Franco-American folk-rock duo The Whispering Tree had the top album (Invisible Forces) and five of the month’s most-played songs on folk radio during September 2018, while eclectic Celtic folk and roots-rock duo House of Hamill had the month’s #1 song. So say charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio.

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

The Whispering Tree (Photo: Monica Simoes)

Top Songs of September 2018

House of Hamill: Rose Baldino and Brian Buchanan

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.

Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches by Various Artists was the top album on folk radio during October 2018, while singer-songwriter John Flynn had the month’s #1 song (“She Persisted”). So say charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio.
The October 2018 FOLKDJ-L charts are based on 14,886 airplays reported on 641 playlists submitted by 136 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses. The top albums and songs charts are compiled under the auspices of Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation, and promotion. The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

A three-CD retrospective collection, Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots & Branches, features socially conscious contemporary, folk and roots music by a wide array of established and lesser-known musicians who have recorded for Appleseed Recordings. Founded by activist attorney Jim Musselman, the Pennsylvania-based independent label is dedicated to “sowing the seeds of social justice through music and exploring the roots and branches of folk and world music” and contributes a percentage of its profits to environmental, human rights, and other progressive organizations.

The collection’s 57 tracks include a few previously unreleased songs by Donovan, John Wesley Harding, Tom Morello, Tim Robbins, Bruce Springsteen, Jesse Winchester, and more. Among the other featured artists are Eric Andersen, Joan Baez, Billy Bragg, David Bromberg, Jackson Browne, Aoife Clancy, Johnny Clegg, Judy Collins, Ani DiFranco, Lila Downs, Jonathan Edwards, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Dick Gaughan, John Gorka, Emmylou Harris, Kim & Reggie Harris, Levon Helm, Anne Hills, Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sharon Katz & the Peace Train, Dolores Keane, The Kennedys, Roger McGuinn, Natalie Merchant, Tom Paxton, Joel Rafael Band, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Rush, Tom Russell, Tommy Sands, Pete Seeger and his siblings Mike and Peggy, Al Stewart, John Stewart, and Sweet Honey in the Rock.

John Flynn, a folk-rock troubadour and social justice activist following in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs and Pete Seeger, has been performing and recording for more than three decades. He has brought his powerful voice and songs to stages at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, among others. “She Persisted” is from his latest release, Vintage. Here’s a link to the song’s lyrics on his website: https://www.johnflynn.net/jfnet/lyrics/she_persisted.htm.

Top Albums of October 2018

1. Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches by Various Artists (111)
2. Horrible World by Kathy Kallick Band (87)
3. Live at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame by Earls of Leicester (83)
4. Vintage by John Flynn (77)
5. Little Beast by Lucy Wainwright Roche (74)
6. Grenades by Kaia Kater (72)
7. Everyday Street by Lucy Kaplansky (67)
7. Music of Our People by Darol Anger and Emy Phelps (67)
7. Pretty Bird by Kathy Mattea (67)
10. Damn Sure Blue by Kate Campbell (66)
11. The Bloom of Youth by Childsplay (64)
12. Family Recipe by Michael Jerling (54)
13. Last Day on This Earth by David Roth (50)
14. Home for the Harvest by Craig Bickhardt (49)
15. Royal Traveller by Missy Raines (47)
16. Songs of the Plains by Colter Wall (45)
17. Make Your Own Luck by Mustard’s Retreat (40)
18. Secularia by Eliza Gilkyson (39)
19. Dead Reckoning by Jellyman’s Daughter (38)
20. One at a Time by George Mann (37)
20. Nowthen by Rich Krueger (37)
20. Wings by Zoe Speaks (37)
23. Acrobats by Moors and McCumber (36)
24. Reckless Abandon by Susan Shann (34)
25. Reflection by Andy and Judy (33)
25. March Though Storms by House of Hammil (33)
27. Roses in November by Tret Fure (32)
27. Shout and Shine by Fink, Marxer & Gleaves (32)
29. Ready to Go by Reggie Harris (31)
29. The Hermit’s Spyglass by Ben Bedford (31)
29. 40th Anniversary Bash by Hot Rize (31)
29. The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine (31)
33. Sing Me Back Home: The DC Tapes by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard (29)
34. This Too Shall Light by Amy Helm (28)
35. Invisible Forces by The Whispering Tree (27)
35. Didn’t He Ramble: Songs of Charlie Poole by David Davis and the Warrior River Boys (27)
37. Black Cowboys by Dom Flemons (25)
37. Lucky Star by Brooks Williams (25)
39. No One Travels Alone by Jon Brooks (24)
39. Welcome to the Ether by Wes Collins (24)
41. The Broken Heart of Everything by David Francey (23)
41. Sentimental Season by Randall Kromm (23)
41. Holler by Amy Ray (23)
41. Kanawha County Flatpicking by Tyler Grant and Robin Kessinger (23)
41. Homestead Hands by Lark and the Loon (23)
41. Years in the Making by Loudon Wainwright III (23)
41. Beginning Again by Rod Macdonald (23)
48. Lovers Tree by Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan (22)
49. 2018 by Holly Near (21)
49. Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof by Vi Wickam and Justin Branum (21)
49. Don’t Apologize by Beth Snapp (21)
49. Been on Your Side by Courtney Hartman and Taylor Ashton (21)
53. Rize Up by Roy Zimmerman (20)
53. Hot Jazz, Cool Blues and Hard-Hitting Songs by Barbara Dane (20)
53. Help Me to Believe by Charlie Koch (20)
53. Glory Bound by Wooks (20)
53. Ghost Light by John McCutcheon (20)
58. Triumph by Kate Callahan (19)
58. Some People I Know by The Brother Brothers (19)
58. A Good Dog Is Lost by Ken Tizzard (19)
58. Vote by Mike Laureanno (19)
58. Time to Fly by Mare Wakefield and Nomad (19)
58. The River and the Light by Martha Scanlan (19)
58. True in Time by John Gorka (19)
65. Full Detroit by Paul Sachs (18)
65. Come Hell or High Water by Malcolm Holcombe (18)
65. See You Around by I’m With Her (18)
65. Letters Never Read by Dori Freeman (18)
69. Supposed to Fly by David Graff (17)
69. Dying Star by Ruston Kelly (17)
69. Wilderness Years by Jory Nash (17)
69. Quarter Past Tonight by Chicago Farmer (17)
69. The Lies the Poets Tell by Laurie MacAllister (17)

Top Songs of October 2018

John Flynn’s “She Persisted” was the most-played song on folk radio during October 2018.

Some of Bob Sherman’s favorite folk artists — including David Amram, Tom Chapin and Tom Paxton – will help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the longtime New York City broadcaster’s popular, award-winning radio show Woody’s Children, during a nearly sold-out December 7 concert at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space. The event, hosted by Sherman, will be filmed for future airing on PBS television stations.

Also slated to perform during the two-hour celebratory concert are Kim and Reggie Harris, Anne Hills, Christine Lavin, John McCutcheon, Noel Paul Stookey, Josh White, Jr., and Peter Yarrow. Woody Guthrie’s daughter, Nora Guthrie, and Doug Mishkin will be special guests, as will Tom Chapin’s daughters Abigail and Lily (The Chapin Sisters). Chapin’s frequent accompanists Jon Colbert (keyboards) and Michael Mark (bass) will serve as the house band. For more information and to purchase concert tickets, visit www.symphonyspace.org.

Bob Sherman (Photo: Gus Philippas)

Pete Seeger, Sherman’s guest on the very first program, is credited with coining the name “Woody’s Children” out of reverence for Woody Guthrie and the singer-songwriters following in his footsteps. Seeger was a frequent guest on the show, as were Judy Collins, Odetta, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Paxton, among others.

Woody’s Children features live performances and interviews, along with recorded music, and is often presented in a thematic way. “I try to involve intriguing patterns, and I have thematic concepts,” Sherman has stated. “There’s always a thread, some kind of connection, that leads one song to the next.”

Although WQXR dropped Woody’s Children 30 years ago, Sherman, whose background is in classical music, continued to host a number of programs at the classical station as well from the late 1970s to the 2000s – including Young Artists Showcase. He also hosted television programs (Vibrations and Camera Three) on PBS and CBS during the 1970s.

Sherman taught at both New York University and The Julliard School for nearly 20 years, was a contributing music critic and columnist for The New York Times for 40 years, is the co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Classical Music, and, with musical comedian Victor Borge, and co-wrote two books (My Favorite Intermissions and My Favorite Comedies in Music). He and his brother, Alexander Sherman, compiled a pictorial biography of their mother, the noted pianist Nadia Reisenberg. He’s also been a frequent emcee and a concert narrator for Canadian Brass, The United States Military Academy (West Point) Band, and other ensembles; and has served on advisory boards for a number of cultural organizations.

Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches by Various Artists was the top album on folk radio for a second consecutive month, while Tellico’s “Courage for the Morning” was the #1 song during November 2018. So say charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio.

The November charts are based on 13,430 airplays reported on 524 playlists submitted by 137 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below 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 serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion. The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

A three-CD retrospective collection, Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary Roots & Branches, features socially conscious contemporary, folk and roots music by a wide array of established and lesser-known musicians who have recorded for Appleseed Recordings. Founded by activist attorney Jim Musselman, the Pennsylvania-based independent label is dedicated to “sowing the seeds of social justice through music and exploring the roots and branches of folk and world music,” and it contributes a percentage of its profits to environmental, human rights, and other progressive organizations.

The collection’s 57 tracks include a few previously unreleased songs by Donovan, John Wesley Harding, Tom Morello, Tim Robbins, Bruce Springsteen, Jesse Winchester, and more. Among the other featured artists are Eric Andersen, Joan Baez, Billy Bragg, David Bromberg, Jackson Browne, Aoife Clancy, Johnny Clegg, Judy Collins, Ani DiFranco, Lila Downs, Jonathan Edwards, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Dick Gaughan, John Gorka, Emmylou Harris, Kim & Reggie Harris, Levon Helm, Anne Hills, Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sharon Katz & the Peace Train, Dolores Keane, The Kennedys, Roger McGuinn, Natalie Merchant, Tom Paxton, Joel Rafael Band, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Rush, Tom Russell, Tommy Sands, Pete Seeger and his siblings Mike and Peggy, Al Stewart, John Stewart, and Sweet Honey in the Rock.

“Courage for the Morning” is the first single off Woven Waters, the sophomore release by Tellico. The Asheville, NC-based four-piece band also had November’s second most-played album on folk radio and topped the month’s Top Artists chart. Its sound blends Southern Appalachian folk, Americana, bluegrass, old time, and blues – a musical mix that the band’s Facebook page calls Appalachiacana. Noted Irish musician John Doyle produced the band’s new album.

