The Accidentals are a female-fronted, high-energy, indie folk-pop-Americana power trio of multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters whose previous recordings have also charted — including “Wildfire,” the #1 song on the FAI Folk Charts in 2021.

Sav Madigan and Katie Larson front the band that was formed in Traverse City, Michigan in 2012 (and since 2023 has also included Katelynn Corll on drums). Madigan and Larson expressed thanks to the folk DJ community for spinning songs from their new album, which is officially released in August. “Growing up listening to radio (especially our local public radio station in Northern Michigan) exposed us to so many important music voices from around the world, alongside the voices in our community. We appreciate you for keeping the tradition alive. We co-wrote the songs on Time Out 3 with legends we admire, who taught us to write about truth and when things are hard – to lean into our community and create, create, create.

“Sommer” Is an upbeat and danceable Danish singing tune performed on fiddle, guitar, pump organ and double bass. It is the opening track on The Woods Have Shown Us, the debut album by Minnesota-based ensemble Ponyfolk that pays homage to old time American and Nordic music traditions with a mix of fiddle tunes and original songs, –both instrumental and vocal. Formed in 2014 by Clifton Nesseth (vocals, fiddle) and Paul Sauey (vocals, guitar, bass pedals), the chamber ensemble performs in a variety of configurations and includes Alex Jakob Nelson (keyboards, vocals), Mikey Marget (cello, vocals), Lewis Franti (percussion) and Aaron Hays (drums)

Here’s a link to listen to “Sommer” performed by Ponyfolk:

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

The July 2025 top albums, songs and artists charts are based on 10, 663 airplays reported on 354 playlists submitted by 96 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 July 2025

1. Time Out 3 by The Accidentals (72)
2. The Woods Have Shown Us by Ponyfolk (63)
3. Best Of by Steve Gillette (60)
4. New Skin by Judy Kass (50)
5. Personal History by Mary Chapin Carpenter (49)
6. Perfume Like a Full Moon by Ray Lambiase (44)
7. The Shape of a Sway by Eli West (43)
8. Wild and Clear and Blue by I’m With Her (42)
9. Saltwater Country by Grace Morrison (41)
10. Beautiful You: The Songs of Tom Prasada-Rao by Tom Prasada-Rao (40)
11. Gold and Coal by Cassie and Maggie (38)
11. Dark Ages by Eliza Gilkyson (38)
13. The Time That Remains by Mike Ward (34)
14. Little Songs by Rrinaco (31)
14. Lift Up This Old World by Hilary Hawke (31)
16. Bones of Trees by Tim Grimm (29)
16. Better Than I Was by Sara Trunzo (29)
18. In the West by The Horsenecks (27)
19. Been All Around This World by Special Consensus (26)
20. Burden of Hope by Peter Campbell (25)
20. Rituals by Watchhouse (25)
20. Signs of Life by My Politic (25)
23. Colored Edge of Memory by From the Dirt (24)
23. Shelby Means by Shelby Means (24)
25. House of the Dog by Grain Thief (23)
26. Paper Flowers by Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius (22)
26. Homegrown by Cole Quest and the City Pickers (22)
28. So Much I Still Don’t See by Sam Robbins (21)
29. Arcadia by Alison Krauss and Union Station (20)
30. Room on the Porch by Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo (19)
30. Reverie by Amble (19)
30. The Ballad of Charlie Avalon by Stillhouse Junkies (19)
33. Shelter From the Storms by Lennie Gallant (18)
33. Winged Victory by Willi Carlisle (18)
33. Cruel Joke by Ken Pomeroy (18)
33. The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy by James McMurtry (18)
33. Old Growth by Brad Kolodner (18)
33. A Teacher, a Preacher, and a Bad Farmer by Ernie Palmer (18)
33. A Tip Toe High Wire by Sierra Hull (18)
33. One Hour Mama -The Blues of Victoria Spivey by Maria Muldaur (18)
41. The Agonist by Leslie Jordan (17)
42. Tip of the Spear by Doug Mishkin (16)
43. Never Been Home by Sweet Megg (15)
43. Songs Worth Saving by Suzie Brown (15)
45. Kentucky Queen by Carla Gover (14)
45. What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow by Rhiannon Giddens &
Justin Robinson (14)
45. Oubliette by Jez Lowe (14)
45. Life Behind Bars by Vandoliers (14)
49. All I Got and Gone by Chris Walz (13)
49. An Inch of This New York Mile by Christian Rutledge (13)
49. Every Ghost by Kelsey Waldon (13)
49. We All Dream by Terry Kitchen (13)
49. Story the Crow Told Me by Ketch Secor (13)

