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)

Gone is just one of a number of albums and songs by Grimm that have reached the top of the Folk DJ (now FAI Folk Radio) and EuroAmericana charts. He had both the most-played album (A Stranger In This Time) and song (“Gonna Be Great”) on folk radio during 2017, while his 2019 release, Heart Land Again, was the top alum on the Folk DJ Chart that summer. “Woody’s Landlord,” Grimm’s song about Donald Trump’s father, was the most-played song on folk radio in 2016, while “King Of the Folksingers,” a tribute to his friend and musical icon Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, was the #1 song on the Folk DJ songs chart in 2014. Besides having released more than a dozen albums over the past 20 years, Grimm has worked as an actor in film, theater and television.

Here’s a link to view a lyric video for “Gone”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPLKgCwBvug

Launched in Traverse City, Michigan by singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists (including violin, cello, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and mandolin) Sav Buist and Katie Larson, The Accidentals also include 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 country as part of their effort to inspire other young musicians. Buist and Larson have also provided strings accompaniment for other artists’ albums. “”Wildfire” is the first single off The Accidentals’ Time Out EP, which was released in May 2021.

Here’s a link to listen to “Wildfire”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oKT1yoBTrk

Nanci Griffith, a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter whose music straddled the line between folk and country, died on August 13, 2021 at age 68. She was best known for her colorful, narrative tales of small town life that she sang in her warm, crystalline pure voice with a Texas twang – many of which were covered and recorded by other artists, just as she covered other artists on her 1993 Elektra release Other Voices, Other Rooms – which won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

An early winner in the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Competition, Griffith later put together the Blue Moon Orchestra — with whom she recorded and toured for more than a decade. Honored by the Americana Music Association with its Lifetime Americana Trailblazer Award in 2008, Griffith released her 18th and last studio album, Intersection, in 2012.

Here’s a link to an article about Griffith that was posted on AcousticMusicScene.com shortly after she died: https://acousticmusicscene.com/2021/08/16/remembering-nanci-griffith-1953-2021/
.]
The 2021 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 164, 278 airplays reported on 5564 playlists submitted by 152 different folk DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

Folk Alliance International (www.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 2021