Top Albums of November 2018

1. Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches by Various Artists (100)
2. Woven Waters by Tellico (93)
3. Pickup Cowboy by Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys (66)
4. Horrible World by Kathy Kallick Band (63)
5. More Blood, More Tracks: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 14 by Bob Dylan (60)
6. A Startle of Wings by Noah Zacharin (57)
7. Royal Traveller by Missy Raines (47)
8. Family Recipe by Michael Jerling (42)
9. Last Day on This Earth by David Roth (41)
9. Don’t Apologize by Beth Snapp (41)
9. Reflections by Andy and Judy (41)
12. Vintage by John Flynn (40)
12. Little Beast by Lucy Wainwright Roche (40)
14. Grenades by Kaia Kater (38)
15. Where Do I Come From by Maggie Roche (36)
16. Some People I Know by The Brother Brothers (34)
17. Stardust Lodge by Grain Thief (33)
17. Home for the Harvest by Craig Bickhardt (33)
17. She Remembers Everything by Rosanne Cash (33)
20. Damn Sure Blue by Kate Campbell (32)
20. Live at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame by The Earls of Leicester (32)
22. Secularia by Eliza Gilkyson (31)
23. Thanksgiving by Rachel Baiman (30)
23. The Hillbenders by The Hillbenders (30)
23. Invisible Forces by The Whispering Tree (30)
23. Rize Up by Roy Zimmerman (30)
23. Pretty Bird by Kathy Mattea (30)
23. A Good Dog Is Lost: A Collection of Ron Hynes Songs by Ken Tizzard (30)
29. Everyday Street by Lucy Kaplansky (28)
29. Wings by Zoe Speaks (28)
31. Vote by Mike Laureanno (26)
31. Songs of the Plains by Colter Wall (26)
31. Rise by Lucky Nows (26)
34. Roses in November by Tret Fure (25)
34. Shout and Shine by Fink, Marxer & Gleaves (25)
36. Dance in the Street by Donna the Buffalo (23)
37. Music of Our People by Darol Anger and Emy Phelps (22)
37. The Bloom of Youth by Childsplay (22)
39. Dead Reckoning by Jellyman’s Daughter (21)
39. The Longest Night of the Year Volume One by Various Artists (21)
39. King of the Road: A Tribute to Roger Miller by Various Artists (21)
39. Austinology – Alleys of Austin by Michael Martin Murphey (21)
43. Triumph by Kate Callahan (20)
43. Keep the Flame Alive by Spook Handy (20)
43. Down the Road Wherever by Mark Knopfler (20)
43. March Through Storms by House of Hamill (20)
43. The Man I’m Supposed to Be by Rod Abernethy (20)
43. Reckless Abandon by Susan Shann (20)
43. Welcome to the Ether by Wes Collins (20)
50. Sentimental Season by Randall Kromm (19)
50. The Man With Everything by Matt Campbell (19)
52. Live From Chester by D.B. Rielly (18)
52. Stubborn in My Blood by Tia McGraff (18)
54. The Hermit’s Spyglass by Ben Bedford (17)
54. River’s Rising by Nancy Cassidy (17)
54. Rifles and Rosary Beads by Mary Gauthier (17)
57. Stages by Storyhill (16)
57. Supposed to Fly by David Graff (16)
57. Nature by Paul Kelly (16)
57. Bright Hills by Appalucians (16)
57. No One Travels Alone by Jon Brooks (16)
57. Didn’t He Ramble: Songs of Charlie Poole by David Davis and the Warrior River Boys (16)
57. Make Your Own Luck by Mustard’s Retreat (16)
64. Sing the Winter Away by Naming the Twins (15)
64. The Broken Heart of Everything by David Francey (15)
64. Wilderness Years by Jory Nash (15)
64. Further Down the Line by Scott Cook (15)
64. Barry Abernathy and Darrell Webb Present Appalachian Road Show by Barry Abernathy and Darrell Webb (15)
64. See You Around by I’m With Her (15)
64. It’s All About the Song by Tim Hildebrandt (15)
64. Let It Pass by Stray Birds (15)
64. The River and the Light by Martha Scanlan (15)

Top Songs OF November 2018

Tellico had the most-played song on folk radio and the #2 album i November 2018. (Photo: Sandlin Gaither)

Nathaniel Ratliff

Top 10 Americana Radio Airplay Albums of 2018

1. Tearing at the Seams, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
2. By the Way, I Forgive You, Brandi Carlile
3. The Tree of Forgiveness, John Prine
4. One Drop of Truth, The Wood Brothers
5. All of This Life, The Record Company
6. Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves
7. All American Made, Margo Price
8. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
9. Free Yourself Up, Lake Street Dive
10.From A Room: Volume 2, Chris Stapleton

To view the entire Top 100 Americana Radio Airplay Albums of 2018, click here.

Top 10 Americana Radio Airplay Singles of 2018

1. “You Worry Me,” Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
2. “A Little Honey,” Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
3. “Life to Fix,” The Record Company
4. “Good Kisser,” Lake Street Dive
5. “Knockin’ On Your Screen Door,” John Prine
6. “The Joke,” Brandi Carlile
7. “Midnight Train to Memphis,” Chris Stapleton
8. “Unwanted Number,” Elvis Costello & the Imposters
9. “Lottery,” Jade Bird
10.”Fool Me Once,” Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real

To view the entire Top l00 Americana Radio Airplay Singles, click here.

Established in 1999, the Americana Music Association (www.americanamusic.org) is a not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. The association produces events throughout the year. including AMERICANAFEST®: The Americana Music Festival & Conference and the Americana Honors & Awards program.

On Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, CMT will re-air a 90-minute special 2018 AMERICANAFEST, featuring performance highlights from the 17th annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony held earlier this year at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

The Longest Night of the Year, Vol. 1 by Various Artists (Hudson Harding Music) was the top album on folk radio during December 2018, while Noel Paul Stookey’s “Christmas Dinner” and John McCutcheon’s classic “Christmas in the Trenches” were the month’s most-played songs. So say charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio.

The December charts are based on 15.467 airplays reported on 559 playlists submitted by 130 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below 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 serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of December 2018

1. The Longest Night of the Year, Vol. 1 by Various Artists (253)
2. Somethin’ Special: A Noel Paul Stookey Holiday Recollection by Noel Paul Stookey (77)
3. Woven Waters by Tellico (64)
4. Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches by Various Artists (58)
5. Twas the Night Before Christmas by Vi Wickam (54)
6. Horrible World by Kathy Kallick Band (49)
7. Kid Bayonne by Ray Lambiase (46)
8. A Startle of Wings by Noah Zacharin (44)
9. Pickup Cowboy by Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys (40)
10. Christmas Caravan by Sultans of String (38)
11. She Remembers Everything by Rosanne Cash (35)
11. Family Recipe by Michael Jerling (35)
13. Christine Lavin Presents Just One Angel by Various Artists (31)
13. The Heart of Christmas by Kerry Patrick Clark (31)
15. Last Day on This Earth by David Roth (30)
15. Little Beast by Lucy Wainwright Roche (30)
15. The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine (30)
15. Ghost Light by John McCutcheon (30)
19. Hudson Harding Happy Holidays, Vol. 12 by Various Artists (29)
19. Wings by Zoe Speaks (29)
19. Home for the Harvest by Craig Bickhardt (29)
22. The Gift of the Magi (And Other Seasonal Stories) by Darryl Purpose (28)
23. Roses in November by Tret Fure (27)
24. Vintage by John Flynn (26)
24. Some People I Know by Brother Brothers (26)
24. Royal Traveller by Missy Raines (26)
24. Reflections by Andy and Judy (26)
24. Secularia by Eliza Gilkyson (26)
29. Sweet Old Religion by Pharis and Jason Romero (25)
29. Come Darkness, Come Light – Twelve Songs of Christmas by Mary Chapin Carpenter (25)
29. The Infinite Dark by Jane Volen and 3 Ravens (25)
32. Everyday Street by Lucy Kaplansky (24)
32. A Good Dog Is Lost: A Collection of Ron Hynes Songs by Ken Tizzard (24)
34. Damn Sure Blue by Kate Campbell (23)
34. Sing the Winter Away by Naming the Twins (23)
34. Ready to Go by Reggie Harris (23)
34. Christine Lavin Presents Just One Angel, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (23)
38. Pretty Bird by Kathy Mattea (22)
38. The Forgotten by Joe Jencks (22)
38. Hudson Harding Happy Holidays, Vol. 11 by Various Artists (22)
38. Grenades by Kaia Kater (22)
42. Dead Reckoning by Jellyman’s Daughter (21)
42. March Through Storms by House of Hamill (21)
42. Hot Jazz, Cool Blues and Hard-Hitting Songs by Barbara Dane (21)
42. Time Is Everything by Vivian Leva (21)
46. Where Do I Come From by Maggie Roche (20)
46. The First Christmas Gift by Robin and Linda Williams (20)
48. A Very Blue Rock Christmas by Various Artists (19)
48. Wilderness Years by Jory Nash (19)
48. Down the Road Wherever by Mark Knopfler (19)
48. American Noel by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer (19)
48. Midwinter by Peter Mayer (19)
48. Remember Who We Are by Charlie Mosbrook (19)
54. Wintersong by Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem (18)
54. Poets, Philosophers, Workers and Wanderers by Joe Jencks (18)
54. Winter’s Grace by Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum (18)
54. The Silver Wood: Winter Songs by Krista Detor (18)
54. The Man I’m Supposed to Be by Rod Abernethy (18)
59. More Blood, More Tracks, the Bootleg Series, Vol. 14 by Bob Dylan (17)
59. When Winter Comes – A Christmas Album by Sofia Talvik (17)
59. Dance in the Street by Donna the Buffalo (17)
59. The Hermit’s Spyglass by Ben Bedford (17)
59. Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof by Vi Wickam and Justin Branum (17)
59. The Hillbenders by Hillbenders (17)
59. Welcome to the Ether by Wes Collins (17)
59. Whistle Down the Wind by Joan Baez (17)
67. Black Cowboys by Dom Flemons (16)
67. Triumph by Kate Callahan (16)
67. See You Around by I’m With Her (16)
67. Hudson Harding Happy Holidays, Vol. 10 by Various Artists (16)
67. Voices of Winter by Priscilla Herdman, Anne Hills, Cindy Mangsen (16)
67. I Am Christmas by Finest Kind (16)
67. Christmas by Bruce Cockburn (16)

Top Songs of December 2018

1. “Christmas Dinner” by Noel Paul Stookey (18)
1. “Christmas in the Trenches” by John McCutcheon (18)
3. “A Hazy Shade of Winter” by Crowes Pasture (16)
3. “Courage for the Morning” by Tellico (16)
3. “River” by Joni Mitchell (16)
3. “Santa & Elvis” by Mark Stepakoff (16)
7. “Carol of the Bells” by Vi Wickam (14)
7. “Urge for Going” by Katherine Rondeau (14)
7. “The Christmas Train” by Ray Lambiase (14)
7. “The Christians and the Pagans” by Dar Williams (14)
7. “Lets Do Something Different for Christmas” by James Lee Baker (14)
12. “Solstice Blues” by Eric Gerber (13)
12. “In December” by Kim Moberg (13)
12. “It’s That Time Again” by Rich Krueger (13)
12. “Oy to the World” by Christine Lavin (13)
12. “Poem at Year’s End” by Sofia Talvik (13)
17. “Snowflake” by Carlo Gover and Zoey Barrett (12)
18. “West of the Cumberlands” by Tellico (11)
18. “On the Last Day of the Year” by Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Tom Paxton (11)
18. “American Noel” by Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer (11)
18. “Light the Lamp” by Emily Kurn (11)
22. “(I Want My Daddy) for Christmas” by Noel Paul Stookey (10)
22. “A’soalin Fantasia ” by Noel Paul Stookey (10)
22. “What Would Jesus Do?” by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (10)
22. “Infant King” by Tret Fure (10)
22. “The Coming of the Cold” by Carolann Solebello (10)

John Prine had both the most-played album (The Tree of Forgiveness) and song (“Knockin’ On Your Screen Door”) on folk radio during 2018, according to charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio. John McCutcheon was the year’s most-played artist, as he was in 2017.

Prine, an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, has been touring and plying his craft for nearly 50 years. He is in the running for three Grammy Awards in the American Roots Music field this year, having received nominations for Best Americana Album (The Tree of Forgiveness) and Best American Roots Song for both “Knockin’ On Your Screen Door” and “Summer’s End.” Prine’s album topped the Folk DJ chart in April of this year and also sported four of that month’s most-played songs on folk radio. The Tree of Forgiveness is Prine’s first collection of new material since his Grammy-winning 2005 release, Fair and Square.

To view the official video for John Prine’s “Knockin’ On Your Screen Door,” click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAYoWePzQ2c.

McCutcheon, who has been performing and recording since the mid-1970s, is a much-revered folksinger-songwriter and a multi-instrumentalist who plays a dozen different traditional instruments. A longtime labor and social activist, he is a founder and former president of Local 1000, the traveling acoustic musicians local of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). McCutcheon has keynoted conferences for two regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International in recent years. His latest release, Ghost Light, was the #2 album on folk radio in 2018 and also features three of the year’s 25 most-played songs (“This Road,” “She Just Dances,” and “The Machine”). McCutcheon’s classic “Christmas in the Trenches” tied for the most-played song on folk radio last December and has been among the most-played songs during the holiday season for years.

The 2018 year-end FOLKDJ-L charts are based on 176,768 airplays from 6844 playlists from 180 folk DJs. The number of reported spins (airplays) is shown below in parentheses. The top albums, songs and artists charts are compiled under the auspices of Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

Like the monthly Top Albums and Songs charts, these are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com with permission. More extensive versions of the year-end charts may be found online at http://www.folkradio.org/Charts/FolkDJChart2018.html.

