Songwriter Marketing Tips: Writing a Great Bio

Why is writing a good bio so important for singer-songwriters? What are the biggest challenges of writing one, especially if you’re writing it about yourself? What are the qualities of a really good bio? What are the different ways you can use them in publicity and in marketing yourself? AcousticMusicScene.com’s Michael Kornfeld, a communications and PR strategist, recently responded to these and other questions posed to him by singer-songwriter Sharon Goldman for Songwriting Scene, a blog for songwriters about songwriting. That interview is re-posted here with permission. [To read the article, click on the headline.]

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Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 04-23-10

Jakob Dylan's Women and Children and Anais Mitchell's Hadestown move up to the #2 and #3 positions, respectively, this week on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, while Carolina Chocolate Drops' Genuine Negro Jig remains #1. The latest Folk chart, based on spin totals reported by music directors and folk DJs, is posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. [To see the current Top 50 Folk Album Chart, click on the headline.]

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Concord Music Group Acquires Rounder Records

Rounder Records, a leading American roots music label that is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, has been acquired by the Concord Music Group. The Massachusetts-based independent label has released more than 3,000 albums in such genres as bluegrass, Americana, Cajun & Zydeco, folk, singer-songwriter and children’s music. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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Finalists Named in 2010 Philadelphia Songwriters Project Contest

Fourteen finalists were named this week in the 2010 Philadelphia Songwriters Project Songwriting Contest. The contest, which was open to performing songwriters in all genres and had love songs as its theme this year, drew nearly 600 submissions from 22 states and seven countries. [To read the article, click on the headline.]

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Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 04-16-10

Carolina Chocolate Drops' album Genuine Negro Jig retains the top position on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart this week, while Red Molly's James climbs into the second position and Mumford & Sons' Gentlemen of the Road remains number three. The latest Folk chart, based on spin totals reported by music directors and folk DJs, is posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. [To see the current Top 50 Folk Album Chart, click on the headline.]

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32 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Finalists Named for 2010

Thirty-two songwriters have been named as finalists in the 2010 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. Chosen from among 800 submissions from around the world, the finalists will perform the two songs they submitted during the New Folk Concerts slated for Saturday and Sunday afternoons, May 29 and 30, as part of the Kerrville Folk Festival. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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Judges Deal Blow to “Net Neutrality” and Independent Artists

In an action that may have serious implications for independent musicians and labels, a federal appeals court ruled last week that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lacks the authority to enforce “net neutrality.” That’s the guiding principle that preserves a free and open Internet – intended to afford users equal access to all websites, more choices and access to information. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 04-09-10

Carolina Chocolate Drops' album Genuine Negro Jig retains the top position on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart this week, while Jakob Dylan's Women and Country and Mumford & Sons' Gentlemen of the Road climb into the second and third positions. Rounding out the top five albums are Carrie Newcomer's Before and After and Red Molly's James. The latest Folk chart, based on spin totals reported by music directors and folk DJs, is posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. [To see the current Top 50 Folk Album Chart, click on the headline.]

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Finalists Named in 2010 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

Finalists have been named in the 18th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by MerleFest 2010, the popular roots-oriented music festival that takes place April 29-May 2 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 04-02-10

Carolina Chocolate Drops' album Genuine Negro Jig continues for another week in the top position on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, while Joe Pug's Messenger, Carrie Newcomer's Before And After, and Red Molly's James retain the second, third and fourth positions, respectively. Waterbug Anthology Nine climbs to number five. The latest Folk chart, based on spin totals reported by music directors and folk DJs, is posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. [To see the current Top 50 Folk Album Chart, click on the headline.]

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Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 03-26-10

Carolina Chocolate Drops' album Genuine Negro Jig continues for another week in the top position on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, while Joe Pug's Messenger moves into the second spot and Carrie Newcomer's Before And After moves up to #3. Rounding out the top five are are Red Molly's James and Heather Bristow's Hope On The Vine. The latest Folk chart, based on spin totals reported by music directors and folk DJs, is posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. [To see the current Top 50 Folk Album Chart, click on the headline.]

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