August 8 is the application deadline for artists seeking one of 14 coveted 15-minute juried formal showcase slots during the 17th Annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference. Registration for the conference, slated for Nov. 10-13 at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in Kerhonkson, New York, also is now open. [To read the article in its entirety, click on the headline.]
A private memorial service took place in New Hampshire on Friday, July 29, for Bill Morrissey, a Grammy-nominated, nationally touring folksinger-songwriter, for whom the granite state was home and its small-town life the inspiration behind much of his material. Morrissey died at age 59 of complications of heart disease in Georgia on July 23 while on tour. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]
The We R Indie and Indiegrrl International Music Conference will feature three days of music industry-related workshops, panel discussions, live showcases featuring artists from around the world, a battle of the bands, a Songwriter Showdown competition, and a vendor expo, Aug. 18-20, in Knoxville, Tennessee. [To read the complete article, click on the headline.]
The Civil Wars' debut album, Barton Hollow, tops the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart this week, while Paul Simon's So Beautiful Or So What drops to #2 and Eliza Gilkyson's Roses At The End Of Time retains the #3 spot. [To view the current Folk Top 50 albums chart, click on the headline.]
Four artists have been selected as finalists in the Avalonfest’s annual performing songwriter competition for 2011: Doug Brouder (Gettysburg, PA), Kyle Carey (Portsmouth, NH), Kathy Moser (Stanhope, NJ) and Sarah Pinsker (Baltimore, MD). [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
Paul Simon's So Beautiful Or So What returned to the top spot on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart last week, followed by albums by The Civil Wars, Eliza Gilkyson, An Artists Tribute to Bob Dylan on His 70th Birthday, and The Waifs. [To view the Folk Top 50 albums chart, click on the headline.] Editor's Note: Last week's chart was posted late since I was attending the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival last weekend. This week's Folk Top 50 will be posted this weekend.
Lara Herscovitch, an engaging contemporary singer-songwriter from Connecticut, emerged as the winner from among 10 finalists in the 11th Annual Singer-Songwriter Showcase this month at SolarFest, which bills itself as New England’s renewable energy festival. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
Entries are currently being accepted for the International Acoustic Music Awards. Now in its eighth year, the competition promotes excellence in acoustic music performance and artistry. Awards will be presented in eight categories: Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo, Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Bluegrass/Country, and an Acoustic Open Genre category. An overall Grand Prize winner also will be named. [To view the full article, click on the headline.]
AcousticMusicScene.com will host song swaps and mini-showcases during the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, July 22-24, and the Huntington Folk Festival, August 6. Both festivals take place in New York State. {to view the entire article, including schedules, click on the headline.]
The Civil Wars' debut album, Barton Hollow, returns to the top of the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart this week. Paul Simon's So Beautiful Or So What is now #3, while A Nod To Bob 2 - An Artists' Tribute To Bob Dylan On His 70th Birthday continues at #2. [To view the current Folk Top 50 Chart, click on the headline.] Editor's Note: Next week's chart will be posted a few days late since I will be attending the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival next weekend. I'll be hosting late-night song swaps under the Tribes Hill-AcousticMusicScene.com tent.
Saturday, July 16 marks the 30th anniversary of the tragic death of singer-songwriter and social activist Harry Chapin, whose music and humanitarianism inspired many. Two concerts featuring his songs will take place on Long Island, where he resided with his family. An effort also is under way to encourage the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp in his honor. [To View the entire article, click the headline.]
Funeral services are being held today (July 12) in Letcher County, Kentucky for master fiddler Kenny Baker, who played with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys for many years and was subsequently part of a fiddle-dobro duo with Josh Graves for more than 20 years (1984-2006). Baker died July 8 at 85, following a stroke. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