Top Albums of 2018

1. The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine (511)
2. Ghost Light by John McCucheon (489)
3. See You Around by I’m With Her (417)
4. True in Time by John Gorka (411)
5. Ready to Go by Reggie Harris (401)
6. Secularia by Eliza Gilkyson (396)
7. The Prodigal Son by Ry Cooder (381)
8. Shout and Shine by Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, and Sam Gleaves (374)
9. Low Tide by Tracy Grammer (366)
10. Black Cowboys by Dom Flemons (348)
11. Sweet Old Religion by Pharis and Jason Romero (347)
12. Time Is Everything by Vivian Leva (333)
13. Whistle Down the Wind by Joan Baez (328)
14. The Forgotten by Joe Jencks (327)
15. Didn’t He Ramble: Songs of Charlie Poole by David Davis and he Warrior River Boys (321)
16. Epilogue: A Tribute to John Duffey by Various Artists (314)
16. Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof by Vi Wickam and Justin Branum (314)
18. Roses in November by Tret Fure (305)
19. The Broken Heart of Everything by David Francey (299)
20. The Lies the Poets Tell by Laurie MacAllister (298)
21. Hot Jazz, Cool Blues and Hard-Hitting Songs by Barbara Dane (290)
22. Horrible World by Kathy Kallick Band (287)
23. Open Road, Broken Heart by True North (283)
24. American Folk (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists (282)
25. Wings by Zoe Speaks (280)

Top Songs of 2018

1. “Knockin’ on Your Screen Door,” John Prine (112)
2. “The President Sang Amazing Grace,” Joan Baez (songwriter: Zoe Mulford) (92)
3. “Down by the Riverside,” Eliza Gilkyson (87)
4. “My Fence & My Neighbor,” Cosy Sheridan and Charlie Koch (76)
5. “Them and Us,” Chuck Brodsky (75)
6. “This Road,” John McCutcheon (72)
6. “Everybody Ought to Treat a Stranger Right,” Ry Cooder (72)
8. “Ready to Go,” Reggie Harris (70)
9. “Ain’t That Fie,” I’m With Her (65)
9. “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” Reggie Harris (65)
11. “Good Life,” Tracy Grammer (63)
11. “Why Are he Guns Still Firing,” Joe Jencks (63)
13. “She Just Dances,” John McCucheon (62)
14. “Lessons From Home Plate,” Tret Fure (62)
15. “The Machine,” John McCutcheon (61)
15. “Nazarene Guitar,” John Gorka (61)
17. “Lonesome Friends of Science,” John Prine (60)
18. “This Land Is Your Land,” Woody Guthrie (57)
18. “See You Around,” I’m With Her (57)
20. “When I Get to Heaven,” John Prine (56)
22. “Music for a Found Harmonium,” Patrick Street (55)
22. “Hole,” Tracy Grammer (55)
22. “Change Should’ve Come by Now,” Kate Campbell (55)
25. “Sweet Old Religion,” Pharis and Jason Romero (54)
25. “Cold Mountains,” Vivian Leva (54)

Top Artists of 2018

John McCutcheon was the most-played artist on folk radio during 2018, as he was in 2017. (Photo: Irene Young)

Mara Levine and John McCutcheon had the top albums on folk radio during January 2019 (Facets of Folk and To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger, respectively) and a number of the month’s most-played songs. So say charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio.

Called one of the best singers of her generation by Christine Lavin, folksinger and jewelry designer Mara Levine has been creating beautiful interpretations of fine traditional and contemporary folk songs for many years. “Layering harmony line on top of harmony line, Levine creates rich tapestries of sound and emotion,” says noted folksinger and activist Si Kahn.
On Facets of Folk, Levine — joined by a number of her talented musician friends – explores some of the different facets of the folk genre. In selecting songs for it, Levine said: “I was inspired by the current political and social challenges facing us today, and thought a great deal about the importance of speaking out against injustice, both societal, and for people in our lives who are being wronged.”

Songs of social conscience – penned by popular contemporary songwriters as well as emerging talents — are prominently featured on Facets of Folk and are set among folk favorites and lesser-known songs. The opening track, Susan Shann’s “You Reap What You Sow,” recorded with several bluegrass luminaries, topped the Folk DJ songs chart in November 2017 when it was released as a single and was the third-most-played song last month. It also spent 22 weeks on the Bluegrass Today Grassicana chart. Levine’s rendition of Tommy Sands’ “Daughters and Sons” (featuring Kim & Reggie Harris and Gathering Time, a folk harmony trio with whom she frequently shares concert bills) was #1 last month, as was the album.

Levine had an official juried showcase at the 2014 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference, after participating in the Suzi Wollenberg Folk DJ Showcase years earlier. Her sophomore release, Jewels and Harmony, was #1 on the Folk DJ chart in January 2013 and sported that month’s two top two songs.

John McCutcheon (Photo: Irene Young)

Of his friend, Seeger had said: “John McCutcheon is not only one of the best musicians in the USA, but also a great singer, songwriter, and song leader. And not just incidentally, he is committed to helping hard-working people everywhere to organize and push this world in a better direction.”

McCutcheon, who has been performing and recording since the mid-1970s, is also a longtime labor and social activist. He is a founder and former president of Local 1000, the traveling acoustic musicians local of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). He has keynoted conferences for several regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International. His previous release, Ghost Light, was the #2 album on folk radio in 2018 and also features three of last year’s 25 most-played songs (“This Road,” “She Just Dances,” and “The Machine”). McCutcheon’s classic “Christmas in the Trenches” tied for the most-played song on folk radio last December and has been among the most-played songs during the holiday season for years.

The January 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 17,689 airplays reported on 736 playlists submitted by 133 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shownin parentheses. The charts are compiled under the auspices of Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums, songs and artists charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of January 2019

Here’s a link to listen to Artie Martello’s Jan. 26, 2019 Mostly Folk podcast featuring a interview with Mara Levine and songs from her new release, Facets of Folk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9nVsWtjNTs

1. Facets of Folk by Mara Levine (288)
2. To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger by
John McCutcheon (232)
3. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles (109)
4. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (99)
5. Legacy of Love by Ellen Bukstel (80)
6. Savoir Faire to Spare by Dashboard Hula Girls (70)
7. Tomorrow Will Be Yesterday Soon by Jon Shain and Fj Ventre (59)
8. A List of Names by Karyn Oliver (56)
9. Tides of a Teardrop by Mandolin Orange (54)
10. Father’s Son by Pierce Pettis (51)
11. At Home in the Darkness by Mike P. Ryan (49)
12. When You Go by Tiffany Williams (48)
12. Shout and Shine by Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, and Sam Gleaves (48)
12. The Longest Night of the Year, Vol. 1 by Various Artists (48)
15. Horrible World by Kathy Kallick Band (47)
16. North Country by Danny Burns (44)
17. Siren by Five Letter Word (43)
18. Ready to Go by Reggie Harris (40)
19. Game Changer by Rachael Kilgour (39)
20. Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches by Various Artists (38)
20. Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof by Vi Wickam and Justin Branum (38)
22. Everyday Street by Lucy Kaplansky (36)
23. Secularia by Eliza Gilkyson (35)
23. If You Can’t Stand the Heat by Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen (35)
25. Last Day on This Earth by David Roth (34)
26. Sing the Winter Away by Naming the Twins (33)
26. Woven Waters by Tellico (33)
26. The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine (33)
29. Whistle Down the Wind by Joan Baez (32)
29. Wings by Zoe Speaks (32)
31. Kid Bayonne by Ray Lambiase (31)
32. Roses in November by Tret Fure (30)
33. Just Keep Going by Joanne Rand (29)
33. The Man I’m Supposed to Be by Rod Abernethy (29)
33. A Good Dog Is Lost: A Collection of Ron Hynes Songs by Ken Tizzard (29)
33. Invisible Forces by Whispering Tree (29)
37. Hudson Harding Happy Holidays, Vol. 12 by Various Artists (28)
38. She Remembers Everything by Roseanne Cash (27)
38. Your Reflection Will Kill You by Todd Burge (27)
40. March Through Storms by House of Hamill (26)
40. Evermore by Smithfield Fair (26)
42. Damn Sure Blue by Kate Campbell (25)
42. Dead Reckoning by Jellyman’s Daughter (25)
42. The Hermit’s Spyglass by Ben Bedford (25)
42. Sweet Old Religion by Pharis and Jason Romero (25)
42. Tex by Terry Klein (25)
42. Ghost Light by John McCutcheon (25)
42. Sing Louder by Meghan Cary (25)
49. Somethin’ Special by Noel Paul Stookey (24)
49. Love Hard, Work Hard, Play Hard by Deanie Richardson (24)
49. Jewels and Harmony by Mara Levine (24)
49. Heart Songs by Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles (24)
49. Time Is Everything by Vivian Leva (24)
54. The Forgotten by Joe Jencks (23)
54. See You Around by I’m With Her (23)
54. Rising Tide by Taivi (23)
54. Twas the Night Before Christmas by Vi Wickam (23)
54. Keepsake by Gathering Time (23)
54. Spaghettification by Christine Lavin (23)
60. Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys by Jonathan Byrd and the
Pickup Cowboys (22)
60. Reflections by Andy and Judy (22)
60. Pretty Bird by Kathy Mattea (22)
63. Black Cowboys by Dom Flemons (21)
63. Live at Bound for Glory by Larry Kaplan (21)
63. Tennessee Moon by Ray Cardwell (21)
66. Little Beast by Lucy Wainwright Roche (20)
66. A Startle of Wings by Noah Zacharin (20)
66. The Prodigal Son by Ry Cooder (20)
66. Wasted Love Songs by Bob Sumner (20)
66. Queen City Jubilee by Slocan Ramblers (20)
66. Riverland by Eric Brace, Peter Cooper, Thomm Jutz (20)
66. Hot Jazz, Cool Blues and Hard Hitting Songs by Barbara Dane (20)
66. River’s Rising by Nancy Cassidy (20)

Top Songs of January 2019

Here’s a link to hear John McCutcheon’s rendition of Pete Seeger’s “Well May the World Go” featuring the bluegrass group Hot Rize: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VE05enOBXA

1. “Daughters and Sons” by Mara Levine (57)
2. “Well May the World Go” by John McCutcheon (41)
3. “You Reap What You Sow” by Mara Levine (36)
4. “Be the Change” by Mara Levine (34)
5. “If I Had a Hammer” by John McCutcheon (31)
6. “By My Silence” by Mara Levine (30)
7. “Sailing Down My Golden River” by John McCutcheon (25)
8. “Coming Soon (If Not Today)” by Katherine Rondeau (24)
8. “Turn, Turn, Turn” by John McCutcheon (24)
10. “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye” by Mara Levine (22)
11. “Shaking as It Turns” by Lula Wiles (20)
12. “Bitter Green” by Mara Levine (19)
13. “Good Old American Values” by Lula Wiles (18)
13. “What’s That I Hear” by Katherine Rondeau (18)
15. “Song for an Old Friend” by Jon Shain and Fj Ventre (17)
15. “Song for the Asking” by Mara Levine (17)
17. “God Bless the Grass” by John McCutcheon (16)
17. “Tree of Life” by Mara Levine (16)
17. “Child of Mine” by Mara Levine (16)
17. “About Enough” by Karyn Oliver (16)
17. “Hometown” by Lula Wiles (16)
22. “Guantanamera” by John McCutcheon (15)
22. “Golden Embers” by Mandolin Orange (15)
22. “How Can I Keep From Singing” by John McCutcheon (15)
25. “Left Behind” by Mike P. Ryan (14)
25. “54 Miles” by Dashboard Hula Girls (14)
25. “To Everyone in All the World” by John McCutcheon (14)

Top Artists of January 2019

1. Mara Levine (326)
2. John McCutcheon (282)
3. Lula Wiles (112)
4. Katherine Rondeau (102)
5. Ellen Bukstel (80)
6. Dashboard Hula Girls (72)
7. Joan Baez (69)
8. Bob Dylan (64)
9. John Prine (63)
10. Mandolin Orange (61)
11. Jon Shain and Fj Ventre (59)
12. Smithfield Fair (57)
13. Karyn Oliver (56)
13. Pete Seeger (56)
15. Pierce Pettis (54)
16. Bill Staines (53)
17. Joel Mabus (52)
18. Mike P. Ryan (50)
19. Kathy Kallick Band (49)
20. Tiffany Williams (48)
20. Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, and Sam Gleaves (48)
22. Joe Jencks (45)
22. Danny Burns (45)
24. Eliza Gilkyson (44)
25. Five Letter Word (43)
26. Lucy Kaplansky (42)
27. Rachael Kilgour (41)
28. Reggie Harris (40)
28. Christine Lavin (40)
30. Tom Russell (39)
31. Gathering Time (38)
31. Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen (38)
31. David Roth (38)
31. Vi Wickam and Justin Branum (38)
35. Naming the Twins (37)
35. Lorrie Newman Keating (37)
35. Tellico (37)
38. John Gorka (36)
38. Nancy Cassidy (36)
38. Kate Campbell (36)

Editor’s Note: I was attending the annual Folk Alliance International Conference in Montreal, Canada when these charts were initially released on February 16. A FAI board member, I also serve as president of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) board of directors. Although I serve on FAI’s folk radio charts task force, I am not involved in compiling the charts.

