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)

Since its inception, the festival has been a combination of a music fest, family reunion, community gathering, and weekend musical retreat, according to its organizers. Besides the co-headliners, among the other artists slated to perform are The Belle Hollows, Randy Brown, Ellen Bukstel, Escaping Pavement, Friction Farm, Anne Hills, House of Hamill, John Latini, Rod MacDonald, Austin MacRae, The Moon and You, Micah Scott, Cecilia St. King, Debbie Tassone & Gary Frost, Joe Virga, Dan Weber, Rupert Wates, Annie Wenz, and The Whispering Tree.

Some of the performing artists will also lead participatory workshops or jams during the afternoons.

Singer-Songwriter Competition to Feature 12 Artists

Kicking-off the weekend’s musical festivities on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will be the 12 finalists in the 2019 South Florida Folk Festival’s singer-songwriter competition, each of whom will perform two songs. They are Jordi Baizan (Houston, TX), Robert Bruce Baldwin (Lake Worth, FL). Michael Stephen Borok (Peekskill, NY), Susan Cattaneo (Boston, MA), Gracious Me (Fairfax, VA), George Gray (Tallahassee, FL), Pat Lamanna (Hyde Park, NY), Conni Laine (St. Simons Island, GA), Grant Livingston (Miami, FL), Bob Patterson (Saint Augustine, FL), Paul Smithson (Eustis, FL), and Chuck Williams (Mattapoisett, MA)

Three winners selected by a panel of judges will each receive the Vic Heyman Songwriting Award – a $200 cash prize, will perform in a winners’ round on Sunday afternoon, and will be invited to perform at next year’s festival. In addition, all of the finalists will be afforded the opportunity to perform ‘in-the-round’ that second day

The songwriting competition is co-presented by Reba Heyman. Along with her late husband, Vic, Reba has been an integral part of the folk community in South Florida and nationally for many years. The couple, known for decades for their generous financial backing of folk festivals and artists, formerly ran a concert series in Rockville, Maryland known as Vic’s Music Corner. They also served on the boards of several music festivals and established a scholarship fund for performing artists.

For more information on the festival that is co-sponsored by Sea Turtle Oversight Protection (STOP) and to order tickets in advance, visit www.southfloridafolkfest.net.

Back by popular demand, after a much lamented one-year absence, two open mics are again on the schedule; Rob Hinkal of IlyAIMY hosts the Friday and Saturday afternoon sessions.

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 attending workshops and seminars to learn about options to further careers, promote the music, attract audiences and listeners, ad enrich our lives.

Among some 40 scheduled workshops and panel discussions are several focusing on social media and websites. Sonny Ochs, a longtime folk DJ and sister of the late troubadour and activist Phil Ochs, will moderate “Singing The Truth: Activism and 35 Years of Phil Ochs Song Nights,” featuring performing panelists Greg Greenway, Reggie Harris, Joe Jencks, Colleen Kattau, and Pat Wictor. Among the artist-centric offerings are the popular “On the Griddle” instant critique session and ones on crowd-funding, DIY video, financial planning for artists, “Making the Most of Your Release,” “Mental Health Survival Kit for Musicians,” “Navigating Social Issues with Music and Story,” “Step-By-Step Streaming Success,” and “Womenfolk: Fostering Equity, Safety and Success.” Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt will conduct a vocal harmony how-to session. For presenters, there will be sessions on finding the funds for your venue and sound reinforcement, as well as one entitled “Keep the Fire Bright: Preventing Burnout in Presenting Organizations. “

Morning yoga sessions will again be led by singer-songwriter Caroline Cotter, while MusiCares will be on site again to fit folks for custom earplugs.

Juried Showcases Slated for Friday and Saturday Nights

Following the formal showcases, attendees will shuffle between three rooms in close proximity to one another to catch short sets by 30 additional artists/acts who were selected by a different set of judges. Performing in these semi-formal showcases on Friday night are (in alphabetical order) Asaran Earth Trio, Quentin Callewaert, Noah Derksen, Josh Harty, House of Hamill, Rachael Kilgour, Low Lily, Kipyn Martin, Nathans & Ronstadt, Next Generation Leahy, Kerri Powers, Monica Rizzio, Annie Sumi, and UPSTATE. Saturday’s semi-formal showcase artists include Rod Abernethy, Big Little Lions, C. Daniel Boling, Ellen Bukstel, Susan Cattaneo Band, Emerald Rae, Roger Street Friedman, Cassandra House, Joe Jencks, Kolonien, Moonfruits, Diane Perry, The Promise is Hope, Quarter Horse, and Suzie Vinnick. Like the formal showcases that immediately precede them, nothing else is allowed to compete with the semi-formal showcases during the conference.

On Thursday evening, the conference’s opening night, the Suzi Wollenberg Folk DJ Showcase will feature short performances by 15 artists/acts chosen by DJs. Listed in order of appearance, they are Sweet Corn & Sunflower (Annie Sumi & Tannis Slimmon), Bruce Foley & Mary Coogan, Bill Baker, Letitita VanSant, All Types of Kinds, Katie Dahl, Grace Morrison, Eric Lee, Sam Steffen, Susan Shann, Marian Halliday, Sue Horowitz, Belle of the Fall, and Plywood Cowboy.

