‘For Pete’s Sake, Sing!’ as Seeger Turns 90
Pete Seeger, the inspirational American folk music icon, political activist and humanitarian, whose songs have helped to provide a musical backdrop for many of the historical movements of the past 50-plus years, marks a historic milestone himself on Sunday, May 3. Throughout the country and the world over, many special events are planned in celebration of Pete’s 90th birthday. In addition, a five-CD box set of Seeger songs has just been released, and a number of folk radio programs airing over the weekend are likely to focus on his life and legacy.
[To read the entire article, including listings of more than a dozen "For Pete's Sake, Sing" events across the U.S., click on the headline.]
Vermonters are Winners in Chris Austin Songwriting Contest
Carol Hausner and Colin McCaffrey of Montpelier, Vermont were named as the winners in the bluegrass category in the 17th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest for their song entitled “Love Gone By.” The two performed their winning song, along with the winners in three other categories (country, general and gospel), on the Cabin Stage at MerleFest on April 24 and won an acoustic guitar, a check for $300 and other prizes.
[To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
A Quick Q & A with Tom Rush
Tom Rush has been captivating audiences with his rich, melodic voice and gently laid-back, rustic brand of folk music since he first burst on the coffeehouse scene in Cambridge, Massachusetts while a student at Harvard in the early 1960s. One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of our time, he has both written songs that have been covered by others and introduced the world to other notable artists through his gifted reinterpretations of their work. Kathy Sands-Boehmer posed a few questions to him recently.
[To read Kathy's quick Q & A with Tom Rush, click on the headline.]
Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 04-23-09
Roots Music Report compiles weekly radio airplay charts for various roots-related genres. These are based on spin totals reported by music directors and DJs from more than 400 terrestrial and Internet radio stations. The latest Folk chart is posted here with permission.
[To view the latest Folk radio airplay chart compiled by Roots Music Report, click on the headline.]
Finalists Named in 2009 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition
Thirty-two songwriters have been named as finalists in the 2009 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 23 and 24, as part of the Kerrville Folk Festival.
[To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
The Pocono Mountains Come Alive with the Sound of Folk Music Over Memorial Day Weekend
Folk music will abound in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains over Memorial Day weekend. There will be plenty of opportunities to sing, play, listen, learn, relax and enjoy the company of other folks as both The Folk Music Society of New York, Inc. (a.k.a. New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club) and the Philadelphia Folksong Society hold their music-filled annual spring weekends.
[To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
George Wein Secures Permit for Folk Festival 50 in Newport
Fifty years after launching the first Newport Folk Festival, George Wein, 83, a pioneer among producers of outdoor music festivals, will return to steer another one this summer at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Following months of negotiations, the Newport City Council last night approved a permit for what will be called George Wein’s Folk Festival 50. Slated for July 31-August 2, the event will feature several notable established folk artists who performed during the festival’s early years, as well as some more contemporary singer-songwriters and musicians. Tickets go on sale May 6 at www.folkfestival50.com.
[To read the article in its entirety, click on the headline.]
Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 4-16-09
Roots Music Report compiles weekly radio airplay charts for various roots-related genres. These are based on spin totals reported by music directors and DJs from more than 400 terrestrial and Internet radio stations. The latest Folk chart is posted here with permission.
[To view the latest Folk radio airplay chart compiled by Roots Music Report, click on the headline.]
A Quick Q & A with AJ Roach
It’s been said that AJ Roach’s music illustrates the blurry line between traditional folk and indie folk. His musical heritage harkens back to the old-time roots of pure and simple Appalachian music, yet there’s a certain edginess that is very evident throughout all of his music, asserts Kathy Sands-Boehmer. She considers that " a great combination."
Kathy recently posed a few questions to the Baltimore, Maryland-based singer-songwriter. storyteller and relentlessly touring artist, whose second album, Revelation, reached #1 on the Euro-Americana chart in late 2006, prior to its U.S. release by Waterbug in 2007. AcousticMusicScene.com was pleased to include him in our Midnight Hoot during the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference that year.
[To read Kathy's Q & A...
Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 04-09-09
Roots Music Report compiles weekly radio airplay charts for various roots-related genres. These are based on spin totals reported by music directors and DJs from more than 400 terrestrial and Internet radio stations. The latest Folk chart is posted here with permission.
[To view the latest Folk radio airplay chart compiled by Roots Music Report, click on the headline.]
A Quick Q & A with David Mallett
His songs -- most notably "The Garden Song" -- have been covered by many artists over the years -- including Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, Alison Kraus, Kathy Mattea, and John Denver (with The Muppets). David Mallett also is a gifted singer in his own right, as those who have heard him will readily attest. Kathy Sands-Boehmer recently posed a few questions to the singer-songwriter from Maine, many of whose songs are informed by his own rural small town roots.
[To read Kathy's Q & A with David Mallett, click on the headline.]
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