In Memoriam: Scott Alarik, Bill Staines & Joe Virga
Scott Alarik, Bill Staines and Joe Virga — each of whom made important contributions to the folk music community in the U.S. — passed away in early December 2021 and will be greatly missed. Ethan Baird, executive director of Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA), pays tribute to them below.
[Click on the headline to read Ethan's reflections and an extended editor's note with more information about Scott, Bill and Joe -- along with video links.]
Grammy Nominees Named in American Roots Music Field
Nominees in 86 categories have been named for the 64th annual Grammy Awards to be presented by the Recording Academy on Monday, January 31, 2022. Allison Russell leads the nominees in the American Roots Music Field with three nominations, while Jon Batiste, Béla Fleck, Rhiannon Giddens, Billy Strings, and Yola each received two.
Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to see the complete list of nominees in the American Roots Music Field.
Canadian Folk Music Awards Nominees Named
Rob Lutes (Come Around) and Allison Russell (Outside Child) top the list of nominees for the 2022 Canadian Folk Music Awards with four nods each, while Cedric Dind-Lavoie, Whitehorse, The Hello Darlins, Rosier, Rick Fines, and Polky snagged three nominations each. They are among the 105 nominees from throughout Canada vying for awards in 19 categories to be presented in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, April 1-3, 2022.
[Click on the headline to continue reading this article and see the complete list of nominees.]
Clearwater’s Virtual Great Hudson River Revival Streams June 19
For a second consecutive year, Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival, a festival celebrating environmental activism and education, traditionally held over the Father’s Day weekend won’t be taking place at Croton Point Park in Croton-On-Hudson in New York’s Hudson Valley due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, you can enjoy music by many talented artists from the comfort of your own home on Saturday, June 19, 2021 when Clearwater presents the Great Hudson River Revival Livestream.
[Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to view the complete festival schedule.]
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.]
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.]
South Florida Folk Festival Goes Virtual, Feb. 13-14, 2021
After a number of years at Fort Lauderdale’s Hugh Taylor Birch Park, the Broward Folk Club moved its annual South Florida Folk Festival to another location last February. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, festival organizers have been compelled to pivot again. The 2021 South Florida Folk Festival will stream live online February 13 (from 2-7 p.m.) and 14, 2021 (from 2-7 p.m. and 2-6:15 p.m. EST, respectively) via the nonprofit organization’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
[Click on the headline to continue reading this article, which includes comments from several participating artists.]
FAI Folk Radio Charts – December 2020
The Longest Night of the Year, Volume 3 [Hudson Harding Music], a two-disc compilation featuring 26 songs recorded by various artists, was the most-played album on folk radio during December 2020. Topping the monthly songs chart was “Mrs. Claus” by Pennsylvania-based “kaleidoscope folk” singer-songwriter Lisa Jeanette. Phil Ochs, the late American troubadour, was December'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 or link below to view the monthly top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted here with permission.]
Nominees Named for 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards
British Columbia-based folk duo Pharis & Jason Romero tops the list of nominees for 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards with six nominations for their album, Bet On Love. William Prince, a storytelling country-folk singer-songwriter from Peguis First Nation, received five nods for Reliever; and The East Pointers, a spirited Celtic folk trio from Prince Edward Island, were honored with four for Yours To Break. Singer-Songwriters Basia Bulat (Are You In Love?) and Catherine MacLellan (Coyote), along with Canadian Inuk musician Riit (ataataga) each received three nominations. They are among 100 nominees vying for awards in 19 categories to be presented virtually April 9-10, 2021.
[Click on the headline to continue reading this article and see the complete list of nominees.]
FAI Folk Radio Charts – October 2020
Songs Doc Didn’t Sing by Doc and Merle Watson was the top album on folk radio in October 2020, while the late father and son were the month’s most-played artists and singer-songwriter Tim Grimm’s “ Gone,” 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.
[Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to view the monthly top albums, songs and artists charts that are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission.]
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