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FAI Folk Radio Charts - October 2021

FAI Folk Radio Charts – October 2021

The Village Out West: The Lost Tapes of Alan Oakes by various artists (Smithsonian Folkways) was the most-played album on folk radio during October 2021, while Jonathan Edwards’ “Right Where I am” was the top song and John McCutcheon was the month’s most-played artist (as he was in September). So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International based on radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio. [Click on the headline to view the top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted monthly with permission.]

FAI Folk Radio Charts – September 2021

John McCutcheon, a revered folksinger-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, was the most-played artist and had the top album (Bucket List) and the most-played song (its title track) on folk radio during September 2021. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International based on radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and see the monthly top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted with permission.]

Beth Snapp Wins 2021 Songwriter Serenade

Beth Snapp, a folk-pop singer-songwriter who hails from northeast Tennessee, took top honors during the 14th annual Songwriter Serenade in Schulenberg, Texas on October 2, 2021. She was chosen from among 15 semifinalists in the songwriting competition by a panel of judges who evaluated them based on lyrics (imagery, story, creativity, and originality), melody (structure, phrasing, and rhythm), and performing ability (vocals, musicianship), as well as stage presence/audience rapport. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Remembering Robin Morton, 1939-2021

Robin Morton, who played an integral and pioneering role in traditional Celtic music as a founding member of Boys of the Lough, manager of Scotland’s Battlefield Band, avid song collector, and founder & owner of the Scottish label Temple Records, died on Oct. 1, 2021. He was 81. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Winners Named in IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards

Billy Strings was the recipient of the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award, the top honor in the 32nd Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, presented September 30, 2021 at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Duke Energy Center for the Arts. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to view the complete list of award winners.]
Canadian Folk Music Awards Nominees Named

Canadian Folk Music Awards Nominees Named

Rob Lutes (Come Around) and Allison Russell (Outside Child) top the list of nominees for the 2022 Canadian Folk Music Awards with four nods each, while Cedric Dind-Lavoie, Whitehorse, The Hello Darlins, Rosier, Rick Fines, and Polky snagged three nominations each. They are among the 105 nominees from throughout Canada vying for awards in 19 categories to be presented in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, April 1-3, 2022. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and see the complete list of nominees.]

Winners Named in 2021 Americana Honors & Awards

The 20th annual Americana Honors & Awards were presented at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee on September 22, 2021. Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, the late John Prine, Black Pumas, Charley Crockett, and Kristin Weber were named as recipients during an awards show that is the highlight of the annual AmericanaFest, a multi-day celebration of American roots-inspired music put on by the Americana Music Association, that extends through Sept. 25. [Click on the headline or link below to continue reading this article.]

FAI Regional Conferences Go Virtual This Fall

Four Folk Alliance International regional affiliates have opted to present their annual conferences online this fall in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. First up is the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) virtual conference that is slated for September 24-26. Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West) hosts its virtual conference October 14-16; Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM)’s Virtual Connections The Gathering takes place October 27-30; and the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) 2021 virtual conference is set for November 11-14. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Celtic Classic Returns to Bethlehem, PA, Sept. 24-26

The 2021 Celtic Classic highland games & festival is set for Friday-Sunday, September 24-26 in downtown Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Presented by the nonprofit Celtic Cultural Alliance, the free annual event is a celebration of the Irish, Scottish and Welsh cultures and heritage and will feature five stages of continuous entertainment – including traditional Celtic music, Celtic rock and folk. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Music Festival Impresario George Wein, 1925-2021

Music festival impresario George Wein, founder of the Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, died September 13 in his New York City apartment. The noted pianist, producer and promoter was 95. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]
FAI Folk Radio Charts - August 2021

FAI Folk Radio Charts – August 2021

Nanci Griffith was the most-played artist and had five of the 10 most-played songs on folk radio during August 2021, while Jackson Browne’s Downhill From Everywhere was the month’s top album. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International based on radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to view the monthly charts that are posted with permission.]
Remembering Nanci Griffith, 1953-2021

Remembering Nanci Griffith, 1953-2021

Nanci Griffith, a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, whose music straddled the line between folk and country, died on August 13, 2021 at age 68. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article , including reflections from other artists.]