Remembering Pete Fornatale: A Pioneering New York Radio DJ
The folk, folk-rock and singer-songwriter communities lost one of their most ardent champions and promoters last week with the passing of Pete Fornatale, a pioneering New York radio DJ, who introduced me and many others to some wonderful artists whose music has become the soundtrack of our lives.
[To read the full article -- including reflections from artists who knew Pete and excerpts from an interview I did with him in 1989 -- click on the headline.]
Philadelphia Folk Festival Celebrates Its Golden Anniversary
avid Amram, Roy Book Binder, David Bromberg, Arlo Guthrie, Levon Helm, Jorma Kaukonen, Tom Paxton and Tom Rush are among the music luminaries slated to perform during the 50th annual Philadelphia Folk Festival, August 18-21, 2011. Joining them at the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, for the longest continually running festival of its kind will be a number of up-and-coming touring artists like Dan Bern, Justin Townes Earle, David Wax Museum, the Canadian female duos Dala and Madison Violet, and Philly’s own Hoots and Hellmouth, as well as many other locally-based artists.
[To read the full article, including comments from veteran folk-DJ, festival co-founder and emee Gene Shay, click on the headline.]
‘Legends of Folk: The Village Scene’ Airs on PBS Stations in August
Well-known figures in folk music perform their best-loved songs in the new PBS documentary, Legends of Folk: the Village Scene. Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary fame hosts the special celebrating the folk era in New York City’s Greenwich Village – the epicenter of the folk, folk-rock and singer-songwriter movements during the 1960s. The special program premieres on PBS television stations in August. Check your local listings for air dates and times in your area.
[To read the full article, click on the headline.]
Bob Blackman’s “The Folk Tradition” Ends Its Run on WKAR-FM
Bob Blackman, who has been a “folk tradition” on WKAR-FM 90.5 in East Lansing, Michigan for some 30 years, signs off later this month.
[To read the full article, click on the headline.]
25th Annual Washington Area Music Awards Presented
The Washington Area Music Association presented its 25th Annual Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies) on Sunday, February 20. The nonprofit organization of music industry professionals committed to raising the profile of the U.S. Capital region’s diverse music community created the awards to recognize significant career achievements by area musicians.
[To see a list of award winners in select categories and hall of fame inductees, click on the headline.]
Theodore Bikel Tribute Concert at NYC’s Carnegie Hall, June 15
Acclaimed actor and folksinger Theodore Bikel, who turned 85 last month, will be feted on Monday evening, June 15, during a tribute concert at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall, where the versatile baritone made his debut in 1956. Joining him on stage will be Alan Alda, Arlo Guthrie, Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, Tom Paxton, The Klezmatics, Judy Kaye, Susan Werner, David Amram, Beyond the Pale, Artie Butler, Patricia, Conolly, David Krakauer, Hankus Netsky, Sarah Horowitz, Serendipity 4 (featuring Bikel, Tamara Brooks, Merlima Kljuco and Shura Lipovsky), and Michael Wex.
Several photos taken during a reception preceding the concert now accompany this article.
[To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
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