John McCutcheon

On his 40th recording, John McCutcheon, a much-revered folksinger-songwriter and a multi-instrumentalist, pays tribute to the music of his friend and mentor, the late folk icon Pete Seeger. McCutcheon calls To Everyone in All the World “an album I’ve been waiting over 50 years to make.” Also lending their musical talents to the recording are Beausoleil, Suzy Bogguss, Stuart Duncan, Finest Kind, Corey Harris, and Hot Rize.

Of his friend, Seeger had said: “John McCutcheon is not only one of the best musicians in the USA, but also a great singer, songwriter, and song leader. And not just incidentally, he is committed to helping hard-working people everywhere to organize and push this world in a better direction.”

McCutcheon, a performing and recording artist since the mid-1970s, is also a longtime labor and social activist. He is a founder and former president of Local 1000, the traveling acoustic musicians local of the American Federation of Musicians. He has keynoted conferences for several regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International. His previous release, Ghost Light, was the #2 album on folk radio in 2018 and also features three of last year’s 25 most-played songs (“This Road,” “She Just Dances,” and “The Machine”). McCutcheon’s classic “Christmas in the Trenches” tied for the most-played song on folk radio last December and has been among the most-played songs during the holiday season for years.

The February 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 13.656 airplays reported on 570 playlists submitted by 132 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses. The charts are compiled by Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of February 2019

1. To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger by John McCutcheon (119)
2. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles (97)
3. Time and Truth by Joel Mabus (77)
4. Common Chords by Robert Jones and Matt Watroba (76)
5. Facets of Folk by Mara Levine (69)
6. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters (64)
7. Tides of a Teardrop by Mandolin Orange (57)
7. Off to Here Land by Ashley and Simpson (57)
9. October in the Railroad Earth by Tom Russell (55)
10. The Best of Live: 50 Years of Livingston Taylor by Livingston Taylor (54)
11. A New Story by J Wagner (47)
12. Sweet Creature by Sophie Buskin (45)
13. North Country by Danny Burns (43)
14. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (42)
15. Valley of the Bones by Jane Kramer (41)
16. At Home in the Darkness by Mike P. Ryan (39)
17. Somewhere in the Middle by Wes Weddell (38)
17. Pseudomyopia by Rachael Sage (38)
19. Legacy of Love by Ellen Bukstel (36)
20. Tex by Terry Klein (35)
21. A List of Names by Karyn Oliver (34)
22. Game Changer by Rachael Kilgour (32)
23. Stay the Course by Same Latitude as Rome (30)
23. Rubies in the Dust by Terry Kitchen (30)
25. Tomorrow Will Be Yesterday Soon by Jon Shain and Fj Ventre (28)
25. The Point of Arrival by Carrie Newcomer (28)
27. Steel by Nell and Jim Band (27)
27. What It Is by Hayes Carll (27)
27. When You Go by Tiffany Williams (27)
30. Smoke and Ashes by The Lonely Heartstring Band (26)
30. Riverland by Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz Eric Brace (26)
30. If You Can’t Stand the Heat by Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen (26)
33. Everyday Street by Lucy Kaplansky (25)
33. 1000 Miles by Bettman and Halpin (25)
33. Siren by Five Letter Word (25)
33. Live in L.A. by Ken Dunn (25)
33. Savoir Faire to Spare by Dashboard Hula Girls (25)
33. November Rain by Steve Sterner and Sundown (25)
39. See You Around by I’m With Her (23)
39. Wasted Love Songs by Bob Sumner (23)
39. Woven Waters by Tellico (23)
39. Father’s Son by Pierce Pettis (23)
39. Getaway by Abigail Lapell (23)
39. Tim O’Brien Band by Tim O’Brien (23)
45. The Butcher Shoppe EP by Della Mae (22)
45. Travelin’ Shoes by Marley’s Ghost (22)
47. Shine On by Steve Poltz (21)
47. A Good Dog Is Lost by Ken Tizzard (21)
47. The Hammered Dulcimer by Bill Spence and Fennig’s All-Star String
Band (21)
50. Territoires by Le Vent Du Nord (20)
50. The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine (20)
52. Some People I Know by Brother Brothers (19)
52. Ready to Go by Reggie Harris (19)
52. Anyone Can See by The Honey Dewdrops (19)
55. Secularia by Eliza Gilkyson (18)
56. Give Up Your Ghosts by Rebecca Loebe (17)
56. Riding the Rooster by Evie Ladin (17)
56. High Road by Midnight Shine (17)
56. Grenades by Kaia Kater (17)
56. Land and Harbor by Shawn Lane and Richard Bennett (17)
56. Heart Songs by Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles (17)
62. Up Against the Sky by Dave Gunning (16)
62. Black Cowboys by Dom Flemons (16)
62. Folk Alliance International 2019 Showcase Compilation CD by Various
Artists (16)
62. Over the Line by Jeff Scroggins and Colorado (16)
66. Small Brown Bird by Zoe Mulford (15)
66. The Long Road by Beth Wood (15)
66. The Broken Heart of Everything by David Francey (15)
66. Kid Bayonne by Ray Lambiase (15)
66. Thirty Years of Bluegrass by Various Artists (15)

Top Songs of February 2019

1. “Sailing Down My Golden River” by John McCutcheon (18)
2. “Good Friends” by Livingston Taylor (17)
2. “When I Need You Most of All” by Sophie Buskin (17)
4. “Thank a Teacher” by Joel Mabus (16)
5. “3 Chords, 5 Notes” by Robert Jones and Matt Watroba (15)
6. “Mind Your Own Business” by Robert Jones and Matt Watroba (13)
6. “Black Myself” by Our Native Daughters (13)
6. “Golden Embers” by Mandolin Orange (13)
6. “Sweet Creature” by Sophie Buskin (13)
6. “The Pain of Loving You” by Lula Wiles (13)
11. “Well May the World Go” by John McCutcheon (12)
11. “October in the Railroad Earth” by Tom Russell (12)
13. “Shaking as It Turns” by Lula Wiles (11)
13. “Everybody Wants to Hide” by J Wagner (11)
13. “Shady Grove” by Shawn Lane and Richard Bennett (11)
13. “Daughters and Sons” by Mara Levine (11)
13. “The Moon May Never Shine This Way Again” by Joel Mabus (11)
13. “Love Gone Wrong” by Lula Wiles (11)
13. “Sixteen Tons” by Della Mae (11)
13. “If I Had a Hammer” by John McCutcheon (11)
13. “What Will We Do” by Lula Wiles (11)
13. “Moon Meets the Sun” by Our Native Daughters (11)
23. “Living in the Country” by John McCutcheon (10)
23. “Lonely All the Time” by Mandolin Orange (10)
23. “Good Old American Values” by Lula Wiles (10)
23. “Garden” by Rachael Kilgour (10)
23. “Hymn” by Jane Kramer (10)
23. “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye” by Mara Levine (10)
23. “In America” by Rachael Kilgour (10)
23. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Joel Mabus (10)
23. “February Face” by Wes Weddell (10)

Top Artists of February 2019

1. John McCutcheon (147)
2. Lula Wiles (99)
3. Joel Mabus (82)
4. Tom Russell (79)
5. Robert Jones and Matt Watroba (77)
6. Mara Levine (73)
7. Mandolin Orange (67)
8. Our Native Daughters (66)
9. Ashley and Simpson (57)
10. Livingston Taylor (56)
11. Bob Dylan (53)
12. J Wagner (47)
13. Sophie Buskin (45)
14. Katherine Rondeau (44)
15. Tim O’Brien (43)
15. Danny Burns (43)
17. Rachael Sage (42)
18. Jane Kramer (41)
19. Mike P. Ryan (39)
20. Wes Weddell (38)
21. Ellen Bukstel (37)
22. Terry Klein (36)
23. Joan Baez (34)
23. Karyn Oliver (34)
25. Lucy Kaplansky (33)
25. The Honey Dewdrops (33)
25. Joni Mitchell (33)
28. Rachael Kilgour (32)
28. Terry Kitchen (32)
28. Carrie Newcomer (32)
31. John Prine (31)
32. I’m With Her (30)
32. Pete Seeger (30)
32. Same Latitude as Rome (30)
35. Eliza Gilkyson (29)
35. Jon Shain and Fj Ventre (29)
35. Hayes Carll (29)
35. Tim Grimm (29)
39. Sweet Honey in the Rock (28)
39. Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen (28)
39. Nell and Jim Band (28)
39. Tiffany Williams (28)
39. The Lonely Heartstring Band (28)

Songs of Our Native Daughters (featuring modern roots artists Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell and Amythyst Kiah) was the top album on folk radio during March 2019, while four of its 13 tracks were among the month’s top 10 most-played songs. Singer-Songwriter Danny Schmidt’s “Just Wait Til They See You” edged out one of them for the #1 song. Our Native Daughters were the most-played artists of the month, followed by Schmidt. So say charts compiled from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio.

As Smithsonian Folkways Recordings states on its website, “Songs of Our Native Daughters shines new light on African-American women’s stories of struggle, resistance, and hope. Pulling from and inspired by 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century sources, including slave narratives and early minstrelsy, kindred banjo players Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell reinterpret and create new works from old ones. With unflinching, razor-sharp honesty, they confront sanitized views about America’s history of slavery, racism, and misogyny from a powerful black female perspective. These songs call on the persistent spirits of the daughters, mothers, and grandmothers who have fought for justice – in large, public ways – only now being recognized, and in countless domestic ways that will most likely never be acknowledged.”

Giddens, who co-produced the album with Dirk Powell, was formerly with Carolina Chocolate Drops – as was McCalla. Russell, a multi-instrumentalist, is also part of Birds of Chicago and Po’ Girl, while Kiah is an alt-country and blues singer-songwriter.

The March 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 17,477 airplays reported on 633 playlists submitted by 137 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses. The charts are compiled by Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums,songs and artists charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of March 2019

Here’s a link to view a video of the making of “Mama’s Cryin’ Long” from Songs of Our Native Daughters:

https://folkways.si.edu/video/the-making-of-mama-s-cryin-long-from-songs-of-our-native-daughters

1. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters (195)
2. Standard Deviation by Danny Schmidt (133)
3. Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves by Allison De Groot and
Tatiana Hargreaves (104)
4. Patty Griffin by Patty Griffin (98)
5. The Bull Moose Party by Jackson Grimm (97)
6. When You’re Ready by Molly Tuttle (93)
7. To Everyone in All the World by John McCutcheon (88)
8. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles (75)
8. Facets of Folk by Mara Levine (75)
10. What if This Is All There Is by Rj Cowdery (74)
10. The Point of Arrival by Carrie Newcomer (74)
12. Songs From Mother Jones in Heaven by Vivian Nesbitt and John Dillon (71)
13. Tim O’Brien Band by Tim O’Brien Band (64)
14. Time and Truth by Joel Mabus (60)
15. Closing the Gap by Molsky’s Mountain Drifters (57)
15. Off to Here Land by Ashley and Simpson (57)
17. The Long Road by Beth Wood (49)
18. The Butcher Shoppe EP by Della Mae (46)
18. Caffeine and Nicotine by David Glaser (46)
18. It’s a Hard Life by Ruby Lovett (46)
18. Roll On, Clouds by Frank Lee and Allie Burbrink (46)
22. The Great Irish Songbook by Dervish (44)
22. Pictures of Us by Braden Gates (44)
22. Pseudomyopia by Rachael Sage (44)
25. Legacy of Love by Ellen Bukstel (43)
26. Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3 by Todd Snider (42)
27. Another Time and Place by The Village Dudes (41)
28. North Country by Danny Burns (40)
29. A New Story by J Wagner (38)
30. Hummingbird by John Smith (37)
30. Pack Up the Moon by D.C. Bloom (37)
32. Tides of a Teardrop by Mandolin Orange (36)
32. October in the Railroad Earth by Tom Russell (36)
34. Valley of the Bones by Jane Kramer (33)
34. Common Chords by Robert Jones and Matt Watroba (33)
34. Smoke and Ashes by Lonely Heartstring Band (33)
37. What It Is by Hayes Carll (32)
38. Monroe Bus by Andy Statman (31)
39. The Well Is for Water by Richey Bellinger (30)
39. The Best of Live – 50 Years of Livingston Taylor by Livingston Taylor (30)
41. Last Day on This Earth by David Roth (29)
41. Riverland by Eric Brace, Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz (29)
41. March Through Storms by House of Hamill (29)
41. The Choosing Road by Chris Jones and the Night Drivers (29)
45. A List of Names by Karyn Oliver (28)
45. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (28)
45. Sweet Creature by Sophie Buskin (28)
45. Sing Louder by Meghan Cary (28)
45. If You Can’t Stand the Heat by Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen (28)
50. Woven Waters by Tellico (27)
51. Ten: The Errant Night by Runa (26)
51. Evermore by Smithfield Fair (26)
53. Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof by Vi Wickam and Justin Branum (25)
54. Time and Place by George Jackson (24)
54. I Walked in Them Shoes by Adam Carroll (24)
54. Siren by Five Letter Word (24)
57. Driver by Michael Braunfeld (23)
57. Anyone Can See by The Honey Dewdrops (23)
57. Reflections by Andy and Judy (23)
60. Shorelines by Emilyn Stam and Filippo Gambetta (22)
60. Joni 75: A Joni Mitchell Celebration by Various Artists (22)
60. When the Sun Goes Down by Kieran Kane and Rayna Gellert (22)
60. Territoires by Le Vent Du Nord (22)
60. A Good Dog Is Lost by Ken Tizzard (22)
60. We Will Sing by Lizzy Plotkin (22)
66. Rising Tide by Taivi (21)
66. Rubies in the Dust by Terry Kitchen (21)
66. Tex by Terry Klein (21)
66. Over the Line by Jeff Scroggins and Colorado (21)
66. River’s Rising by Nancy Cassidy (21)
66. The Four Directions Project by Eli Lev (21)

