in a number of categories -- including those that comprise the American Roots Music Field. Rosanne Cash was the big winner, capturing three of them. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]
Entries are now being sought for the 2015 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, 2015, during the 44th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival. The first 800 entries received via mail or online by March 8 will be accepted, and 32 finalists will be named in April. To continue reading this short article, click on the headline.
Victoria, British Columbia-based acoustic roots trio The Sweet Lowdown had both the most-played album (Chasing The Sun) and song (“River Winding Down”) on folk radio during January 2015, according to 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. [January's FOLKDJ-L top albums and songs charts are posted with permission on AcousticMusicScene.com. To view them, click on the headline.]
Balsam Range, Allison Brown, DePue Brothers Band, The Gibson Brothers, Sierra Hull, The Kruger Brothers, Matuto, Mipso, Tim O’Brien, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Bryan Sutton and The Travelin’ McCourys were among the bluegrass artists who showcased their talents during the 58th annual conference of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP), held in New York City, Jan. 9-13. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]
Gene Shay, who has brought folk music to radio listeners in Philadelphia and beyond for more than 50 years, signs off as host of The Folk Show on WXPN 88.5 FM on Sunday, February 1. His last show airs live from 3-6 p.m. EST (with a rebroadcast at 8 p.m. EST) and streams online at xpn.org. Shay will be feted one month later during a March 1 gala musical celebration produced by his friends at Sing Out! and featuring performances by artists who have appeared on his show. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]
Caitlin Canty, Matt Nakoa, Jean Rohe and Tumbling Bones have been invited to participate in the Most Wanted Song Swap at this summer’s Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. They were chosen in balloting by 2014 festival attendees from among 24 artists/bands who performed in last year’s Falcon Ridge/Grassy Hill Emerging Artists Showcase. [To continue reading this article and view videos, click on the headline.]
John Butler (Fort Myers, FL), Robin Greenstein (New York, NY) and Martin Swinger (Augusta, ME) were named as winners of the 2015 South Florida Folk Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition. [To continue reading this short article, click on the headline.]
New York-based female Americana roots trio Red Molly had the most-played album (The Red Album) on folk radio during 2014, while Indiana-based singer-songwriter Tim Grimm had the most-played song (“King of the Folksingers”), according to 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. Pete Seeger, the American folk music icon who died last January at 94, was the most-played artist. [The 2014 year-end FOLKDJ-L charts, which are based on reported airplay by 184 different radio DJs, are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. To view them, click on the headline.]
Category winners have been named in the 31st annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, sponsored by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington (SAW), while overall grand, second and third prize winners will be announced during an awards gala on January 25, 2015 at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Virginia. [To continue reading the article and see the list of winners, finalists and those receiving honorable mention for songs entered in the contest’s folk/acoustic category, click on the headline.]
