Latest News

2011 Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest Deadline is March 9

Entries are now being sought in the 2011 Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest that is associated with the annual Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival, May 20-22, at the Galatyn Park Urban Center in Richardson, Texas, just a few minutes north of Dallas. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

David Francey is Top Winner in International Acoustic Music Awards

David Francey is the overall grand prize winner in the seventh annual International Acoustic Music Awards competition. One of Canada’s most revered singer-songwriters, Francey also captured first place in the competition’s Folk category for “The Waking Hour.” [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Chuck E. Costa Named Connecticut State Troubadour for 2011-2012

Chuck E. Costa, a talented singer-songwriter from Madison, CT, has been named as Connecticut’s State Troubadour for 2011-2012. He succeeds Lara Herscovitch, the state troubadour for 2009-2010. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 01-28-11

Albums by The Civil Wars, Jonathan Byrd and Malcolm Holcombe retain the top three spots on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart this week, while Coyote Grace's Ear to the Ground moves into the #4 position and David Greely's Sud du Sud is #5. [To view the latest Folk Top 50 albums chart, click on the headline.]

Jim Lauderdale Engages in Live Facebook Chat on Songwriting, 2/1

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale, who also serves as volunteer chairperson for MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, will engage in a live chat on Facebook on Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. EST. Fans and aspiring songwriters can join the chat and pose questions to Lauderdale about the contest and songwriting in general by visiting the official page of the contest at the social media site. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Newport Folk Festival Returns to Its Nonprofit Roots

The Newport Folk Festival, which has been held in or near the coastal Rhode Island resort city since 1959, is returning to its original roots as a nonprofit event, along with its older sibling, the Newport Jazz Festival. Both will now be produced under the umbrella of he newly formed Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. George Wein, 85, a pioneer among producers of outdoor festivals, will remain at its helm and, with his staff, continue to steer the folk festival that is set for July 29-31 at Fort Adams State Park. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

New Banjo Player Joins Sierra Hull & Highway 111

Banjo player Jessie Baker, formerly part of Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, has joined bluegrass band Sierra Hull & Highway 111. “I’m really excited to be playing with such a talented group of musicians and singers,” said Baker in a prepared statement. “I’ve been a fan of Sierra’s since I saw her onstage with Ricky Skaggs playing “Boston Boy” at my first IBMA FanFest in Louisville, KY. I’m looking forward to being part of Highway 111.” [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 01-21-11

Barton Hollow, the debut album by Americana-folk duo The Civil Wars, rose to the #1 spot on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart this week. Albums by Jonathan Byrd, Malcolm Holcombe, David Greely, and Peter Stampfel and Baby Gramps follow. [To view the latest Folk Top 50 albums chart, click on the headline.]

Irish Echo Names Joe Derrane Trad. Artist of the Year for 2010

Joe Derrane, a Boston-born button accordionist and composer, has been named top traditional artist of 2010 by the Irish Echo, the largest circulation Irish-American weekly newspaper. He is the first to receive this honor twice since its inception in 1993. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Sonny Ochs Reflects on Her Brother Phil and a New Film About Him

"Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune," a new film about the American troubadour whose music continues to influence and inspire songwriters today, is currently in limited release. Phil's sister Sonny shares some thoughts about her late brother and the documentary about him with AcousticMusicScene.com readers. [To read the article, click on the headline.]

Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 01-14-11

Jonathan Byrd's Waterbug release Cackalack moved into the top position on the Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart this week, followed by albums by Clare Burson, The Civil Wars, Peter Cooper and David Greely. [To view the current Folk Top 50 albums chart, click on the headline]

Dartmouth Hosts a Day of Social Change Music Programs, Jan. 22

Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul & Mary fame) and other artists who share his concern about social justice through their songs will be part of a day-long series of social change music programming at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire on Saturday, Jan. 22. Dartmouth partners with the Public Domain Foundation, a nonprofit organization launched by Stookey more than 30 years ago to encourage the making and use of music for social change, to present nearly 10 hours of programming in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]