Top Songs of March 2019

Here’s a link to view the official video for “Just Wait Til They See You,” Danny Schmidt’s love song for his daughter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv19eDyDi1A

1. “Just Wait Til They See You” by Danny Schmidt (31)
2. “Polly Ann’s Hammer” by Our Native Daughters (30)
3. “Take the Journey” by Molly Tuttle (29)
3. “Appalachia Calling” by Jackson Grimm (29)
5. “You’re Not Alone” by Our Native Daughters (25)
6. “I Knew I Could Fly” by Our Native Daughters (22)
6. “Moon Meets the Sun” by Our Native Daughters (22)
8. “River” by Patty Griffin (20)
8. “Million Miles” by Molly Tuttle (20)
10. “Where I Come From” by Patty Griffin (19)
10. “Middle America Blues” by Jackson Grimm (19)
12. “I Don’t Want to Get Married” by Allison De Groot and Tatiana
Hargreaves (18)
12. “There’s a Bright Side Somewhere” by Molsky’s Mountain Drifters (18)
12. “Writing a Better Story” by Carrie Newcomer (18)

Danny Schmidt (Photo: Chris Carson)

Top Artists of March 2019

1. Our Native Daughters (195)
2. Danny Schmidt (138)
3. John McCutcheon (127)
4. Patty Griffin (114)
5. Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves (104)
6. Mara Levine (102)
7. Joel Mabus (101)
8. Jackson Grimm (98)
9. Molly Tuttle (95)
10. Carrie Newcomer (82)
11. Lula Wiles (75)
12. Rj Cowdery (74)
13. Vivian Nesbitt and John Dillon (71)
14. Tim O’Brien Band (64)
14. Mac Wiseman (64)
16. Molsky’s Mountain Drifters (61)
16. Tom Russell (61)
16. Dervish (61)
19. Ashley and Simpson (57)
20. Smithfield Fair (53)
21. Beth Wood (52)
22. John Smith (50)
22. Della Mae (50)
24. Frank Lee and Allie Burbrink (48)
25. Rachael Sage (47)
26. Ruby Lovett (46)
26. David Glaser (46)
28. Ellen Bukstel (45)
28. Todd Snider (45)
30. Braden Gates (44)
31. Doc Watson (42)
32. The Village Dudes (41)
33. Danny Burns (40)
34. Nancy Cassidy (38)
34. J Wagner (38)
34. Mandolin Orange (38)
37. D.C. Bloom (37)
37. Chris Jones and the Night Drivers (37)
39. Runa (35)
39. Lonely Heartstring Band (35)
39. Hayes Carll (35)

Veteran broadcaster Ron Olesko, who has been hosting a folk show (Traditions) on WFDU-FM in Teaneck, New Jersey since 1980, launches Folk Music Notebook, an online radio station showcasing folk music 24/7, on May 3, 2019 – the 100th anniversary of the birth of late folk music icon Pete Seeger.

“Folk Music Notebook plans to be a gathering spot for the folk community and all the fans of this music,” said Olesko. “The channel will be a place to ‘discover’ new artists and songs as well as honor the established names who created this living tradition.”

“Offering a curated playlist interspersed with brief but informative DJ announcements, recorded stories behind the songs from the artists themselves, as well as commentary, news and other special features, Folk Music Notebook will engage listeners by showing the connections between songs and styles — keeping them engrossed throughout the day without constant badgering from hosts, endless strings of commercials or repetitive automated playlists,” said Olesko, who will direct the operation – curating the playlists as well as serving as host for some of the programming.

“The music to be shared on Folk Music Notebook will focus on the diverse contemporary folk music community, while also incorporating the folk revival artists who drew many people to this genre,” said Olesko. “For many people, the seed for folk music was plated during the Folk Revival – and hose songs and artists still remain important. I will be sharing music from that era, but my intent is to present it to show the connection with the contemporary folk scene. They exist together.”

Folk Music Notebook’s May 3 launch date was chosen to both honor Pete Seeger and the folk community that he built, and to plant a new seed for sharing the powerful songs and artists he inspired, according to Olesko. “Our opening weekend will feature a number of songs from Pete as well as from artists who sing his songs and carry on his traditions.” A live broadcast of a Pete Seeger Centennial open mic from the legendary Towne Crier Cafe in Beacon, New York (the town where Pete and Toshi Seeger resided) will be part of the channel’s launch-day celebration. Performers will include Christine Lavin, Jim Dawson, David Buskin, Robin Batteau, Don White, John Forster, Judy Kass, David S. Goldman, Marshal Aaron Rosenberg, and David Massengill, among others. This special show is set for 7 p.m. ET.

While acknowledging that if you ask 100 different people to define folk music you will get 100 different answers, Olesko said that he views folk music as “a living tradition that reflects the lives of a community – the passions, the struggles and the joys.” The music he plans to offer on Folk Music Notebook will reflect the music that he experiences at various festivals [he’s been an emcee at many f them] and at Folk Alliance International and Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) conferences [for which he’s been a showcase host, judge and organizer] – “talented artists with important songs that are ignored by other commercial entities. Through Folk Music Notebook, he wants to show that “the contemporary folk music community has created a body of work that is part of the soundtrack of many people’s lives, or should be!”

Helping to program the channel will be a team of ‘correspondents’ – artists and individuals who have worked in the community, creating music and supporting the genre. Among those who will host ongoing shows are singer-songwriters Joe Jencks, Christine Lavin and David Rovics, as well as songwriters and folksingers Dave Fry and Rik Palieri. The Sing Out Magazine Radio Show with Tom Druckenmiller will also air each week, as will the nationally syndicated Midnight Special, originating from WFMT-FM in Chicago and hosted by veteran DJ Rich Warren. Another longtime broadcaster and music producer, Angela Page, host of Folk Plus on WJFF in New York’s Catskills Region, will host a weekly show. Michael Johnathon’s WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, a live audience celebration of grassroots music and the artists who make it that emanates weekly from Lexington, Kentucky, will be part of the programming mix as well.

Besides streaming online at www.FolkMusicNotebook.com, folk music fans can download a free app from the Apple and Google Play stores that will enable them to listen and experience the channel’s programming through their phones, cars, and other Bluetooth streaming devices. Folk Music Notebook will also be available via the TuneIn app.

Click here for a free iOS app – https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1459396299?ls=1&mt=8
Click here for a free Android app – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radio.m6b0679d59

Ron Olesko emcees a showcase (Photo: Razzi Entertainment)

Olesko felt more was needed after taking a look at the offerings for what is being labeled as ‘folk music’ online. He noted that existing streaming services that offer folk music are limited – some are pay services, while computer algorithms without human interaction run others. “Pandora and Spotify are run by algorithms with seemingly little connection, and most of the music I heard was well-known commercial artists with few chances for discovering new music and more in the Americana genre than the folk music I know.” While acknowledging “there are some brilliant podcasts available,” Olesko notes that those tend to be shorter features and that he could not find a true 24/7 service that reflected his musical preferences. “Also, many of these services fail, in my opinion, to create a connection with their audience,” he continued. “Many come across as elevator music with an acoustic bent with very little, if any, informative and entertaining features that would make the audience feel part of the service.”

Olesko — who also is the president and booker for the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club in Fair Lawn, New Jersey and a contributing writer for Sing Out! Magazine’s website — told AcousticMusicScene.com that his original plan was to pursue this online channel when he retired in a few years – but circumstances sped up the process. “My ‘day job’ in television production came to an end when our parent company decided to close the facility [at which he worked]. “It seemed that fate was pushing me toward my goal sooner than expected. After siting down with my wife and accountant, we decided that our financial situation would allow me to do this. As anyone will tell you, the way to make a million dollars in folk music is to start with two-million and work until the money runs out.” Olesko ran a Kickstarter campaign recently to help raise additional funds to help make his dream a reality.

“I’m not doing this for financial gain; my only hope is to make it sustaining,” he said. “The costs involved for rights fees for the music and all the technical services required for the operation are relatively modest – and with some hard work I hope to find enough commercial backers to keep Folk Music Notebook operating for years to come.”

Olesko will also continue to host WFDU-FM’s Traditions on Sundays from 3-5 p.m. ET (www.wfdu.fm).

For a second consecutive month, Songs of Our Native Daughters (featuring modern roots artists Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell and Amythyst Kiah) was the top album on folk radio during April 2019.”There’s a Bright Side Somewhere” by Molsky’s Mountain Drifters was the month’s most-played song, edging out Danny Schmidt’s “Just Wait Til They See You,” March’s #1 song. John McCutcheon was the most-played artist of the month, followed by Schmidt, Tim O’Brien, and Our Native Daughters. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio.

As Smithsonian Folkways Recordings states on its website, “Songs of Our Native Daughters shines new light on African-American women’s stories of struggle, resistance, and hope. Pulling from and inspired by 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century sources, including slave narratives and early minstrelsy, kindred banjo players Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell reinterpret and create new works from old ones. With unflinching, razor-sharp honesty, they confront sanitized views about America’s history of slavery, racism, and misogyny from a powerful, black female perspective. These songs call on the persistent spirits of the daughters, mothers, and grandmothers who have fought for justice – in large, public ways – only now being recognized, and in countless domestic ways that will most likely never be acknowledged.”

Giddens, who co-produced the album with Dirk Powell, was formerly with Carolina Chocolate Drops – as was McCalla. Russell, a multi-instrumentalist, is also known as part of Birds of Chicago and Po’ Girl, while Kiah is an alt-country and blues singer-songwriter.

Molsky’s Mountain Drifters’ tagline is “tradition steeped in possibility, and that aptly describes the old-time and American roots music trio. The bad is fronted by Bruce Molsky, a Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist (fiddle, guitar and banjo) and a visiting scholar at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. It also features genre-bending guitarist Stash Wyslouch (of The Deadly Gentlemen) on guitar and vocals and master of the clawhammer banjo Allison de Groot (of The Goodbye Girls and Oh My Darling) – whose self-entitled album with Tatiana Hargreaves was the third most-played album on folk radio in April.

Molsky maintains that the trio is creating a new sound within the traditional music genre through its audacious approach. “I was looking for a new voice,” says Molsky, “a new avenue of expression using old time mountain music as the jumping-off point, but not being constrained by hard core traditionalism. Allison and Stash are showing me the way, just where the music is headed, in directions I never would have imagined when I started my own journey into the mountains a long time ago.” “There’s a Bright Side Somewhere” appears on Molsky’s Mountain Drifters’ new album, Closing the Gap.

John McCutcheon, April’s most-played artist on folk radio, is a much-revered folksinger-songwriter and a multi-instrumentalist. He was also the most-played artist and had both the top album (To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger) and the top song (“Sailing Down My Golden River”) on folk radio during February 2019. On his 40h album, he pays tribute to the music of his friend and mentor — the late folk icon Pete Seeger.

Of his friend, Seeger had said: “John McCutcheon is not only one of the best musicians in the USA, but also a great singer, songwriter, and song leader. And not just incidentally, he is committed to helping hard-working people everywhere to organize and push this world in a better direction.”

McCutcheon, a performing and recording artist since the mid-1970s, is a longtime labor and social activist. He is a founder and former president of Local 1000, the traveling acoustic musicians’ local of the American Federation of Musicians. He has keynoted conferences for several regional affiliates of Folk Alliance International. His previous release, Ghost Light, was the #2 album on folk radio in 2018 and also features three of last year’s 25 most-played songs (“This Road,” “She Just Dances,” and “The Machine”). McCutcheon’s classic “Christmas in the Trenches” tied for the most-played song on folk radio last December and has been among the most-played songs during the holiday season for years.

