Rich Warren – AcousticMusicScene.com

SWRFA Conference Returns to Austin, Sept. 21-25, 2022

Post published:September 17, 2022
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note Featured

For the first time in three years, Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) will hold an in-person annual conference in Austin, Texas. Set for Wednesday, September 21-Sunday, September 25, 2022, its 23rd annual conference will feature official and in-room showcases; communal meals; panel discussions, seminars and workshops addressing many facets of the music business; a film screening; Wisdom of the Elders; mentoring sessions; a DJ reception; an exhibit area, and lots of networking opportunities. AcousticMusicScene.com will host song swaps and a Midnight Hoot on Saturday overnight.

Tony Barrand, 1945-2022

Post published:January 30, 2022
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Uncategorized

Tony Barrand, a traditional folk and sea chantey singer, folklorist, and Morris & clog dancer died on January 29, 2022. Barrand, 76, was half of the musical duo Roberts and Barrand, and also performed and recorded with Nowell Sing We Clear. Folk Music Notebook will honor his life and work today (January 30).

Folk DJs Present Emerging Artist Showcase Online, Jan. 23

Post published:January 19, 2021
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Acoustic Radio Waves News - Northeast U.S.News - U.S. National

Folk DJs from throughout the northeastern United States and Canada, along with a couple from outside the region, will present a free, online emerging artist showcase on Saturday, January 23, 2021. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article and to see the list of performing artists.]

Lois Morton, A Witty Singer-Songwriter, 1933-2020

Post published:December 20, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:News - Northeast U.S.News - U.S. National

The Long Island music community has lost one of its most unique and gifted singer-songwriters. Lois Morton -- who delighted audiences throughout the New York metropolitan area and beyond for years with her abundant charm and humorous songs of social commentary on such subjects as cell phones, clutter, diets, psychotherapy, and road rage -- passed away on Dec. 17 at 87. [To continue reading this article and to view a few video, click on the headline.]

SWRFA Hosts Virtual Conference, Sept. 25-27

Post published:September 23, 2020
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note

Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) hosts a 2020 Virtual Conference online from Friday, September 25 - Sunday, September 27. It will feature a dozen official showcases, several workshops, breakout sessions and one-on-ones, open mics, and song assignments.

Ron Olesko receives NERFA's 2019 Creator of he Year Award from Michael Kornfeld, the nonprofit organization's board president (Photo: Jake Jacobson)

Ron Olesko Receives NERFA’s Creator of the Year Award for Folk Music Notebook

Post published:November 15, 2019
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Acoustic Radio Waves Awards & Contests Conferences of Note News - Northeast U.S.

Veteran folk DJ Ron Olesko was the recipient of the inaugural Creator of the Year Award presented by the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) during the nonprofit organization’s 25th annual conference in Stamford, CT, Nov. 7-10, 2019. Olesko, a NERFA stalwart, who has been hosting a folk show (Traditions) on WFDU-FM (Teaneck, NJ), was recognized for launching Folk Music Notebook, an online radio station showcasing folk music 24/7 earlier this year. [To continue reading this article -- which includes mention of the other award-winners and some other conference highlights -- click on the headline.]

Folk DJ Radio Airplay Charts – October 2019

Post published:November 12, 2019
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Acoustic Radio Waves

Debra Cowan had the top album (Greening the Dark) and the three most-played songs on folk radio during October 2019. She also was the month’s most-played artist. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from 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, 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.]

Folk Music Notebook, a 24/7 Music Channel, Launches Online and is Available via Free Apps

Post published:May 2, 2019
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Acoustic Radio Waves News - U.S. National

Veteran broadcaster Ron Olesko, who has been hosting a folk show (Traditions) on WFDU-FM in Teaneck, New Jersey since 1980, launches Folk Music Notebook, an online radio station showcasing folk music 24/7, on May 3, 2019 – the 100th anniversary of the birth of late folk music icon Pete Seeger. “Folk Music Notebook plans to be a gathering spot for the folk community and all the fans of this music,” said Olesko. “The channel will be a place to ‘discover’ new artists and songs as well as honor the established names who created this living tradition.” [To continue reading this article, click on the headline.]

2018 SWRFA Conference Shaping Up for September; Showcase Artists Selected

Post published:August 14, 2018
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Uncategorized

Seventeen artists/acts have been selected to perform Official Showcases during the 2018 Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) Conference, Sept. 26-30, at the Holiday Inn – Midtown in Austin, Texas. Eight will perform on Friday night, while nine will do so on Saturday night. In addition, six alternates have been invited to showcase their talents late Thursday night, the 28th. [To continue reading this article previewing the 2018 SWRFA Conference, click on the headline.]

Official Showcase Artists Chosen for 2017 SWRFA Conference in Austin, Texas

Post published:August 22, 2017
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note

Sixteen artists/acts have been selected to perform Official Showcases during the 2017 Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) Conference, Sept. 27-Oct. 1, at the Holiday Inn – Midtown in Austin, TX. Eight will perform on Friday night, while another eight will do so on Saturday night. In addition, eight alternates have been invited to showcase their talents late Thursday night, the 28th. [To continue reading this article -- which also includes information on the recently named Semi-Formal Showcase Artists at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference in November -- click on the headline.]

Folk Alliance International Honors David Amram with Lifetime Achievement Award

Post published:February 23, 2017
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests Conferences of Note News - U.S. National

Noted composer, conductor, multi-instrumentalist and author David Amram received an Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Award during a star-studded International Folk Music Awards Show, Feb. 15, on the opening night of the 29th Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The late activist songwriter Malvina Reynolds (legacy) and prolific Canadian folklorist Helen Creighton (Business/Academic) were also named as recipients. [To continue reading this article, which includes more information on the awards and on the conference, click on the headline.]