Acoustic Radio Waves

Revered Folk DJ Gene Shay Retires

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.]
Top Albums, Songs, Artists of 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums, Songs, Artists of 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

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.]
2014 Americana Top 100 Albums Chart Revealed

2014 Americana Top 100 Albums Chart Revealed

The River & the Thread, a collection of original songs that connect and re-connect Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash to the American South where she was born and from which her family hails, was the most-played album on Americana radio during 2014. That’s the word from the Americana Music Association, whose year-end Top 10 and Top 100 Albums of the Year are based on the records reported to the Americana Airplay Chart during the period of December 2, 2013 through December 1, 2014. [To view a listing of the top 100 albums of the year, click on the headline.]
Top Albums and Songs of November 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums and Songs of November 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

The Rose of No Man’s Land by Nell Robinson was the most-played album on folk radio during November 2014 according to charts compiled 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 November 2014 FOLKDJ-L top albums and songs charts are posted with permission on AcousticMusicScene.com. To view them, click on the headline.]
Top Albums and Songs of October 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums and Songs of October 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Best Medicine, the Yep Roc Records debut by acoustic trio The Stray Birds, was the most-played album on folk radio during October 2014 according to charts compiled 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 CD’s title track reportedly tied with “Another Day,” the new single from high-energy Celtic folk group Burning Bridget Cleary, as the month’s most-played song. [The October 2014 FOLKDJ-L top albums and songs charts are posted with permission on AcousticMusicScene.com. To view them , click on the headline.]
Top Albums & Songs of September 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums & Songs of September 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Dear Jean: Artists Celebrate Jean Ritchie was the most-played album on folk radio during September 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. The 37-track, two-CD set released by Compass Records features various artists paying homage to the Kentucky-born singer-songwriter who influenced and inspired them and who many regard as “the mother of folk.” It also was the top album in August. [Click on the headline to view the top albums and songs charts that are posted with permission on AcousticMusicScene.com.]
Ohio Folk DJ Norm Whitman Retires

Ohio Folk DJ Norm Whitman Retires

After more than 30 years as a folk DJ on WYSO, public radio for the Miami Valley from Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Norm Whitman signed off following his show Detours on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 27. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]
Top Albums and Songs of August 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums and Songs of August 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Dear Jean: Artists Celebrate Jean Ritchie was the most-played album on folk radio during August 2014 according to charts compiled 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 37-track, two-CD set released by Compass Records features various artists paying homage to the Kentucky-born singer-songwriter who influenced and inspired them and who many regard as “the mother of folk.” [Click on the headline to view the top albums and songs charts that are posted with permission on AcousticMusicScene.com.]
Top Albums and Songs of June 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums and Songs of June 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

The Red Album, the latest release by the New York-based female Americana roots trio Red Molly, was the most-played album on folk radio for a second consecutive month, according to charts compiled 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 Red Album also sported four of the month's top songs. [To view the Top Albums and Songs charts, click on the headline.]
Top Albums and Songs for May 2014

Top Albums and Songs for May 2014

The Red Album, the latest release by the New York-based female Americana roots trio Red Molly, was the most-played album on folk radio during May 2014, followed by singer-songwriter Joe Crookston's Georgia I'm Here, according to charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio. Several tracks from both albums also were reportedly among the top ten most-played songs during the month, although they were edged out by Asheville, NC-based Americana roots trio Red June for the top spot. [To view the Top albums and Songs charts, click on the headline.]
Top Albums and Songs for April 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums and Songs for April 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

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.]
Top Albums and Songs of March 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums and Songs of March 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)

One Evening in May, recorded live at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, California last May by bluegrass and Americana artist Laurie Lewis with friends Tom Rozum and Nina Gerber, was the most-played album on folk radio during March 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. [To view the Top Albums and Songs charts for March 2014, click on the headline.]