Following the juried and folk DJ showcases each evening, AcousticMusicScene.com will join dozens of presenters, performers and others in hosting guerilla showcases in their hotel rooms that extend through the early morning hours. Some guerilla showcases also are slated for Friday and Saturday afternoons. Musicians may well stake out other areas of the hotel and jam until 4 or 5 a.m.


AcousticMusicScene.com Midnight Hoot Features Artists, Singing Folk DJs


An overflow crowd will likely descend on the AcousticMusicScene.com suite (2031) on Thursday overnight for its popular Midnight Hoot. Extending from 11 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., this hoot is a pre-arranged, round robin song swap featuring several singing folk DJs (Jim Colbert, Barbara and Graham Dean, and Jon Stein) and some three-dozen artists/acts – each performing one song.

Now in its 12th year, the Midnight Hoot is intended to shine a spotlight on several folk DJs who also enjoy singing, while providing them, presenters and others with an opportunity to get a small sampling of the music of a lot of artists in a short period of time. A house band comprised of Mark Dann (bass), Jagoda (percussion), and Eric Lee (fiddle/violin) will be there for anyone who desires accompaniment.

While Michael Kornfeld, AcousticMusicScene.com’s editor & publisher, hosts the Thursday-Saturday overnight showcases, his friends Mira Shapiro and Hank Stone will serve as guest hosts on Friday afternoon. Closing out the afternoon will be performance of Si Kahn’s Mother Jones in Heaven, a musical play about the legendary labor organizer (starring Viv Nesbitt, with John Dillon on guitar).More information and a short video about the musical play may be found online at www.motherjonesinheaven.com.

As in recent years, the musical festivities in the AcousticMusicScene.com room will wrap up on Saturday overnight with an extended “O Canada” song swap. Carrying their instruments and the maple leaf, a number of talented Canadian artists and acts will march into the room at 2 a.m. singing their national anthem.

Schedules for the AcousticMusicScene.com showcases appear below.

AcousticMusicScene.com Midnight Hoot (Room 2031)

Thursday Night 11 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.

(One song per artist/act and folk DJ, not listed in order of appearance.)

Host: Michael Kornfeld

Folk DJs: Jim Colbert, Graham & Barbara Dean, Jon Stein

Artists:

Rod Abernethy, Mike Agranoff, Antonio Andrade, Lisa Bastoni, Belle of the Fall, Shawna Caspi, Crowes Pasture, Alyssa Dann, Diamonds in the Rust, Neale Eckstein, Kala Farnham, Roger Street Friedman, Gathering Time, Gina Holsopple, Joe Iadanza, ilyAIMY, Joe Jencks, Stuart Kabak, Brian Kalinec, Rachael Kilgour, Eric Lee, Mara Levine, Pete Mancini , Kirsten Maxwell, Hugh O’Doherty, Andrea Randa, Monica Rizzio, Mike P. Ryan, Susan Shann, Carolann Solebello, Hank Stone, Linda Sussman, Jesse Terry, The Royal Yard, and Letitita VanSant

House Band: Mark Dann, Jagoda, Eric Lee

Friday Afternoon Hosts: Mira Shapiro, Hank Stone, John Dillon and Viv Nesbitt

2:00 Mass. Appeal: Amy Kucharik, Eric Lee, Rob Lytle
2:30 Marylanders: Heather Aubrey Lloyd, Kipyn Martin, Letitita Van Sant
3:00 Fab Folk: Sophie Buskin, Rachael Kilgour, Nathans & Ronstadt
3:30 More Fab Folk: Gina Holsopple, Mike Laureanno, Hank Stone
4:00 Si Kahn’s Mother Jones in Heaven, a musical play about the legendary labor organizer (starring Viv Nesbitt, with John Dillon on guitar): 55 minutes.

Friday Night Host: Michael Kornfeld

Saturday Night Host: Michael Kornfeld

11:45 Long Island Sounds: Gathering Time, Joe Iadanza, Rorie Kelly & Nico Padden,
and Hank Stone
12:30 Blues & Roots: Jon Shain & FJ Ventre and Pat Wictor
1:00 Two Duos & A Trio: Gathering Sparks, Deeper Than The Skin: Reggie Harris & Greg Greenway, and The Malvinas
1:30 Celtic Set: Emerald Rae and House of Hamill
2:00 O Canada: Big Little Lions, Melanie Brulee, Shawna Caspi, Scott Cook, Ken Dunn, Gathering Sparks, Piper Hayes, Moonfruits, Gillian Nicola, Cheryl Prashker (percussion), Corin Raymond, Benjamin Dakota Rogers, Tannis Slimmon, Annie Sumi, and Lucie Blue Tremblay

“I hope that attendees will share a meal and/or a song with new friends they don’t yet know, embrace the spirit of community that NERFA represents, and have a great conference experience,” said Michael Kornfeld, president of NERFA’s board of directors and editor and publisher of AcousticMusicScene.com. He expressed thanks to Dianne Tankle, NERFA’s founder and conference director since its inception, and her team of volunteers for all of their efforts in arranging the event. Tankle will be stepping down from her leadership role following this year’s conference.