The April 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 14,198 airplays reported on 526 playlists submitted by 130 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses. The charts are compiled by Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of April 2019

1. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters (87)
2. Standard Deviation by Danny Schmidt (77)
3. Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves by Allison De Groot and
Tatiana Hargreaves (72)
4. To Everyone in All the World by John McCutcheon (70)
5. Tim O’Brien Band by Tim O’Brien (68)
6. When You’re Ready by Molly Tuttle (67)
6. Patty Griffin by Patty Griffin (67)
8. Closing the Gap by Molsky’s Mountain Drifters (66)
9. The Great Irish Songbook by Dervish (64)
10. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles (57)
11. The Bull Moose Party by Jackson Grimm (56)
12. In Sevens by Kora Feder (51)
13. Once a Day by April Verch (50)
14. The Hard Way by Dale Ann Bradley (49)
15. It’s a Hard Life by Ruby Lovett (48)
15. Hummingbird by John Smith (48)
17. I Walked in Them Shoes by Adam Carroll (46)
17. The Butcher Shoppe EP by Della Mae (46)
19. What if This Is All There Is by Rj Cowdery (45)
20. Ten: The Errant Night by Runa (43)
21. The Point of Arrival by Carrie Newcomer (41)
22. Dirigo Attitude by Sara Trunzo (40)
22. Who I Am by Andrew Adkins (40)
24. Better by Now by Benjamin Dakota Rogers (39)
24. The Songs of Mother Jones in Heaven by Vivian Nesbitt and John Dillon
(39)
26. Heartache Town by Eric Lee (38)
26. Hide and Hair by Trials of Cato (38)
28. Monroe Bus by Andy Statman (35)
29. Facets of Folk by Mara Levine (34)
30. Rise Sun by Infamous Stringdusters (33)
30. Smoke and Ashes by Lonely Heartstring Band (33)
32. Driver by Michael Braunfeld (30)
32. Nola: Susan Werner Goes to New Orleans by Susan Werner (30)
34. Up Against the Sky by Dave Gunning (28)
34. Time and Truth by Joel Mabus (28)
34. October in the Railroad Earth by Tom Russell (28)
34. Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3 by Todd Snider (28)
38. Guy by Steve Earle and the Dukes (27)
39. Valley of the Bones by Jane Kramer (26)
39. Master Key by Elizabeth Lockhart (26)
41. Pack Up the Moon by D.C. Bloom (24)
41. Avalanche by Imar (24)
41. Tides of a Teardrop by Mandolin Orange (24)
44. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (23)
44. Black Horse Motel by CC Railroad (23)
44. Pseudomyopia by Rachael Sage (23)
47. Please Don’t Tell Me How to Dance by Cindy Ruenes (22)
47. Off to Here Land by Ashley and Simpson (22)
47. Roll On, Clouds by Frank Lee and Allie Burbrink (22)
50. Love and Revelation by Over the Rhine (20)
50. Sparks by Rachel Hair and Ron Jappy (20)
50. Worthy Cause by Chad Richard (20)
50. The Smithsonian Folkways Collection by Pete Seeger (20)
50. Common Chords by Robert Jones and Matt Watroba (20)
50. The Sky in Between by Ky Burt (20)
50. Baked Not Fried by Paul Chet and the Whiskey Chickens (20)
50. Tentation by Yves Lambert Trio (20)
58. The Best of Live by Livingston Taylor (19)
58. Pictures of Us by Braden Gates (19)
58. Caffeine and Nicotine by David Glaser (19)
58. A List of Names by Karyn Oliver (19)
62. The Long Road by Beth Wood (18)
62. Lucky Lucky by Safe as Houses (18)
62. Tex by Terry Klein (18)
62. The Question by Anna Tivel (18)
62. The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine (18)
67. Steel Blossoms by Steel Blossoms (17)
67. What It Is by Hayes Carll (17)
67. Anyone Can See by Honey Dewdrops (17)
67. We Will Sing by Lizzy Plotkin (17)

Top Songs of April 2019

Molsky’s Mountain Drifters (Photo: Kate Orne)

Top Artists of April 2019

John McCutcheon (Photo: Irene Young)

Ordinary Elephant, the husband-and-wife duo of Crystal and Pete Damore, had the top album (Honest) and the two most-played songs (“The War” and “Scars We Keep”) on folk radio during May 2019. The duo was also #2 on the monthly top artists chart, following the late folk icon Pete Seeger, while Joel Rafael’s Rose Avenue was the month’s #2 album and featured its third most-played song (“Abraham, Martin and John”). So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio.

Ordinary Elephant has been earning awards, accolades and critical acclaim over the past couple of years. The duo was named 2017 Artist of the Year in the 2018 International Folk Music Awards presented by Folk Alliance International. Ordinary Elephant secured a coveted Official Showcase during the 2018 Folk Alliance International Conference and also had official showcases during the conferences of three of FAI’s regional affiliates (FARM, SERFA and SWRFA) in 2017 and participated I that year’s Grassy Hill Emerging Artists Showcase at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Ordinary Elephant also took the Gold Award (first place) in the Folk/Acoustic category in the 33rd annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest presented by the Songwriters Association of Washington. Crystal (acoustic guitar and lead vocals) and Pete (claw hammer banjo and harmony vocals) cite Gillian Welch, Guy Clark and Anais Mitchell among their influences).

The May 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 15,198 airplays reported on 579 playlists submitted by 127 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses. The charts are compiled by Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of May 2019

1. Honest by Ordinary Elephant (110)
2. Rose Avenue by Joel Rafael (101)
3. The Storyteller’s Suitcase by Ellis Paul (80)
4. To Everyone in All the World by John McCutcheon (76)
5. Visions by Alice Howe (71)
6. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters (66)
7. Even the Sparrow by Kelly Hunt (63)
8. The Great Irish Songbook by Dervish (57)
9. Caravan of Dawn by Levins (56)
10. Standard Deviation by Danny Schmidt (55)
11. When You’re Ready by Molly Tuttle (53)
11. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles (53)
13. Patty Griffin by Patty Griffin (50)
13. Let’s Be Brave by Rain Perry (50)
15. In Sevens by Kora Feder (47)
16. The Butcher Shoppe EP by Della Mae (46)
16. Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves by Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves (46)
18. Dreams on Hold by Sarah Eide (44)
18. Tim O’Brien Band by Tim O’Brien (44)
20. Smoke and Ashes by Lonely Heartstring Band (42)
21. Pete, Woody and Me, Vol 2 by Spook Handy (40)
22. Dedicated to the Proposition by Spook Handy (39)
22. Hummingbird by John Smith (39)
24. The Point of Arrival by Carrie Newcomer (37)
25. Ten: The Errant Night by Runa (36)
25. Who I Am by Andrew Adkins (36)
27. Once a Day by April Verch (33)
27. Closing the Gap by Molsky’s Mountain Drifters (33)
27. It’s a Hard Life by Ruby Lovett (33)
30. Mint Condition by Caroline Spence (32)
30. Facets of Folk by Mara Levine (32)
30. Easy Money by Old Man Luedecke (32)
33. Right Before Our Eyes by Steve Eriksson (31)
33. Dirigo Attitude by Sara Trunzo (31)
35. Autumn of the World by Resonant Rogues (30)
35. The Bull Moose Party by Jackson Grimm (30)
37. Front Porch by Joy Williams (29)
37. Heartache Town by Eric Lee (29)
39. Rise Sun by Infamous Stringdusters (27)
39. Live in ’65 by Pete Seeger (27)
39. The Smithsonian Folkways Collection by Pete Seeger (27)
39. October in the Railroad Earth by Tom Russell (27)
43. Hide and Hair by Trials of Cato (26)
43. The Question by Anna Tivel (26)
45. Assiniboine and the Red by Small Glories (25)
45. What if This Is All There Is by Rj Cowdery (25)
45. Tides of a Teardrop by Mandolin Orange (25)
45. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (25)
49. Monroe Bus by Andy Statman (24)
49. Riverland by Eric Brace, Peter Cooper, Thomm Jutz (24)
49. Pseudomyopia by Rachael Sage (24)
52. Better by Now by Benjamin Dakota Rogers (23)
52. Off to Here Land by Ashley and Simpson (23)
52. Yumpatiddly Bee by Princes of Serendip (23)
55. Starlight on the Rails by Utah Phillips (22)
55. The Hard Way by Dale Ann Bradley (22)
55. Pictures of Us by Braden Gates (22)
55. Caffeine and Nicotine by David Glaser (22)
59. No Water, No Flowers by Genevieve Racette (21)
59. Guy by Steve Earle and the Dukes (21)
59. Headlines and Footnotes by Pete Seeger (21)
62. The Long Road by Beth Wood (20)
62. Baked Not Fried by Paul Chet and the Whiskey Chickens (20)
62. Reasons by Grace Morrison (20)
62. North Country by Danny Burns (20)
66. Anything but Ordinary by Jan Aldridge Clark (19)
66. The Songs of Mother Jones in Heaven by Vivian Nesbitt and John Dillon (19)
66. Ride Me Back Home by Willie Nelson (19)
69. Driver by Michael Braunfeld (18)
69. When the Sun Goes Down by Kieran Kane and Rayna Gellert (18)
69. Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol 3 by Todd Snider (18)
69. Leylines by Rising Appalachia (18)
69. Reflections by Andy and Judy (18)
69. Grenades by Kaia Kater (18)
69. Caught on a Wire by Evie Ladin Band (18)

Top Songs of May 2019

Here’s a link to the official video for “The War” by Ordinary Elephant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF5Jvf7LA2o

Ordinary elephant is he husband-and-wife duo of Pete and Crystal Damore (Photo: Olive & West)

Top Artists of May 2019

Pete Seeger at the Newport Folk Festival in 2009 (Photo: Jake Jacobson)

Jan Hall in the studio

“To say I feel honoured, is an absolute understatement,” says Hall, who got her start in radio at WEFT 90.1 FM in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois in 1993, while doing graduate work at the University of Illinois. “Folk Roots Radio with Jan Hall is a labour of love and a full time hobby, and, to be honest, it has helped me through some dark days in my life, after I had to leave my veterinary career. The amazing thing is that I discovered another ‘career’ I love just as much and perhaps more. I love making radio, and now video, and I absolutely love chatting [with] artists about their music. To receive an award like this for what I love to do, makes me feel absolutely blessed.”

Folk Roots Radio currently airs on ten stations: CFRU 93.3 (Guelph, Ontario), CHES 91.7 (Erin Radio, Erin, Ontario), CFBU 103.7 (St. Catherines ON), CILU 102.7 (Thunder Bay ON), Cove FM 88.7 (St. Margaret’s Bay/Hubbards/Chester Nova Scotia), CFBX 92.5 (Kamloops, British Columbia), VOBB 95.9 and 98.1 (Bonne Bay, Newfoundland), CJMP 90.1fm (Powell River, British Columbia), CIDI 99.1fm (Brome Missisquoi, Quebec), and WRAQ 92.7fm (western New York State). Hall focuses on bringing new folk and roots music and in-depth interviews of independent artists to the airwaves. An extensive archive of radio shows and artist interviews can be found online at www.folkrootsradio.com, where you also can listen to the show via your choice of streaming platforms.

Hall told AcousticMusicScene.com that Folk Roots Radio stemmed from Royal City Rag, a locally focused magazine radio show on CFRU 93.3fm that she launched in August 2005, after moving to Canada. “That show gradually morphed into Folk Roots Radio when I split off the community issue coverage and local politics into another radio show, Beyond the Ballot Box,” she said.

“We’re all about the music and the people who make it,” says Hall of her radio show that features folk, roots, Americana, Singer-songwriter, and blues music plus artist interviews. In addition to Folk Roots Radio, Hall hosts a televised music video series, Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, and co-hosts Dale’s Friday Coffee House, a popular monthly music event in Leamington Ontario. She is also a sought-after stage host and festival emcee.

The Estelle Klein Award is named after a long-time advocate of Canadian folk music and one of the early founders of the folk festival scene in Canada. As this year’s winner, Hall will receive registration for herself and a partner to the 33rd annual FMO Conference, Sept. 27-29, 2019 in Mississauga, ON, as well as a lifetime FMO membership. She will also be featured in the Conference Program edition of Folk Prints magazine, at an interview during the FMO Awards brunch at the conference, and in a career retrospective video. Previous award recipients have included Klein, Jackie Washington, Ian Tamblyn, The Friends of Fiddler’s Green, Sylvia Tyson, Ken Whiteley, Richard Flohil, Stan Rogers, Bernie Finkelstein, Sharon, Lois & Bram, Grit Laskin, Paul Mills, Arthur McGregor, Mike Stevens, Harvey Glatt, Sadie Buck, Anne Lederman, Magoo, and Bill Garrett.

