Conferences of Note

SERFA Conference Set for May 13-17, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Registration is now open for the 13th annual Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Conference, with super early-bird discounts available through January 31. An extended weekend of contemporary and traditional folk music, networking and learning opportunities, the conference – slated for May 13-17 in Chattanooga, Tennessee -- will be keynoted by acclaimed singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier and will feature some two-dozen juried official showcases. [To continue reading this short article, click on the headline.]
Ron Olesko Receives NERFA's Creator of the Year Award for Folk Music Notebook

Ron Olesko Receives NERFA’s Creator of the Year Award for Folk Music Notebook

Veteran folk DJ Ron Olesko was the recipient of the inaugural Creator of the Year Award presented by the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) during the nonprofit organization’s 25th annual conference in Stamford, CT, Nov. 7-10, 2019. Olesko, a NERFA stalwart, who has been hosting a folk show (Traditions) on WFDU-FM (Teaneck, NJ), was recognized for launching Folk Music Notebook, an online radio station showcasing folk music 24/7 earlier this year. [To continue reading this article -- which includes mention of the other award-winners and some other conference highlights -- click on the headline.]
NERFA Celebrates 25 Years of Music and Community at Its Annual Conference, Nov. 7-10

NERFA Celebrates 25 Years of Music and Community at Its Annual Conference, Nov. 7-10

Some 700 performing artists, presenters, promoters, agents and managers, folk DJs, and others actively engaged in contemporary and traditional folk music are expected to converge on the Crowne Plaza in Stamford, Connecticut, Nov. 7-10, 2019 for the 25th Annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference. AcousticMusicScene.com will again have a major presence as it hosts afternoon and late-night song swaps in addition to its popular Midnight Hoot at the close of the conference’s first day. [To continue reading this article previewing the conference and including the complete AcousticMusicScene.com showcase lineup, click on the headline.]

2019 International Bluegrass Music Awards Presented

The coveted Entertainer of the Year Award, the top honor in the 30th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards – presented Sept. 26, 2019 at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Duke Energy Center for the Arts – went to Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, a five-member band that also serves as hosts of the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festivals that are held twice annually. [To continue reading this article -- including the complete list of award winners -- click on the headline.]
2019 Americana Honors & Awards Presented

2019 Americana Honors & Awards Presented

Singer-Songwriter John Prine was the big winner in The 2019 Americana Honors & Awards that were presented on Wednesday, September 11 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. His 2019 release, The Tree of Forgiveness, was named Album of the Year, while “Summer’s End” was voted Song of the Year. [To continue reading this article and learn about all of the award winners, click on the headline.]

Official Showcase Artists Chosen for 2020 Folk Alliance International Conference, Jan. 22-26

180 artists /acts from 22 countries and a wide array of genres have been jury-selected to perform in Official Showcases during the 32nd annual Folk Alliance International Conference that is slated for Jan. 22-26, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. [To continue reading this article -- including a listing of all 180 Official Showcase artists and acts -- click on the headline.]

Juried Official Showcase Artists Chosen for 2019 NERFA Conference in Stamford, CT, Nov. 7-10

More than 40 artists/acts have been selected for juried formal and semi-formal showcases during the 25th annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference, slated for Nov. 7-10, 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stamford, CT. [To continue reading this article, click on he headline.]

Folk DJ Jan Hall to Receive Estelle Klein Award

Jan Hall, host and producer of the syndicated weekly radio show, Folk Roots Radio, has been named the winner of the Estelle Klein Award that is presented by Folk Music Ontario during its annual conference in September. Established in 2000, the award honors the work of an individual or group that has made significant contributions to the Canadian province’s folk music community. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

AcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Showcases at SERFA Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Nearly 300 people will converge on Chattanooga, Tennessee, May 15-19, 2019 for the 12th annual Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Conference. An extended weekend of contemporary and traditional folk music, networking and learning opportunities, the conference will be keynoted by singer-songwriter Ellis Paul and features 27 juried official showcases. [To continue reading this illustrated article and to see a listing of official showcase artists and the AcusticMusicScene.com showcase lineup, click on the headline.]

Registration Opens for 25th NERFA Conference

Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) has launched a new website (www.nerfa.org) and opened registration for its 25th annual conference to be held in Stamford, Connecticut, November 7-10, 2019. Artists may also now apply online for juried official showcases. [To continue reading this short article, click on the headline.]

Singer-Songwriters Flock to Cape May, NJ, March 29-30

The maddening crowds of summer won’t be there yet, but several hundred performing artists and others engaged in the music business are expected to converge on the historic Victorian-lined New Jersey seaside resort community of Cape May, March 29-30, 2019 for the 12th annual Singer-Songwriter Cape May conference. [To continue reading this article and view videos by featured artists Jesse Terry and Erin McKeown, click on the headline.]
Folk and Roots Artists Showcase Their Talents During APAP Conference in New York City

Folk and Roots Artists Showcase Their Talents During APAP Conference in New York City

Dozens of performers from the folk, roots and singer-songwriter communities showcased their talents during the annual conference of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) that took place January 4-8. The global multidisciplinary performing arts marketplace and conference drew several thousand arts professionals from throughout the U.S. and many other countries to New York City. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]