Here’s a link to a video montage that Neale Eckstein created following the 2016 NERFA Conference: https://www.facebook.com/neale.eckstein/videos/10154271098733893/

NERFA is a regional affiliate of Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community — traditional and contemporary, amateur and professional — through education, advocacy and performance. 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.

Editor’s Note: My thanks to Hank Stone for his assistance in setting up the AcousticMusicScene.com showcase room and for guest-hosting Friday afternoon song swaps– along with Mira Shapiro, Viv Nesbitt and John Dillon — to Amy Blake, Arpie Maros and Sybil Moser for the loan of folding chairs, and to Stuart Kabak for the loan of stage and decorative lights that help to create a listening room ambiance in the suite.

In addition to hosting the AcousticMusicScene.com Midnight Hoot and other showcases and leading a community meeting with the NERFA board of directors as its president, I will moderate a panel discussion on artists ‘website and social media and offer mentoring sessions on strategic communications and public relations topics during the conference.

The Whispering Tree features singer-songwriter Eleanor Kleiner and multi-instrumentalist Elie Brangbour. Inspired by the duo’s new home in New York’s pastoral Hudson Valley, Invisible Forces explores duality and the struggle for a sense of permanence in the face of inevitable change.

House of Hamill is the young Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based husband-and-wife duo of Rose Baldino and Brian Buchanan – both of whom are accomplished traditional fiddle players, classically trained violinists, and vocalists. “Pound a Week Rise” is from their sophomore release, March Through Storms.

The September 2018 FOLKDJ-L charts are based on 14,817 airplays reported on 573 playlists submitted by 132 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown in parentheses. The top albums and songs charts are compiled under the auspices of Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community – traditional and contemporary, amateur and professional – through education, advocacy and performance The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of September 2018

Top Songs of September 2018

Here’s a link to view the official video for House of Hamill’s “Pound a Week Rise”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UtQJj9D2Rg

1. “Pound a Week Rise” by House of Hamill (23)
2. “Change Should’ve Come by Now” by Kate Campbell (22)
2. “Little Falcon” by Ben Bedford (22)
2. “These Houses” by The Whispering Tree (22)
5. “Fat Cat” by The Whispering Tree (19)
6. “Damn Sure Blue” by Kate Campbell (17)
7. “Down by the Riverside” by Eliza Gilkyson (15)
7. “When Fall Comes to New England” by Cheryl Wheeler (15)
9. “Cardboard Boxes” by Loudon Wainwright III (14)
9. “Wayside” by Courtney Hartman and Taylor Ashton (14)
11. “Redwing” by Sarah Sample (13)
11. “Wichita Lineman” by Darol Anger and Emy Phelps (13)
11. “Summer’s End” by John Prine (13)
11. “Ride Away” by Kathy Kallick Band (13)
11. “Is It Too Much to Ask” by David Roth (13)
11. “Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms” by Loudon Wainwright III (13)
11. “Bells” by The Whispering Tree (13)
11. “Sailing Off to Yankeeland” by Childsplay (13)
19. “Ode to Billie Joe” by Kathy Mattea (12)
19. “Garden” by The Whispering Tree (12)
19. “(It’s A) Horrible World” by Kathy Kallick Band (12)
19. “Pockets Full of Rain” by Kathy Kallick Band (12)
23. “Bigger Win” by Moors and McCumber (11)
23. “Uncle John’s Band” by Darol Anger and Emy Phelps (11)
23. “Heavy” by The Whispering Tree (11)
23. “Chocolate on My Tongue” by Kathy Mattea (11)
23. “01” by Jon Brooks (11)
23. “Cuckanandy / Chris Childs” by Childsplay (11)

Editor’s Note: Both The Whispering Tree and House of Hamill are among the artists and acts who will showcase their talents in AcousticMusicScene.com showcases during the 24th annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference in Stamford, Connecticut in November.

Slated to perform in the hotel’s ballroom on Friday, Sept. 29, from 7:30-10 p.m., are The Whispering Tree, George Ensle, Angela Parrish, Andy Corwin, Cosy Sheridan, Hardened and Tempered, Winona Wilde, and Ordinary Elephant.

Saturday night’s lineup features Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio, Bethel Steele, Daniel Pelletier, Laura Zucker, Warren Hood, Terry Klein, American Dreamer, and Emily Herring & the FM Trio.

Rich Warren, host of the nationally syndicated “The Midnight Special” radio show that emanates from Chicago’s WFMT-FM, emcees both nights. In addition to conference registrants, the official showcases will be open to the public for a $15 cover charge each night.

Following a popular pool party and open mic hosted by singer-songwriter Butch Morgan on Thursday night, Charlie Stewart of Handshake Management will emcee the Official Alternates Showcase in the hotel’s Elm Room. Set to perform short sets beginning at 10:30 p.m. are Jaime Michaels, Kalinec & Kj, The Keller Sisters, Letitita Van Sant, Mia Rose Lynne, The Cowboy Way, Doug Gill, and Ben Shannon.

