Sullivan –- whose songs draw inspiration from her own life experiences — was cited for her dedication to the craft, storytelling, stage demeanor, and immersion in the folk community. She beat out finalists Allison Strong and Us! (a trio comprised of AcousticMusicScene.com co-creator Glen Roethel, Judy Kass and Amy Soucy) in a competition that drew more than four times the number of applications than it has in previous years. The number of entries and quality of them made the listening- and decision-making process both time-consuming and challenging for judges Ron Olesko (a folk DJ and creator of Folk Music Notebook), Tina Ross (a singer-songwriter who won the award in 2022), and Debby St. Charles.

“I’m just so happy and grateful,” said Sullivan of receiving the award from the predominantly volunteer organization that that provides performance opportunities for and presents concerts by emerging and nationally touring singer-songwriters, and folk and acoustic musicians in DC, Maryland and Virginia. “To get that vote of confidence from the Focus Music judges has just felt so good. It comes at a time when I’m embarking on a third album and to have that message of support from the organization is really heartening and an encouraging reminder to keep on going,” she told AcousticMusicScene.com.

Sullivan — who primarily performs in the northeast U.S. and along the eastern seaboard —  describes her music as “story-driven folk.” She notes that the kind of songs that she personally loves are those that have a really vivid story attached to them – like ones penned by singer-songwriters Lori McKenna and Patty Griffin. “If you’re someone who likes music that’s going to immerse you in other people’s perspectives and stories, then my songs might be interesting to you,” she said.

In addition to McKenna and Griffin, she cites singer-songwriters Ellis Paul and Vance Gilbert as major inspirations. Sullivan has participated in Ellis Paul’s New England Songwriter Retreats for a number of years. “Those experiences have been game changers for me in terms of inspiration and building community for songwriters,” she said. “Another inspiration for me has been Vance Gilbert,” whom she calls “a real honest and loving mentor.” Noting that he’s someone who doesn’t pull punches, she said: “He just pursues everything with honesty and joy, and I’d like to do that too.”

Music has long been a major part of Sullivan’s life. She recalls taking piano and voice lessons from her grandmother during childhood. However, she didn’t start playing guitar or writing songs until after graduating from Amherst College. While living in and teaching elementary school in New York City, she and Amy Speace, a college friend who is also a noted singer-songwriter, formed a band, Edith O. that performed at venues across the city and released an album called Tattooed Queen. Although marriage, children and her career in education (as both a teacher and an administrator) prompted her to put music on the back-burner for years, Sullivan resumed writing and performing in 2018 and released her debut album in 2021. Entitled We Can Have Each Other, it reached #10 on the monthly Folk Alliance International Folk Radio Charts, and was followed up in 2024 by Signposts and Marks, which reached #4 on the top albums chart during the month that it was released.

Sullivan was named the winner of the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Award during the 2025 Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival in Richardson, Texas and looks forward to performing at the festival in May. She also was voted a “Most Wanted to Return” Artists by festival attendees following the Grassy Hill Emerging Artist Showcase at the 2023 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, won the Rose Garden Coffeehouse Performing Songwriter Competition that year, and has been a finalist in a number of other songwriting competitions.

Beyond providing recognition and support, the Heyman Rising Artist Award includes $1,000, which Sullivan plans to use towards producing her third album with Doug Kwartler at Hollow Body Studios near Boston, Massachusetts.

The Heyman Rising Artist Award is named for Vic and Reba Heyman, who were widely viewed as “folk angels” for their staunch, decades-long support of artists – especially those early in their careers. Reba Heyman, who passed away in June 2021 2021 at age 84, grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland and lived in Rockville, MD for decades. Along with her husband Vic, who died years earlier, she was an integral part of the folk music community in Maryland, South Florida and nationally for many years. The couple was known for their generous financial backing for folk festivals and artists, and also formerly ran a concert series in Rockville known as Vic’s Music Corner. They also launched and ran Heyman Mailing Service for many years (a godsend for artists in the pre-Internet days), served on the boards of several music festivals, and established a scholarship fund for performing artists. In her later years, Reba Heyman spent considerable time in Florida and co-presented the South Florida Folk Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition, whose winners received the Vic Heyman Songwriting Award – including a cash prize and the opportunity to perform at the festival.

Here’s a link to enjoy the official video for the title track of Emily Scott Robinson’s new album, Appalachia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3aXlQxR8CY

And here’s a link to official audio for Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKSoxG1K7w

The February 2026 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 10,401 airplays reported on 364 playlists submitted by 101 different folk DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

Folk Alliance International (https://folk.org) is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

Top Albums of February 2026

1. Appalachia by Emily Scott Robinson (102)
2. All Tied Together by Ye Vagabonds (67)
3. King of Hearts by Paul Kaplan (65)
4. Together Again by Tom Paxton & John McCutcheon (63)
5. Songs of Hope by Tom Chapin (53)
6. Business Unusual by Goodnight Moonshine (49)
7. Flight of the Robin by Debi Smith (43)
8. All That Really Matters by Kim Moberg (41)
9. Magic Accident by Della Mae (37)
9. World’s Gone Wrong by Lucinda Williams (37)
11. Questioning the Forty by Kevin Neidig (36)
12. Driftwood by Weary Ramblers (35)
13. Pet by Big Richard (31)
14. Maggie’s Journal by Valerie Smith (30)
15. Here and Gone by Sara Thomsen (29)
16. Unentitled by John Gorka (27)
17. Empire by Kray Van Kirk (26)
18. Circle and Square by Eric Brace and Thomm Jutz (25)
18. Where We Go by Jesse Appelman (25)
20. Wild and Clear and Blue by I’m With Her (24)
21. Fish Crow by M Sparks (23)
22. Bones of Trees by Tim Grimm (22)
22. Strangely in Tune by Diane Coll (22)
24. The Blue Rock Session by Amy Speace (21)
24. Since You Asked Me by Jan Krist (21)
26. The Work, the Hope, the Promise by Wes Weddell (20)
26. Ivyland by James O’Malley (20)
28. O California! by Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands (19)
28. Sad and Beautiful World by Mavis Staples (19)
28. Safe, Sensible and Sane by Alison Brown and Steve Martin (19)
31. Fallen Angel by The Unfaithful Servants (17)
32. Valentine by Courtney Marie Andrews (16)
32. Havin’ a Talk by Melissa Carper and Theo Lawrence (16)
34. Field Notes by Dave Gunning (15)
34. Act 1 by Kashus Culpepper (15)
34. Don’t Drink the Poison by Linda Sussman (15)
37. Voisinages by Le Vent Du Nord (14)
37. The Ground Is Changing by Andi Jane (14)
37. Keep Going by Ken Whiteley (14)
37. Avec Elodie by Eloise & Co (14)
37. Bringing the Light by Hot Tamale (14)
37. One Mississippi by Eric Bibb (14)
43. You Climb the Mountain by The Onlies (13)
43. Dark Ages by Eliza Gilkyson (13)
43. Code to Live By by Grant Peeples (13)
43. Black Banjo by Tray Wellington (13)
43. Spring Green by Mark Erelli (13)
48. Shelter From the Storms by Lennie Gallant (12)
48. A Tip Toe High Wire by Sierra Hull (12)
50. Feather and the Starry Crown: Sons of the Never Wrong by Sons of
the Never Wrong (11)
50. The Knot by The Waymores (11)
50. Together on a Rock by The Pairs (11)
50. Carolina Mountains by Sparrow Smith (11)
50. Passages by Eric Kilburn (11)