Folk Music Ontario, launched in 1986 as the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals, is a nonprofit arts service organization and the largest folk and roots music organization in Canada. FMO aims to support the growth and development of he folk music community and industry. Is annual conference brings together hundreds of people who are actively engaged in Ontario’s (and Canada’s) folk, roots, and traditional music community for three days and two nights of music showcases, roundtable discussions, educational seminars and workshops, mentoring sessions, lots of informal networking, and fun each fall. For more information on FMO and its conference, visit www.folkmusicontario.ca.

Southern Indiana-based singer-songwriter Tim Grimm had the top album (Heart Land Again) and three of the ten most-played songs on folk radio during July 2019 and also topped the monthly top artists chart, while Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey had the month’s most-played song (“The Things That Matter”). So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio.

Joined by his Family Band, on Heart Land Again, Grimm revisits the songs of his 1999 debut album, Heart Land, and adds a couple of new ones. Grimm has recorded a number of albums and songs that have reached the top of the Folk DJ 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. “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 a dozen albums over the past 20 years, Grimm has keynoted a Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) conference, has taught songwriting courses, and has worked as an actor in film, theater and television. He also has hosted an Americana concert series in Columbus, Indiana.

Guy Forsyth is an Austin, Texas-based multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and storyteller, who has toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe. Although blues-inspired, his musical stylings are not limited to one genre. On “The Things That Matter,” he’s joined by his wife, Jeska Bailey Forsyth — whom he met at a San Angelo, TX blues bar that she owned. When not performing with her as a duo, he fronts a trio and a band, Hot Nut Riveters. Forsyth also founded the irreverent band The Asylum Street Spankers and has, himself, opened for such notable artists as Ray Charles, Robert Cray, Dr. John, B.B. King, and Lucinda Williams.

Here’s a link to listen to “The Things That Matter”:

https://soundcloud.com/guy-forsyth/the-things-that-matter

The July 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 14,908 airplays reported on 539 playlists submitted by 125 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses. The charts are compiled by Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of July 2019

1. Heart Land Again by Tim Grimm (120)
2. Gonna Love Anyway by Louisa Branscomb (99)
3. Rings Around Saturn by Marion Halliday (84)
4. Assiniboine and the Red by The Small Glories (80)
5. Conspirators by Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey (76)
6. The Storyteller’s Suitcase by Ellis Paul (75)
7. It’s a Dog’s Life by Si Kahn and the Looping Brothers (70)
7. Leylines by Rising Appalachia (70)
9. Oklahoma by Keb’ Mo (69)
10. As I Go Rambling Around by Nicholas Edward Williams (64)
10. Honest by Ordinary Elephant (64)
12. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters (61)
13. Visions by Alice Howe (56)
14. In My Pocket by Brooksie Wells (53)
15. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles (51)
16. Many a Moon by James Hill and Anne Janelle (47)
16. Good Farmer by Chris and Adam Carroll (47)
18. There Is No Other by Rhiannon Giddens (45)
19. The Great Irish Songbook by Dervish (43)
20. The Heritage Hall Sessions by James Gordon (42)
20. Slow It Down by Crowes Pasture (42)
20. Free and Fine by Jordi Baizan (42)
20. Fire Out of Stone by Chuck Hawthorne (42)
24. Patty Griffin by Patty Griffin (40)
25. Back to Shore by Shari Ulrich (38)
26. Tall Fiddler by Michael Cleveland (37)
27. Common Man by Joe Iadanza (36)
28. A Fireproof House of Sunshine by Hackensaw Boys (35)
29. Dedicated to the Proposition by Spook Handy (34)
29. Standard Deviation by Danny Schmidt (34)
31. Paws of a Bear by Sofia Talvik (33)
31. Midnight Refrain by Leah Kaufman (33)
31. Ride Me Back Home by Willie Nelson (33)
34. Among the Best by Tim Henderson (32)
35. It’s a Hard Life by Ruby Lovett (31)
36. In Sevens by Kora Feder (30)
36. When You’re Ready by Molly Tuttle (30)
36. Even the Sparrow by Kelly Hunt (30)
36. Over the Trees by Steel Wheels (30)
40. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (29)
40. This Little Town by W Lovers (29)
40. Old and in the Way by Old and in the Way (29)
40. Tim O’Brien Band by Tim O’Brien (29)
44. I’m Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table by Andy Antipin and Friends (28)
44. Rose Avenue by Joel Rafael (28)
46. Front Porch by Joy Williams (27)
46. Where the Dogs Don’t Bite by Old Salt Union (27)
46. New Moon Over My Shoulder by Larry Sparks (27)
49. Woody Guthrie: At 100! Live At The Kennedy Center by Various Artists (26)
49. Easy Money by Old Man Luedecke (26)
49. The Point of Arrival by Carrie Newcomer (26)
52. Sway EP by Dashboard Hula Girls (25)
52. Heart Is a Tower by Genevieve Charbonneau (25)
54. Off to Here Land by Ashley and Simpson (24)
54. Guy by Steve Earle and the Dukes (24)
54. Facets of Folk by Mara Levine (24)
57. Allison Degroot and Tatiana Hargreaves by Allison Degroot and Tatiana Hargreaves (23)
57. The Question by Anna Tivel (23)
57. Caravan of Dawn by The Levins (23)
57. Smoke and Ashes by Lonely Heartstring Band (23)
61. Dreams on Hold by Sarah Eide (22)
61. Isabel Taylor by Isabel Taylor (22)
63. Dirigo Attitude by Sara Trunzo (21)
63. Tides of a Teardrop by Mandolin Orange (21)
63. Hummingbird by John Smith (21)
63. Between the Country by Ian Noe (21)
63. Pseudomyopia by Rachael Sage (21)
68. The Butcher Shoppe EP by Della Mae (20)
69. Fever of Unknown Origin by Kristy Kruger (19)
69. When the Sun Goes Down by Kieran Kane and Rayna Gellert (19)
69. Riverland by Eric Brace, Peter Cooper & Thomm Jutz (19)
69. Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil by Rod Picott (19)

Top Songs of July 2019

1. “The Things That Matter” by Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey (23)
2. “Barefoot Girl” by Louisa Branscomb (21)
3. “Staying in Love” by Tim Grimm (20)
3. “Five Alarm Fire on the 4th of July” by Ellis Paul (20)
5. “Better Days” by Tim Grimm (19)
6. “Good Things Will Come” by Marion Halliday (18)
7. “Mississippi John” by Nicholas Edward Williams (17)
8. “This Is My Home” by Keb’ Mo (15)
8. “This Little Town” by W Lovers (15)
8. “Carter’s Blues” by Tim Grimm (15)
8. “Alberta” by The Small Glories (15)
12. “Put a Woman in Charge” by Keb’ Mo (14)
12. “Steel Rails” by Louisa Branscomb (14)
12. “Sing” by The Small Glories (14)
12. “We Are the Change” by Marion Halliday (14)
12. “Don’t Back Down” by The Small Glories (14)
17. “Oh My Love” by The Small Glories (13)
17. “That Old Man” by Tim Grimm (13)
17. “Harmonize” by Rising Appalachia (13)
20. “Twilight” by Alice Howe (12)
20. “Scars We Keep” by Ordinary Elephant (12)
20. “Jenny & James” by Ordinary Elephant (12)
20. “Factory Blues” by Hackensaw Boys (12)
20. “Take Me Home” by Sofia Talvik (12)
25. “Love On” by Brooksie Wells (11)
25. “Such Is Life (C’est La Vie)” by Chuck Hawthorne (11)
25. “Amazing Grace/House of the Rising Sun” by Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey (11)
25. “Between the Sun and the Moon” by Jordi Baizan (11)
25. “Gone” by Louisa Branscomb (11)
25. “Gonna Love Anyway” by Louisa Branscomb (11)

Top Artists of July 2019

1. Tim Grimm (131)
2. Louisa Branscomb (101)
3. Marion Halliday (85)
4. The Small Glories (82)
5. Ellis Paul (79)
6. Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey (76)
7. Si Kahn and the Looping Brothers (75)
8. Keb’ Mo (73)
9. Rising Appalachia (70)
10. Ordinary Elephant (68)
11. Alice Howe (65)
12. Nicholas Edward Williams (64)
12. Our Native Daughters (64)
14. Lula Wiles (54)
15. Brooksie Wells (53)
16. Rhiannon Giddens (51)
17. Steel Wheels (50)
18. John McCutcheon (49)
19. James Hill and Anne Janelle (48)
20. Pete Seeger (47)
20. Chris and Adam Carroll (47)
22. Tim O’Brien (46)
23. Willie Nelson (44)
23. Dervish (44)
23. Crowes Pasture (44)
26. Chuck Hawthorne (43)
26. Woody Guthrie (43)
28. James Gordon (42)
28. Jordi Baizan (42)
30. Bob Dylan (41)
30. Patty Griffin (41)
32. Mara Levine (40)
33. Spook Handy (38)
33. Michael Cleveland (38)
33. Danny Schmidt (38)
33. Joel Mabus (38)
33. Shari Ulrich (38)
38. Tim Henderson (37)
38. Joel Rafael (37)
40. Sofia Talvik (36)
40. Hackensaw Boys (36)
40. Joe Iadanza (36)
40. Ben Winship (36)

Southern Indiana-based singer-songwriter Tim Grimm had the top album (Heart Land Again) on folk radio for a second consecutive month during August 2019 and also topped the monthly top artists chart, while New York-City-based quartet Bobtown had the month’s most-played song (“Daughters of the Dust”). So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio.

Joined by his Family Band, on Heart Land Again, Grimm revisits the songs of his 1999 debut album, Heart Land, and adds a couple of new ones. Grimm has recorded a number of albums and songs that have reached the top of the Folk DJ 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. “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 a dozen albums over the past 20 years, Grimm has keynoted a Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) conference, has taught songwriting courses, and has worked as an actor in film, theater and television. He also has hosted an Americana concert series in Columbus, Indiana.

A roots music mash-up of pop, bluegrass, R&B, Americana and gospel, bound by a continuous thread of innovative vocal harmonies, Bobtown started out in 2008 as an a cappella group with a focus on original, contemporary field hollers. In the ensuing years, the band added instrumentation and broadened its repertoire. “Daughters of the Dust” appears on Bobtown’s fourth full-length CD. The band released is eponymous debut in 2010, following that with Trouble I Wrought in 2012, A History of Ghosts in 2014, and its new release, Chasing the Sun, this summer. Bobtown features Karen Dahlstrom (vocals, guitar and banjo), Alan Lee Backer (banjo, guitar, harmonica, and vocals), Katherine Etzel (vocals, accordion, drums, and ukulele), and Jen McDearman (vocals, percussion and glockenspiel).

Here’s a link to listen to “Daughters of the Dust”:

https://bobtownmusic.bandcamp.com/track/daughters-of-the-dust

The August 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 15,088 airplays reported on 564 playlists submitted by 122 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses. The charts are compiled by Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of August 2019