Besides the official showcases, the SWRFA Conference will feature open mics, in-room showcases extending into the early morning hours, and daytime panel discussions and seminars that address many facets of the music business, according to Dalis Allen, who produces the conference, as well as the annual Kerrville Folk Festival. “We eat meals together, form wonderful new relationships and renew old ones,” she notes. “And we are certain to have fun.”

Conference registration is $195 for Folk Alliance International members and $225 for non-members if paid by Sept. 17 and rises by $30 after then. Included with registration are five meals and a cocktail party.

SWRFA is a regional affiliate of Folk Alliance International, a nonprofit organization that aims to nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community — traditional and contemporary, amateur and professional — through education, advocacy and performance. SWRFA includes the southwestern United States and Mexico. Its 18th annual conference is expected to draw performing artists, presenters, managers, agents and others engaged more than peripherally in the world of folk and acoustic music. For more information, visit www.swfolkalliance.org.

As previously reported on AcousticMusicScene.com, official showcase artists also have been selected for three other regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International that hold their annual conferences in the fall – Folk Alliance Region – West (FAR-West), Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) and Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA). Here’s a link to that article: https://acousticmusicscene.com/2017/07/23/official-showcase-artists-named-for-2017-far-west-farm-and-nerfa-conferences/

Semi-Formal Showcase Artists Selected for NERFA Conference in November

Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) also recently named 40 artists and acts to perform in its newly renamed Semi-Formal Showcases (formerly tricentrics and quadcentrics) during its 23rd annual conference in Stamford, CT, Nov. 9-12. Listed alphabetically by group or last name, they are Clint Alphin, Lisa Bastoni, The Beck Sisters, Bethlehem and Sad Patrick, The Black Feathers, The Boxcar Lilies, Sophie Buskin, Meghan Cary, Shawna Caspi, Dave Curley, Dunham Shoe Factory, Frances Luke Accord, Friction Farm, Abbie Gardner, Vance Gilbert, Sharon Goldman, Hoot and Holler, Alice Howe, Greg Klyma, Erika Kulnys, Abigail Lapell, Rod MacDonald, Austin MacRae, Mama’s Broke, Mike McKenna Jr., Paddy Mills, Zoe Mulford, Emily Mure, Musique a bouches, No Good Sister, NUA, Piedmont Bluz, Poor Man’s Gambit, Elaine Romanelli, The Small Glories, Christine Sweeney, Robinson Treacher, Ernest Troost, Josh White Jr., and Brad Yoder Duo.

The juried Semi-Formal Showcases immediately follow NERFA’s coveted juried Formal Showcases. Half of these artists will showcase their talents on Friday night, Nov. 10, while the other half will do so on Saturday night, Nov. 11.

Named as Alternates for the Semi-Formal showcases are Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, Emily Barnes, Meaghan Blanchard, Gabrielle Louise, The Malvinas, Alastair Moock, and Katherine Rondeau and the Show.

Dave Curley, Rod MacDonald (with Mark Dann) and Mama’s Broke were offered Semi-Formal Showcases slots having been selected as alternates for the Formal Showcases that precede them.

Editor’s Note: Although I serve as president of the NERFA board of directors and as a board member of Folk Alliance International, I am not involved in showcase judging for any of the conferences.

The free event, extending from noon to 6 p.m., at the park located at 185 Germonds Road, will feature a musical tribute to Leonard Cohen, the influential and much-revered singer, songwriter and poet who died last November at age 82.

Main stage performers (in order of appearance) include The Whispering Tree, Acoustic Apple, The Palisades, Loretta Hagen, Peter Calo, Ron Renninger, Josh Joffen, Terry Kitchen, Mara Levine, Jerry Korobow, Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, Judy Kass, Kate Copeland, Jeremy Aaron, Pat Harper, Tom Cardullo, John Guth, and Leo Harmonay. Each artist will perform a mix of songs by Cohen and their own selections, while many are expected to join in singing Cohen’s classic “Hallelujah” during the finale.

AcousticMusicScene.com’s Michael Kornfeld, who also serves as president of the Folk Music Society of Huntington and the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA), joins Joltin’ Joe Pszonek, host of the Internet radio shows “Radio Nowhere” and “Finnigan’s Wake” (streaming online at www.radionowhere903.com), and Perry Stein of Ethical Brew Coffee House in Teaneck, NJ in emceeing the event.

Aside from the pre-selected artists, there will be opportunities for people of all skill levels to participate in a jam and song circle led by Jerry Korobow and Gary Schoenberger -– so folks are encouraged to bring their instruments.
The event is open to the entire community. Attendees are advised bring their own picnic lunch, lawn chairs and/or blankets. There also are shade trees and picnic tables in the park. Alcohol and pets are not permitted. Ample free parking is available in two lots.

The Borderline Folk Music Club, a nonprofit organization that bills itself as the home of folk and roots music in Rockland County, has previously paid tribute to Tom Paxton, Si Kahn, Pete Seeger, Jean Ritchie, and Music of the Sixties during its annual picnics.

Additional information, including driving directions, is available online at www.borderlinefolkmusicclub.org.