Top Songs of February 2026

1. “Streets of Minneapolis” by Bruce Springsteen (34)
2. “The Ballad of Husker Scruggs” by Hana Zara (31)
3. “Appalachia” by Emily Scott Robinson (21)
4. “A Song for Minnesota” by Katie Dahl (19)
4. “I Lie” by Joe Jencks (19)
6. “It’s Not for Sale” by Joe Jencks (17)
7. “The Flood” by Ye Vagabonds (15)
8. “Millionaire” by Big Richard (14)
8. “I Will Keep You Warm” by Paul Kaplan (14)
10. “The Time for Flowers” by Emily Scott Robinson (13)
11. “Sleeves Up” by Crys Matthews (12)
11. “Full Tank and Good Fried Chicken” by M Sparks (12)
11. “America’s Game” by John Flynn (12)
11. “Hymn for the Unholy” by Emily Scott Robinson (12)
11. “Cast Iron Heart” by Emily Scott Robinson (12)
16. “Quite Early Morning” by Tom Chapin (11)
16. “The Water Is Wide” by Emily Scott Robinson (11)
16. “The King of Hearts” by Paul Kaplan (11)
16. “Dirtbag Saloon” by Emily Scott Robinson (11)
16. “Ancient Light” by I’m With Her (11)
21. “At the End of the Day” by Ken Whiteley (10)
21. “Hold On” by Jillian Matundan (10)
21. “No Time to Cry” by John Gorka (10)
21. “Hold Our Ground Forever” by Tom Chapin (10)
21. “If I Were Free” by Naomi Sommers (10)

Top Artists of February 2026

1. Emily Scott Robinson (107)
2. Ye Vagabonds (71)
3. Paul Kaplan (66)
4. Tom Paxton & John McCutcheon (63)
5. Tom Chapin (53)
6. Joe Jencks (52)
7. Goodnight Moonshine (49)
8. Bruce Springsteen (46)
9. Debi Smith (44)
10. Lucinda Williams (43)
11. Kim Moberg (42)
12. Della Mae (41)
13. John Gorka (36)
13. Kevin Neidig (36)
13. Weary Ramblers (36)
16. Bob Dylan (34)
17. Hana Zara (32)
18. Valerie Smith (31)
18. Big Richard (31)
20. Sara Thomsen (30)
21. John Prine (28)
21. Tim Grimm (28)
23. I’m With Her (27)
24. Willie Nelson (26)
24. Kray Van Kirk (26)
24. Amy Speace (26)
27. Eliza Gilkyson (25)
27. Pete Seeger (25)
27. Eric Brace and Thomm Jutz (25)
27. Jesse Appelman (25)
31. Mavis Staples (24)
32. M Sparks (23)
32. Eric Bibb (23)
32. Highwaymen (23)
35. Diane Coll (22)
36. Jan Krist (21)
36. Dave Gunning (21)
36. Crys Matthews (21)
36. Wes Weddell (21)
36. Woody Guthrie (21)
36. Joni Mitchell (21)

A follow-up to their acclaimed 2023 release (Together) that similarly topped folk radio charts, Together Again features 14 new co-written songs by Paxton (88) and McCutcheon (73). Amid the pandemic in 2021, the two met weekly for songwriting sessions over Zoom and came up with enough songs for an album. After Together’s release, they realized that they had more than enough material for another one and recorded Together Again. The album features a mix of songs – political, humorous and nostalgic, along with a baseball tale.

[Here’s a link to listen to the album’s opening track,  “The Future,” a cinematically poignant and reflective ballad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmlw1TkZvcY.]

Tom Paxton  — a prolific songwriter who is known for such songs as “The Last Thing On My Mind,” “Bottle of Red,” “Whose Garden Was This, “ and Ramblin’ Boy” has retired from the road but has been writing songs and recording professionally for more than 60 years. A Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from ASCAP, BBC Radio 2, Folk Alliance International, and the Recording Academy, Paxton also has had his songs covered by many notable artists. These include Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, John Denver, Willie Nelson, and Peter, Paul & Mary, among others. Bluegrass Sings Paxton, a multi-artist collection of a dozen select songs penned by him and performed by a wide array of bluegrass singers and pickers, topped the FAI Folk Albums Chart during the fall of 2024.

John McCutcheon, a prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has been a performing =and recording artists since the mid-1970s and a frequent presence on the FAI Folk Charts. A number of his albums and songs have topped the monthly folk charts over the years, while he was the most-played artist for three consecutive years (2017-2019) and also had the top album  (To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger) and top song  (“Well May The World Go”) on folk radio during 2019. McCutcheon’s classic “Christmas in the Trenches “ has been among the most-played songs during the holiday season for years. A longtime labor and social activist, McCutcheon is a former president of Local 1000 – the traveling musicians union.

The January 2026 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 10,424 airplays reported on 344 playlists submitted by 97 different folk DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

Folk Alliance International (folk.org) is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

Top Albums of January 2026

1. Together Again by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon (117)
2. Maggie’s Journal by Valerie Smith (62)
3. The Blue Rock Session by Amy Speace (60)
4. Circle and Square by Eric Brace and Thomm Jutz (57)
5. Unentitled by John Gorka (43)
6. Where We Go by Jesse Appelman (34)
7. Since You Asked Me by Jan Krist (29)
8. Together on a Rock by The Pairs (28)
8. Safe, Sensible and Sane by Alison Brown and Steve Martin (28)
8. You Climb the Mountain by The Onlies (28)
11. Long Journey Home: A Century After the 1925 Mountain City
Fiddlers Convention by Various Artists (24)
12. Strangely in Tune by Diane Coll (22)
13. Bones of Trees by Tim Grimm (21)
13. The Work, the Hope, the Promise by Wes Weddell (21)
13. Party in the Pines by Dave Miller (21)
13. From Here to the Sea by Meredith Moon (21)
17. Driftwood by Weary Ramblers (20)
18. Voisinages by Le Vent Du Nord (19)
18. So Much I Still Don’t See by Sam Robbins (19)
18. Hummingbird Highway by Dar Williams (19)
18. Wild and Clear and Blue by I’m With Her (19)
18. Hill Country Folk Music by Terry Klein (19)
18. Gold and Coal by Cassie and Maggie (19)
18. Dark Ages by Eliza Gilkyson (19)
18. Empire by Kray Van Kirk (19)
26. Tip of the Spear by Doug Mishkin (18)
26. A Tip Toe High Wire by Sierra Hull (18)
28. Hardscrabble Hope by Maria Dunn (16)
28. Personal History by Mary Chapin Carpenter (16)
28. Bringing the Light by Hot Tamale (16)
28. The Breathing Room by Cosy Sheridan (16)
28. Nightclothes by Annie Gallup (16)
33. Code to Live By by Grant Peeples (15)
33. So Long Little Miss Sunshime by Molly Tuttle (15)
33. Here and Gone by Sara Thomsen (15)
33. Ivyland by James O’Malley (15)
33. The Wind Will Change Again by The Twangtown Paramours (15)
38. A Feather in a Hurricane by Oliver the Crow (14)
38. Avec Elodie by Eloise & Co (14)
38. Reclamation by Crys Matthews (14)
38. Arcadia by Alison Krauss and Union Station (14)
38. Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle by Willie Nelson (14)
43. Field of Stars by John McCutcheon (13)
43. Sad and Beautiful World by Mavis Staples (13)
45. Appalachia by Emily Scott Robinson (12)
45. Songs From a Secret Room by Chris Rusin (12)
45. Blue Mountain by Bob Weir (12)
45. Southern Sky by Danny Burns (12)
49. The Woods Have Shown Us by Ponyfolk (11)
49. In the West by The Horsenecks (11)
49. Labor of Love by Tinsley Ellis (11)

Top Songs of January 2026

1.”The Future” by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon (22)
2. “Artie’s Last Stand” by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon (18)
3. “Robots” by Annie Gallup (16)
3. “Raise Your Hand” by Crowes Pasture (16)
5. “Blue Kentucky Girl” by Tiffany Williams (15)
6. “Peggy-O” by The McDades (14)
6. “Pathfinder” by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon (14)
6. “Particle and Wave (Goodness in the World)” by John Gorka (14)
9. “The Sea and the Shore” by Amy Speace (12)
9. “The Ballad of Husker Scruggs” by Hana Zara (12)
9. “Tough Like That” by Sara Thomsen (12)
12. “Fontana Dam” by Eric Brace and Thomm Jutz (10)
12. “If They’d Been Black” by Doug Mishkin (10)
12. “Kindness” by Amy Speace (10)
12. “Lay This Old Guitar Down” by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon (10)
12. “That Was a Long Time Ago” by Valerie Smith (10)
12. “Cheatin’ When I’m Eatin'” by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon (10)
18. “On a Monday in London” by Amy Speace (9)
18. “Since You Asked Me” by Jan Krist (9)
18. “10 to 4” by Eric Brace and Thomm Jutz (9)
21. “Waves on the Sea” by The Onlies (8)
21. “A Friend Like You” by The Milk Carton Kids (8)
21. “Both Sides Now” by Cassandra Kubinski (8)
21. “Sugar Magnolia” by Grateful Dead (8)
21. “Broken Truth” by Tim Grimm (8)
21. “Magic Accident” by Della Mae (8)
21. “Dark Night of the Soul” by Eliza Gilkyson (8)
21. “Stop at Nothing” by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon (8)
21. “The Victim Tree” by John Flynn (8)

