folk music – Page 5 – AcousticMusicScene.com

Virtual WoodyFest Streams Online, July 14-19

Post published:July 13, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Festival Focus

Thousands of people won’t be descending on Okemah, Oklahoma, Woody Guthrie’s hometown, this month due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the nonprofit Woody Guthrie Coalition hosts a virtual festival the week of the iconic songwriter, singer, poet and activist’s birthday, July 14-19, 2020 – in place of the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival. The free virtual WoodyFest may be streamed via Facebook, YouTube and Twitch, as well as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Play, Roku, and Folk Music Notebook's website and Facebook page.

FAI Folk Radio Airplay Charts – June 2020

Post published:July 6, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Acoustic Radio Waves

Cabin Fever: Songs From the Quarantine by John McCutcheon was the top album on folk radio during June 2020, while the revered folksinger-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist also was the month’s top artist and “$20 Bill (For George Floyd)" by Tom Prasada-Rao was the month’s #1 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 charts that are posted with permission.]

Old Songs and Folk Music Notebook Partner to Present a Virtual Festival, June 26-28

Post published:June 25, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Festival Focus

Old Songs, a three-day festival celebrating traditional music and dance, usually held at the Altamont Fairgrounds in upstate New York on the last weekend in June, is partnering with Folk Music Notebook, the 24/7 internet folk radio channel created and curated by veteran folk DJ Ron Olesko, to present a virtual festival, June 26-28, 2020. The audio-only event will feature new performances by artists who would have been at this year’s festival, along with archival recordings from past festivals. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

FAI Folk Radio Airplay Charts – May 2020

Post published:June 9, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Acoustic Radio Waves

The Night You Wrote That Song: The Songs of Mickey Newbury, as interpreted and performed by Gretchen Peters, was the top album on folk radio during May 2020, closely followed by 2020 by Eliza Gilkyson. “2020 Vision” by Danny Schmidt was the month’s #1 song, while Bob Dylan was the 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. [The monthly top albums,songs and artists charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission. To view them, along with some additional narrative, click on the headline.]

Winners Named in Canadian Folk Music Awards

Post published:April 6, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Recipients of 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards were announced during a 30-minute live stream, April 4, on the CFMAs’ website and Facebook page. Manitoba-based duo The Small Glories (Cara Luft and JD Edwards) was named both Vocal Group and Ensemble of the Year, while Assiniboine & the Red (its sophomore release) was named Contemporary Album of the Year. To continue reading this article and to see the complete lis of winners, click on the headline.

Folk DJ Radio Airplay Charts – February 2020

Post published:March 18, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Acoustic Radio Waves

Treat A Stranger Right by Frank & Allie Lee was the top album on folk radio for a second consecutive month, along with The Family Songbook by The Haden Triplets, during February 2020. They also tied as the month’s second most-played artists, while The Kingston Trio took the top spot. February’s most-played song was “You Can’t Say @#$ on the Air,” a track on Matt Watroba’s #2 charting album The Far Si: The Si Kahn Funny Song Sing-Along Songbook. 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 view he monthly charts.]

Registration Opens for NERFA Conference

Post published:February 17, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note

Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) has opened registration for its 26th annual conference to be held in Stamford, Connecticut, November 12-15, 2020. Artists may also now apply online for juried official showcases. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

Bob Shane, Co-Founder of The Kingston Trio, 1934-2020

Post published:January 29, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:News - U.S. National

Bob Shane, the last original member of The Kingston Trio, died on January 26 – just a few days shy of his 86h birthday. Along with his bandmates, Shane, a singer and guitarist, helped to spur the folk revival of the late 1950s -1960s. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

International Folk Music Awards Presented

Post published:January 24, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests Conferences of Note News - U.S. National

The Small Glories, Amythyst Kiah and Mavis Staples were among the recipients of International Folk Music Awards presented Wednesday, Jan. 22, on the opening night of the 32nd annual Folk Alliance International Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana that continues through Jan. 26.. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

SERFA Conference Set for May 13-17, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Post published:December 21, 2019
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note

Registration is now open for the 13th annual Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Conference, with super early-bird discounts available through January 31. An extended weekend of contemporary and traditional folk music, networking and learning opportunities, the conference – slated for May 13-17 in Chattanooga, Tennessee -- will be keynoted by acclaimed singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier and will feature some two-dozen juried official showcases. [To continue reading this short article, click on the headline.]

Nominees Named for 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards

Post published:November 22, 2019
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

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.]

NERFA Celebrates 25 Years of Music and Community at Its Annual Conference, Nov. 7-10

Post published:November 3, 2019
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note Featured News - Northeast U.S.News - U.S. National

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.]