The theme for the evening concert is Generations. Performing on the park’s Chapin Rainbow Stage at 8:30 p.m. will be Sarah Lee Guthrie and The Mammals (featuring Mike & Ruthy). Talented artists in their own right, Sarah Lee is the daughter of Arlo Guthrie and granddaughter of Woody Guthrie, while Ruth Ungar is the daughter of Jay Ungar (a noted fiddler and composer of the folk classic “Ashokan Farewell’). A special on-stage song swap — NERFA Presents Young Folk: Alice Howe and Mike Tedesco – is set for 8 p.m. [NERFA is an acronym for Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, a regional affiliate of Folk Alliance International.]

Prior to the evening concert, Michael Kornfeld, who is president of both FMSH and NERFA and editor & publisher of AcousticMusicScene.com, and Joe Pszonek of Joltin Joe’s Radio Nowhere Internet Radio (streaming @ radionowhere903.com), will host unplugged showcases and song swaps from 1-6 p.m. These will take place near canopy tents on the upper lawn area overlooking the stage and will feature more than three-dozen artists/acts from New York and several other states. The day’s musical festivities begin with an open mic at noon.

The afternoon lineup includes Jeremy Aaron, Clint Alphin, Alexis von Aulock, Emily Barnes, Tucker Bickell, Bill Buttner, Chris J. Connolly, Greg Cornell & The Cornell Brothers, Karen Dahlstrom, Folkapotamus, Marci Geller, Cosby Gibson & Tom Staudle, He-Bird, She-Bird, Gina Holsopple, Alice Howe, Josh Joffen, Susan Kane, Judy Kass, Colleen Kattau, Rorie Kelly, Ray Lambiase, Mara Levine, Lori Llyn, Annie Mark, Kirsten Maxwell, Stuart Markus, Catherine Miles and Jay Mafale (The YaYas), Lois Morton, Emily Mure, Nico Padden, Steven Pelland, Katherine Rondeau, John Sonntag, Hank Stone, Christine Sweeney, Sweet Little Bloodhound, Toby Tobias, and The Whispering Tree.

Festivalgoers are advised to bring lawn chairs and blankets and a picnic supper (or walk into Huntington Village and enjoy a meal at one of its many restaurants).

The Huntington Folk Festival highlights a folk and Americana weekend at Heckscher Park that also features concerts by Long Island-based indie folk-rock band Miles to Dayton (Friday July 28) and The Sweet Remains, a nationally touring act with harmonies reminiscent of CSN, The Eagles and Simon & Garfunkel (Sunday, July 30). The Huntington Summer Arts Festival is produced by the Town of Huntington, presented by the Huntington Arts Council, and sponsored in part by the New York State Council for the Arts, the County of Suffolk and Canon U.S.A.

Established in 1972 at the urging of Peter Yarrow, the Kerrville New Folk Concerts have become a highlight of the annual festival that is geared towards singer-songwriters of various musical styles and is the longest continuously running festival of its kind in North America. Being named as a New Folk Winner is regarded as a very prestigious honor.

“It’s a great honor to be selected — first as a finalist and then as one of the six winners of this year’s contest,” said Kilgour. “Some of my favorite songwriters of all time have been New Folk finalists and winners, It’s pretty incredible to be included in that long and impressive list. I’m grateful for the time spent here at Kerrville amongst folks who share the deep love of a good song.”

Amy Speace, who served as one of the judges, along with fellow singer-songwriters Dan Navarro and Jeff Black, reflected on her experience of being both a two-time New Folk judge and a former finalist in the competition:

“Although those of us creating the art can wax negative on these things — ‘songwriting for sport, ick’ — in the end, the truth is without these contests many of us would not be here. New Folk at Kerrville is a beautiful example of integrating a ‘contest’ with a welcoming key to a kingdom of community. As a former New Folk Finalist who has judged twice, I can see if from both sides. I was thrilled to be a finalist. I was disappointed to not win, but a year later I was playing the Main Stage and realized I wouldn’t have been offered the gig without being seen in the contest, win or lose.

As a judge, I met Robby Hecht who has become a friend and a cowriter; maybe of one of my favorite songs I’ve ever had the pleasure of being a part of – ‘The Sea & The Shore.’ And one of my co-Finalists in 2006 (who won) was Jud Caswell, who co-wrote ‘The Weight of the World’ with me. So I may have lost the contest, but I think what I won far outweighs that disappointment. Kerrville keeps giving gifts and they get deeper each time I return.”

In impromptu remarks at a gathering of New Folk Finalists and Winners at the Rouse House New Folk Camp, where many of the finalists stayed in tents and shared songs over bagels on the two mornings preceding their showcase performances, Speace lauded hosts Lindsay Lee and Deb Rouse for being so welcoming to New Folk Finalists over the years. “They have set up New Folk Central — creating a space for these 32 to create family, so that the experience is less competitive and more collaborative.”

Speace also reflected on how, as festival producer Dalis Allen gave the New Folk Finalists a pep talk prior to their taking the stage, she observed that while it was a songwriting contest on the surface, it “was really a wide-swinging gate of entry into a communion with Tribe and an invitation to Mission.” She recalled standing next to her fellow judges – “veterans of song and stage and the art of creating a living out of music, feeling the rumbles of Spirit move through me, the beginnings of new songs and the rekindling love of Why I Do This.” Looking into the eager and nervous eyes of the finalists, she remembered her own jitters 11 years ago, and said she was moved to tears.