Top Artists of January 2026

1.Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon (118)
2. Amy Speace (67)
3. Valerie Smith (63)
4. Eric Brace and Thomm Jutz (57)
5. John Gorka (50)
6. Joan Baez (49)
7. Grateful Dead (36)
8. Bob Dylan (35)
8. Pete Seeger (35)
10. Jesse Appelman (34)
11. Mavis Staples (32)
12. Dar Williams (30)
12. Molly Tuttle (30)
14. Jan Krist (29)
14. John McCutcheon (29)
14. The Onlies (29)
17. Alison Brown and Steve Martin (28)
17. Tiffany Williams (28)
17. The Pairs (28)
20. Eliza Gilkyson (27)
21. Phil Ochs (26)
21. Cassie and Maggie (26)
23. Dolly Parton (25)
23. The Mavericks (25)
25. Joe Ely (24)
25. Willie Nelson (24)
25. Dave Miller (24)
25. Diane Coll (24)
29. Crowes Pasture (23)
29. Bob Weir (23)
31. I’m With Her (22)
31. Sierra Hull (22)
31. Mary Chapin Carpenter (22)
31. Meredith Moon (22)
31. Joni Mitchell (22)
31. Tim Grimm (22)
37. Wes Weddell (21)
37. Cosy Sheridan (21)
37. Grant Peeples (21)
40. Le Vent Du Nord (20)
40. Weary Ramblers (20)
40. Colleen Kattau (20)
40. Kray Van Kirk (20)
40. Sam Robbins (20)

The November 2025 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 11,366 airplays reported on 373 playlists submitted by 99 different folk DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

Folk Alliance International (folk.org) is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

Editor’s Note: I would have posted the charts last week but was preoccupied with other important matters.

The October 2025 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 10,245 airplays reported on 349 playlists submitted by 99 different folk DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

Folk Alliance International (folk.org) is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

Top Albums of October 2025

[Here’s a link to view a video for “Par-dessus le pont,” the first single from Voisonages, Le Vent Du Nord’s #1 album on folk radio in October 2025: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCueZgiKkHyrcWYwWHEJuS3A]

1. Voisinages by Le Vent Du Nord (80)
2. Bones of Better Days by The Whispering Tree (72)
3. Long Journey Home: A Century After the 1925 Mountain City
Fiddlers by Various Artists (64)
4. Unentitled by John Gorka (61)
5. Safe, Sensible and Sane by Alison Brown & Steve Martin (57)
6. The Breathing Room by Cosy Sheridan (53)
7. Every Town by Anne Hills (52)
8. The Agonist by Leslie Jordan (43)
8. Wide Open Spaces by Connie Kaldor (43)
10. Further From the Country by William Prince (42)
11. Shelter From the Storms by Lennie Gallant (38)
12. Look to the Moon by Patty and Craig (34)
12. Stay Put by Elexa Dawson (34)
14. Avec Elodie by Eloise & Co (32)
15. Fiction by Megan Bee (30)
16. From Here to the Sea by Meredith Moon (29)
16. Reverse the Flow by Alice Di Micele (29)
16. You Climb the Mountain by The Onlies (29)
19. Tidy Memorial by Josh Fortenbery (27)
20. The Road Taken by Reggie Garrett and Christine Gunn (25)
20. Hummingbird Highway by Dar Williams (25)
22. The Other Evening in Chicago by Bob Franke (24)
22. Now Then by Robbie Fulks (24)
22. The Last Bough by Kyle Carey (24)
25. Ghosts of the Old West by George Mann and Mick Coates (22)
25. Sweet Resilience by Jane Fallon (22)
25. Lost and Found by Becki Davis (22)
25. Saving Grace by Robert Plant (22)
29. Blue Tapestry by Veronneau (21)
30. The Ghost of Sis Draper by Shawn Camp (20)
30. Featherbed by Sarah Kate Morgan and Lee Shannon (20)
30. The Light Still Shines on the Main by Jory Nash (20)
30. Stone by Stone by Friction Farm (20)
34. Bones of Trees by Tim Grimm (19)
34. So Long Little Miss Sunshine by Molly Tuttle (19)
36. Heavy on the Blues by Rory Block (18)
36. The Winds by Selken (18)
36. Nobody’s Girl by Amanda Shires (18)
36. Big Wing by The Lonesome Ace Stringband (18)
40. Mother Mind by Tekla Waterfield and Jeff Fielder (17)
40. Crown of Roses by Patty Griffin (17)
40. The Raven and the Moon by Sherie Davis (17)
40. Gallowglass by Ann Ramsey (17)
44. Songbird by Waylon Jennings (16)
44. Songs That Sing Me by Becky Buller (16)
46. We’ll Be Fine by Doug Kolmar (15)
46. Drift by Wes Corbett (15)
46. Fallen Angel by The Unfaithful Servants (15)
46. In the West by The Horsenecks (15)
50. Kentucky Queen by Carla Gover (14)
50. Sidereal Days by Bill Scorzari (14)
50. Don’t You Ever Give Up on Love by Brennen Leigh (14)

Top Songs of October 2025

[Here’s a link to view a lyric video for “Bones of Better Days” by The Whispering Tree:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6vgD7WYz2s]

1. “Bones of Better Days” by The Whispering Tree (22)
2. “Particle & Wave (Goodness in the World)” by John Gorka (19)
3. “Par-Dessus Le Pont” by Le Vent Du Nord (15)
3. “The Breathing Room” by Cosy Sheridan (15)
3. “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness” by Jesse Lynn Madera (15)
6. “Dear Time” by Alison Brown & Steve Martin (13)
6. “No Kings Here” by Tom Paxton (13)
8. “Born Again” by The Whispering Tree (12)
8. “By My Side” by The Whispering Tree (12)
10. “Le Pari De Jeanne” by Le Vent Du Nord (11)
10. “Spoon River” by Anne Hills (11)
12. “Broken Truth” by Tim Grimm (10)
12. “I’ve Always Been a Rambler” by Molly Tuttle (10)
12. “For the First Time” by William Prince (10)
12. “900 Miles” by Tim O’Brien (10)
16. “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” by Elexa Dawson (9)
16. “Hello in There” by The Real Sarahs and Alex De Grassi (9)
16. “Counting on Angels” by Lennie Gallant (9)
16. “Sweeter Things” by Megan Bee (9)
16. “Claude’s Cookies” by Cosy Sheridan (9)
16. “Love, Surround Me” by Patty and Craig (9)
16. “House Carpenter” by Jake Blount (9)
16. “Falling Through the Cracks” by Alice Di Micele (9)
16. “Find a Man” by The Whispering Tree (9)
25. “I Talk to Ghosts” by Nicole Mish (8)
25. “The Invention of Tv” by Megan Bee (8)
25. “Open All the Doors and Windows” by Billy Jonas (8)
25. “Fleur Radieuse” by Le Vent Du Nord (8)
25. “Old Friends” by Lennie Gallant (8)
25. “Girl, Have Money When You’re Old” by Alison Brown & Steve Martin (8)
25. “Ballad of Elizabeth Dark” by Anne Hills (8)
25. “Resilience” by Jane Fallon (8)

Top Artists of October 2025

[Here’s a link to view an Oct. 29, 2025 concert by Le Vent duu Nord that was livestreamed and recorded at The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, DC:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACuHGl2Gxyw]