1. Gone by Tim Grimm (372)
2. On Solid Ground by Reggie Harris (371)
3. Bucket List by John McCutcheon (367)
4. Changemakers by Crys Matthews (361)
5. Downhill From Everywhere by Jackson Browne (337)
6. Song to a Refugee by Diana Jones (329)
7. Distance and Time by Becky Buller (309)
8. First Farewell by Peggy Seeger (300)
9. Grit and Polish by Mark Schatz & Bryan McDowell (298)
10. Just Over the Ridge by Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears (276)
11. A Better Day A-Coming by Robin and Linda Williams (274)
11. Normal Isn’t Normal Anymore by Rod Abernethy (274)
13. Time Out – Session 1 by The Accidentals (251)
14. Stone by Stone by Tret Fure (247)
15. Be Ready When I Call You by Guy Davis (245)
16. Ballad of a Bad Girl by Kate McDonnell (244)
17. Red Maple Tree by Sloan Wainwright (242)
18. There Used to Be Horses Here by Amy Speace and the Orphan Brigade
(237)
19. Until Now by Carrie Newcomer (222)
20. Come Around by Rob Lutes (214)
21. All This Time Running by Craig Cardiff (213)
22. I’ll Meet You Here by Dar Williams (212)
23. Renaissance by Valerie Smith (207)
24. Long Time Coming by Sierra Ferrell (206)
24. They’re Calling Me Home by Rhiannon Giddens (206)
26. He Walked On by Tim O’Brien (203)
26. Outside Child by Allison Russell (203)
28. Hourglass by Murray McLauchlan (201)
29. Knew Things by Cliff Eberhardt (197)
30. Been a Long Time by Si Kahn (193)
30. Joyful Banner Blazing by Maria Dunn (193)
30. Sober Again by Jackson Grimm (193)
33. Ellis Paul’s Traveling Medicine Show, Vol. 1 by Ellis Paul (192)
34. Cold Rain and Snow by Jared Rabin (190)
35. Borrowed Time by Joe Troop (186)
36. We Shall Stay Here by Paul Kaplan (183)
37. Light and Dark by Chris Ronald (180)
38. Calla Lily by The Brother Brothers (178)
39. Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno by Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno (176)
40. Renewal by Billy Strings (175)
41. Still Woman Enough by Loretta Lynn (173)
41. Just Causes by Noel Paul Stookey (173)
43. Tapered Point of Stone by Eli West (172)
44. Why Wait! by Kate Taylor (171)
45. Chinook Waltz by Over the Moon (168)
45. Don’t You Marry No Railroad Man by JP Harris’ Dreadful Wind and Rain
(168)
47. Uppity by Laura Love (167)
48. Solace in the Wild by Erin Ivey (166)
49. Bet on Love by Pharis and Jason Romero (165)
50. Hold the Line by Hardened and Tempered (164)
50. Woman in Color by Raye Zaragoza (164)
52. A Beautiful Sound by Cosy Sheridan (162)
53. The Fray by John Smith (161)
54. Streamliner by Jesse Brock (160)
55. Annamania by Anna Elizabeth Laube (158)
56. Other Voices, Other Rooms by Nanci Griffith (157)
57. We Can Hear Each Other by Erin Ash Sullivan (156)
58. We Go On: Si Kahn’s Songs of Hope in Hard Times by Katie Oates (154)
58. Watchhouse by Watchhouse (154)
58. Jellyfish on the Moon by Lisa Jeanette (154)
58. Right Where I Am by Jonathan Edwards (154)
62. Poets by Liz Simmons (146)
63. World on the Ground by Sarah Jarosz (145)
64. The Canvas Before Us by Joy Zimmerman (144)
65. Desert Ghosts by Jaspar Lepak (142)
65. Echo Land by Bumarang (142)
67. When We Wander by Jesse Terry (140)
67. + 1 by Mike Barnett (140)
69. Songs Doc Didn’t Sing by Doc and Merle Watson (139)
70. Undertaker’s Songbook by Sons of the Never Wrong (137)

Top Songs of 2021

1. “Wildfire” by The Accidentals (105)
2. “Gone” by Tim Grimm (78)
3. “A Better Day A-Coming” by Robin and Linda Williams (77)
4. “Seasons Change” by Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears (76)
5. “We Believe You” by Diana Jones (75)
6. “All This Time Running” by Craig Cardiff (73)
7. “Call Them In” by Crys Matthews (68)
8. “Gentle Arms of Eden” by Darryl Purpose (67)
9. “It’s Who We Are” by Reggie Harris (66)
9. “Monuments” by Tret Fure (66)
9. “Exactly Where You Are” by Crys Matthews (66)
9. “Bucket List” by John McCutcheon (66)
13. “25 Trees” by Tim Grimm (64)
14. “Dreaming of King Lear” by Tim Grimm (63)
14. “My Cleveland Heart” by Jackson Browne (63)
14. “The Welcome Song” by Jan Aldridge Clark (63)
17. “Right Where I Am” by Jonathan Edwards (62)
17. “The Invisible Woman” by Peggy Seeger (62)
19. “Carry Me With You” by Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears (61)
20. “Music for a Found Harmonium” by Patrick Street (60)
20. “Bryan 3rd Saturday Back Porch Harmony Kaxe” by Random Routes Keos
College Station (60)
22. “All Shall Be Well” by The Accidentals (59)
23. “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie (58)
24. “How I Long for Peace” by Peggy Seeger (57)
24. “Jeremiah” by Sierra Ferrell (57)
24. “Heart of Nat Turner” by Laura Love (57)