“I am deeply grateful to have spent this past weekend listening to 64 songs sung by 32 songwriters. I am re-inspired, humbled and honored to have shared the experience with my fellow judges who pored over every verse and chorus with cradling care and consideration of the deep importance of this small thing we do. And I am grateful for Dalis, for getting to see her big wide smile so often in the last few days, for dancing with her backstage, and for her thoughtfulness and care taking of an extraordinary place where, every May and June, for 18 days, people of all shapes, sizes, ages, religions, nationalities, genders, coffee preferences, and late night temperaments gather in Kerrville Texas in the simple and beautiful belief that a song could change the world.”

The 46th annual Kerrville Folk Festival extends through Sunday, June 12. In addition to concerts each evening, Kerrville features “Ballad Tree” song-sharing sessions, late-night and afternoon song circles and jam sessions at various campsites, concerts and activities for children, organized canoe trips on the Guadelupe River and Hill Country bike rides, a professional development program for teachers, as well as a three-day songwriters school and instrumental workshops. For more information, visit www.kerrville-music.com.

Editor’s Note: Although I have been writing about the Grassy Hill New Folk Competition since the inception of AcousticMusicScene.com in 2007, I was a first-time attendee at the Kerrville Folk festival last month and am so glad that my five days with this wonderful community included two afternoons of performances by the New Folk Finalists, as well as a bittersweet but beautiful musical tribute to Jimmy LaFave, who was to have been a festival headliner but passed away shortly before it started. I’m delighted to have been able to hear, meet and re-connect with so many talented singer-songwriters. I also express my appreciation to Dalis, Lindsay and Deb, as well as to Ken Gaines, who welcomed me to pitch my tent at Camp Stupid and to my friends Brian and Pam Kalinec for their gracious hospitality during my extended visit to Texas.

A listing of all of this year’s New Folk Finalists was included in a previously posted article. In addition to the winners mentioned in the article above, the finalists included Andy Baker (Gobles, MI), Emily Barnes (Johnsonburg, NJ), Arlon Bennett (Tappan, NY), Robin Bienemann (Oak Park, IL), Mary Bragg (Nashville, TN), John John Brown (Winter Garden, FL), Lyndy Butler (Hurricane, UT), Shawn Byrne (Nashville, TN), Jefferson Clay (San Antonio, TX), Wendy Colonna (Buda, TX), Teresa Eggerston Cooke (Park City, UT), Teghan Devon (Myersville, MD), Kelly Hoppenjans (Nashville, TN), Isaac Hoskins (Denton, TX), Hadley Kennary (Nashville, TN), Martin Kerr (Edmonton, Alberta), Eleanor Kleiner & Elie Brangbour – The Whispering Tree (Beacon, NY), Rich Krueger (Evergreen Park, IL), Catherine Miles & Jay Mafale – The YaYas (Centerport, NY), ordinary elephant (Livingston, TX), Angela Parrish (North Hollywood, CA), Chris Petersen (Cedar City, UT), Brian Pounds (Austin, TX), Ben Shannon (Pittsburgh, PA), and Dana Sipos (Guelph, Ontario).

Scheduled to perform (in order of performance) at the Threadgill Theater on the Quiet Valley Ranch Campgrounds in the Texas Hill Country on Saturday, May 27, from 1-4 p.m., are Hadley Kennary (Nashville, TN), ordinary elephant (Livingston, TX), Wendy Colonna (Buda, TX), John John Brown (Winter Garden, FL), Letitia VanSant (Baltimore, MD), Catherine Miles & Jay Mafale – The YaYas (Greenlawn, NY), Arlon Bennett (Tappan, NY), Heather Styka (Addison, IL), Lyndy Butler (Hurricane, UT), Chris Moyse (Nashville, TN), Chris Petersen (Cedar City, UT), Jefferson Clay (San Antonio, TX), Ingrid Graudins (Nashville, TN), Emily Barnes (Johnsonburg, NJ), Ben Shannon (Pittsburgh, PA), and Robin Bienemann (Oak Park, IL).

New Folk Finalists slated to perform on Sunday afternoon, May 28, include Shawn Byrne (Nashville, TN), Rachael Kilgour (Duluth, MN), Eleanor Kleiner & Elie Brangbour – The Whispering Tree (Beacon, NY), Teresa Eggerston Cooke (Park City, UT), Isaac Hoskins (Denton, TX), Mary Bragg (Nashville, TN), Rich Krueger (Evergreen Park, IL), Teghan Devon (Myersville, MD), Kelly Hoppenjans (Nashville, TN), Dana Sipos (Guelph, Ontario), Martin Kerr (Edmonton, Alberta), Angela Parrish (North Hollywood, CA), Brian Pounds (Austin, TX), Andy Baker (Gobles, MI), and Winona Wilde (Bridgenorth, Ontario).

Named as alternates were Mila Maring-Sims (Alto Pass, IL), Alicia Viani (Bend, OR), Ben Bedford (Springfield, IL), Eric Stucky (Montrose, CO), Randy Palmer (Amarillo, TX), Wyatt Easterling (Chapel Hill, NC), Kevin T. Hale (Westlake Village, CA), and Jenny Reynolds (Austin, TX).

