Sam Robbins – AcousticMusicScene.com

FARM Gathering & Presenter Summit Set for Oct. 23-26

Post published:October 19, 2025
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note

Nearly 400 people will converge on Lisle, Illinois (near Chicago) October 23-26, 2025 for the annual FARM Gathering & Presenter Summit presented by Folk Alliance Region Midwest, one of five North American regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International. The extended weekend of contemporary and traditional folk music, learning opportunities, and networking features 14 official juried showcases, along with a number of late-night private showcases hosted by AcousticMusicScene.com and others. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article.]

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Set for July 26-28

Post published:July 12, 2024
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Uncategorized

Music fans will flock to the Goshen Fairgrounds in Goshen, Connecticut, July 26-28, for the 36th annual Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. A Pre-Fest Day of Tastings & Farm Market and Thursday Night Music Stage on July 25 precede the festival. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article previewing the festival.]

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Set for July 28-30

Post published:July 7, 2023
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Festival Focus

Aztec Two-Step 2.0, The Ebony Hillbillies, The Gaslight Tinkers, Tracy Grammer, Alice Howe & Freebo, David Jacobs-Strain & Bob Beach, Joe Jencks, Lucy Kaplansky, Stephen Kellogg, Nerissa & Katrina Nields, Ellis Paul, Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Livingston Taylor, Tempest, Richard Thompson, Tony Trischka, and Annie Wenz are among the artists slated to perform during the 35th annual Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, July 28-30, 2023 at the Goshen Fairgrounds in Goshen, Connecticut – preceded by a Pre-Fest Day of Tastings & Farm Market and Thursday Night Music Stage on July 27. [Click on the headline to continue reading this festival preview.]

Halley Neal is the 2023 SolarFest Singer-Songwriter Showcase Winner and will perform at the festival in Brandon, VT on July 15.

Halley Neal is 2023 SolarFest Singer-Songwriter Showcase Winner

Post published:June 30, 2023
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests Festival Focus News - Northeast U.S.

Nashville, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Halley Neal has been named the winner of the SolarFest 2023 Singer-Songwriter Showcase, which returns in July following a hiatus of several years. She and four finalists have been invited to perform of the festival’s solar-powered main stage in Brandon, Vermont on Saturday afternoon, July 15, and will also be awarded cash prizes. As the winner, Neal will be invited to perform a full set at next year’s festival as well.

Entries Sought for SolarFest ’23 Singer-Songwriter Showcase

Post published:April 29, 2023
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests Festival Focus

SolarFest -- slated for July 15-16, 2023 in Brandon, Vermont -- is again hosting a Singer-Songwriter Showcase following a hiatus of several years. It’s free to enter and open to all artists who write and perform original music and are not currently signed to a major recording label.

NERFA Hosts Conference In-Person and Online

Post published:November 5, 2022
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note News - Northeast U.S.

More than 400 performing artists, presenters, promoters, managers, agents, and others actively engaged in contemporary and traditional folk music will converge on Asbury Park, New Jersey, November 10-13, 2022 for the annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference, while more will enjoy the event virtually. [Click on the headline to continue reading this article previewing the conference.]

Sav Buist Wins 2022 Songwriter Serenade

Post published:May 10, 2022
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Sav Buist, a Nashville, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, took top honors during the 15th annual Songwriter Serenade in Schulenburg, Texas on May 7, 2022. She was chosen from among 15 semifinalists in the songwriting competition by a panel of judges who evaluated them based on lyrics (imagery, story, creativity, and originality), melody (structure, phrasing, and rhythm), and performing ability (vocals, musicianship), as well as stage presence/audience rapport.

AcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Song Swaps During SERFA Conference, May 12-15

Post published:May 6, 2022
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note

More than 200 people will converge on Black Mountain, North Carolina, May 12-15, 2022 for the annual Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Conference. An extended weekend of contemporary and traditional folk music, networking and learning opportunities, the conference will be keynoted by Thomm Jutz and features 16 juried official showcases, along with a number of late-night guerrilla showcases hosted by AcousticMusicScene.com and others. [Click on the headline to continue reading this conference preview.]

Semifinalists Named in 2022 Songwriter Serenade Competition

Post published:April 7, 2022
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Fifteen songwriters have been invited to showcase their original songs and compete for prize money at the St. John’s Outdoor Pavilion in Schulenburg, Texas on Saturday, May 7, 2022, after being named as semifinalists in the 2022 Songwriter Serenade competition.

Entries Sought in Performing Songwriter Contests

Post published:February 5, 2022
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Several performing songwriter competitions are currently accepting entries. Although the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest, Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition, and Songwriter Serenade take place in Texas, they are not solely for songwriters based in the Lone Star State.

FAI Regional Conferences Go Virtual This Fall

Post published:September 22, 2021
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Conferences of Note

Four Folk Alliance International regional affiliates have opted to present their annual conferences online this fall in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. First up is the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) virtual conference that is slated for September 24-26. Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West) hosts its virtual conference October 14-16; Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM)’s Virtual Connections The Gathering takes place October 27-30; and the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) 2021 virtual conference is set for November 11-14.

Winners Named in 2021 Kerrville New Folk Competition

Post published:May 29, 2021
Post author:Michael Kornfeld
Post category:Awards & Contests

Six singer-songwriters were named as winners in the 2021 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters during the Kerrville Folk Festival’s Virtual Celebration on May 29. They were chosen by a panel of judges from among 24 finalists who performed two songs each during the New Folk Concerts that streamed online May 22 and 23 on the festival’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. [To continue reading this short article and see the names of the winners, click on the headline.]