Top Artists of 2021

1. Nanci Griffith (847)
2. John McCutcheon (828)
3. Bob Dylan (778)
4. Tim Grimm (517)
5. John Prine (493)
6. Reggie Harris (453)
7. Pete Seeger (449)
8. Jackson Browne (427)
9. Tim O’Brien (410)
10. Dar Williams (400)
11. Ellis Paul (390)
11. Crys Matthews (390)
13. Robin and Linda Williams (388)
14. Joni Mitchell (384)
15. Sloan Wainwright (383)
16. Diana Jones (381)
17. Bill Staines (375)
18. Cosy Sheridan (367)
19. Carrie Newcomer (360)
19. Si Kahn (360)
21. The Accidentals (354)
22. Rhiannon Giddens (353)
23. Peggy Seeger (352)
24. Becky Buller (335)
25. Tret Fure (319)
26. Guy Davis (312)
27. Mark Schatz & Bryan McDowell (302)
28. Eliza Gilkyson (290)
29. Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears (287)
30. Sarah Jarosz (281)
31. Rod Abernethy (278)
32. Joan Baez (269)
33. Billy Strings (264)
34. Kate McDonnell (258)
35. Tony Rice (255)
35. Laura Love (255)
35. Gillian Welch (255)
38. John Smith (251)
39. The Chieftains (246)
39. Emmylou Harris (246)

A platform for luminaries and rising stars, the annual conference is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. Folk Alliance International’s Official Showcases are jury-selected nightly mini-concerts featuring emerging artists and touring legends from around the world. The performances are 30 minutes in length and are held concurrently on ten full-production stages throughout the host hotel over three nights.

More than 800 artists/acts applied for the opportunity to perform for hundreds of festival and venue bookers, agents, managers, labels, media, and music industry representatives. The curated showcases feature artists representing a diverse array of folk genres including Appalachian, Americana, bluegrass, blues, Cajun, Celtic, global roots, Indie-folk, indigenous, Latin, old time, traditional, singer-songwriter, spoken word, and every imaginable fusion.

Breakthrough artists from previous conferences include The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Darlingside, David Francey, John Fullbright, Kaia Kater, Lake Street Dive, The Milk Carton Kids, Nickel Creek, The Stray Birds, Valerie June, The Waifs, and The Wailin’ Jennys. Past showcase performances have also included guest appearances by Judy Collins, Béla Fleck, Rita Coolidge, Ron Sexsmith, Archie Fisher, Peggy Seeger, and more.

Bringing together musicians, educators, and music industry professionals from around the world, the Folk Alliance International Conference is known for its community atmosphere, business and networking opportunities, and as a hotspot for discovering new talent.

The 2018 conference will feature presentations by Mary Chapin Carpenter and Richard Thompson, the Louis Jay Meyers Music Camp, the International Folk Music Awards, and the third annual Kansas City Folk Festival. Celebrating 30 years of community and song, the conference will YEARS OF COMMUNITY AND SONG, honor the first three decades of the organization’s growth and activity, as well as the broader story of folk music during that time.

Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org) is a Kansas City, MO-based 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.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a news release issued by Folk Alliance International, on whose board of directors I serve. I’m also board president of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA), one of its five regional affiliates, which holds it annual conference, Nov. 9-12, in Stamford, CT. I am not involved in the selection of Official Showcase artists.

Although Old Settler’s has grown in popularity over the years, it retains a more casual and laid-back down-home Texas vibe than a couple of other notable Austin area music festivals – and that’s part of its allure. Among the diverse array of talented performers on the 2016 lineup are The Accidentals, The Jeff Austin Band, The Band of Heathens, The Black Lillies, Hayes Carll, Rodney Crowell, Dawes, Deer Tick, Della Mae, Jerry Douglas presents The Earls of Leicester, The HillBenders present The Who’s TOMMY: A Bluegrass Opry, Sierra Hull, Sarah Jarosz (who grew up playing the festival’s workshops and smaller stages), The Jayhawks, Lonesome River Band, The Milk Carton Kids, Bob Schneider, Carolyn Wonderland, The Woods Brothers, and more.

In addition to music on four stages, there will be performance workshops, sing-a-longs and impromptu jam sessions, a youth talent competition and children’s activities, a market area featuring arts and crafts or crafts people and artisans, specialty foods and craft brews, and lots of tasty barbecue. Those camping on-site can also enjoy late-night jams around the campfires.

Discounted admission wristbands are available online via EventBrite until April 1. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org.

Each year, the nonprofit festival provides financial support to several community organizations. The beneficiaries for 2016 will be the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Kids in New Groove, and the Center for Texas Music History. In addition, four scholarships will be provided to students pursuing music-related degrees at two area colleges.

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.