Top Songs of July 2025

1.  “Sommer” by Ponyfolk (21)
2. “Woody’s Children” by Doug Mishkin (15)
3. “Someday We Won’t Live Here Anymore” by The Accidentals (14)
3. “We Are the Power” by Emma’s Revolution (14)
3. “Girl and Her Dog” by Mary Chapin Carpenter (14)
6. “Fly Away” by The Accidentals (13)
6. “Dark Night of the Soul” by Eliza Gilkyson (13)
8. “Grapes on the Vine” by Steve Gillette (12)
8. “The Old Trail” by Steve Gillette (12)
8. “No Kings in America” by Lisa Bastoni (12)
8. “Instrument for Good” by Mike Ward (12)
12. “Around the Horn” by Ray Lambiase (11)
12. “Better Than Me” by The Accidentals (11)
12. “Why Not” by Mike Ward (11)
12. “Thank the Stone” by Judy Kass (11)
16. “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)” by Colleen Kattau (10)
16. “Masters of War” by Abbie Gardner (10)
16. “Burden of Hope” by Peter Campbell (10)
16. “Honeybees” by Steve Kunzman (10)
16. “Cranberry Blossoms” by Grace Morrison (10)
16. “Shenandoah” by Ponyfolk (10)
16. “That Song About the River” by Steve Gillette (10)
16. “Letter to America” by Cindy Kallet (10)
24. “Look at Us Marching Now” by Judy Kass (9)
25. “Get Along Somehow” by Rrinaco (8)
25. “Too Good to Be True” by The Accidentals (8)
25. “Wild and Clear and Blue” by I’m With Her (8)
25. “One Small Step” by Sara Trunzo (8)
25. “Home Is a Song” by Mary Chapin Carpenter (8)
25. “Pastures of Plenty” by Cole Quest and the City Pickers (8)
25. “Five Alarm Fire on the 4th of July” by Ellis Paul (8)
25. “Radio Silence” by The Sharar Sisters (8)

Top Artists of July 2025

1. The Accidentals (74)
2. Woody Guthrie (66)
3. Ponyfolk (64)
3. Steve Gillette (64)
5. Mary Chapin Carpenter (58)
6. Eliza Gilkyson (55)
7. Ray Lambiase (52)
8. Judy Kass (50)
9. Nanci Griffith (49)
10. Eli West (44)
10. Tom Prasada-Rao (44)
12. I’m With Her (43)
13. Grace Morrison (41)
14. John McCutcheon (39)
15. Cassie and Maggie (38)
16. Mike Ward (35)
17. Bob Dylan (33)
18. Pete Seeger (32)
18. Tim Grimm (32)
20. Rrinaco (31)
20. Special Consensus (31)
20. Hilary Hawke (31)
23. Sara Trunzo (29)
23. Alison Krauss and Union Station (29)
25. The Horsenecks (28)
26. My Politic (26)
26. Watchhouse (26)
28. Bruce Springsteen (25)
28. Peter Campbell (25)
30. Grain Thief (24)
30. Maria Muldaur (24)
30. From the Dirt (24)
30. Shelby Means (24)
34. Beppe Gambetta (23)
34. Emma’s Revolution (23)
34. John Prine (23)
34. Amadou and Mariam (23)
34. Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius (23)
34. Cole Quest and the City Pickers (23)
40. The Heart Collectors (22)
40. Sam Robbins (22)

“Being part of the Songwriter Serenade was an absolutely unforgettable experience,” said Buist. “Beyond the contest itself, I met so many incredible artists and songwriters from all over the country and learned of their stories, and through their songs, their hearts. Music has always felt like the introvert’s fast track to friendship, and I feel like that friendships that were made here, through the share d experience of art, are lifelong.”

“At the same time,” she continued, “the sheer experience of being there, in this wide expanse of nature and rolling hills and clods so big they leave shadows that you can’t see the end of on the plains … the beauty of the ranch, and the community that occupies it and keeps it a safe haven for musicians and artists to share their craft, is equally invigorating and inspiring.” Built said she has already written more since she returned home, much of it inspired by what she saw.

