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Quick Q & A with John Gorka

John Gorka is widely considered one of the top male singer-songwriters on the contemporary folk scene. Since being named a Kerrville New Folk Winner in 1984, he has become a popular fixture on the coffeehouse and festival circuit, and a number of other notable artists have recorded and/or performed his songs. He is part of a new folk trio called Red Horse with Eliza Gilkyson and Lucy Kaplansky, whose Red House Records debut will be released on July 13. With his rich, soulful baritone, Gorka delivers his own well-crafted songs in a way that prompted Rolling Stone to call him “the preeminent male singer-songwriter of the new folk movement.” Ever self-effacing, Gorka has professed to “consider myself to be...

Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 06-25-10

Mary Chapin Carpenter's The Age of Miracles retains the top spot on the Roots Music Report's Folk Radio Chart. Nearly half of the top 50 albums on this week's chart were not on it last week. The Folk Top 50 is posted here with permission. [To view the current Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, click on the headline.]

The Greater New Bedford Summerfest and Green River Festival Slated for July in Massachusetts

A couple of music festivals of note take place in Massachusetts next month: The Greater New Bedford Summerfest, July 3-4, along the cobblestoned streets of the old whaling city, and the Green River Festival featuring music, hot air balloons and more at the community college campus in Greenfield, July 17-18. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Robby Hecht Wins 2010 Telluride Troubadour Competition

Nashville, Tennessee-based singer songwriter Robby Hecht emerged as the winner of the 2010 Telluride Troubadour Competition yesterday afternoon and will perform on the main stage during the 37th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival tonight. His 15-minute set will be sandwiched in between performances by Yonder Mountain String Band and Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer. The roots-oriented music festival, which takes place amid Colorado’s rugged San Juan Mountains and coincides with the Summer Solstice, continues through Sunday. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 06-18-10

Mary Chapin Carpenter's The Age of Miracles continues in the top spot on the Roots Music Report's Folk Radio Chart this week. Rounding out the top five are albums by Crooked Still, Mary Gauthier, Mumford & Sons and Jakob Dylan. The Folk Top 50 is posted here with permission. [To view the current Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, click on the headline.]

24 Chosen for Falcon Ridge/Grassy Hill Emerging Artists Showcase

Twenty-four solo artists and bands have been selected from among hundreds of applicants to perform in the Emerging Artists Showcase during the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival on Friday afternoon, July 23, 2010. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Sonicbids Acquires ArtistData

Sonicbids, the website designed to help artists leverage the power of the Internet to manage their electronic press kits (EPKs) and find and book gigs, has acquired ArtistData, an online publishing platform that more than 25,000 musicians use to update and manage their gig-related information across the Web. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Showcase Application Deadline Nears for FAR-West Conference

June 30 is the application deadline for artists who would like to be considered for slots during two nights of juried Premiere Showcases at the 2010 Folk Alliance Region West (FAR-West) Conference slated for Oct. 21-24 in San Jose, California. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

2010 Telluride Troubadour Competition Finals Set for June 17 & 18

The finals in the 2010 Telluride Troubadour Competition take place this week. Ten singer-songwriters will vie for a custom Shanti guitar, cash prizes, recognition, and the opportunity to perform on the main stage during the 37th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival that takes place in Colorado, June 17-20. [To view the entire article, click on the headline.]

Pete Seeger-Signed Banjo to be Auctioned Online in June

A one-of-a-kind Deering banjo that has been signed and played by Pete Seeger will be auctioned off this month to benefit the Emergency Relief Fund of American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 1000, the traveling musicians union. [To read the article, click on the headline.]

Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, 06-11-10

Mary Chapin Carpenter's The Age of Miracles continues in the top spot on the Roots Music Report's Folk Radio Chart this week. Rounding out the top five are albums by Ruth Moody, Mary Gauthier, Crooked Still and Jakob Dylan. The Folk Top 50 is posted here with permission. [To view the current Roots Music Report Folk Radio Chart, click on the headline.]

Folk Alliance International Seeks War & Political Songs for CD

Modern war and political songs are being sought for inclusion on a special compilation CD release to benefit Folk Alliance International (FAI), as well as to create a fund to provide acoustic instruments for returning soldiers who were injured in combat. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]