1. Le Vent Du Nord (83)
2. John Gorka (76)
2. The Whispering Tree (76)
4. Cosy Sheridan (62)
5. Anne Hills (61)
6. Alison Brown & Steve Martin (58)
7. Connie Kaldor (50)
8. Bob Franke (48)
9. Leslie Jordan (44)
10. William Prince (43)
11. Lennie Gallant (38)
12. Elexa Dawson (35)
12. John Prine (35)
14. Patty and Craig (34)
14. Bob Dylan (34)
16. Eloise & Co (33)
16. Dar Williams (33)
16. Molly Tuttle (33)
19. Meredith Moon (30)
19. Megan Bee (30)
21. Alice Di Micele (29)
21. Tim Grimm (29)
21. The Onlies (29)
24. Josh Fortenbery (27)
24. Becky Buller (27)
26. John McCutcheon (26)
27. Robert Plant (25)
27. Reggie Garrett and Christine Gunn (25)
29. Kyle Carey (24)
29. Joan Baez (24)
29. Robbie Fulks (24)
32. George Mann and Mick Coates (23)
32. Jane Fallon (23)
32. Patty Griffin (23)
35. Becki Davis (22)
35. Friction Farm (22)
35. Nanci Griffith (22)
38. Veronneau (21)
39. Jory Nash (20)
39. Sarah Kate Morgan and Lee Shannon (20)
39. Cheryl Wheeler (20)
39. Crowes Pasture (20)
39. Waylon Jennings (20)
39. Shawn Camp (20)

Besides several jam-packed days and nights of music showcases, song swaps/in-the-rounds, open mics and informal jam sessions, the NERFA conference will also feature, informative panel discussions and workshops, one-on-one mentoring and peer & affinity group sessions, communal meals, awards presentations, an exhibit hall, a very special film screening, a reception, communal meals, a community meeting with NERFA’s volunteer board of directors, and lots of opportunities for schmoozing and networking. Singer-songwriters Flamy Grant and Janis Ian (best known for her early hits “Society’s Child” and “At 17”) will keynote the conference on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively.

Booking gigs may be the primary objective of some performers who attend the conference; and many presenters and folk DJs do scout out new artists and those whom they have not previously heard and seen in live performance. However, the conference experience is much more than that; it’s really about forging connections, building community, and taking advantage of learning opportunities that can help enhance and enrich your professional and personal lives.

The conference’s programming committee, under the leadership of Ron Olesko, a NERFA board member and the creator and director of Folk Music Notebook (a 24/7 online radio station and community hub), has arranged a diverse array of workshops, panel discussions and special events.

“We are excited to present a special pre-release screening of a new film You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine,“ said Olesko. Filmed during a star-studded two-night tribute to the legendary songwriter at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium in October 2022, its national theatrical release is slated for later in November. Prine’s widow, Fiona Whelan Prine, president of Oh Boy! Records and a producer of the film will engage in a Q & A session following the screening. Anna Canoni, president of Woody Guthrie Publications, will give a presentation about her grandfather and the newly released Woody at Home: Woody Guthrie’s Home Recordings, 1951-1952. Buskin & Batteau, Christine Lavin, John Forster, and Carla Ulbrich — who occasionally perform together as the April Fools –will share some very funny folk songs. Also slated is a Friday morning production of Ms. Music: The Jackie Alper Story, a folk musical written and directed by Andy Spence and Sarah Dillon, that honors the late folk music legend in the New York Capital Region and an influential figure in the folk revival.

Also on the conference schedule are the ever-popular On the Griddle instant critique session during which a panel of folk DJs listen to the first 60 seconds of a number of songs and provides snap feedback. Sonny Ochs, a longtime folk DJ and sister of the late troubadour and activist Phil Ochs, will again host a Wisdom of the Elders session. It will feature acclaimed singer-songwriters Janis Ian and Tom Chapin a, along with Terry Thai (Bob Dylan’s first manager and former wife of Dave Van Ronk). Olesko joins Ochs in posing questions to them in a conversational format. A number of workshops and panel discussions designed to help artists and presenters as they try to navigate the challenges currently faced by the folk community are also on the agenda.

Juried Showcases Slated for Friday and Saturday Nights      

Taking center stage during the conference will be 14 artists/acts selected by a panel of judges from among more than 160 submissions – with each to perform a 15-minute formal showcase set on Friday and Saturday nights – the most coveted performance opportunity at the conference. Showcasing their talents on Friday night will be Phil Henry, Judy Kass, Weary Ramblers, Connie Kaldor, Taylor Abrahamse, Elise Leavy, and Cassie and Maggie. Saturday night’s featured artists include The Levins, Sadie Gustafson-Zook, Beecharmer, Louie Lou Louis, Mystery Loves Company, Paul Colombino, and The Honey Badgers.

Judges for this year’s official juried showcases were Richard Cuccaro (publisher of Acoustic Live! in New York City & Beyond), Aaron Nathans (singer-songwriter and recording artist), and Mary Stewart (artistic director of Hugh’s Room Live in Toronto, Ontario)

On Thursday evening, the conference’s opening night, a Presenters Showcase will feature short performances by 14 artists/acts chosen by select folk DJs and concert & festival presenters. Listed in order of appearance, they are Haunted Like Human, Nico Padden, Christine Baillargeon, Nora Meier, Selena Tibbert, Halley Neal, Mirabelle Skipworth, Marc Apostoides, Sam Edelston, Ben Diamond (AKA Son Stone), Allison Strong, Francesca Panetta, Sam Berquist, and Mark & Jill.

Following the juried and curator’s showcases each evening, a number of presenters, performers and others will host private showcases in first floor hotel rooms that extend from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. AcousticMusicScene.com will host a series of song swaps in place of its longtime popular Midnight Hoot on Thursday overnight.

Here’s the AcousticMusicScene.com Showcase lineup:

10:30 p.m             Songs of Social Justice: Dan & Faith, Hank Stone

11:00 p.m.            Reggie Harris & Pat Wictor

11:30 p.m.            Long Island Sounds: James O’Malley, Roger Street Friedman

12:00 a.m.             Americana Folk: Lynn Crossett, Susan Kane, Carolann Solebello

12:30 a.m.             Mixed Bag: Miles & Mafale, Arielle Silver

1:00 a.m.                Funny Folk: Mark Allen Berube, Barry Rabin, Carla Ulbrich

1:30 a.m.                Tunes from Texas: Claudia Gibson, Mystery Loves Company

2:00 a.m.              Doug Mishkin, Stuart Markus

NERFA Leaders Share Their Thoughts on the Conference

“We are thrilled about our new location, nore central to our region in a beautiful and spacious hotel that offers ample opportunity for gathering on a single floor, which will encourage interaction and socializing,” Olesko told AcousticMusicScene.com. “It’s perfect for encouraging collaborations and sharing of best practices.”

Echoing his sentiments, Cheryl Prashker, president of NERFA’s board of directors, said:

“I am excited that we have brought the conference to Albany, New York for the first time. The Desmond Hotel is a perfect space for our community that gathers each year to share their music, their knowledge, and their passion for giving to each other. I cannot think of a more important thing at this time.” Expressing gratitude for a music community of which she’s been a part for more than 25 years, she said: “It has shaped who I am as a musician and a person. All I hope to be able to do is offer the young musicians coming up some love and support as they navigate the business of folk music.”

NERFA is one of five North American regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International (folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion. Although folks from throughout North America attend its annual conference, NERFA’s geographic boundaries extend from the eastern provinces of Canada south to the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. More extensive information on the organization and its annual conference may be found online at www.nerfa.org and www.nerfaconference.org. The four other North American regions – Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM), Folk Alliance Region – West (FAR-West), Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA), and Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) already held their 2025 conferences. Folk Alliance International’s next conference is set for January — — in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Editor’s Note: Besides hosting a late-night song swap-style artist showcase during the conference, as I have under the banner of AcousticMusicScene.com most years since the online publication’s inception in 2007, I will be assisting two of my artist PR clients (Lynn Crossett and James O’Malley) and offering some one-on-one mentoring sessions on artist bios and one-sheets, EPKS, social media promotion, and various other aspects of public relations and strategic communications. As president of the Folk Music Society of Huntington (a nonprofit presenting organization on Long Island, NY), I also curated and will co-host a private showcase under its banner on Friday overnight. As a past president and former 15-year board member of NERFA who was not at last year’s conference, I really look forward to this one.

Booking gigs may be the primary objective of some performing artists who attend the FARM Gathering, and many presenters and folk DJs do scout out new artists and those whom they have not previously heard and seen in perform live. However, the conference experience is much more than that; it’s really about forging connections, building community, and attending workshops and panel discussions to learn about options to further their careers, promote the music, and attract audiences and listeners

This year’s conference also includes a Presenter Summit for the first time. It will feature a full track of programming designed specifically for venues, festivals and other concert presenters to learn from experts in accounting, audience development, community engagement, marketing, and production.

Taking center stage during this year’s FARM Gathering will be 14 artists/acts selected by a panel of judges to each perform a short set of just shy of 20 minutes, with full sound Showcasing their talents on Friday night will be Mac and Cheese, Dennis Warner, Weary Ramblers, Andy Baker, Stone & Snow, Amy Speace, and Paula Boggs Band. Saturday’s official showcase lineup features Warren & Flick, The Twangtown Paramours, Sam Robbins, Maggie’s Wake, Dave Moore, Bruce Henry & Dean Magraw, and Abigail Stauffer and the Wisdom. Unplugged private showcases follow from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. each evening.

On the docket for Thursday night is a barn dance, followed by a folk DJ showcase featuring performances by Friction Farm, Gia Dagenhart, Chris Walz, Matt Watroba, The Springtails, Helene Cronin, Senior Infants, Bobbie Lancaster, Rees Shad, Mark Jewett, The Thorntons, and Dandelion Delivery Service. Following that showcase, attendees also will shuffle between a number of rooms to enjoy private showcases.

“In addition to the great performances and showcases we have lined up, I am very excited to welcome some special guests to this year’s conference who will speak to the issues affecting our country and our local music communities right now, including our keynote speaker Nicky Mehta.” said Ellen Stanley, the conference director. “Although best known for being a member of the Canadian folk band The Wailin’ Jennys, she is also an activist and will talk about how artists can stay true to their artistic vision and the causes they believe in.” She also mentioned Spencer LaJoye, a winner of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Competition, who will give a spotlight talk ahead of the keynote about telling their truth as a queer artist

Daytime programming includes a wide array of workshops and panel discussions and peer group conversations addressing timely topics. “”We’re going to talk about the issues that we’re all worried about, and we hope to provide a welcoming space for everyone to share their stories and learn from others as we do our best to navigate these challenging times, Stanley told AcousticMusicScene.com.

Song swapping and jamming, speed mentoring sessions, open mics, and FARM’s popular Performance Lane series of 10-minute mini-showcases that take place simultaneously in several rooms are also part of the daytime mix. Special events on Friday include a 30-minute Chicago Celtic Spotlight featuring Reverie Road and a folk DJ meet & greet. Marilyn Rea Beyer, who hosts the nationally syndicated weekly radio program “The Midnight Special” from the studios of Chicago’s WFMT, will host a Wisdom Across the Ages panel discussion featuring artists and activists from different generations: Amy Speace, Paula Boggs, Katie Dahl, and Sam Robbins. Also on the docket for Saturday afternoon is a Celtic jam, as well as the spotlight and keynote talks. FARM’s 2025 Lantern Bearer Awards will be presented following dinner that evening to two individuals who have made significant contributions to the folk community locally and/or regionally. This year’s recipients are Charlie Mosbrook (a musician, former FARM board president, and current vice president of Folk Alliance International) and Lilli Kuzma, a veteran folk DJ at WDCB Public Radio in Glen Ellyn, Illinois).

AcousticMusicScene.com Hosts Two Nights of Private Showcases

Although AcousticMusicScene.com has hosted primarily song swap-style private showcases at Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA), Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA), and Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) conferences, and its editor & publisher has also participated in Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West) conference, this year marks the first time that two nights of private showcases will be held under its banner at a FARM Gathering. The AcousticMusicScene.com Showcase lineup follows.

Thursday Overnight in Muddy Waters (Conference 3) Room

10:30  Ben Bedford & Vanessa Lively, Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus

11:00  Erin Eades, Rob Lytle

11:30  The Shandies, another artist TBA ?

12:00  Julie Grower, Lucy Isabel

12:30  Tony DiCorpo, Doug Harsch

1:00    Josh Harty, Josh Rose

1:30    Patty & Craig, The Raven & The Remedy

2:00    Beth Bombara

Friday Overnight in Childress/Saxton (Oak/Green) Room

10:30  Two from Texas: Lynn Crossett, Tipps & Obermiller

11:00  A Trio of Duos: Ruth & Max Bloomquist, Dan & Faith, Tom & Barb Webber

12:00  Mixed Bag: Sue Horowitz, Miles & Mafale, Mike Ward

1:00    Chris Farrell, Jim Gary

1:30    Gina Forsyth, Karen Mal & David Stoddard

2:00    Rick Vines, Joshua Vorvick

FARM is one of five North American regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International (folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion. Although folks from throughout North America attend its annual Gathering, FARM (farmfolk.org) serves Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Nunavut, Ohio, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The 2026 FARM Gathering is set for October 22-25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. FAR-West and SWRFA held their annual conferences earlier this fall, while NERFA’s is slated for Nov. 6-9 in Albany, New York.

Editor’s Note: In addition to curating and hosting two nights of private showcases, I look forward to sharing information and insights gleaned from my many years as public relations and strategic communications professional, as well as a concert and former festival presenter with conference attendees. I will join Elexa Dawson and Joy Zimmerman as part of a Promoting Your Event panel discussion and will offer a series of one-on-one speed mentoring sessions. A past president of NERFA and former board member of Folk Alliance International, I am excited to be attending my first in-person FARM Gathering.

A 17-song tribute compilation, Long Journey Home: A Century After the 1925 Mountain City Fiddlers Convention celebrates the centenary of the iconic gathering of nearly 100 musicians in rural Mountain City, Tennessee. Produced by John McCutcheon (who also sings and plays banjo and fretless banjo on it), the album on Appalsongs showcases old-time fiddling and old time music with a number of today’s most celebrated old-time and bluegrass artists performing their own renditions of ballads, reels and tunes that have stood the test of time. Featured artists, in addition to McCutcheon and Tuttle, include Jake Blount, Old Crow Medicine Show, Tim O’Brien, Sparky & Rhonda Rucker, Becky Buller, Trey Wellington & Victor Furtado, Stuart Duncan, Cathy & Marcy’s Old Time Coalition, Kody Norris Show, Earl White Stringband, and Bruce Molsky.

Molly Tuttle, who is joined by Ketch Secor (who fronts and co-founded Old Crow Medicine Show) on “I’ve Always Been a Rambler,” is an acclaimed guitarist known for her prowess at flatpicking and cross-picking, as well as a singer- songwriter and banjo player. At age 24, she became the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Guitar Player of the Year Award in 2017 and did so again the following year when the Americana Music Association also named her Instrumentalist of the Year. Tuttle has been the recipient of two Grammy Awards for Best Bluegrass Album for Crooked Tree and City of Gold in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Crooked Tree also was named Album of the Year in the International Bluegrass Music Awards, while its title track was feted as Song of the Year and she was named Female Vocalist of the Year. City of Gold, also recorded with her band Golden Highway, also was named Album of the Year during the 2023 International Folk Music Awards presented by Folk Alliance International.

Connie Kaldor is a three-time Juno Award-winning singer songwriter who has been writing and performing her songs for more than 45 years and has recorded 19 albums. Her new release, Wide Open Space, was the #2 album on the FAI Folk Chart in September. A member of the Order of Canada and a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award recipient, she also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Woodstock Folk Festival in Woodstock, Illinois earlier this year. Kaldor is based in Montreal and tours extensively. She is frequently joined in concert by her husband Paul Campagne and sons Aleksi and Gabriel Campagne. She will be among the official showcase artists during the Northeast Regional folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference in Albany, NY in November.

The September 2025 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 10, 565 airplays reported on 347 playlists submitted by 93 different folk DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

Folk Alliance International (folk.org) is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

Top Albums of September 2025 

1.Long Journey Home: A Century After the 1925 Mountain City Fiddlers
Convention by Various Artists (131)

2. Wide Open Spaces by Connie Kaldor (71)

3. Look to the Moon by Patty and Craig (51)
3. Stone by Stone by Friction Farm (51)
5. Connected by Darryl Purpose (48)
6. Song of the Bricoleur by Rags Rosenberg (42)
7. Lost & Found by Becki Davis (40)
8. Mother Mind by Tekla Waterfield & Jeff Fiedler (39)
9. Hummingbird Highway by Dar Williams (38)
9. Stay Put by Elexa Dawson (38)
9. The Last Bough by Kyle Carey (38)
12. Kentucky Queen by Carla Gover (34)
12. Songs That Sing Me by Becky Buller (34)
12. Now Then by Robbie Fulks (34)
15. Sweet Resilence by Jane Fallon (32)
16. So Long Little Miss Sunshine by Molly Tuttle (30)
17. Heavy on the Blues by Rory Block (29)
18. The Light Still Shines on the Main by Jory Nash (28)
19. The Ghost of Sis Draper by Shawn Camp (27)
20. The America Chronicles by Kemp Harris (25)
21. Drum School Dropout by Christine Lavin (24)
22. Time Out #3 by The Accidentals (23)
23. New Skin by Judy Kass (22)
23. NERFA Songwriters, Vol. 1 by Various Artists (22)
25. Perennial by Kate MacLeod (21)
25. You Climb the Mountain by The Onlies (21)
27. Bridging Divides by Billy Jonas (20)
28. Wild and Clear and Blue by I’m With Her (19)
28. Squirrels by Jubal Lee Young (19)
30. One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey by Maria Muldaur (18)
30. Crown of Rose by Patty Griffin (18)
30. Callin’ Me Back by Petunia & the Vipers (18)
30. The Woods Have Shown Us by Ponyfolk (18)
30. Seeds of Dreaming by Diyet and the Love Soldiers (18)
35. Bones of Trees by Tim Grimm (17)
35. Personal History by Mary Chapin Carpenter (17)
35. Hard Headed Woman by Margo Price (17)
38. Ghost of the Old West by George Mann and Mick Coates (16)

38. Lost & Found Highway by Joselyn & Don (16)
38. Lift Up the Old World by Hilary Hawke (16)
38. Dark Ages by Eliza Gilkyson (16)
42. Riding High in Texas by Asleep at the Wheel (15)
42. The Way I Tell the Story by David Wilcox (15)
42. American Romance by Lukas Nelson (15)
42. Kerrville Covers by Janet Feld (15)
42. Shadows of a Ghost Town by Meghan Clarisse (15)
47. American Portraits by Marty Cooper (14)
47. Airline Highway by Rodney Crowell (14)
47. Arcadia by Alison Krauss and Union Station (14)
47. The Way the West Was Won by Dallas Burrow (14)
47. We’re Only Human by Hayes Carll (14)

Top Songs of September 2025

1. “I’ve Always Been a Rambler” by Molly Tuttle (23)
2. “No Kings Here” by Tom Paxton (18)
3. “Love, Surround Me” by Patty and Craig (15)
4. “Cuckoo” by John McCutcheon (14)
4. “Me & Robbie Erenberg” by Darryl Purpose (14)
6. “Louder Than Guns” by Friction Farm (13)
7. “Hummingbird Highway” by Dar Williams (12)
7. “900 Miles” by Tim O’Brien (12)
9. “Goodnight America” by Kemp Harris (11)
9. “Bullfrogs” by Rags Rosenberg (11)
11. “It Ain’t Gonna Go Away (Ode to the Epstein Files)” by Cathy Fink
& Marcy Marxer (10)
11. “Memory of August” by Anne Hills (10)
11. “What You Gonna Do With the Baby” by Old Crow Medicine Show (10)
11. “Returning to Myself” by Brandi Carlile (10)
11. “The Last Bough” by Kyle Carey (10)
11. “Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase” by Cathy and Marcy’s Old Time Coaltion (10)
17. “Open All the Doors and Windows” by Billy Jonas (9)
17. “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” by Sparky and Rhonda Rucker (9)
17. “Oh, Little One” by Jory Nash (9)
17. “House Carpenter” by Jake Blount (9)
17. “At Our Best” by Judy Kass (9)
17. “Dear Time” by Alison Brown and Steve Martin (9)
17. “Wide Open Spaces” by Connie Kaldor (9)
24. “Baling Hay” by Elexa Dawson (8)
24. “Early Fields” by Kate MacLeod (8)
24. “Millworker” by Becky Buller (8)
24. “The Edge” by Becki Davis (8)
24. “Something My Own” by Tekla Waterfield & Jeff Fiedler (8)
24. “Rocky Road to Dinah’s House” by Becky Buller (8)
24. “Bridget O’Brien” by Maggie’s Wake (8)
24. “Feel What Our Hearts Feel” by Darryl Purpose (8)
24. “Savannah Is a Devilish Girl” by Robbie Fulks (8)
24. “American Dream” by Friction Farm (8)
24. “This Car” by Connie Kaldor (8)
24. “Bright Side of the Blues” by Bryan Titus (8)

Top Artists of September 2025

1. Connie Kaldor (71)
2. Molly Tuttle (57)
3. Friction Farm (53)
4. Patty and Craig (51)
4. Darryl Purpose (51)
6. Becky Buller (50)
7. Dar Williams (49)
8. Tom Paxton (48)
9. John McCutcheon (44)
10. Rags Rosenberg (43)
11. Becki Davis (41)
12. Tekla Waterfield & Jeff Fiedler (39)
12. Elexa Dawson (39)
14. Kyle Carey (38)
15. Woody Guthrie (36)
16. Bruce Springsteen (35)
16. Robbie Fulks (35)
18. Carla Gover (34)
19. Jane Fallon (33)
19. John Prine (33)
21. Christine Lavin (31)
22. Jory Nash (30)
22. Cheryl Wheeler (30)
24. Rory Block (29)
25. Eliza Gilkyson (28)
26. Joni Mitchell (27)
26. Shawn Camp (27)
28. Tim O’Brien (26)
29. Kemp Harris (25)
29. Tim Grimm (25)
31. Kate MacLeod (24)
31. Mary Chapin Carpenter (24)
33. Guy Clark (23)
33. Pete Seeger (23)
33. The Accidentals (23)
36. Willie Nelson (22)
36. Judy Kass (22)
36. The Onlies (22)
39. The Kennedys (21)
39. Bill Monroe (21)

Tim Grimm is an acclaimed storytelling balladeer who splits his time between homes in the woods of southern Indiana and a cottage in Oklahoma when not on tour. Released in April, Bones of Trees is his 13th album. Its 11 tracks include “Broken Truth” (which was the most-played song on folk radio in 2024) and “Woody’s Landlord Revisited” (an updated version of “Woody’s Landlord,” his politically charged ballad about President’s Trump’s father that topped the FAI folk songs chart in 2016). Over the years, Grimm has had a number of top albums and songs on the Folk DJ (now FAI Folk) and EuroAmericana charts. Besides those mentioned, Gone and A Stranger In This Town were the most-played albums on folk radio during 2021 and 2017 respectively, while “Gone,” “Gonna Be Great,” and “King of the Folksingers” (a tribute to his friend and musical icon Ramblin’ Jack Elliott) were the most-played songs of 2020, 2017 and 2014. In addition to his more than 25-year career as a singer-songwriter, Grimm has taught songwriting classes, worked as an actor in film and television, and has hosted an Americana concert series in Columbus, Indiana.

Here’s a link to listen to Tim Grimm’s “Woody’s Landlord Revisited”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cijeaYTVMPM

“Ain’t That the Way,” appears on Porcelain Angel, the latest album by Rees Shad. The western Massachusetts-based and New York City born-and-raised Americana singer-songwriter has released 17 solo albums and an additional 13 albums involving collaborations and side projects to date. He began playing Greenwich Village folk clubs and hanging around recording studios as a sideman on sessions with Brill Building songwriters as a teenager. While still in college, he launched Sweetfish Recording Studios –- a residential full-production studio in a renovated 19th century barn in upstate New York that played a part in hundreds of independent and major label releases over the next 14 years. Sweetish later expanded into interactive marketing, publishing, and record distribution before closing in 2000 when Rees enrolled in graduate school. He earned two Master’s degrees, which led to a 20-year career in higher education. However, he continued writing and recording songs. Rees Shad keynotes the annual Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Conference that takes place in Owensboro, Kentucky, May 15-18.