“Add on the generosity of so, so many people – most notably, Tom and Pat McDaniel, who not only put on the event and hosted us at their ranch, but also doubled the prize money to soften the blow that COVID-19 left upon most musicians’ incomes – and you get the true picture of what Songwriter Serenade is all about – the love and appreciation of performance and song,” Buist continued.

A violin, viola, bass, upright bass, guitar and mandolin player, Buist has also provided strings accompaniment for other artists’ recordings. She and her bandmate Katie Larson (a cellist) also write and arrange for orchestras and symphonies, commercial sync, and movie scores. With her bandmates (who also include percussionist Michael Dause), she hosts and leads workshops across the U.S. as part of an effort to help inspire other young musicians. Buist has also written a manual on live streaming. As the daughter of a multi-instrumentalist father and a R&B vocalist mother, Buist developed an early interest in music and had become an arranger, composer, multi-instrumentalist, performer and session player by the time she was 16. She cites songwriters Neko Case and Kim Richey among those who have inspired her own craft.

Taking second through a seventh-place tie, respectively, in this year’s Songwriter Serenade were Grace Morrison (Rochester, MA), Sarah Peacock (Ashland City, TN), Daniel Neihoff (Paducah, KY), Shawnee Kilgore (Austin, TX), Sam Robbins (Nashville, TN), Campbell Davis (Nashville, TN), and Shanna in a Dress (Nashville, TN).

Prize monies were awarded to all of the finalists, while Buist was also afforded the opportunity to perform as the opening act during the judges’ show at the TR Ranch in Halletsville in the evening following the songwriter competition. The finalists and seven other semifinalists were chosen from among nearly 130 entrants spanning 29 states and Canada.

There were no fees to enter the annual competition that was established in 2007 to provide performing songwriters with a platform to showcase their skills before their peers, a panel of esteemed judges, and an appreciative audience of Americana, folk and roots music lovers.

“Everyone is a winner in more ways than one just by getting the opportunity to be there,” said Buist. “But if that wasn’t enough, the mentorship and guidance of the judges – Walt Wilkins, Susan Gibson, Sam Baker, and Josh Grider – was something we all had a chance to experience once the contest had concluded and we had some time to talk one-on-one with each of them at the ranch. Being able to play my songs before these incredible writers – the judges, fellow contestants, and many other musicians (and audience members) who comprise the Songwriter Serenade community – was an honor and a privilege.”

Launched in Traverse City, Michigan 10 years ago and fronted by singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists (including violin, cello, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and mandolin) Sav Buist and Katie Larson, The Accidentals also feature Michael Dause on percussion.

Prior to the pandemic, the trio had been playing upwards of 200 shows a year. Its repertoire features an eclectic blend of indie folk, pop, bluegrass, rock, and classical music. The Accidentals also host and lead workshops across the U.S. as part of an effort to inspire other young musicians. Buist and Larson have also provided strings accompaniment for other artists’ recordings, while Buist was a winner in last year’s Kerrville New Folk Competition and is a semifinalist in this year’s Songwriter Serenade competition.

Time Out Session #2 is the follow-up to the band’s Time Out EP, which was released last May and whose first single, “Wildfire,” was the #1 song on the FAI Folk Charts for 2021. More information on the band may be found on its website, while here’s a link to view the official video for “Eastern Standard Time,” which was co-written with singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey.

The March 2022 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 14,047 airplays reported on 467 playlists submitted by 123 different folk DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

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

Top Albums of March 2022

1. Time Out Session #2 by The Accidentals (93)
2. 20 Printemps by Le Vent Du Nord (91)
3. Songs From the River Wind by Eliza Gilkyson (70)
3. Backroads by Johnsmith (70)
3. Songs From the Beginning by Greg Greenway (70)
6. Southern Currency by Jefferson Ross (65)
6. The Light at the End of the Line by Janis Ian (65)
8. Fazz: Now and Then by Noel Paul Stookey (50)
9. Every Seed We Plant by Alice DiMicele (46)
10. The Way the River Goes by Dan Weber (43)
10. Lost Love Songs by The Pine Hearts (43)
10. Something Green by Kate Klim (43)
13. Hurricane Clarice by Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves (42)
13. I Can Face the Truth by Dana Cooper (42)
15. For the People by Rupert Wates (38)
16. You Reap What You Sow by The Weeping Willows (37)
17. Twang by Carla Ulbrich (35)
18. Age of Apathy by Aoife O’Donovan (34)
18. Folk Hero by House of Hamill (34)
18. Good to Be by Keb’ Mo’ (34)
21. Corner of the World by Scott Martin (33)
21. We’ll Dance Again by Folkapotamus (33)
21. Anais Mitchell by Anais Mitchell (33)
24. Satchel of Songs by Diane Patterson (29)
24. 8-String Sketches by Mike Mullins (29)
26. Resilience by Josie Bello (28)
26. New Road by Wally Barnick (28)
28. Chris Haddox by Chris Haddox (27)
29. The Love in You by Jordi Baizan (26)
29. The Canvas Before Us by Joy Zimmerman (26)
31. Head Above Water by Heather Sarona (25)
31. Long Haul by John Wort Hannam (25)
33. Hell on Church Street by Punch Brothers (24)
33. Until Now by Carrie Newcomer (24)
35. Wachtraum by Michael Veitch (23)
35. The Worst Kind of New by The Lied To’s (23)
37. Gone, Long Gone by Steve Dawson (21)
38. Good Luck, Take Care by Terry Klein (20)
38. Now and the Evermore by Colin Hay (20)
38. Raise the Roof by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (20)
41. The Flowers That Bloom in Spring by Kieran Kane and Rayna Gellert (19)
41. Harley Kimbro Lewis by Harley Kimbro Lewis (19)
43. Narrow Line by Mama’s Broke (18)
43. Violet Light by Maya De Vitry (18)
43. Bullet in the Cabin Wall by Cheryl Cawood (18)
46. Tonight There Might Be Stars by Karen Turner (17)
46. Long Time Coming by Sierra Ferrell (17)
48. Bucket List by John McCutcheon (16)
48. Saving the Republic by Ernest Troost (16)
48. Anthems of Home by Hudost (16)
48. Twelvemonth and a Day by Wolf and Clover (16)
48. Odes – Codes by Max Allard (16)

Top Songs of March 2022

1. “Eastern Standard Time” by The Accidentals (33)
2. “Wide Open” by The Accidentals (18)
3. “Women Who Walked on Water” by Joy Zimmerman (17)
3. “Every Seed” by Alice DiMicele (17)
5. “Let It Roll” by Greg Greenway (16)
6. “Baptize the Gumbo” by Jefferson Ross (15)
6. “Something Green” by Kate Klim (15)
6. “Remain the Same” by The Accidentals (15)
9. “La Centauree” by Le Vent Du Nord (14)
9. “When the Big Bad Books Go Boo” by Tom Paxton, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
(14)
11. “Mary the Night’s on Fire” by The Pine Hearts (13)
11. “Dangerous Women” by Colleen Kattau (13)
11. “Backroads” by Johnsmith (13)
11. “Tour Du Monde” by Le Vent Du Nord (13)
11. “I’m Still Standing” by Janis Ian (13)
16. “Peace Song” by Sue Horowitz (12)
16. “House of Sin” by The Weeping Willows (12)
16. “Lonely” by Irene Kelley (12)
16. “Leave It in the Dust” by The Accidentals (12)
16. “Deep Down in Your Bones” by Cheryl Cawood (12)
21. “Rattle My Bones” by Johnsmith (11)
21. “My Name Is America” by Johnsmith (11)
21. “Dans l’Eau De Vie De l’Arbre” by Le Vent Du Nord (11)
21. “Peace Call” by Eliza Gilkyson (11)
25. “For the People” by Rupert Wates (10)
25. “Each Season Changes You” by Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves
(10)
25. “At the Foot of the Mountain” by Eliza Gilkyson (10)
25. “We Were There” by Bev Grant (10)
25. “Ever Since Columbine” by Dan Weber (10)
25. “Better Times Will Come” by Janis Ian (10)
25. “The Man Was Burning” by Jake Blount (10)

Top Artists of March 2022

1. The Accidentals (96)
2. Le Vent Du Nord (95)
3. Eliza Gilkyson (89)
4. Janis Ian (76)
5. Johnsmith (75)
6. Greg Greenway (71)
7. Jefferson Ross (68)
8. Noel Paul Stookey (55)
9. John McCutcheon (51)
10. Bob Dylan (50)
11. Alice DiMicele (48)
12. Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves (44)
12. Dan Weber (44)
12. Keb’ Mo’ (44)
15. The Pine Hearts (43)
15. Kate Klim (43)
17. Dana Cooper (42)
17. Carrie Newcomer (42)
19. Rupert Wates (40)
19. Aoife O’Donovan (40)
21. Judy Collins (39)
22. Joy Zimmerman (38)
23. Anais Mitchell (37)
23. The Weeping Willows (37)
25. House of Hamill (36)
25. Carla Ulbrich (36)
27. Pete Seeger (33)
27. Scott Martin (33)
27. Folkapotamus (33)
30. Josie Bello (30)
31. Peter Ostroushko (29)
31. Diane Patterson (29)
31. Mike Mullins (29)
34. Wally Barnick (28)
34. Nanci Griffith (28)
36. Jordi Baizan (27)
36. Sue Horowitz (27)
36. Chris Haddox (27)
36. Christy Moore (27)
36. Joni Mitchell (27)

Having drawn more than 300 entries in the Folk/Acoustic category, contest organizers opted to split the category in half with different judges for each one. Karen Dahlstrom, a New York-based singer-songwriter who also is part of the group Bobtown, took Gold in one of them for her song “The Miner’s Bride,” while Shenandoah Valley-based Kipyn Martin captured the Gold in the other for “Dance Across The Sky.” Martyn’s song also was the Silver winner in the Open category, in which Anna Dagmar and Kevin Wansor took the Gold for “Cutest Nudist.”

Here’s a list of winners, finalists and those receiving honorable mention for songs entered in the contest’s folk/acoustic category:

Gold: Karen Dahlstrom – “The Miner’s Bride”
Silver: Rebecca Rego – “Bury My Body”
Finalists: Mary Gordon Hall – “Fine Start of the season,” Carolyn Fischer – “The Lucky Ones,” and Katie Larson (The Accidentals) – “The Silence”
Honorable Mention: Laura Baron and Paula Monks – “A Little Note,” Lynn Hollyfield – “Because of You” and “Winter’s Gift,” Madeline Clark – “Change My Mind,” David Glaser – “Concrete River,” Daniel Weber – “Goodbye To Day,” Laura Zucker – “Home,” Jamie Kallestad and Ben Cosgrove – “Many Rivers East,” and Mike P. Ryan – “Sidewalk Romance.”

Gold: Kipyn Martin – “Dance Across The Sky”
Silver: Tom Goss – “Illuminate The Dark”
Finalists: Eric Scott and Mike Stacey – “Break Me Open,” Tom Manche – “He Calls Me Man,” and Carolyn Fischer – “The Sextant”
Honorable Mention: Brittany Jean Valint – “Arms & Legs,” Andrew Hardin and Jeannie Burns – “Down The Deep Well” and “Gentle Rain,” Carolyn Fischer – “Fifteen Years Ago,” Brad Colerick – “Late Winter Snow,” Becky Warren – “Louie and Rosalee,” Karen Dahlstrom and Kenny Siegal – “One More Time,” Daniel Rauchwerk (The Lords of Liechtenstein) – “The Last To Die,” and Christopher Mark Jones – “The Trapper’s Wife

Winners also were named in eight other categories. Of particular note to readers of AcousticMusicScene.com, Cathy Fink captured the Gold in the Children’s category for “Twins,” while Frank Solivan, lead vocalist, mandolinist and fiddler for 2014 International Bluegrass Music Association Instrumental Group of the Year Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, won Gold awards in the Country/Bluegrass and Instrumental categories for “Cold Spell” and “Chief Taghtanic” respectively.

The first place (Gold) winners will receive cash awards. The top winners in each category also will be invited to perform during the awards gala and, along with the contest’s overall winners, will be included in a winners’ compilation CD sponsored by Oasis CD Manufacturing. A list of winners, finalists and honorable mention recipients in all categories may be found online at www.saw.org, along with information about the gala for which tickets are available.

Established in 1979, the Songwriters’ Association of Washington (SAW) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to further excellence in songwriting through hosting educational programs and providing networking and performance opportunities for its members. SAW hosts open mics and showcases, workshops on the art and business of songwriting, and monthly Songwriter Exchange peer critique sessions. It also publishes a monthly e-newsletter.