FAI Folk Radio Charts – November 2025

Vi Wickam, a Colorado-based champion fiddler and singer, had the top album (The Thanksgiving Album) and the second most-played song  (“Another Fine Day for Thanksgiving”) on folk radio during November 2025, while Delaware-based singer-songwriter John Flynn’s “The Victim Tree” was the top song and Archie Fisher, a notable Scottish folk singer and songwriter who died on Nov. 1 -- one week after turning 86, was the month’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 he headline to view the top albums, songs, and artists charts that are posted monthly with permission.]

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Philadelphia Folk Festival is Back, Aug. 16-18

The Philadelphia Folk Festival returns to the historic Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, near bucolic Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, August 16-18, following a hiatus in 2023. Thousands of music lovers are expected to converge on the farm, located some 45 minutes from Philadelphia, for the 61st edition of the family-friendly event that is produced and presented by the Philadelphia Folksong Society, a nonprofit arts organization. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article previewing the festival.]

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Read more about the article Winners Named in 2024 Kerrville New Folk Competition
2024 Kerrville New Folk Winners include (l.-r.): Rachel Sumner, Lucy Clearwater, Lila Blue, Robin Bienemann, and Lila Talmers. Not pictured: Sean Kell. (Phot from Kerrville Folk Festival's Facebook page)

Winners Named in 2024 Kerrville New Folk Competition

Six singer-songwriters have been named as winners in the 2024 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. They were chosen by a panel of judges from among 24 finalists who performed two songs each during the New Folk Concerts on May 25 and 26 as part of the Kerrville Folk Festival, an 18-day event at the Quiet Valley Ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Austin and San Antonio.

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Top Albums, Songs – October 2018 (FOLKDJ-L)

Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches by Various Artists was the top album on folk radio during October 2018, while singer-songwriter John Flynn had the month’s #1 song (“She Persisted”). So say charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio. [The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission. To view them, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingTop Albums, Songs – October 2018 (FOLKDJ-L)

Official Showcase Artists Chosen for 30th Annual Folk Alliance International Conference

Folk Alliance International has announced the Official Showcase artists for its 30th annual conference taking place February 14-18, 2018, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. [To continue reading this article -- which includes a listing of Official Showcase artists -- click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingOfficial Showcase Artists Chosen for 30th Annual Folk Alliance International Conference

Philadelphia Folk Festival Set for Aug. 17-20

Thousands of music lovers are expected to converge on Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, near bucolic Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, Aug. 17-20, for the annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. Now in its 56th year, the event, produced and presented by the Philadelphia Folksong Society, a nonprofit arts organization, is the longest continuously running outdoor music festival of its kind in North America. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingPhiladelphia Folk Festival Set for Aug. 17-20

Philadelphia Folk Festival Set for Aug. 18-21

Thousands of music lovers are expected to converge on Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, near bucolic Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, Aug. 18-21, for the annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. Now in its 55th year, the event, produced and presented by the Philadelphia Folksong Society, is the longest continuously running musical festival of its kind in North America. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingPhiladelphia Folk Festival Set for Aug. 18-21

AcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Showcases at 2015 NERFA Conference, Nov. 12-15

Some 800 performing artists, presenters, promoters, agents and managers, folk DJs and others actively engaged in contemporary and traditional folk music will converge on the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, New York, Nov. 12-15, 2015, for the 21st 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 conference preview, click on the headline.

Continue ReadingAcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Showcases at 2015 NERFA Conference, Nov. 12-15

Revered Folk DJ Gene Shay Retires

Gene Shay, who has brought folk music to radio listeners in Philadelphia and beyond for more than 50 years, signs off as host of The Folk Show on WXPN 88.5 FM on Sunday, February 1. His last show airs live from 3-6 p.m. EST (with a rebroadcast at 8 p.m. EST) and streams online at xpn.org. Shay will be feted one month later during a March 1 gala musical celebration produced by his friends at Sing Out! and featuring performances by artists who have appeared on his show. [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingRevered Folk DJ Gene Shay Retires

FAR-West, FARM Conferences Set for October

Two regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International -- an association that aims to foster and promote contemporary, traditional and multicultural folk music -- hold their annual conferences this month. Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West) convenes Oct. 16-19 in Oakland, California, while the Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) Gathering is set for Oct. 23-26 in St. Louis, Missouri. [To read the full article previewing these conferences -- including events that are open to the public -- click on the headline.]

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Read more about the article AcousticMusicScene.com  Hosts Showcases at NERFA Conference, Nov. 7-10
Click on the image above to read and/or print an enlarged version of this AcousticMusicScence.com showcase flyer.

AcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Showcases at NERFA Conference, Nov. 7-10

More than 800 performing artists, presenters, promoters, agents and managers, folk DJs and others actively engaged in traditional and contemporary folk music will converge on the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, NY, Nov. 7-10, 2013, for the 19th 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 read the full article and see the AcousticMusicScene.com showcase schedule, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingAcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Showcases at NERFA Conference, Nov. 7-10
Read more about the article AcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Late-Night Song Swaps at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
Elli (Photo: Jake Jacobson)

AcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Late-Night Song Swaps at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival

AcousticMusicScene.com will host a series of late-night song swaps and mini-showcases during the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, July 26-29, in partnership with Pirate Camp, which was informally launched by Stuart Kabak and the late Jack Hardy a decade ago to provide a warm and welcoming haven for sharing music, food and camaraderie.. Now in its 24th year, Falcon Ridge takes place at Dodds Farm on Route 7D in Hillsdale, NY -- located in the foothills of the Berkshires, near the tri-state corner of New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. [ To read about the festival and see the late-night schedules, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingAcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Late-Night Song Swaps at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival