John McCutcheon – AcousticMusicScene.com

FAI Folk Radio Charts – January 2026

Michael Kornfeld — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:54:35 +0000

Together Again, the second collaborative recording by iconic folksinger-songwriters Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon, was the top album on folk radio during January 2026, while “The Future,” its opening track, was the month’s most-played song, and the two were the most-played artists. 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.

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)

FAI Folk Radio Charts – September 2025

Michael Kornfeld — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:23:38 +0000

Long Journey Home: A Century After the 1925 Mountain City Fiddlers Convention by various artists was the top album on folk radio during September 2025, while Molly Tuttle’s rendition of “I’ve Always Been a Rambler” from the album was the month’s top song. Canadian singer-songwriter Connie Kaldor was the most played artist in September. 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.

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)

FAI Folk Radio Charts – February 2025

Michael Kornfeld — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 13:13:00 +0000

Alice Howe and Freebo had the top album (Live) and four of the month’s most-played songs on folk radio during February 2025, while Alison Krauss and Union Station’s “Looks Like the End of the Road” edged them out for top song and John McCutcheon was the most-played artist for a second consecutive month. 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.

The February 2025 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 9, 809 airplays reported on 383 playlists submitted by 98 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 February 2025

1. Live by Alice Howe and Freebo (90)
2. Field of Stars by John McCutcheon (83)
3. Reclamation by Crys Matthews (78)
4. Looking for the Thread by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis,
Karine Polwart (54)
4. The Wind Will Change Again by The Twangtown Paramours (54)
6. Beneath Your Skin by Kim Beggs (40)
7. We Were Wood by Barry Oreck and Friends (34)
8. Gold in Your Pocket by Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms (32)
9. Look Up by Ringo Starr (31)
10. Glimmer by Carol Crittenden (27)
11. Be Real With Me by Chatham Rabbits (24)
12. If the Sky Fell by Michael Henchman (23)
13. Songs to a Wild God by Mallory Chipman (22)
13. Woodland by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (22)
15. Remains to Be Scene by The Seldom Scene (21)
16. Union Station by Collide (20)
17. Beacons by Nefesh Mountain (19)
17. The Lucy Story: Unreleased and Rare Tracks 1976-2023 [Disc 1] by
Lucy Kaplansky (19)
19. Exploding Star by Heather Maloney (18)
19. Ride in the Light by Cindy Kallet (18)
21. Earl Jam by Tony Trischka (17)
21. Trail of Flowers by Sierra Ferrell (17)
21. Now, O Now by Rakish (17)
21. Life Is a Wonder by Kevin Whalen (17)
25. The American Dream by Amy Speace (16)
25. Hear My Call by Cristina Vane (16)
25. Manos Pan Americanos by Larry and Joe (16)
28. Things Done Changed by Jerron Paxton (15)
28. Arcadia by Alison Krauss and Union Station (15)
28. Dark Moon by Holly Cole (15)
31. Quiet Town by Mindy Smith (13)
32. Take It Easy Greasy by Jim Brewer (12)
32. Flee Though None Pursue by Ed Alstrom (12)
32. All Hat No Cattle by The Doohickeys (12)
32. On Solid Ground by Reggie Harris (12)
32. Let the Longing Run Wild and Free by Robert Sarazin Blake (12)
32. Girl Dinner by Big Richard (12)
32. Up From the Mud by Diane Coll (12)
39. Waiting for Inspiration by Socks in the Frying Pan (11)
39. The Legend of Sugarbelly by Guy Davis (11)
39. Edge of America by Crowes Pasture (11)
39. Winterbirds by Boreal (11)
39. Loudon Live in London by Loudon Wainwright Iii (11)
39. Cher Reve by Miss Tess (11)
45. Presidential Campaign Songs 1789 – 1996 by Oscar Brand (10)
45. In the Real World by Eric Bibb (10)
45. A Complete Unknown (Original Motion Picture Sound Track) by
Timothee Chalamet (10)
45. The Purple Bird by Bonnie Prince Billy (10)
45. Mileage by Ruthie Foster (10)
45. Anything but Ordinary by Jan Aldridge Clark (10)
45. Daggomit! by Max Wareham (10)
45. Lonely as It Gets by Wilson Banjo Co (10)
45. Don’t Play Guitar Boy by Geoff Achison (10)
45. Into the Wild by Golden Highway and Molly Tuttle (10)

Top Songs of February 2025

[Here’s a link to view the official lyric video for “Looks Like the End of the Road” by Allison Krauss and Union Station: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQNPvSNMEyo.]

1. “Looks Like the End of the Road” by Alison Krauss and Union Station (15)
2. “Twilight” by Alice Howe and Freebo (14)
3. “Field of Stars” by John McCutcheon (13)
3. “Angel From Montgomery” by Alice Howe and Freebo (13)
5. “Oklahoma Sunset” by Crys Matthews (12)
5. “Travelin’ Soul” by Alice Howe and Freebo (12)
5. “A Heart That Never Closes” by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis,
Karine Polwart (12)
8. “Farewell Angelina” by The Seldom Scene (11)
8. “Catch the Wind” by Crowes Pasture (11)
8. “A Case of You” by Alice Howe and Freebo (11)
8. “At the End of the Day” by John McCutcheon (11)
8. “Like Jesus Would” by Crys Matthews (11)
13. “We Were Wood” by Barry Oreck and Friends (9)
13. “Old Friends” by The Twangtown Paramours (9)
13. “Last of the Steam Powered Trains” by The Seldom Scene (9)
16. “Somebody’s New Lover Now” by Alice Howe and Freebo (8)
16. “Send Love” by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart (8)
16. “Only Ones Dancing” by John McCutcheon (8)
16. “American Dreaming” by Sierra Ferrell (8)
16. “Build Me a City: The Ballad of Robert Moses” by Barry Oreck and Friends (8)
16. “$20 Bill (For George Floyd)” by Kim Moberg (8)
16. “Ms St. Louis” by John McCutcheon (8)
16. “Rebecca” by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart (8)
16. “Winter Birds” by Heather Hurlock (8)
16. “The Genius Bar” by Julie Gold (8)
16. “Bury Me Inside Your Heart” by Kim Beggs (8)
16. “The Difference Between” by Crys Matthews (8)
16. “Cancel Culture” by Crys Matthews (8)

Top Artists of February 2025

1. John McCutcheon (94)
2. Crys Matthews (92)
3. Alice Howe and Freebo (90)
4. The Twangtown Paramours (55)
5. Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart (54)
6. Kim Beggs (41)
7. Barry Oreck and Friends (34)
8. Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms (33)
9. Ringo Starr (31)
10. Pete Seeger (30)
10. Paul and Mary Peter (30)
12. Bob Dylan (29)
12. Lucy Kaplansky (29)
12. The Band (29)
15. Rhiannon Giddens (28)
16. Carol Crittenden (27)
16. Tony Trischka (27)
18. Cindy Kallet (25)
19. Chatham Rabbits (24)
19. The Seldom Scene (24)
21. Michael Henchman (23)
22. Reggie Harris (22)
22. Nina Simone (22)
22. Billy Strings (22)
22. John Roberts and Tony Barrand (22)
22. Mallory Chipman (22)
22. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (22)
22. Highwaymen (22)
29. Larry and Joe (21)
30. Amy Speace (20)
30. Guy Davis (20)
30. Collide (20)
30. Marianne Faithfull (20)
34. Ruthie Foster (19)
34. Nefesh Mountain (19)
34. Alison Krauss and Union Station (19)
34. Tim Grimm (19)
34. Sierra Ferrell (19)
39. Heather Maloney (18)
39. Willie Nelson (18)
39. Mary Chapin Carpenter (18)
39. Rakish (18)

FAI Folk Radio Charts – January 2025

Michael Kornfeld — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:57:27 +0000

Nashville-based husband-and-wife duo The Twangtown Paramours had the most-played album (The Wind Will Change Again) and 10 of the month’s most-played songs on folk radio during January 2025, while revered, Georgia-based folksinger-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John McCutcheon had the most-played song (“Field of Stars”) and edged them out as 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.

The Wind Will Change Again is the fourth album released by The Twangtown Paramours (Mike T. Lewis and MaryBeth Zamer), who met in 2009 while working on their own individual musical projects, started dating, and released their debut recording as a duo the following year. Not easily musically pigeonholed by genre, The Twangtown Paramours perform a mix of Americana, folk and blues. However, The Wind Will Change Again reflects the duo’s acoustic folk roots.

Mike T. Lewis, who began learning classical and jazz guitar as a youngster growing up in New York City, has also occasionally played upright bass with Jimmie Dale Gilmore. MaryBeth Zamer, who was born in Washington, DC and raised on a mix of opera and American Songbook-style music, credits the late Eva Cassidy — in whose band (Method Actor) she was a backup vocalist — as a major influence on her singing style. The Twangtown Paramours have been two-time finalists in the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Competition and winners in Wildflower! Performing Songwriter Contest in Richardson, TX.

“Field of Stars” is the title track of the 45th album produced and released by John McCutcheon during a career that has spanned more than 50 years and shows no signs of slowing down. A prolific songwriter, master of the hammered dulcimer (among other instruments), and frequent presence on the folk radio charts, McCutcheon was the most-played artist of 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022. He had both the top album (To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger) and the top song (“Well May the World Go”) on folk radio during 2019. A number of his other previous albums and songs have topped the monthly charts in recent years, while McCutcheon’s classic “Christmas in the Trenches” has been among the most-played songs on folk radio during the holiday season for years.

[Here’s a link to enjoy listening to John McCutcheon’s “Field of Stars”: link]

The January 2025 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 11, 601 airplays reported on 387 playlists submitted by 107 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. Its annual conference takes place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, February 19-23.

Top Albums of January 2025

1. The Wind Will Change Again by The Twangtown Paramours (150)
2. Field of Stars by John McCutcheon (137)
3. Reclamation by Crys Matthews (61)
4. Gold in Your Pocket by Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms (54)
5. Songs to a Wild God by Mallory Chipman (49)
6. Glimmer by Carol Crittenden (41)
7. Ride in the Light by Cindy Kallet (39)
8. Hydra by Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary (30)
9. A Complete Unknown (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by
Timothee Chalamet (28)
9. Woodland by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (28)
11. Up From the Mud by Diane Coll (25)
12. Deep Feeler by Liv Greene (24)
13. Look Up by Ringo Starr (23)
14. Looking for the Thread by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis,
Karine Polwart (22)
14. Wildfire by House of Hamill (22)
16. “Earl Jam by Tony Trischka (21)
17. “The Silence of the Stars by Linda Marks (20)
17. “Trail of Flowers by Sierra Ferrell (20)
17. If the Sky Fell by Michael Henchman (20)
20. Things Done Changed by Jerron Paxton (19)
20. Last Leaf on the Tree by Willie Nelson (19)
22. The American Dream by Amy Speace (18)
23. In the Real World by Eric Bibb (17)
23. Willie Watson by Willie Watson (17)
23. Highway Prayers by Billy Strings (17)
26. Thirteen by Colin O’Brien (16)
26. Hear My Call by Cristina Vane (16)
26. Polaroid Lovers by Sarah Jarosz (16)
26. Live at the Raven Gallery by Josh White Jr (16)
30. Parallel Lives by David Mallett (15)
30. From China to Appalachia by Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer and Chao Tian (15)
32. Ten Good Sermons by Eugene Ruffolo (14)
32. Turning Over Stones by Bett Padgett (14)
32. Now, O Now by Rakish (14)
35. Ravens and the Roses by Cris Williamson (13)
35. This Hen’s Gonna Crow by Colleen Kattau (13)
35. The Very Best of Peter, Paul and Mary by Paul and Mary Peter (13)
35. Who We Are by Dan and Faith (13)
35. Trees by Laurie Lewis (13)
35. Roadmap by Roy Zimmerman (13)
35. Boarding Windows in Paradise by Rebecca Frazier (13)
35. Into the Wild” by Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway (13)
43. Golden by Genevieve Racette (12)
43. Beacons by Nefesh Mountain (12)
43. Cortelia Clark by Josh White Jr (12)
43. With a Guitar and a Pen by Tish Hinojosa (12)
47. Waiting for Inspiration by Socks in the Frying Pan (11)
47. Around the Campfire by Paul and Mary Peter (11)
47. Fever Longing Still by Paul Kelly (11)
47. Reach by Becky Buller (11)
47. Manos Panamericanos by Larry and Joe (11)
47. Still Troubled by Mike Ward (11)
47. Snappy Comeback by L.A. Moore (11)

Top Songs of January 2025

1. “Field of Stars” by John McCutcheon (30)
2. “The Wind Will Change Again” by The Twangtown Paramours (25)
3. “Old Friends” by The Twangtown Paramours (21)
4. “A Room in Bordeaux” by The Twangtown Paramours (19)
5. “Sincerely Yours No More” by The Twangtown Paramours (18)
6. “A Heart That Never Closes” by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis,
Karine Polwart (17)
7. “Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown” by The Twangtown Paramours (16)
8. “Hopeful Hearts” by Judy Kass and Sloan Wainwright (15)
9. “Stars Without a Heaven” by The Twangtown Paramours (14)
10. “When Winter Comes to Call” by Bett Padgett (13)
11. “Big Sky Country” by Mallory Chipman (12)
11. “The Goodwill Store” by The Twangtown Paramours (12)
11. “None” by The Twangtown Paramours (12)
11. “That Thing You Do” by The Twangtown Paramours (12)
11. “Waiting for the Moon” by John McCutcheon (12)
11. “Here” by John McCutcheon (12)
17. “Peace Can Be Louder Than War” by Merry Hell (11)
17. “Wild Geese” by Liv Greene (11)
17. “The Garden” by The Twangtown Paramours (11)
17. “Too Old to Die Young” by John McCutcheon (11)
21. “Tikkun Olam” by John McCutcheon (10)
21. “Immigration Nation” by Mike Ward (10)
21. “Only Ones Dancing” by John McCutcheon (10)
21. “Garden Song” by David Mallett (10)
21. “Empty Trainload of Sky” by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (10)
21. “Ms St. Louis” by John McCutcheon (10)
21. “Luckier Than Most” by Jon Shain (10)
21. “Mercury & Mars” by Christine Lavin (10)
21. “Sing Me Home” by Mallory Chipman (10)
21. “Sleeves Up” by Crys Matthews (10)

Top Artists of January 2025

1. John McCutcheon (157)
2. The Twangtown Paramours (153)
3. David Mallett (92)
4. Paul and Mary Peter (88)
5. Crys Matthews (82)
6. Bob Dylan (67)
7. Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms (54)
8. Josh White Jr (52)
9. Mallory Chipman (49)
9. Cindy Kallet (49)
11. Carol Crittenden (41)
12. The Band (37)
13. Pete Seeger (35)
14. Willie Nelson (34)
15. Peter Paul and Mary (32)
15. Timothee Chalamet (32)
17. Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary (30)
18. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (29)
18. Peter Yarrow (29)
20. Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart (28)
21. Billy Strings (26)
21. House of Hamill (26)
21. Tony Trischka (26)
24. Sarah Jarosz (25)
24. Diane Coll (25)
26. Iris Dement (24)
26. Ringo Starr (24)
26. Liv Greene (24)
29. John Gorka (23)
29. Sierra Ferrell (23)
31. Stan Rogers (22)
31. Bett Padgett (22)
33. Amy Speace (21)
33. Michael Henchman (21)
33. Tom Paxton (21)
33. Eric Bibb (21)
37. Linda Marks (20)
37. Joan Baez (20)
37. Nanci Griffith (20)
40. Becky Buller (19)
40. Jerron Paxton (19)
40. Colleen Kattau (19)
40. Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway (19)

Annual FAI Folk Radio Charts for 2022

Michael Kornfeld — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 19:30:14 +0000

Pharis & Jason Romero, a British Columbia-based folk duo, had the top album (Tell ‘Em You Were Gold on Smithsonian Folkways) and most-played song (“Souvenir”) on folk radio during 2022, while John McCutcheon, a revered Georgia-based folksinger-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, was the year’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.

The 2022 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 163,802 airplays reported on 5501 playlists submitted by 151 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 2022

Pharis & Jason Romero’s Tell ‘Em You Were Gold topped the FAI Folk Radio albums chart for 2022 and features the year’s most-played song, “Souvenir.”

1. Tell ‘Em You Were Gold by Pharis and Jason Romero (491)
2. The Light at the End of the Line by Janis Ian (438)
3. Songs From the River Wind by Eliza Gilkyson (406)
4. Last Days of Summer by Lucy Kaplansky (349)
5. DobroSinger by Abbie Gardner (346)
6. Leap! by John McCutcheon (329)
7. There’s a Bright Side Somewhere by Happy Traum (308)
8. Gravity, Wings, and Heavy Things by Chuck Brodsky (298)
9. Second-Hand by James Keelaghan (297)
10. What Are They Doing in Heaven Today? by Kathy Kallick & Friends /
Dodi Kallick (296)
11. Dark Enough to See the Stars by Mary Gauthier (292)
12. Backroads by Johnsmith (290)
13. Endless Grace by Deidre McCalla (288)
14. All New by Tom Paxton, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer (284)
15. Crooked Tree by Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway (281)
15. The Coming of the Years by Joe Jencks (281)
17. Time Out Session #2 by The Accidentals (253)
18. Folk Hero by House of Hamill (249)
19. Still by David LaMotte (248)
20. Love Is the Only Thing by Peter Mulvey and SistaStrings (247)
21. Narrow Line by Mama’s Broke (242)
22. Tucson by Amy Speace (240)
23. Hold Our Ground by Tom Chapin (234)
24. Long Haul by John Wort Hannam (231)
25. All Is Quiet by Susan Cattaneo (220)
26. Small Towns by Stillhouse Junkies (218)
27. Lilygild by Hilary Hawke (214)
28. All Those Days of Drinking Dust by Tiffany Williams (213)
29. 12th of June by Lyle Lovett (204)
30. Raise the Roof by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (196)
30. Apple and Setser by Apple and Setser (196)
32. I Can Face the Truth by Dana Cooper (195)
33. Of Hard Times and Harmony by Windborne (193)
33. Age of Apathy by Aoife O’Donovan (193)
33. 20 Printemps by Le Vent Du Nord (193)
36. Dirt Does Dylan by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (190)
37. The Way the River Goes by Dan Weber (186)
38. Bullet in the Cabin Wall by Cheryl Cawood (185)
38. Hurricane Clarice by Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves (185)
40. Flare by Pat Wictor (178)
41. Strings, Wings and Curious Things by Sue Horowitz (176)
42. Songs From the Beginning by Greg Greenway (175)
43. The New Faith by Jake Blount (168)
44. Lost Love Songs by The Pine Hearts (166)
45. Southern Currency by Jefferson Ross (160)
46. Renewal by Billy Strings (159)
46. Hell on Church Street by Punch Brothers (159)
48. 8-String Sketches by Mike Mullins (158)
49. A Beautiful Time by Willie Nelson (156)
50. Horizon Line by Dan Navarro (155)
50. The Ties That Bind Us by Adler and Hearne (155)

Top Songs of 2022

[Here’s a link to view the official music video for Pharis & Jason Romero’s “Souvenir.”]

1. “Souvenir” by Pharis and Jason Romero (108)
2. “I’m Still Standing” by Janis Ian (98)
3. “The Welcome Song” by Jan Aldridge Clark (84)
4. “Half the People” by Chuck Brodsky (77)
5. “Born in the City” by Abbie Gardner (76)
6. “Last Days of Summer” by Lucy Kaplansky (74)
6. “Better Times Will Come” by Janis Ian (74)
6. “12th of June” by Lyle Lovett (74)
6. “Woody Guthrie’s Dream” by Tom Chapin (74)
10. “Eastern Standard Time” by The Accidentals (71)
11. “I Give You the Morning” by Buffalo Rose and Tom Paxton (68)
11. “Shoulder to the Wheel” by Deidre McCalla (68)
11. “If You Fall” by Amy Speace (68)
14. “It Takes Two Wings” by Chuck Brodsky (66)
15. “The Ride” by John McCutcheon (65)
16. “Ukrainian Now” by John McCutcheon (64)
17. “Cannot Change It All” by Pharis and Jason Romero (63)
17. “At the Foot of the Mountain” by Eliza Gilkyson (63)
17. “Put My Little Shoes Away” by Kathy Kallick (63)
20. “Walk On” by James Keelaghan (61)
21. “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie (60)
22. “Crooked Tree” by Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway (59)
22. “All Those Days of Drinking Dust” by Tiffany Williams (59)
24. “Down the Mountain” by Abbie Gardner (58)
25. “Music for a Found Harmonium” by Patrick Street (57)
25. “Amsterdam” by Mary Gauthier (57)
25. “Dark Enough to See the Stars” by Mary Gauthier (57)

Top Artists of 2022

Folksinger-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John McCutcheon was the most-played artist on folk radio during 2022. (Photo: Irene Young)

1. John McCutcheon (934)
2. Bob Dylan (633)
3. Eliza Gilkyson (606)
4. Pharis and Jason Romero (591)
5. Janis Ian (514)
6. Lucy Kaplansky (500)
7. Joe Jencks (426)
8. Chuck Brodsky (410)
9. Abbie Gardner (405)
10. Pete Seeger (400)
11. Mary Gauthier (393)
12. Johnsmith (390)
13. James Keelaghan (376)
14. John Prine (374)
15. Willie Nelson (365)
16. Joni Mitchell (358)
17. Nanci Griffith (355)
18. Happy Traum (335)
19. Tom Paxton, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer (333)
20. Deidre McCalla (312)
21. Tom Chapin (305)
22. Amy Speace (302)
23. The Accidentals (301)
24. Carrie Newcomer (290)
25. Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway (286)
26. Windborne (277)
27. Billy Strings (275)
27. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (275)
27. Cheryl Wheeler (275)
30. Lyle Lovett (265)
31. David LaMotte (260)
32. Cosy Sheridan (259)
33. House of Hamill (256)
34. Dar Williams (252)
34. Joan Baez (252)
34. Jake Blount (252)
37. John Wort Hannam (251)
38. Mama’s Broke (250)
39. Peter Mulvey and SistaStrings (248)
40. Sam Bush (244)

FAI Folk Radio Charts – December 2022

Michael Kornfeld — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:19:33 +0000

A Lunch At Allen’s Christmas – Zuzu’s Petals by the Canadian band Lunch At Allen’s was the top album on folk radio during December 2022, while “Light the Lamp (A Song for Hanukkah)” by Alaska-based singer-songwriter Emily Kurn was the month’s most-played song. Revered folksinger-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John McCutcheon was the most-played artist for a second consecutive month. 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.

The December 2022 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 12,371airplays reported on 429 playlists submitted by 116 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.

[Here’s a link to listen to “Zuzu’s Petals,” the title track of Lunch At Allen’s Christmas album that was originally released in 2012: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CVsqRVvMHs.]

Top Albums of December 2022

1. A Lunch At Allen’s Christmas – Zuzu’s Petals by Lunch At Allen’s (59)
2. Wintertide by Brittany Jean (52)
3. Seth Avett Sings Greg Brown by Seth Avett (47)
4. Radio John: Songs of John Hartford by Sam Bush (45)
5. Arsonist Daughter by Aspen Jacobsen (33)
6. The Perfect Gift by Becky Buller (29)
7. Tell ‘Em You Were Gold by Pharis and Jason Romero (28)
8. I’m Just Like You by Emily Kurn (27)
9. Christmas Day on Planet Earth by Lennie Gallant (26)
10. The Longest Night of the Year, Volume 2 by Various Artists (25)
10. Me/and/Dad by Billy Strings (25)
12. Tribute to a Song Poet: Songs of Eric Andersen by Various Artists (23)
12. The Old Man and the C Chord by Chris Coole (23)
12. Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of Christmas by Mary Chapin Carpenter (23)
12. Flare by Pat Wictor (23)
12. Ain’t Nobody Worried by Rory Block (23)
17. Leap! by John McCutcheon (22)
18. The Gift of the Magi (And Other Seasonal Stories) by Darryl Purpose
(21)
18. Travelers Rest by The Foreign Landers (21)
20. A Very Blue Rock Christmas by Various Artists (20)
20. Christmas by Bruce Cockburn (20)
22. Book of Life by Brian Blake (19)
23. American Noel by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer (18)
23. Christmas Caravan by Sultans of String (18)
25. Pioneering Women of Bluegrass by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard (17)
25. Ramblin’ Soul by Melissa Carper (17)
25. A Holiday Celebration With the New York Choral Society by Peter, Paul and Mary (17)
28. White Trash Revelry by Adeem the Artist (16)
28. The Blues Don’t Lie by Buddy Guy (16)
28. Something Borrowed, Something New: Tribute to John Anderson by Various Artists (16)
28. Very Merry Christmas by Williamson Branch (16)
28. Cazimi by Caitlin Rose (16)
28. Winter Soulstice by Kelley Hunt (16)
28. Still by David Lamotte (16)
28. At the Turning of the Year by Anne Hills, Cindy Mangsen and Priscilla Herdman (16)
36. The Longest Night of the Year, Volume 1 by Various Artists (15)
36. Lift the World by Curtis and Loretta (15)
36. A Parlor Guitar Christmas by Joel Mabus (15)
36. There’s a Bright Side Somewhere by Happy Traum (15)
36. Last Month of the Year – A Celebration of the Solstice by Magpie (15)
36. Mazel by Shelley Posen (15)
36. Second-Hand by James Keelaghan (15)
43. The New Faith by Jake Blount (14)
43. Last Days of Summer by Lucy Kaplansky (14)
45. Winter Solstice by John McCutcheon (13)
45. The Longest Night of the Year, Volume 3 by Various Artists (13)
45. What Are They Doing in Heaven Today? by Kathy Kallick (13)
45. I Walked With You a Ways by Plains (13)
45. Live at Wolf Trap by John McCutcheon (13)
45. Voices of Winter by Priscilla Herdman / Anne Hills / Cindy Mangsen (13)
45. Small Towns by Stillhouse Junkies (13)
45. Much Further Out Than Inevitable by John Showman and Chris Coole (13)
45. Endless Grace by Deidre McCalla (13)
45. Live at Budokan by Willie Nelson (13)

Top Songs of December 2022

[Enjoy listening to “Light The Lamp “ by Emily Kurn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGN4cDowDGM.]

1. “Light the Lamp” by Emily Kurn (27)
2. “Christmas in the Trenches” by John McCutcheon (23)
3. “Rebuild” by Aaron Nathans and Michael G. Ronstadt (14)
3. “The Day After Christmas” by Abbie Gardner (14)
5. “Old Tin Star” by Lunch At Allen’s (13)
5. “I Want an Old Fashioned Christmas” by Amy Speace (13)
5. “Zuzu’s Petals” by Lunch At Allen’s (13)
8. “A Simple Thing as Love” by Sam Bush (11)
8. “The Christians and the Pagans” by Dar Williams (11)
8. “Light One Candle” by Paul and Mary Peter (11)
8. “River” by Joni Mitchell (11)
8. “Christmas in Paradise” by Mary Gauthier (11)
8. “The Welcome Song” by Jan Aldridge Clark (11)
14. “In Tall Buildings” by Sam Bush (10)
14. “My Gingerbread Man” by The Twangtown Paramours (10)
16. “This Lonely Christmas Night” by Josie Bello (9)
16. “Song for a Winter’s Night” by Brittany Jean (9)
16. “Come Some Winter Morning” by Irene Kelley (9)
16. “Happy New Year” by Ever More Nest (9)
16. “Christmas Day” by Kenny White (9)
16. “Winter Fuel” by Rachel Garlin (9)
16. “Longest Night of the Year” by Joe Jencks (9)
16. “The Poet Game” by Seth Avett (9)
24. “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac (8)
24. “Laughing River” by Seth Avett (8)
24. “When You’re Gone” by The Milk Carton Kids (8)

Top Artists of December 2022

[John McCutcheon performs his classic song “Christmas in the Trenches,” and relates the true story behind it during a performance for the National WW1 Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, MO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIxqJlnH2m8.]

1. John McCutcheon (75)
2. Lunch At Allen’s (60)
3. Brittany Jean (54)
4. Sam Bush (48)
5. Seth Avett (47)
6. Bob Dylan (46)
7. Shelley Posen (41)
8. Becky Buller (37)
9. Phil Ochs (36)
10. Pete Sutherland (33)
10. Aspen Jacobsen (33)
12. Joni Mitchell (32)
12. Emily Kurn (32)
14. Lennie Gallant (30)
14. Pharis and Jason Romero (30)
16. Billy Strings (29)
16. Mary Chapin Carpenter (29)
16. Joel Mabus (29)
19. Willie Nelson (28)
19. Paul and Mary Peter (28)
19. Bruce Cockburn (28)
19. Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer (28)
23. Mary Gauthier (27)
24. Chris Coole (26)
24. Joe Jencks (26)
26. Pat Wictor (25)
27. Rory Block (24)
27. Loreena McKennitt (24)
29. Pete Seeger (23)
29. Cosy Sheridan (23)
29. Darryl Purpose (23)
32. The Foreign Landers (22)
32. Emmylou Harris (22)
32. Kate Rusby (22)
32. Tim O’Brien (22)
32. Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard (22)
32. Claudia Schmidt (22)
38. John Hartford (21)
38. Abbie Gardner (21)
38. David Lamotte (21)
38. Dar Williams (21)
38. Chuck Brodsky (21)
38. Magpie (21)
38. Bill Staines (21)

FAI Folk Radio Charts – September 2022

Michael Kornfeld — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 13:59:59 +0000

John McCutcheon, a revered folksinger-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, was the most-played artist and had the top album (Leap!) on folk radio during September 2022. James Keelaghan’s “Walk On” and David LaMotte’s “September Me” were the month’s top songs, edging out songs by McCutcheon and Sofia Talvik. 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.

Leap is the 43rd release by McCutcheon during a career that has spanned 50 years. It’s the prolific songwriter’s third album of songs written during the pandemic. His previous recording, Bucket List, was the top album in September 2021, while McCutcheon’s Cabin Fever: Songs from the Quarantine, was the top album on folk radio for two consecutive months during the summer of 2020. McCutcheon was also the most-played artist for three consecutive years (2017-2019) and also had both the top album (To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger) and the 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.

[Here’s a link to listen to “The Ride,” one of the songs on John McCutcheon’s album Leap!

The September 2022 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 12, 673 airplays reported on 433 playlists submitted by 119 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 2022

1. Leap! by John McCutcheon (160)
2. Second Hand by James Keelaghan (129)
3. Hold Our Ground by Tom Chapin (111)
4. Small Towns by Stillhouse Junkies (100)
5. The Coming of the Years by Joe Jencks (82)
6. Love Lies ‘N’ Leaving by Helen Townsend (67)
7. There’s a Bright Side Somewhere by Happy Traum (64)
8. Love Is the Only Thing by Peter Mulvey and SistaStrings (50)
8. Apple and Setser by Apple and Setser (50)
10. Last Days of Summer by Lucy Kaplansky (49)
10. Hope Road: From Addiction to Recovery by John Dillon (49)
12. Still by David LaMotte (45)
13. Of Hard Times and Harmony by Windborne (44)
14. Lifetime Achievement by Loudon Wainwright III (39)
15. Two Good Hands by Darryl Purpose (36)
16. All Those Days of Drinking Dust by Tiffany Williams (34)
17. Stolen Time by Abigail Lapell (33)
17. The Ties That Bind Us by Adler and Hearne (33)
19. I Draw Slow by I Draw Slow (32)
20. Tell ‘Em You Were Gold by Pharis and Jason Romero (31)
21. I’m Going Home by Nick Hutson (30)
22. Cover to Cover by The Brother Brothers (29)
22. Vol. II by Watkins Family Hour (29)
22. Wind Rose by Jocelyn Pettit (29)
22. Dark Enough to See the Stars by Mary Gauthier (29)
26. Hello Old Friend by Paul Colombino (28)
27. Folk Now: Songs for These Times September 2022 by Various Artists (27)
27. All New by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer Tom Paxton (27)
29. Horizon Line by Dan Navarro (26)
30. Try Love by Julie Gold (25)
30. Cottonwood by Megan Bee (25)
30. The Boat You Row by Atwater (25)
33. Back on the Road to You by Freedy Johnston (24)
34. Reimagining by Claudia Schmidt (22)
34. A House With Blue Siding by Riley Cotton (22)
36. Endless Grace by Deidre McCalla (21)
37. The Legacy of John and Francis Reedy by John and Frances Reedy (20)
37. Hold On by Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen (20)
39. From Where I Stand by Wyatt Easterling (19)
39. Peculiar, Missouri by Willi Carlisle (19)
39. Blanket by Terry Kitchen (19)
42. Broken Love Songs by Aimee Van Dyne (18)
42. Whispers From the Woods by Gordon Thomas Ward (18)
44. Gravity, Wings, and Heavy Things by Chuck Brodsky (17)
45. Another End of a Year by Connor Garvey (16)
45. Driving Home by Cheryl Wheeler (16)
45. Solitary Diamond by Laura Orshaw (16)
45. Something Borrowed, Something New: A Tribute to John Anderson by
Various Artists (16)
45. Ghosts and Memories by Mike P. Ryan (16)
45. We Are Mighty: Sustenance for the Struggle by Fred Arcoleo (16)

Top Songs of September 2022

[Here’s a link to listen to “Walk On” by Canadian singer-songwriter James Keelaghan.]

1. “September Me” by David LaMotte (27)
1. “Walk On” by James Keelaghan (27)
3. “The Ride” by John McCutcheon (26)
3. “Second Hand” by James Keelaghan (26)
3. “Too Many Churches” by Sofia Talvik (26)
6. “It’s Hard to Love September” by Julie Gold (25)
7. “Devils Curse” by Helen Townsend (23)
8. “Listen Close” by Tom Chapin (22)
9. “Hold Our Ground Forever” by Tom Chapin (21)
10. “Gathering Storm” by James Keelaghan (20)
10. “Woody Guthrie’s Dream” by Tom Chapin (20)
12. “Last Days of Summer” by Lucy Kaplansky (19)
13. “Louder Than Guns” by Friction Farm (18)
13. “Song of Crows” by Darryl Purpose (18)
15. “The Mighty” by Fred Arcoleo (16)
15. “Never Going Back Again” by Stillhouse Junkies (16)
17. “The Troubles” by John McCutcheon (15)
17. “Baseball in My Blood” by Erik Balkey (15)
17. “Where Are You Now” by Helen Townsend (15)
17. “Before the Morning Sun” by James Keelaghan (15)
17. “If You Were Real” by Helen Townsend (15)
22. “Work” by John McCutcheon (14)
22. “Uvalde” by Bob Andrews (14)
22. “Autoharpaholic” by Tom Chapin (14)
25. “Colorado Bound” by Stillhouse Junkies (13)
25. “There’s a Bright Side Somewhere” by Happy Traum (13)
25. “Black September (Munich ’72)” by Max Ferguson (13)
25. “Liberty” by Sarah Cade (13)
25. “Millworker” by Becky Buller (13)
25. “When Fall Comes to New England” by Cheryl Wheeler (13)

[Here’s a link to listen to “September Me” by David LaMotte.]

Top Artists for September 2022

John McCutcheon was the top artist and had the most-played album on folk radio in September 2022, according to charts compiled by Folk Alliance International. (Photo: Irene Young)

1. John McCutcheon (186)
2. James Keelaghan (142)
3. Tom Chapin (115)
4. Joe Jencks (104)
5. Stillhouse Junkies (100)
6. Lucy Kaplansky (68)
7. Helen Townsend (67)
8. Happy Traum (66)
9. Bob Dylan (53)
10. Apple and Setser (50)
10. Windborne (50)
10. Peter Mulvey and SistaStrings (50)
13. John Dillon (49)
14. David LaMotte (46)
15. Loudon Wainwright III (45)
16. Darryl Purpose (39)
17. Pharis and Jason Romero (36)
18. Tiffany Williams (34)
19. Abigail Lapell (33)
19. John Prine (33)
19. Cheryl Wheeler (33)
19. Adler and Hearne (33)
19. Mary Gauthier (33)
24. Watkins Family Hour (32)
24. I Draw Slow (32)
26. Julie Gold (30)
26. Tom Paxton (30)
26. The Brother Brothers (30)
26. Nick Hutson (30)
26. The Seekers (30)
31. Sofia Talvik (29)
31. Bruce Springsteen (29)
31. Jocelyn Pettit (29)
34. Paul Colombino (28)
34. Pete Seeger (28)
34. Claudia Schmidt (28)
37. Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer Tom Paxton (27)
38. Dan Navarro (26)
38. Atwater (26)
38. Nanci Griffith (26)

FAI Folk Radio Charts – April 2022

Michael Kornfeld — Tue, 10 May 2022 22:17:56 +0000

East Nashville-based folk and Americana singer-songwriter Amy Speace had the most-played album (Tucson) and was the most-played artist on folk radio in April 2022, while “Ukranian Now” by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon was the month’s top song – edging out Speace’s “If You Fall.” 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.

The April 2022 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 13, 056 airplays reported on 446 playlists submitted by 124 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 2022

1.Tucson by Amy Speace (96)
2. All Is Quiet by Susan Cattaneo (69)
3. Crooked Tree by Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway (68)
4. Hurricane Clarice by Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves (65)
5. 20 Printemps by Le Vent du Nord (61)
6. Bullet in the Cabin Wall by Cheryl Cawood (59)
6. 1960 by Martyn Joseph (59)
8. Time Out Session #2 by The Accidentals (53)
9. Songs From the River Wind by Eliza Gilkyson (52)
10. Backroads by Johnsmith (50)
11. Chris Haddox by Chris Haddox (47)
11. A White Album by Rain Perry (47)
13. Songs From the Beginning by Greg Greenway (43)
14. My Life in Song by Steve Lundquist (42)
15. Hometown Blues by Steve Madewell (38)
16. The Light at the End of the Line by Janis Ian (37)
17. From the Land of Rusted Dreams by Erin Heist (36)
18. Twelvemonth and a Day by Wolf and Clover (35)
19. Dobrosinger by Abbie Gardner (33)
20. Southern Currency by Jefferson Ross (32)
21. Every Seed We Plant by Alice Di Micele (31)
22. For the People by Rubert Wates (30)
23. The Way the River Goes by Dan Weber (29)
23. The Worst Kind of New by The Lied To’s (29)
23. New Road by Wally Barnick (29)
26. Narrow Line by Mama’s Broke (28)
27. I Can Face the Truth by Dana Cooper (27)
27. Lost Love Songs by The Pine Hearts (27)
27. Gravity, Wings, and Heavy Things by Chuck Brodsky (27)
30. Never Slow Down by The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys (25)
30. Good to Be by Keb’ Mo’ (25)
32. You Reap What You Sow by The Weeping Willows (24)
33. House to House by Matt Andersen (23)
34. Something Green by Kate Klim (22)
34. Twang by Carla Ulbrich (22)
36. Fazz: Now and Then by Noel Paul Stookey (21)
37. Satchel of Songs by Diane Patterson (20)
37. Folk Hero by House of Hamill (20)
39. Age of Apathy by Aoife O’ Donovan (19)
39. 12th of June by Lyle Lovett (19)
39. Almost Proud by The Del McCoury Band (19)
39. Woodsmoke and Oranges by Paul Siebel (19)
39. Co-Starring Too by Ray Wylie Hubbard (19)
39. Ice Cream in November by Lynne Hanson (19)
45. A Beautiful Time by Willie Nelson (18)
45. Hell on Church Street by Punch Brothers (18)
45. Anais Mitchell by Anais Mitchell (18)
48. Woman on the Moon by Giulia Millanta (17)
49. Spider Tales by Jake Blount (16)
49. Corner of the World by Scott Martin (16)
49. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Amanda Anne Platt and the
Honeycutters (16)
49. Violet Light by Maya De Vitry (16)
49. A Happy Old Man by Trip McCool (16)
49. Endangered Species by The Sunshiners (16)
49. Saving the Republic by Ernest Troost (16)

Top Songs of April 2022

[Here’s a link to view a lyric video of “Ukranian Now,” a song co-written by Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon in solidarity with the millions of Ukranians forced to leave their homeland in the wake of Russian attacks, as well as those who have stayed to fight. McCutcheon sings lead and plays piano. He is joined by an ensemble of artists that includes Emma’s Revolution, Tret Fure, Joe Jencks, Christine Lavin, Crys Matthews, Bill Miller, Holly Near, Carrie Newcomer, Paxton, Rebel Voices, and Peter Yarrow. The video was edited by Noel Paul Stookey who, like Yarrow, was part of Peter, Paul & Mary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSwxoJHJ4EI.]

1. “Ukrainian Now” by John McCutcheon (29)
2. “If You Fall” by Amy Speace (26)
3. “Half the People” by Chuck Brodsky (22)
4. “Born Too Late” by Martyn Joseph (21)
4. “Why I Wake Early (For Mary Oliver)” by Amy Speace (21)
6. “12th of June” by Lyle Lovett (19)
7. “Ol’ John Prine” by Steve Lundquist (16)
8. “Cottonwood” by Amy Speace (15)
8. “Born in the City” by Abbie Gardner (15)
10. “Each Season Changes You” by Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves
(14)
10. “Crooked Tree” by Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway (14)
12. “L&N Don’t Stop Here” by Cheryl Cawood (13)
12. “Little Red” by Amy Speace (13)
12. “Every Seed” by Alice Di Micele (13)
15. “Eastern Standard Time” by The Accidentals (12)
15. “All Is Quiet” by Susan Cattaneo (12)
15. “My Name Is America” by Johnsmith (12)
15. “Nothing Says It’s Springtime Like the Redbud” by Chris Haddox (12)
15. “Nancy Blevins” by Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves (12)
15. “I’ll Love You Till the Day I Die” by Willie Nelson (12)
21. “At the Foot of the Mountain” by Eliza Gilkyson (11)
21. “Louise” by Paul Siebel (11)
21. “Time + Love + Gravity” by Susan Cattaneo (11)
21. “My Father’s House” by Amy Speace (11)
25. “We Are Made of Stars” by Martyn Joseph (10)
25. “Borrowed Blue” by Susan Cattaneo (10)
25. “Fall Apart World” by Mary Gauthier (10)
25. “Backroads” by Johnsmith (10)
25. “Hold Onto Hope” by Susan Cattaneo (10)
25. “I’m Still Standing” by Janis Ian (10)

Top Artists of April 2022

1. Amy Speace (102)
2. John Prine (76)
3. John McCutcheon (73)
4. Eliza Gilkyson (71)
5. Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves (70)
6. Susan Cattaneo (69)
7. Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway (68)
8. Martyn Joseph (63)
8. Le Vent du Nord (63)
10. Cheryl Cawood (59)
11. Johnsmith (58)
12. The Accidentals (55)
13. Emmylou Harris (53)
14. Chuck Brodsky (50)
15. Janis Ian (49)
16. Rain Perry (48)
16. Paul Siebel (48)
18. Chris Haddox (47)
18. Greg Greenway (47)
18. Willie Nelson (47)
21. Steve Lundquist (42)
22. Steve Madewell (39)
23. Wolf and Clover (36)
23. Erin Heist (36)
25. Joni Mitchell (35)
26. Alice Di Micele (34)
27. Abbie Gardner (33)
27. Jefferson Ross (33)
29. Dan Weber (32)
29. Rubert Wates (32)
29. Nanci Griffith (32)
29. Keb’ Mo’ (32)
33. Dar Williams (31)
34. Wally Barnick (30)
34. The Lied To’s (30)
36. Mama’s Broke (28)
36. Judy Collins (28)
36. Pete Seeger (28)
36. Richard Thompson (28)
40. Dana Cooper (27)
40. The Pine Hearts (27)
40. Tom Paxton (27)

Reba Heyman Tribute Concert & Livestream Set for March 19

Michael Kornfeld — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 14:10:06 +0000

Fourteen artists/acts will help celebrate the life and legacy of Reba Heyman, a stalwart supporter of the folk music community who was widely viewed as a ‘folk angel’ or ‘folk mom,’ on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Co-sponsored by Focus Music, Uptown Concerts, World Folk Music Association (WFMA), Songwriters’ Association of Washington (SAW), and Institute of Musical Traditions, the concert takes place at the Olney Theatre in Olney, Maryland and will also be livestreamed.

Slated to showcase their talents during the concert that is set for 7 p.m. EST are Stephanie Corby, Ronny Cox, Terry Gonda and Kirsti Reeve, Lara Herscovitch, The Kennedys, Kate McDonnell, Dan Navarro, Tom Prasada-Rao, Jenny Reynolds, SONiA disappear fear, LisaBeth Weber, Annie Wenz, and Jack Williams. Also performing will be My One and Only, an Americana duo recently selected as the inaugural recipient of an annual Rising Artist Award established by Focus Music in honor of Reba and Vic Heyman. Several artists who could not be in Maryland for the tribute concert –- including Michael Bowers & Siobhan Quinn, Christine Lavin and John McCutcheon — will participate via pre-recorded videos.

Tickets for the tribute concert are $25 in advance ($25 at the door for members of the sponsoring organizations, $35 at the door for non-members and for virtual tickets) and include a video of the event that can be viewed live (for those who are not comfortable attending an in-person show) or online afterwards. “we felt the livestream was important since we know there are many outside of the DC area who felt the love Vic and Reba shared,” noted Shelley Caplan, Focus Music’s board secretary. “Also, in these times of COVID uncertainty, we wanted to provide an option for those not ready to attend an in-person show.” To order tickets and for more information on the concert and the performers, visit FocusMusic.org. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund future Rising Artist Awards.

Reba Heyman (Photo: Neale Eckstein)
Reba Heyman, who passed away on June 17, 2021 at age 84, grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland and lived in Rockville, MD for decades. She was an integral part of the folk music community in Maryland, South Florida and nationally for many years. She and her late husband, Vic, were known for decades for their generous financial backing for folk festivals and artists, and 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 recent years, Reba Heyman had 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.

Artists Share Their Reflections on Reba Heyman

In a Facebook post last June reflecting on Reba Heyman’s passing, Maura Kennedy of the folk-rock duo The Kennedys noted of her and Vic: “They were like parents to us and to so many, and they were always in our audience, right in the front row. Vic passed away several years ago [2009], but we still saw Reba every year when we played in Florida, often staying with her.”

Dan Navarro
Singer-Songwriter Dan Navarro, recalls having first met Reba Heyman at a Folk Alliance conference in Cleveland, Ohio in 2000. “We had not met before, but wound up sitting together at the Club Lounge breakfast every morning. We joked about ‘having breakfast together’ every day, and by conference’s end, had gotten to know and like one another,” said Navarro, a former Folk Alliance International board president who co-wrote “We Belong,” a big hit for Pat Benatar. “I didn’t really know who she [Heyman] was in the community, nor did she know me or my work, so everything was immediate and taken at face value. We became instant pals.”

Navarro told AcousticMusicScene.com that over the years, he saw the Heymans at music festivals and conferences and was struck by Reba’s easy charm, her savvy wit, and the depth of her connection with Vic. “Usually dressed alike, they were the ubiquitous folk community parent/grandparent figures, and we all loved them,” he said.

Navarro reflected on having played a memorial concert for Vic Heyman, also at the Olney Theatre, along with the late David Glaser. “”We coincidentally arrived wearing the exact same Scully “Nighthawk” western shirt, with no fallback wardrobe to keep us from looking like a Holiday Inn band in matching outfits. What to do, what to do? ‘I know,’ David said. ‘Let’s say we’re dressed as Vic and Reba!’ We did, and it worked.”

Lara Herscovitch performs at the Black Bear Americana Music Festival (Michael Kornfeld)
Navarro acknowledged, as others in the folk community know, how the loss of her husband did not slow Heyman down one bit. “She traveled to the same festivals and conferences, lived a rich life split between Maryland and Florida, and was a fixture at my shows in the mid-Atlantic,” he said. “She loved reminding people, ‘we met at breakfast.’ Navarro noted that she even came on his Greek cruise in 2019, along with her daughter Judy, and charmed everyone she met “She was a gem, a delight, a charmer’s charmer, and I will miss her always,” he said.

“Reba leaves a huge, heart-shaped hole in so many of our lives,” said Lara Herscovitch, a Connecticut-based singer-songwriter. “Reba and Vic believed in me before I believed in myself; they welcomed me in, showing me that I belong in this big folk music community and family. Any time spent with Reba was home-away-from-home – whether visiting her in Florida, Maryland, at Falcon Ridge, Kerrville, any of many Folk Alliance conferences, or on the phone,” she continued. “She brought such a deep interest in and care for the world, a great sense of adventure and humor, and a determined strength alongside profound warmth and care,” the former Connecticut State Troubadour noted. Expressing gratitude for “all the gifts of connection, spirit and love that she brought to the world,” Herscovitch told AcousticMusicScene.com: “She will remain an angel on my shoulder – and thousands of others – as we all carry the lessons of her and Vic’s legacy forward.”

FAI Folk Radio Charts – October 2021

Michael Kornfeld — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 14:11:07 +0000

The Village Out West: The Lost Tapes of Alan Oakes by various artists (Smithsonian Folkways) was the most-played album on folk radio during October 2021, while Jonathan Edwards’ “Right Where I am” was the top song and John McCutcheon was the month’s most-played artist (as he was in September). 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.

The October 2021 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 14,784 airplays reported on 502 playlists submitted by 121 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 2021

1. The Village Out West: The Lost Tapes of Alan Oakes by Various Artists (134)
2. Been a Long Time by Si Kahn (121)
3. Bucket List by John McCutcheon (108)
4. Long Time Coming by Sierra Ferrell (87)
5. Be Here for a While by Shane Cook & the Woodchippers (85)
6. Right Where I Am by Jonathan Edwards (83)
7. I’ll Meet You Here by Dar Williams (81)
8. Rewrite the Ending by Ina May Wool (66)
9. Renewal by Billy Strings (62)
9. Beating the Odds by Eric Lambert (62)
11. A Beautiful Sound by Cosy Sheridan (55)
12. Renaissance by Valerie Smith (51)
13. After the Flood by Chris Lavancher (49)
13. We’ll Tell Stories by Mary Lou Fulton (49)
15. Us in the U.S. by Gordonville, U.S.A. (48)
16. Until Now by Carrie Newcomer (40)
16. Be a Better Me by George Ensle (40)
18. Downhill From Everywhere by Jackson Browne (39)
19. My Bluegrass Heart by Bela Fleck (38)
20. Vessel by The Accidentals (36)
20. Come Around by Rob Lutes (36)
22. Then and Now by Debi Smith (33)
22. The Road Ahead by Ray Lambiase (33)
24. Tricks of the Trade by Malcolm Holcombe (32)
25. Day by Day by Norman Blake (31)
25. A Better Day A-Coming by Robin and Linda Williams (31)
27. Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2 by
Various Artists (30)
27. Half a Hundred Years by Asleep at the Wheel (30)
27. The Canvas Before Us by Joy Zimmerman (30)
27. Sober Again by Jackson Grimm (30)
27. Uppity by Laura Love (30)
32. That Spell by Andrea Von Kampen (29)
33. The Blues Never End by Elly Wininger (28)
34. Song to a Refugee by Diana Jones (26)
34. Why Wait! by Kate Taylor (26)
36. Family Reunion by Della Mae (25)
36. Bright Side of a Rainy Day by Sloan Wainwright (25)
36. Depreciated by John R. Miller (25)
39. Last of the Better Days Ahead by Charlie Parr (24)
39. In These Silent Days by Brandi Carlile (24)
39. Everyone a Song, Vol. 2 by The Steel Wheels (24)
42. Watchhouse by Watchhouse (23)
42. Blues | Ballads | Cowboy Songs by Peter Keane (23)
42. A World Like This by George Mann (23)
42. Cabin Fever Dream by Sara Trunzo (23)
46. Red, White and American Blues (It Couldn’t Happen Here) by Nathan Bell (22)
46. Tempting Fate by Carolyn Wonderland (22)
46. Mean Old World by Gordie Tentrees (22)
46. Borrowed Time by Joe Troop (22)
46. Dreamers of Atlantis by Margaret McDuffie (22)
51. Down the Old Plank Road by The Chieftains (21)
51. The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine (21)
53. Ramble in Music City: The Lost Concert by Emmylou Harris and the Nash Ramblers (20)
53. Chimney Swifts by Brad Kolodner (20)
53. Be Ready When I Call You by Guy Davis (20)
56. The State That We Are In by Rachel Garlin (19)
57. Small Town Dreamer by Daryl Mosley (18)
58. First Bird to Sing by Bruce T. Carroll (17)
58. He Walked On by Tim O’Brien (17)
58. Home in This World: Woody Guthrie’s Dust Bowl Ballads by Various
Artists (17)
58. An Honest Effort by Matt Patershuk (17)
58. The St. Buryan Sessions by Sarah McQuaid (17)
58. We Just Need Love by Efrat (17)
58. The Next Mountain by Rick Faris (17)
65. Wild Beat the Wings by John Flynn (16)
65. Changemakers by Crys Matthews (16)
65. Screaming Into the Void by Ellaharp (16)
65. Long Haul by John Wort Hannam (16)
69. Moxie and Mettle by Balsam Range (15)
69. Don’t You Marry No Railroad Man by J. P. Harris’ Dreadful Wind andRain (15)
69. On Solid Ground by Reggie Harris (15)

Top Songs OF October 2021

[Click on the link to listen to “Right Where I Am” by Jonathan Edwards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUZKVVh8p5U]

Jonathan Edwards
1. “Right Where I Am” by Jonathan Edwards (38)
2. “The Great Divide” by Jud Caswell (23)
3. “Gulf Coast Highway” by Naomi Sommers and Joe Crookston (20)
3. “Across the Great Divide” by Lisa Bastoni (20)
5. “The Little Contortionist” by Shane Cook & the Woodchippers (17)
5. “Autumn” by Jack Hardy (17)
5. “Dancing With the Johnson Boys” by Si Kahn (17)
8. “The Sea” by Sierra Ferrell (15)
8. “Going Down to the Old Home Place” by Si Kahn (15)
8. “Love at the Five and Dime” by Lyn Koonce (15)
8. “Moonshiner” by John McCutcheon (15)
12. “Medicine Game” by John McCutcheon (14)
12. “Been a Long Time” by Si Kahn (14)
12. “Wildfire” by The Accidentals (14)
12. “Be a Better Me” by George Ensle (14)
12. “Jeremiah” by Sierra Ferrell (14)
12. “Beating the Odds” by Eric Lambert (14)
12. “I’m Still Standing” by Janis Ian (14)
12. “Going Through the Pictures” by Ina May Wool (14)
20. “Time, Be My Friend” by Dar Williams (13)
20. “Trade It All for Love” by Chris Lavancher (13)
20. “Us in the U.S.” by Gordonville, U.S.A. (13)
20. “It’s a Hard Life Wherever You Go” by Tom Prasada-Rao (13)
20. “50 Years” by Jonathan Edwards (13)
20. “Beaumont Rag” by Hank Bradley and Rick Shubb (13)

Top Artists of October 2021

John McCutcheon (Photo: Irene Young)

1. John McCutcheon (141)
2. Si Kahn (130)
3. The Chieftains (112)
4. Dar Williams (100)
5. John Prine (88)
6. Jonathan Edwards (87)
6. Sierra Ferrell (87)
8. Shane Cook & the Woodchippers (85)
9. Billy Strings (68)
10. Cosy Sheridan (66)
10. Ina May Wool (66)
12. Eric Lambert (63)
13. Jackson Browne (61)
14. Carrie Newcomer (55)
15. Valerie Smith (52)
16. Chris Lavancher (51)
16. The Accidentals (51)
18. Mary Lou Fulton (49)
19. Gordonville, U.S.A. (48)
20. Nanci Griffith (46)
21. Bela Fleck (44)
22. Bob Dylan (41)
22. Robin and Linda Williams (41)
24. Sloan Wainwright (40)
24. George Ensle (40)
26. Laura Love (38)
27. Tim O’Brien (37)
27. Norman Blake (37)
29. Asleep at the Wheel (36)
29. Rob Lutes (36)
29. Ray Lambiase (36)
32. Tim Grimm (35)
33. Joy Zimmerman (34)
33. Brandi Carlile (34)
35. Malcolm Holcombe (33)
35. Debi Smith (33)
37. Jackson Grimm (31)
38. Andrea Von Kampen (30)
39. Doc Watson (29)
40. Diana Jones (28)
40. Kate Taylor (28)
40. Elly Wininger (28)
40. Cheryl Wheeler (28)
40. Della Mae (28)