Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) and Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA), regional chapters of Folk Alliance International, are both currently accepting applications for juried showcases during their respective annual conferences this fall. All showcase entries must be submitted online. [To continue reading the article, click on the headline.]
Two regional chapters of Folk Alliance International have slated a first-of-its-kind inter-regional one-day mini-conference. The Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) and Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) will hold the event at Unity of Charlottesville in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday, September 6, 2014. Registration forms and showcase applications are now available on the NERFA website. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]
A number of talented local, regional and national touring female performing artists are on the bill for Muses in the Vineyard, a music festival celebrating women in song, that is slated for Saturday-Sunday, May 17-18 at Four Sisters Winery in Belvidere, New Jersey. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]
Carter Girl, an album covering three generations of Carter Family music by Carlene Carter, the daughter of of June Carter Cash and granddaughter of "Mother" Maybelle Carter, was the most-played album on folk radio during April 2014, 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. Jesse Winchester, the late singer-songwriter who was revered and widely covered by other artists, had the month's top two songs ("Brand New Tennessee Waltz" and "Yankee Lady"). [To view the Top Albums and Songs chart for April 2014, click on the headline.]
Susan Werner has never been one to adhere to just one musical style. A gifted singer-songwriter, who accompanies herself on both guitar and piano, she is known for her musical versatility and for her witty repartee during live performances. The Iowa native, who now calls Chicago home, has been delighting concert and festival audiences for two decades. Kathy Sands-Boehmer recently spoke with the classically-trained artist about her latest CD, Hayseed, and more. [To read Kathy's Quick Q & A with Susan Werner, click on the headline.]
Thirty-two songwriters have been named as finalists in the 2014 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. Chosen from among hundreds of submissions from throughout the U.S. and Canada, the finalists will perform the two songs they submitted during the New Folk Concerts slated for Saturday and Sunday afternoons, May 24 and 25, as part of the Kerrville Folk Festival. [To continue reading the article and see the list of Kerrville New Folk Finalists, click on the headline.]
Thirty artists and bands have been selected to participate in the Bluegrass Ramble series of showcases slated to take place at select venues throughout downtown Raleigh, North Carolina during the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s World of Bluegrass 2014, Sept. 30-Oct. 4. [To continue reading this article and see the list of Bluegrass Ramble showcase artists, click on the headline.]
Up-and-coming bluegrass artists who offer a fresh take on the genre are invited to compete for the 2014 FreshGrass Award, a highlight of the eponymous three-day bluegrass and roots festival held each fall at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]
Performing songwriters from the states of Maine and Texas dominate the list of ten finalists named this week in the 2014 Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest. Each will perform two songs on the Singer Songwriter Stage during the 22nd annual Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival at Galatyn Park in Richardson, Texas, just a few minutes north of Dallas. Billed as North Texas’ largest music festival, it takes place, May 16-18. [To continue reading the article and see the list of finalists, click on the headline.]
Singer-songwriter Jesse Winchester lost his battle with cancer on April 11, 2014, just over a month shy of his 70th birthday. He died at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia. A songwriter’s songwriter, Jesse Winchester was revered and widely covered by other artists. [To continue reading the article, click on the headline.]
Fifteen performing songwriters from Texas and five other states will showcase their original songs and talents as they compete for $3,200 in prize money during the annual Songwriter Serenade competition on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Moravia Parish Hall in Moravia, TX. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline].
Finalists have been named in the 22nd annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by MerleFest 2014, the popular roots-oriented music festival that takes place April 24-27 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. [To continue reading the article, click on the headline.]
