Top Albums and Songs for April 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)
Carter Girl, an album covering three generations of Carter Family music by Carlene Carter, the daughter of of June Carter Cash and granddaughter of "Mother" Maybelle Carter, was the most-played album on folk radio during April 2014, according to charts compiled by Richard Gillmann from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio. Jesse Winchester, the late singer-songwriter who was revered and widely covered by other artists, had the month's top two songs ("Brand New Tennessee Waltz" and "Yankee Lady").
[To view the Top Albums and Songs chart for April 2014, click on the headline.]
Q & A with Susan Werner
Susan Werner has never been one to adhere to just one musical style. A gifted singer-songwriter, who accompanies herself on both guitar and piano, she is known for her musical versatility and for her witty repartee during live performances. The Iowa native, who now calls Chicago home, has been delighting concert and festival audiences for two decades. Kathy Sands-Boehmer recently spoke with the classically-trained artist about her latest CD, Hayseed, and more.
[To read Kathy's Quick Q & A with Susan Werner, click on the headline.]
Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Finalists Named
Thirty-two songwriters have been named as finalists in the 2014 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. Chosen from among hundreds of submissions from throughout the U.S. and Canada, the finalists will perform the two songs they submitted during the New Folk Concerts slated for Saturday and Sunday afternoons, May 24 and 25, as part of the Kerrville Folk Festival.
[To continue reading the article and see the list of Kerrville New Folk Finalists, click on the headline.]
Entries Sought for 2014 FreshGrass Awards
Up-and-coming bluegrass artists who offer a fresh take on the genre are invited to compete for the 2014 FreshGrass Award, a highlight of the eponymous three-day bluegrass and roots festival held each fall at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts.
[To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]
Finalists Named in 2014 Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest
Performing songwriters from the states of Maine and Texas dominate the list of ten finalists named this week in the 2014 Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest. Each will perform two songs on the Singer Songwriter Stage during the 22nd annual Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival at Galatyn Park in Richardson, Texas, just a few minutes north of Dallas. Billed as North Texas’ largest music festival, it takes place, May 16-18.
[To continue reading the article and see the list of finalists, click on the headline.]
Jesse Winchester, 1944-2014
Singer-songwriter Jesse Winchester lost his battle with cancer on April 11, 2014, just over a month shy of his 70th birthday. He died at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia. A songwriter’s songwriter, Jesse Winchester was revered and widely covered by other artists.
[To continue reading the article, click on the headline.]
2014 Songwriter Serenade Semifinalists Named
Fifteen performing songwriters from Texas and five other states will showcase their original songs and talents as they compete for $3,200 in prize money during the annual Songwriter Serenade competition on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Moravia Parish Hall in Moravia, TX.
[To continue reading this article, click on the headline].
Finalists Named in 2014 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest
Finalists have been named in the 22nd annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by MerleFest 2014, the popular roots-oriented music festival that takes place April 24-27 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
[To continue reading the article, click on the headline.]
Top Albums and Songs of March 2014 (FOLKDJ-L)
One Evening in May, recorded live at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, California last May by bluegrass and Americana artist Laurie Lewis with friends Tom Rozum and Nina Gerber, was the most-played album on folk radio during March 2014, according to charts compiled by Richard Gillmann from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio.
[To view the Top Albums and Songs charts for March 2014, click on the headline.]
2014 JUNO Award Winners Named
Serena Ryder, an Ontario-based folk-rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, with four prior JUNO Awards, was named Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year in the 2014 Canadian equivalent of the Grammys. Toronto-based alt-country singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge’s Valleyheart and The Strumbellas’ We Still Move on Dance Floors were named Roots & Traditional Album of the Year – Solo and Group, respectively.
[To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]
Old Settler’s Music Festival Set for April 10-13, 2014 in Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country comes alive with the sounds of Americana and roots music of all varieties, April 10-13, 2014. That’s when the Old Settler’s Music Festival returns to the Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, Texas, just south of Austin. Now in its 27th year, the festival also takes place during what’s usually the height of bluebonnet and wildflower season.
[To continue reading this short article, click on the headline.]
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