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Folk DJ Radio Airplay Charts – November 2019

The Early Risers had the top album (Making Life Sweet) and the three most-played songs on folk radio during November 2019. Renowned folksinger-songwriter Si Kahn, whose albums have previously topped the charts, edged out the New England-based duo of Putnam Smith and Ashley Storrow for the month’s most-played artist and had the second most-played album (Best of the Rest). So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio. [The monthly charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission. To view them, click on the headline.]

Grammy Award Nominees Named in American Roots Music Field

Nominees in 84 categories have been named for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards to be presented by The Recording Academy on Sunday, January 26, 2020. Yola and I’m With Her lead the nominees for awards in the American Roots Music Field with three and two nominations, respectively. Those awards will likely be presented prior to the live broadcast airing on CBS television stations that evening from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. [To continue reading this article and see the list of nominees in the American Roots Music Field, click on the headline.]

Nominees Named for 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards

Singer-Songwriter Dave Gunning, who hails from Nova Scotia, tops the list of nominees for the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards with four nominations. Jenn Grant (also a Nova Scotia-based singer-songwriter), The Small Glories (the Winnipeg-based duo of Cara Luft and JD Edwards), and Vishten (an Acadian trio from Canada’s East Coast) each received three nods, while more than half-a-dozen other artists/acts received two nominations apiece. They are among the many artists and groups from throughout Canada vying for awards in 19 categories to be presented at the PEI Convention Centre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, during two Awards Weekend Concerts on April 3-4, 2020. [To continue reading this article and see a complete listing of nominees, 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.]

Finalists Chosen in South Florida Folk Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition

Finalists have been named in the 2020 South Florida Folk Festival’s Singer-Songwriter Competition. Each of them will perform two songs live during the festival at its new location, the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, on Saturday, Feb. 8. [To continue reading this short article -- including the names of the 12 finalists -- click on the headline.]
Folk DJ Radio Airplay Charts - October 2019

Folk DJ Radio Airplay Charts – October 2019

Debra Cowan had the top album (Greening the Dark) and the three most-played songs on folk radio during October 2019. She also was the month’s most-played artist. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from 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 AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. To view them, 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.]

Kate MacLeod and Art Podell are Best of the West Honorees

Kate MacLeod and Art Podell were honored as the recipients of the 2019 Best of the West Awards during an Oct. 12 luncheon as part of the 16th annual Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West) Conference in Woodland Hills, California. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]
Folk DJ Radio Airplay Charts - September 2019

Folk DJ Radio Airplay Charts – September 2019

The soundtrack for Country Music – A Film by Ken Burns that premiered on PBS television stations across the U.S. recently was the top album on folk radio during September 2019, while Midwest urban folk duo Annie & Rod Capps’ “(That Would Do) Some Good” was the top song and Canadian troubadour Dave Gunning edged out southern Indiana-based singer-songwriter Tim Grimm as the month’s most-played artist. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from 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 AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission. To view them, click on the headline.]

Entry Deadline Nears for 2020 South Florida Folk Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition

Singer-songwriters from throughout the U.S. are invited to enter the 2020 South Florida Folk Festival’s Singer-Songwriter Competition. The submission deadline is Oct. 31, 2019. A preliminary selection committee from the local folk community will choose 12 finalists, each of whom will perform two songs live during the festival at its new location, the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, on Saturday, Feb. 8. [To continue reading this article, 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.]

John Cohen, Founding Member of the New Lost City Ramblers, 1932-2019

John Cohen, a founding member of the influential folk group the New Lost City Ramblers, died on Sept. 16, 2019. Cohen, 87, also was a musicologist, photographer and filmmaker. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]