After performing, six songwriters will be selected as 2017 New Folk Winners by noted songwriters Amy Speace, Dan Navarro and Jeff Black, who are serving as judges. The six, to be announced during the evening concert on May 28, will receive cash honorariums and other prizes, as well as the opportunity to return the following weekend to each perform 20-minute sets during a Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Winners concert at the festival on Sunday afternoon, June 4.

Established in 1972 at the urging of Peter Yarrow, the Kerrville New Folk Concerts have become a highlight of the annual festival that is geared towards singer-songwriters of various musical styles and is the longest continuously running festival of its kind in North America. Being named as a New Folk Winner is regarded as a very prestigious honor.

In addition to concerts each evening, Kerrville features “Ballad Tree” song-sharing sessions, campfire jam sessions, concerts and activities for children, organized canoe and kayak trips on the Guadelupe River and Hill Country bike rides, a Young Artists Performance Incubator, a professional development program for teachers, as well as a three-day songwriters school and instrumental workshops. The festival runs for 18 straight days – Thursday, May 25– Sunday, June 11. For a complete schedule and additional information, visit www.kerrville-music.com.

The NERFA Conference – being held in Stamford for the first time after outgrowing its previous location in The Catskills of upstate New York — will feature several jam-packed days and nights of music showcases, song swaps/in-the-rounds, an open mic, informal jam sessions, informative panel discussions and workshops, a keynote by singer-songwriter Christine Lavin, mentoring sessions, a large trade show-like exhibit hall, communal meals in the dining room, a welcoming party and happy hours, and lots of informal conversation and networking.

Booking gigs may be the primary objective of some performers who attend the NERFA 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 attending workshops and seminars to learn about options to further careers, promote the music, and attract audiences and listeners.

Among the more than 30 workshops slated during the conference are a two-hour songwriting session with Tom Paxton; a Wisdom of the Elders panel featuring Nora Guthrie, Tom Rush and Noel Paul Stookey, and a panel discussion on The Folk Revival of the ‘60s moderated by AcousticMusicScene.com’s Michael Kornfeld and interspersed with performances of songs from the era by panelists David Amram and Paxton. Rush also will participate in a short Q &A session following the screening of the documentary “Tom Rush – No Regrets.” By popular demand, there will be two fast-paced 90-minute “On the Griddle” instant critique sessions. Sarah Craig will explore “The Rebirth of Caffe Lena: How We Saved America’s Longest-Running Folk Club,” while Nora Guthrie, daughter of the legendary American folksinger and songwriter, will discuss Holy Ground: Woody Guthrie’s Yiddish Connection.” During other workshops and panel discussion, attendees will learn how to build a loyal audience for their venues, spruce up their online image, strengthen their bios and news releases, make a radio-ready recording, listen for that sideman, prepare contracts, and stay healthy on the road. Singer-Songwriters Amy Soucy and Karyn Oliver will lead morning yoga sessions, while MusiCares will fit folks for custom earplugs.

Juried and Guerrilla Showcases Abound

After the formal showcases, attendees will shuffle between three conference ballrooms to catch short sets by 30 additional artists who were selected by a different set of judges. Performing in tricentric showcases on Friday night are The Brother Brothers, Cricket Blue, The Doll Sisters, Ian Foster, The Gaslight Tinkers, Manitoba Hal, Louise Mosrie, Red Tail Ring, Monica Rizzio, Ryanhood, Putnam Smith with April Reed-Cox, Carolann Solebello, Suzie Vinnick, Rupert Wates, and Dan Weber. Saturday’s Tricentric Showcase artists include Cliff Eberhardt, Freebo, Tret Fure, Connor Garvey, Dave Gunning, Heather Mae, Phil Henry Acoustic Trio, Tish Hinojosa, Kirsten Maxwell, Linda McRae, Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio, Tom Rush, Bethel Steele, Noel Paul Stookey, and Heather Styka.

Following the juried showcases each evening (as well as on Friday and Saturday afternoons), AcousticMusicScene.com will join dozens of presenters, performers and others in hosting guerilla showcases in their hotel rooms that extend through the early morning hours. Community sings, open mics, informal jam sessions, private showcases, thematic song circles and round-robin song swaps round out the musical mix. Musicians also are apt to stake out other areas of the hotel and jam until 4 or 5 a.m.


AcousticMusicScene.com Midnight Hoot Features Artists and Singing Folk DJs


An overflow crowd will likely descend on the AcousticMusicScene.com suite (2031) on Thursday overnight for its popular Midnight Hoot. Following the Suzi Wollenberg Folk DJ Showcase and extending from 11:45 p.m. to 3 a.m., the AcousticMusicScene.com Midnight Hoot is a pre-arranged, round robin song swap featuring several singing folk DJs (Barbara and Graham Dean, Wanda Fischer and Jon Stein) and some 40 artists/acts – each performing one song.

Now in its 10th year, the Midnight Hoot is intended to shine a spotlight on several folk DJs who also enjoy singing, while providing them, presenters and others with an opportunity to get a small sampling of the music of a lot of artists in a short period of time.

