Latest News
FAI Folk Radio Charts - April 2021

FAI Folk Radio Charts – April 2021

Peggy Seeger was the most-played artist and had the top album (First Farewell) on folk radio during April 2021, edging out Reggie Harris in both categories. Darryl Purpose’s rendition of Dave Carter’s “Gentle Arms of Eden” was the month’s most-played song. 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. [The monthly top albums, songs and artists charts are posted on AcousticMusic Scene.com with permission. Click on the headline to view them.]
SERFA Hosts a Virtual Gathering, May 20-22

SERFA Hosts a Virtual Gathering, May 20-22

Although health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic prevent the Southeast Regional Folk Alliance from holding its annual in-person conference this spring, it has slated SERFA In Session: A Virtual Gathering in its place, May 20-22, 2021. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

IBMA Names a New Executive Director

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has selected Pat Morris as its new executive director. Morris succeeds Paul Schiminger, who is retiring after nearly six years at the helm of the Nashville, Tennessee-based nonprofit professional music organization that connects, educates and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Kerrville Folk Festival Virtual Celebration Set; 24 New Folk Finalists Named

Although the annual 18-day-long Kerrville Folk Festival won’t be taking place in late May-June 2021 on the Quiet Valley Ranch in the Texas Hill Country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a KFF Virtual Celebration is set to stream live from there on Saturday, May 29. Meanwhile, 24 songwriters have been named as finalists in the 2021 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters and will showcase their talents online during Finalist Concerts beginning at 7 p.m. CT, May 22 and 23. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Chris Austin Songwriting Contest Opens for Entries

Submissions are now being sought in the 29th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Hosted by MerleFest, the contest affords aspiring writers an opportunity to have their original songs heard and judged by a volunteer panel of Nashville music industry professionals chaired by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]
Winners Named in Canadian Folk Music Awards

Winners Named in Canadian Folk Music Awards

The 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards were presented virtually during a pair of 90-minute evening livestreams via the CFMA website and Facebook page, April 10-11. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and view the complete list of award winners.]
FAI Folk Radio Charts - March 2021

FAI Folk Radio Charts – March 2021

Tim Grimm, a southern Indiana-based folk-Americana singer-songwriter, had the top album (Gone), three of the four most-played songs, and was the most-played artist on folk radio during March 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 and to view the top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted monthly with permission.]

IBMA World of Bluegrass 2021 Update

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and its partners on the City of Raleigh’s local organizing committee have expressed cautious optimism that they will be able to hold a hybrid IBMA World of Bluegrass this fall (Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2021) with a meaningful and safe in-person component in North Carolina’s capital city, as well as online content. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Grammy Award Winners Named in American Roots Music Field

Winners in the 63rd Grammy Awards’ American Roots Music Field were recognized during a Premiere Ceremony that took place prior to The Recording Academy’s televised awards show on Sunday, March 14, 2021 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, while singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile paid tribute to the late John Prine, one of the winners, during the awards show that aired on CBS television stations. [Click on the headline to continue reading the article.]

FAI Folk Radio Charts – February 2021

Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears had the top album (Just Over the Ridge) and three of the five most-played songs on folk radio during February 2021. The Colorado-based duo also was the month’s most-played artist. The duo edged out Rod Abernethy, a North Carolina-based singer-songwriter, whose Normal Isn’t Normal Anymore was February’s second-most-played 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 view the monthly top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission.]

Virtual Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival Set for Feb. 19-20

Winterfolk, Toronto, Ontario’s annual blues and roots festival, will be streamed online, February 19-20, 2021 from 7-10 p.m. EST both nights due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The scaled-back virtual edition of the popular festival, now in its 19th year, will feature some of the artists who have previously graced its stages. Registration is free, although donations for the Daily Bread Foodbank will be accepted. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

FAI Folk Radio Charts – January 2021

Distance and Time by Becky Buller, a Minnesota-based multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, was the most-played album on folk radio during January 2021. Topping the monthly songs chart was “Monumentsa' by singer-songwriter Tret Fure. Tony Rice, the late bluegrass guitar virtuoso who died on Christmas Day, was January’s most-played artist. 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 top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted here with permission.]