Here’s a link to the official video for Rees Shad’s “Ain’t That Way”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rHh5NBvr78

The April 2025 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 10, 535 airplays reported on 350 playlists submitted by 99 different folk DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

Folk Alliance International (folk.org) is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

Top Albums of April 2025

1. Bones of Trees by Tim Grimm (114)
2. Arcadia by Alison Krauss and Union Station (64)
3. Porcelain Angel by Rees Shad (61)
4. All I Got and Gone by Chris Walz (58)
5. Burnished by Amelia Hogan (55)
6. Some Kind of Truth by Kora Feder (47)
7. Maybe New Mexico by Helene Cronin (46)
8. Suzy Sings Siebel Vol. 1 by Suzy Thompson (45)
9. The Lucy Story: Unreleased & Rare Tracks 1976-2023 by Lucy Kaplansky (44)
10. So Much I Still Don’t See by Sam Robbins (41)
11. It Matters by C. Daniel Boling (38)
12. Foxes in the Snow by Jason Isbell (36)
13. A Tip Toe High Wire by Sierra Hull (34)
14. Oh What a Beautiful World by Willie Nelson (31)
15. Backstage Balladeer by Jefferson Ross (29)
16. The Monkey in the Crown by HuDost (26)
17. Remains to Be Scene by The Seldom Scene (25)
17. Wait for the Night by Eric Schmitt (25)
19. I Made It This Far by Deborah Holland (23)
20. Double Takes by Gordie Tentrees and Jaxon Haldane (22)
20. What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow by Rhiannon Giddens &
Justin Robinson (22)
22. Field of Stars by John McCutcheon (20)
22. Here We Go! by Antonio Andrade (20)
22. Wild and Clear and Blue by I’m With Her (20)
22. Volume 4 by Kieran Kane and Rayna Gellert (20)
22. Together on a Rock by The Pairs (20)
22. Daggomit! by Max Wareham (20)
28. Paris by Louise Coombe (19)
28. Alice Howe and Freebo Live by Alice Howe and Freebo (19)
28. Dear Meadowlark by The Wildwoods (19)
31. Unravel by Henhouse Prowlers (18)
31. Songs That Made Charlene Cry by The Dillards (18)
31. Reclamation by Crys Matthews (18)
31. Ghosts by Mike Berman (18)
31. Our Way by Loveseat (18)
36. Face the Day by Will Branch (17)
37. I’m From Here by Rob Siegel (16)
37. Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Vol. 2 by
Various Artists (16)
37. Ghostwriter by Annie Stokes (16)
40. Rushmere by Mumford and Sons (15)
41. Froggy’s Demise by Ezra (14)
41. The Wind Will Change Again by The Twangtown Paramours (14)
43. Racing Down the Valley by Sam Bergquist (13)
43. Looking for the Thread by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis,
Karine Polwart (13)
43. Carry Me Back to the Bluegrass by Big Country Bluegrass (13)
46. Exploding Star by Heather Maloney (12)
46. Lonesome Drifter by Charley Crockett (12)
46. Changing Union by Chris Moore (12)
46. Te Whare Tiwekaweka by Marlon Williams (12)
50. Beneath Your Skin by Kim Beggs (11)
50. Mill Pond by Rich Scher (11)
50. The Price of Admission by Turnpike Troubadours (11)
50. Dark Country by Gary Louris (11)
50. Cold Feet by Mark Freeman (11)

Top Songs of April 2025

1. “Ain’t That the Way” by Rees Shad (21)
2. “Woody’s Landlord Revisited” by Tim Grimm (19)
2. “Superlover” by Allison Russell and Annie Lennox (19)
4. “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back” by Alison Brown and Steve Martin (18)
4. “Barbed Wire Boys” by Tim Grimm (18)
6. “Rolling in the Gold” by Amelia Hogan (17)
7. “Broken Truth” by Tim Grimm (16)
8. “In the USA” by Tim Grimm (15)
9. “I Will Not Obey” by Erin Inglish (14)
10. “Mists of Ennistymon” by Tim Grimm (13)
10. “Richmond on the James” by Alison Krauss and Union Station (13)
12. “Ancient Light” by I’m With Her (11)
12. “We Will Take Care of Each Other” by Heather Pierson (11)
12. “Up in the Attic” by Tim Grimm (11)
12. “Rambling Man” by Kora Feder (11)
16. “Great Big World” by Rees Shad (10)
16. “It Matters” by C. Daniel Boling (10)
16. “Here’s the Rain” by Cosy Sheridan (10)
16. “North Side Gal” by Alison Krauss and Union Station (10)
16. “Oh What a Beautiful World” by Willie Nelson (10)
21. “Crimson and Clay” by Jason Isbell (9)
21. “What Could Possibly Go Wrong” by C. Daniel Boling (9)
21. “Blue Ridge Mountain Blues” by Chris Walz (9)
21. “There Were People Here” by Mike Berman (9)
21. “Louise” by Suzy Thompson (9)
21. “What a Little Love Can Do” by Sam Robbins (9)
21. “Lose My Blues” by Suzy Thompson (9)

Top Artists of April 2025

1. Tim Grimm (125)
2. Alison Krauss and Union Station (73)
3. Rees Shad (66)
4. Chris Walz (58)
5. Amelia Hogan (57)
6. Lucy Kaplansky (48)
7. Kora Feder (47)
8. Helene Cronin (46)
9. Suzy Thompson (45)
10. Willie Nelson (43)
11. John McCutcheon (42)
11. C. Daniel Boling (42)
11. Sam Robbins (42)
14. Jason Isbell (40)
15. Sierra Hull (38)
16. Michael Hurley (36)
17. John Prine (35)
18. The Neffa Noodlers (34)
19. Guy Clark (32)
19. The Seldom Scene (32)
21. Pete Seeger (30)
21. Jefferson Ross (30)
23. Eliza Gilkyson (27)
24. HuDost (26)
24. Bob Dylan (26)
26. Eric Schmitt (25)
26. Deborah Holland (25)
26. Joni Mitchell (25)
29. Gordie Tentrees and Jaxon Haldane (23)
30. Alison Brown and Steve Martin (22)
30. Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson (22)
30. Crys Matthews (22)
30. Kieran Kane and Rayna Gellert (22)
34. Henhouse Prowlers (21)
34. The Pairs (21)
36. Max Wareham (20)
36. I’m With Her (20)
36. Antonio Andrade (20)
36. Janis Ian (20)
36. The Dillards (20)

Hailed as “The songwriter laureate of modern city folk” (The Boston Globe), Lucy Kaplansky is a New York City-based contemporary folk singer-songwriter with a luminous voice whose recordings frequently topped folk and Americana radio charts. The Lucy Story, her 10th album, is a collection of mostly unreleased tracks that form a retrospective /history of her musical life. It features songs performed in a variety of musical styles — both self-penned and ones by Richard Shindell, Robbie Robertson, Townes Van Zandt, John Lennon, Lyle Lovett and Jack Hardy, as well as demos and album outtakes, and live recordings with some of her favorite collaborators (Shawn Colvin, Shindell, and Dar Williams among them).

Kaplansky, who began singing at Chicago folk clubs as a teenager, moved to NYC after high school, where she performed frequently with Shawn Colvin on and around the Greenwich Village folk scene during the early to mid 1980s. Before leaving the music scene to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. After earning her degree, she worked with chronically mentally ill adults at a New York hospital as well as in private practice. However, she continued to sing and was frequently asked to add harmony vocals to albums by friends including Colvin and Nanci Griffith and film soundtracks with Griffith and Suzanne Vega. Her voice could also be heard on Chevrolet’s popular “The Heartbeat of America” commercial jingle. She left her career as a psychologist in the 1990s after signing with Red House Records, which released her critically acclaimed debut album, The Tide (primarily produced by Colvin) in 1994. She signed with a booking agency and began touring extensively.