A house band comprised of Mark Dann (bass), Efrat (violin), Eric Lee (violin), Marshal Rosenberg (percussion), and Nick Russo (banjo) also will be there for anyone who desires accompaniment.

As in recent years, the musical festivities in the AcousticMusicScene.com room will wrap up on Saturday overnight with an extended “O Canada” song swap. Carrying their instruments and the maple leaf, a number of talented Canadian artists will march into the room at 2 a.m. singing their national anthem.

Schedules for the AcousticMusicScene.com showcases appear below.

Thursday Night

11:45 p.m. – 3 a.m.

AcousticMusicScene.com Midnight Hoot

Featuring one song by each of the following (not listed in order of appearance)

Folk DJs: Graham & Barbara Dean, Wanda Fischer, Jon Stein

Artists: Jeremy Aaron, Antonio Andrade, Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, The Belle Hollows, Jim Bizer & Jan Krist, Sophie Buskin, Rob Carlson, Meghan Cary: Sing Louder, Shawna Caspi, Greg Cornell and the Cornell Brothers, Cricket Blue, Vincent Cross, Crowes Pasture, Efrat, Freebo, Friction Farm, Gathering Sparks, Gathering Time, Generations: Mike & Aleksi Glick, Stuart Kabak, Brian Kalinec, Judy Kass, Ladybird, Eric Lee, Mara Levine, Gigi Love, Anna Ludlow, Kirsten Maxwell, Mike McKenna Jr., Emily Mure, Dan Navarro, Kaitlyn Raitz & Ben Plotnick, Red Tail Ring, Bill Scorzari, Hank Stone, Shawn Taylor, The End of America, The Everly Set, Avi Wisnia, The YaYas

Grassy Hill Youth Scholarship Recipients: Sara Chodak, Ayssa Dann

House Band: Mark Dann (bass), Efrat (violin), Eric Lee (violin), Marshal Rosenberg (percussion), Nick Russo (banjo)

Friday Afternoon

2:30 Long Island Sound: Rorie Kelly, Scott Krokoff, Hank Stone

3:00 Keystone Staters: Ladybird, Robert Bobby Duo, The End of America

3:30 Keystone Staters: Meghan Cary: Sing Louder, Mist-Covered Mountains, Aaron Nathans

4:00 Joan & Joni: Allison Shapira & Kipyn Martin

4:30 “I’m From New Jersey”: Sharon Goldman, Dennis McDoNoUgh!, John Sonntag

Friday Late Night

11:45 CT State Troubadours: Kate Callahan, Kristen Graves, Lara Herscovitch

12:15 Rob Carlson and Benefit Street

12:30 Funny Folk: Lois Morton, Carla Ulbrich

1:00 Strings & Songs: Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, Efrat

1:30 Roots-Americana – Greg Cornell & the Cornell Brothers, He-Bird, She-Bird, Pluck & Rail

2:00 Mass. Appeal – Stephanie Corby, Neale Eckstein, Eric Lee, Steven Pelland, Monica Rizzio, Jim Trick

Note: Mass. Appeal will extend until 3 a.m.

Saturday Afternoon

2:00 Maine Event: Connor Garvey, Putnam Smith (with April Reed-Cox), Sorcha, Ashley Storrow,

3:00 Pirate Camp: Generations: Mike & Aleksi Glick, Diane Perry, Hank Stone

3:30 Pirate Camp: Jacob Johnson, Elaine Romanelli. The Whispering Tree

4:00 Pirate Camp: Susan Kane, Judy Kass

4:30 Pirate Camp: Freebo, Stuart Kabak, Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio

11:45 Pesky J. Nixon

12:00 Harmonic Convergence: Mike Agranoff, Gathering Time, Mara Levine

12:30 Female Folk: Kate Copeland, Rachael Kilgour, Kirsten Maxwell

1:00 Two Trios: The Boxcar Lilies, Cole, Nakoa & Treacher

1:30 The Belle Hollows and Friction Farm

2:00 O Canada: Shawna Caspi, Durham County Poets, Ian Foster, Gathering Sparks, Irish Mythen, Erika Kulnys, Anna Ludlow, Manitoba Hal, David Newland, Benjamin Dakota Rogers, Suzie Vinnick, Katherine Wheatley, The Young Novelists (Percussion: Cheryl Prashker)

Note: O Canada will extend until 3:30 a.m. or thereabouts.

One-Day On-Site Conference Registration Available

Special one-day walk-up registration rates have been established for those actively engaged in the folk music community who are unable to attend the entire conference. For $100 on Friday or $120 on Saturday, folks will receive badges entitling them to sit in on workshops and showcases and to visit the exhibit hall. Meals are not included. Workshop descriptions and showcase listings and schedules may be found online at (www.nerfa.org.

NERFA is a regional affiliate of Folk Alliance International, a nonprofit organization that seeks to nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community – traditional and contemporary, amateur and professional – through education, advocacy and performance.

In addition to hosting the AcousticMusicScene.com Midnight Hoot and other showcases during
the NERFA Conference and moderating the Folk Revival panel discussion, I will be promoting a few artists, participating on a panel entitled Strengthening Your Bio and Press Releases, and doing some mentoring. Currently vice president of NERFA’s board of directors. I also serve on the board of Folk Alliance International.