Arthur Alligood Wins 2011 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest

Arthur Alligood has been named the grand prize winner in the 10th annual Mountain Stage NewSong Contest.Alligood, who hails from the small town of White House, TN, near Nashville, was chosen from among more than 2,000 entrants and selected from among 12 finalists. The international finals for the noted performing songwriter contest -- presented by the live performance radio show and produced by the independent music organization NewSong Music -- took place last Thursday evening, Oct. 20, at the World Financial Center’s Wintergarden in New York City. [To read the article in its entirety, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingArthur Alligood Wins 2011 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest

Nominees Named for 2011 Canadian Folk Music Awards

With four nominations each, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Gunning are the top nominees vying for awards during the seventh annual Canadian Folk Music Awards slated to be presented during a gala event in Toronto, Dec. 4. The awards were established to bring greater exposure to the breadth and depth of Canadian folk music, celebrating and promoting it in all its forms. Outstanding achievements will be recognized in 19 categories, while a new “Unsung Hero” award also will be bestowed. (To read the article and see a complete list of nominees, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingNominees Named for 2011 Canadian Folk Music Awards

Clearwater Honors George Wein with Power of Song Award

Music festival impresario George Wein, founder of the Newport Folk Festival, among others, will receive the first Power of Song Award during an Oct. 21 benefit concert in New York City. Monies raised during the event, which is set for 8 p.m. at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space, will support the environmental education programs of Clearwater, a nonprofit organization launched by Pete Seeger and others more than 40 years ago to help spur awareness of and preserve and protect the Hudson River and its tributaries. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingClearwater Honors George Wein with Power of Song Award

Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers Win IBMA’s Top Award

Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers were named Entertainer of the Year during the 22nd Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards show on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, ending a three-year winning streak by Dailey & Vincent. [To read the article in its entirety and learn of all the award winners, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingSteve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers Win IBMA’s Top Award

Finalists Named in Avalonfest Performing Songwriter Competition

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.]

Continue ReadingFinalists Named in Avalonfest Performing Songwriter Competition

Lara Herscovitch is SolarFest Singer-Songwriter Showcase Winner

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.]

Continue ReadingLara Herscovitch is SolarFest Singer-Songwriter Showcase Winner

8th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards Opens for Entries

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.]

Continue Reading8th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards Opens for Entries

Six 2011 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Winners Named

Six songwriters have been named as winners in the 2011 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. Mai Bloomfield (Venice, CA), Megan Burtt (Denver, CO), David Moss (Austin, TX), Cassie Peterson (Nashville, TN), Grace Pettis (Harrisonburg, VA) and AJ Roach (Brooklyn, NY) were selected by a panel of judges from among 32 finalists who performed two songs each during the New Folk Concerts on May 28 and 29 as part of the Kerrville Folk Festival. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingSix 2011 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Winners Named

Kasey Chambers Wins 2010 International Songwriting Competition

Australian singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers was named the grand prize winner in the 2010 International Songwriting Competition (ISC). Chambers was recognized for her song “Beautiful Mess,” which was entered into the folk/singer-songwriter category. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingKasey Chambers Wins 2010 International Songwriting Competition

Carolann Solebello Wins 2011 SMAF Songwriter Contest

Carolann Solebello is the winner of the 2011 Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival (SMAF) Songwriter Contest. She was selected after performing two original songs -- “Papa’s Mandolin” and “Wash Me Clean” -- during the finals held on Friday afternoon, May 6, as part of the 10th Annual SMAF in downtown Havre de Grace, Maryland. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingCarolann Solebello Wins 2011 SMAF Songwriter Contest

2011 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Finalists Named

Thirty-two songwriters have been named as finalists in the 2011 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. Chosen from among 800 submissions from around the world, the finalists will perform their two submitted songs during the New Folk Concerts slated for Saturday and Sunday afternoons, May 28 and 29, as part of the Kerrville Folk Festival. [To read the article and see who the finalists are, click on the headline.]

Continue Reading2011 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Finalists Named