In addition to her solo recordings and tours since, Kaplansky has frequently collaborated with other singer-songwriters on recording projects and concert tours over the years. She joined with Shindell and Dar Williams in 1998 to form the folk trio Cry Cry Cry, recorded some of their favorite songs written by other songwriters, and toured nationally in support of it – as they did in 2017-2018 to celebrate its 20th anniversary. She and Shindell have also contributed harmony vocals to most of each other’s albums, recorded an album as The Pine Hill Project, and have frequently shared concert stages. In 2010, Kaplansky, John Gorka and Eliza Gilkyson teamed up to record an album as Red Horse on which they performed each other’s songs. The album topped the folk radio charts for several months that year. Kaplansky has also been part of a recurring On A Winter’s Night Tour with Gorka, Cliff Eberhardt and Patty Larkin.

“Which Side Are You On?” is a reworked and updated version of the famed folk and labor song originally penned Florence Reece in 1931. Artists for Action is an international folk supergroup comprised of 16 artists who teamed up to raise their voices in response to the global rise of far-right politics and the resurgence of fascism. Initially recorded in September 2022 and recently re-released, the track features Black Umfalosi (Zimbabwe), Ray Bonneville (Canada), Bruce Cockburn (Canada), Chris Corrigan (Canada), Guy Davis (U.S.), Ani DiFranco (U.S.), Maria Dunn (Canada), Adam Hill (Canada), Bob Jensen (Canada), James Keelaghan (Canada), Richard Knox (Canada), Lucy MacNeil (Canada), Tony McManus (Scotland/Canada), Moulettes (England), Oysterband (England), Richard Perso (Australia), Heather Rankin (Canada), Martin Simpson (England), and Jon Weaver (Canada).

Although the project’s primary goal is conveying its message and raising people’s consciousness, rather than raising funds, proceeds from the single – for which none of the artists were paid — will be donated to a registered charity in aid of Ukraine. For more information, visit whichsideareyouon.ca.

The March 2025 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 11.385 airplays reported on 382 playlists submitted by 103 different folk DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

Folk Alliance International (folk.org) is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

Top Albums of March 2025

1. The Lucy Story: Unreleased and Rare Tracks 1976-2023 by Lucy Kaplansky (94)
2. All I Got and Gone by Chris Walz (78)
3. Maybe New Mexico by Helene Cronin (76)
4. Alice Howe and Freebo (Live) by Alice Howe and Freebo (74)
5. So Much I Still Don’t See by Sam Robbins (58)
5. A Tip Toe High Wire by Sierra Hull (58)
7. Foxes in the Snow by Jason Isbell (52)
8. Remains to Be Scene by The Seldom Scene (49)
9. Field of Stars by John McCutcheon (46)
10. I Made It This Far by Deborah Holland (45)
11. Reclamation by Crys Matthews(43)
12. The Monkey in the Crown by HuDost (42)
13. Looking for the Thread by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwert (38)
14. Be Real With Me by Chatham Rabbits (37)
14. Daggomit by Max Wareham (37)
16. Beneath Your Skin by Kim Beggs (35)
17. I’m From Here by Rob Siegel (31)
17. Burnished by Amelia Hogan (31)
19. Arcadia by Alison Krauss and Union Station (28)
20. The Wind Will Change Again by The Twangtown Paramours (26)
21. Dear Meadowlark by The Wildwoods (25)
22. We Were Wood by Barry Oreck and Friends (24)
23. Spirits by The Devil Makes Three (23)
24. The Boy From Bluegrass by The Boy From Bluegrass (22)
25. Exploding Star by Heather Maloney (20)
25. Dark Country by Gary Louris (20)
25. Some Kind of Truth by Kora Feder (20)
25. To Fly So Low by Leo DiSanto (20)
29. Glimmer by Carol Crittenden (19)
30. Take It Easy Greasy by Jim Brewer (17)
30. Winterbirds by Boreal (17)
30. Gold in Your Pocket by Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms (17)
33. Sea Salt and Sawdust by Marian Mastrorilli (16)
34. The Purple Bird by Bonnie Prince’ Billy (15)
34. Life Is a Wonder by Kevin Whalen (15)
36. Waiting for Inspiration by Socks in the Frying Pan (14)
36. Racing Down the Valley by Sam Bergquist (14)
36. Paris by Louise Coombe (14)
36. Face the Day by Will Branch (14)
36. Silver Rounds by Olivia Wolf (14)
36. Hear My Call by Cristina Vane (14)
36. Songs of a Younger Man by Michael Melia (14)
36. Life Is Just a Vapor by Paul Thorn (14)
36. Cher Reve by Miss Tess (14)
45. Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (13)
45. Porcelain Angel by Rees Shad (13)
45. The Empathist by Stephen Fearing (13)
45. Besos Kisses by Colleen Kattau (13)
45. Cold Feet by Mark Freeman (13)
45. Peace With a Lion by David Lindes (13)
45. Red Camel Collective by Red Camel Collective (13)

Top Songs of March 2025

1. “Which Side Are You On?” by Artists for Action (30)
2. “Elephant” by Annie Gallup (23)
3. “Home by Bearna” by Amelia Hogan (22)
4. “Maybe New Mexico” by Helene Cronin (21)
5.”Come Out of My Blues” by Sierra Hull (19)
6. “Onward Through the Fog (America Is Bleeding)” by Rob Siegel (15)
6. “You Are Not God” by Emma’s Revolution (15)
8. “Piles of Sand” by Sam Robbins (14)
9. “Circling the Drain” by Deborah Holland (13)
9. “Wind Behind the Rain” by Jason Isbell (13)
9. “Man at the Crossroads” by The Seldom Scene (13)
12. “Fields of Athenry” by Carol Crittenden (12)
12. “Bury Me” by Jason Isbell (12)
12. “Granite Mills” by Alison Krauss and Union Station (12)
12. “Hard Times Come Again No More” by Chris Walz (12)
12. “Blue Ridge Mountain Blues” by Chris Walz (12)
17. “Dangerous Women” by Colleen Kattau (11)
17. “What a Little Love Can Do” by Sam Robbins (11)
17. “Angel From Montgomery” by Alice Howe and Freebo (11)
20. “Twilight” by Alice Howe and Freebo (10)
20. “Delia” by Chris Walz (10)
22. “Forget Me Not” by Lucy Kaplansky (9)
22. “Mother Tongue” by Jean Rohe and Sean Kiely (9)
22. “Copperhill” by Helene Cronin (9)
22. “Thankful (Thanksgiving (2023)” by Deborah Holland (9)
22. “Alabama Bound” by Chris Walz (9)
22. “Big Fish, Small Pond” by Chatham Rabbits (9)
22. “We Won’t Let It Die (Without a Fight)” by Len Seligman (9)

Top Artists of March 2025

1. Lucy Kaplansky (99)
2. Chris Walz (78)
3. Helene Cronin (77)
4. Alice Howe and Freebo (74)
5. John McCutcheon (63)
6. Sierra Hull (59)
7. Sam Robbins (58)
8. The Seldom Scene (55)
9. Jason Isbell (52)
10. Crys Matthews (51)
11. Deborah Holland (47)
12. Bob Dylan (45)
13. HuDost (44)
14. Amelia Hogan (38)
14. Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwert (38)
16. Max Wareham (37)
16. Chatham Rabbits (37)
18. Kim Beggs (36)
19. Alison Krauss and Union Station (34)
20. Rob Siegel (31)
21. Artists for Action (30)
22. Jesse Colin Young (29)
23. The Twangtown Paramours (27)
23. Tim Grimm (27)
25. Chuck Brodsky (26)
26. Guy Clark (25)
26. Joni Mitchell (25)
26. The Wildwoods (25)
29. Barry Oreck and Friends (24)
29. Joan Baez (24)
31. Eliza Gilkyson (23)
31. The Boy From Bluegrass (23)
31. Annie Gallup (23)
31. The Devil Makes Three (23)
31. John Prine (23)
36. Emma’s Revolution (22)
37. Heather Maloney (21)
37. Colleen Kattau (21)
37. Gary Louris (21)
37. Karan Casey (21)