1. Heart Land Again by Tim Grimm (108)
2. Every Trip Around the Sun by Sharon Goldman (83)
3. Gonna Love Anyway by Louisa Branscomb (79)
4. Chasing the Sun by Bobtown (78)
5. Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne by Amy Speace (69)
6. As I Go Ramblin’ Around by Nicholas Edward Williams (68)
6. Tall Fiddler by Michael Cleveland (68)
8. Leylines by Rising Appalachia (64)
9. Rearrange My Heart by Che Apalache (60)
10. Oklahoma by Keb’ Mo’ (59)
11. Acorns by Ben Winship (58)
12. It’s a Dog’s Life by Si Kahn and the Looping Brothers (56)
13. Honest by Ordinary Elephant (55)
14. Between the Tracks by Steve Eulberg (54)
14. Conspirators by Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey (54)
16. Steering Pete’s Course by The Rix (53)
17. Common Man by Joe Iadanza (52)
17. Assiniboine and the Red by The Small Glories (52)
17. Rings Around Saturn by Marion Halliday (52)
20. Adobe Road by Cej (51)
21. Talk to a Human by Terri Hendrix (50)
22. Back to Shore by Shari Ulrich (49)
22. Toolshed by Ben Winship (49)
24. Now I’m Free by Bill Scorzari (47)
25. Visions by Alice Howe (45)
25. The Storyteller’s Suitcase by Ellis Paul (45)
25. Woodstock – 40 Years On by Various Artists (45)
25. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters (45)
29. Where the Dogs Don’t Bite by Old Salt Union (43)
30. Facets of Folk by Mara Levine (40)
31. Good Farmer by Chris Carroll and Adam Carroll (39)
31. Free and Fine by Jordi Baizan (39)
33. Fire Out of Stone by Chuck Hawthorne (37)
34. Paws of a Bear by Sofia Talvik (35)
34. In My Pocket by Brooksie Wells (35)
34. Slow It Down by Crowes Pasture (35)
37. Mint Condition by Caroline Spence (32)
37. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (32)
37. Ride Me Back Home by Willie Nelson (32)
37. Among the Best by Tim Henderson (32)
41. Tim O’Brien Band by Tim O’Brien (30)
41. Ways of the World by David Grier (30)
43. Crowing Ignites by Bruce Cockburn (29)
43. It Is Here I Leave You, Dragon by Janet Bates (29)
43. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles (29)
46. The Great Irish Songbook by Dervish (28)
47. Live at Woodstock by Joan Baez (27)
47. Dedicated to the Proposition by Spook Handy (27)
47. The Heritage Hall Sessions by James Gordon (27)
47. Is It the Kiss by Ana Egge (27)
47. Over the Trees by The Steel Wheels (27)
47. Patty Griffin by Patty Griffin (27)
53. Texas by Rodney Crowell (26)
53. Gypsy by Eilen Jewell (26)
53. Dreams on Hold by Sarah Eide (26)
53. I’m Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table by Andy Antipin (26)
53. Rose Avenue by Joel Rafael (26)
58. Concentric by Flagship Romance (25)
58. Lucky Revisited by Karen Jonas (25)
58. When You’re Ready by Molly Tuttle (25)
58. Casey Joe Lambert EP by Casey Joe Lambert (25)
58. It’s a Hard Life by Ruby Lovett (25)
63. Standard Deviation by Danny Schmidt (24)
63. There Is No Other by Rhiannon Giddens (24)
63. Even the Sparrow by Kelly Hunt (24)
66. Midnight Refrain by Leah Kaufman (23)
67. The Butcher Shoppe by Della Mae (22)
67. Cancel the Sun by The Rails (22)
67. Off to Here Land by Ashley and Simpson (22)
70. Front Porch by Joy Williams (21)
70. To Everyone in All the World by John McCutcheon (21)
70. Western Stars by Bruce Springsteen (21)
70. The Point of Arrival by Carrie Newcomer (21)

Top Songs of August 2019

Bobtown (Photo: Brian Geltner)

Top Artists of August 2019

1. Tim Grimm (114)
2. Ben Winship (109)
3. Sharon Goldman (83)
4. Bobtown (81)
5. Louisa Branscomb (79)
6. Amy Speace (73)
7. Michael Cleveland (69)
8. Nicholas Edward Williams (68)
9. Rising Appalachia (64)
10. Mara Levine (63)
11. Che Apalache (62)
12. Si Kahn and the Looping Brothers (61)
13. Terri Hendrix (60)
14. Keb’ Mo’ (59)
15. Joan Baez (57)
16. Cej (56)
17. The Rix (55)
17. Ordinary Elephant (55)
19. John McCutcheon (54)
19. Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey (54)
19. Steve Eulberg (54)
22. Joe Iadanza (52)
22. Marion Halliday (52)
22. The Small Glories (52)
25. Ellis Paul (49)
25. Shari Ulrich (49)
27. Bill Scorzari (47)
27. Alice Howe (47)
29. Bob Dylan (46)
30. Our Native Daughters (45)
31. Old Salt Union (44)
31. Joe Jencks (44)
33. Willie Nelson (43)
33. Tim O’Brien (43)
35. Pete Seeger (42)
36. Jordi Baizan (41)
37. Joel Mabus (40)
38. Chris Carroll and Adam Carroll (39)
38. Chuck Hawthorne (39)
40. Bruce Springsteen (38)

The soundtrack for Country Music – A Film by Ken Burns that premiered on PBS television stations across the U.S. recently was the top album on folk radio during September 2019, while Midwest urban folk duo Annie & Rod Capps’ “(That Would Do) Some Good” was the top song and Canadian troubadour Dave Gunning edged out southern Indiana-based singer-songwriter Tim Grimm as the month’s most-played artist. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio.

The September 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 14,185 airplays reported on 513 playlists submitted by 121 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses.

The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission from Folk Alliance International, (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

Top Albums of September 2019

1. Country Music – A Film by Ken Burns (The Soundtrack) by Various
Artists (135)
2. Up Against the Sky by Dave Gunning (95)
3. Heart Land Again by Tim Grimm (91)
4. Words of Love by Allison Lupton (82)
5. When They Fall by Annie and Rod Capps (79)
6. The Best of Christine Lavin by Christine Lavin (67)
7. Wildwood by Katie Dahl (65)
8. Talk to a Human by Terri Hendrix (64)
9. While I’m Livin by Tanya Tucker (60)
10. The Peanut Butter Falcon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by
Various Artists (55)
11. Assiniboine and the Red by The Small Glories (52)
12. Gonna Love Anyway by Louisa Branscomb (51)
13. Tall Fiddler by Michael Cleveland (50)
14. Adobe Road by Cej (49)
14. Old Ghosts and Lost Causes by Helene Cronin (49)
16. Is It the Kiss by Ana Egge (46)
17. Rearrange My Heart by Che Apalache (45)
17. Acorns by Ben Winship (45)
17. The Lost Tapes by Ian and Sylvia (45)
17. Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne by Amy Speace (45)
21. How We Want to Live by Lisa Bastoni (44)
21. The Storyteller’s Suitcase by Ellis Paul (44)
23. Every Single Star by Dori Freeman (43)
24. Crowing Ignites by Bruce Cockburn (42)
24. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters (42)
26. Honest by Ordinary Elephant (41)
26. Every Trip Around the Sun by Sharon Goldman (41)
28. Back to Shore by Shari Ulrich (40)
29. Conspirators by Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey (38)
30. Chasing the Sun by Bobtown (37)
30. Oklahoma by Keb’ Mo’ (37)
30. Toolshed by Ben Winship (37)
33. Leylines by Rising Appalachia (35)
33. Thirty Years Later by Johnny and Jeanette Williams (35)
35. Griefcase by David Roche (33)
36. How Far It Goes by The Refugees (32)
36. As I Go Ramblin’ Around by Nicholas Edward Williams (32)
38. Mint Condition by Caroline Spence (31)
38. Visions by Alice Howe (31)
40. Even the Sparrow by Kelly Hunt (29)
41. Common Man by Joe Iadanza (28)
41. Where the Dogs Don’t Bite by Old Salt Union (28)
41. It’s a Dog’s Life by Si Kahn and the Looping Brothers (28)
44. The Hard Stuff by Susan Gibson (26)
45. Free and Fine by Jordi Baizan (25)
45. Now I’m Free by Bill Scorzari (25)
47. Paws of a Bear by Sofia Talvik (24)
47. The Other Side by Marie Chabot (24)
47. Fires for the Cold by Jonah Tolchin (24)
47. Moth Nor Rust II by Jon Brooks (24)
47. Charlie Parr by Charlie Parr (24)
47. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles (24)
47. Rose Avenue by Joel Rafael (24)
54. The Quebe Sisters by The Quebe Sisters (23)
55. When You’re Ready by Molly Tuttle (22)
55. Standard Deviation by Danny Schmidt (22)
55. There Is No Other by Rhiannon Giddens (22)
58. Fire Out of Stone by Chuck Hawthorne (21)
59. Just Around the Bend: Survival and Revival in Southern Banjo
Sounds by Various Artists (20)
59. Hummingbird by John Smith (20)
59. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (20)
62. Texas by Rodney Crowell (19)
62. Patty Griffin by Patty Griffin (19)
62. The Tim O’Brien Band by Tim O’Brien Band (19)
62. Between the Tracks by Steve Eulberg (19)
62. Good Farmer by Chris and Adam Carroll (19)
67. The Early Years, 1958 – 1962 by New Lost City Ramblers (18)
68. Kill or Be Kind by Samantha Fish (17)
68. Straighten the Curves by The Grascals (17)
68. It’s a Hard Life by Ruby Lovett (17)
68. That We Could Find a Way to Be by Andrew Vannorstrand (17)
68. Between the Country by Ian Noe (17)
68. Easy Money by Old Man Luedecke (17)

Top Songs of September 2019

Here’s a link to view the video for Annie & Rod Capps’ “(That Would Do) Some Good,” the most-played song on folk radio during September 2019:

1. “(That Would Do) Some Good” by Annie and Rod Capps (19)
2. “Better Days” by Tim Grimm (17)
2. “What Will I Dream” by Allison Lupton (17)
2. “Celebrate the Crop” by Dave Gunning (17)
5. “All That’s Yet to Come” by Dave Gunning (16)
5. “Cocaine Cowboys” by Ana Egge (16)
5. “Worry My Friend” by Katie Dahl (16)
8. “Sing” by The Small Glories (15)
8. “Carter’s Blues” by Tim Grimm (15)
8. “Sweetness and Light” by Bruce Cockburn (15)
11. “Down the Road” by Tim Grimm (14)
11. “Mustang Ridge” by Tanya Tucker (14)
13. “Talk to a Human” by Terri Hendrix (13)
13. “The Storyteller’s Suitcase” by Ellis Paul (13)
13. “Barefoot Girl” by Louisa Branscomb (13)
13. “The Dreamer” by Che Apalache (13)
17. “Steel Rails” by Louisa Branscomb (12)
17. “The Liar Tweets Tonight” by Christine Lavin (12)
17. “Turnagain Arm” by The Refugees (12)
20. “Long Hot Summer Day” by Sara Watkins (11)
20. “Can the Circle Be Unbroken” by The Carter Family (11)
20. “When They Fall” by Annie and Rod Capps (11)
20. “Circle of Boots” by Dave Gunning (11)
20. “How Far It Goes” by The Refugees (11)
20. “Walk a Little Closer” by Lisa Bastoni (11)
20. “Mint Condition” by Caroline Spence (11)
20. “Blue Yodel No. 8 (Mule Skinner Blues)” by Jimmie Rodgers (11)
20. “I Will Rise” by Allison Lupton (11)
20. “Anna Lee” by Katie Dahl (11)
20. “Adobe Road” by Cej (11)
20. “When Fall Comes to New England” by Cheryl Wheeler (11)

Top Artists of September 2019

Dave Gunning was the most-played artist on folk radio during September. (Photo: George Canyon)

Debra Cowan had the top album (Greening the Dark) and the three most-played songs on folk radio during October 2019. She also was the month’s most-played artist. So say charts compiled by Folk Alliance International from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in folk-based music on the radio.

A six-song EP, Greening the Dark, is Cowan’s sixth recording and her second collaboration with drummer Dave Mattacks (Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, Rosanne Cash) serving as arranger and producer. Cowan is a Massachusetts-based artist who performs a cappella and with guitar — interpreting a wide range of traditional and contemporary folk songs. “She sure knows how to interpret a song and wrap her soul and voice around it,” says veteran folk DJ Rich Warren, host of the nationally syndicated The Midnight Special that emanates from WFMT in Chicago, IL. A former middle school math teacher, Cowan also served as vice president of AFM Local 1000, the traveling musicians union, from 2011-2016.

The October 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 14, 232 airplays reported on 535 playlists submitted by 126 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses. The charts are compiled by Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of October 2019

1. Greening the Dark by Debra Cowan (107)
2. Up Against the Sky by Dave Gunning (82)
3. Wahoo! by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (78)
4. Bones and Gravity by Lizanne Knott (71)
5. Country Music – A Film by Ken Burns (The Soundtrack) by Various Artists (65)
5. Every Single Star by Dori Freeman (65)
7. All That’s Real by Gathering Sparks (62)
7. Going to the Well by Linda McRae (62)
9. Wildwood by Katie Dahl (58)
9. Words of Love by Allison Lupton (58)
11. Heart Land Again by Tim Grimm (53)
12. When They Fall by Annie and Rod Capps (51)
13. If You Fall by Jaime Michaels (50)
14. Due to the Darkness by The Gossamer Strings (47)
14. Straight to Marrow by Clint Alphin (47)
16. Rearrange My Heart by Che Apalache (45)
16. The Best of Christine Lavin by Christine Lavin (45)
18. Old Ghosts and Lost Causes by Helene Cronin (41)
19. Chasing the Sun by Bobtown (39)
19. The Storyteller’s Suitcase by Ellis Paul (39)
19. Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne by Amy Speace (39)
22. While I’m Livin by Tanya Tucker (38)
22. Talk to a Human by Terri Hendrix (38)
24. The Hard Stuff by Susan Gibson (37)
24. Gonna Love Anyway by Louisa Branscomb (37)
24. Adobe Road by Cej (37)
27. Fair Play to You All by Tommy Sands (36)
28. Crowing Ignites by Bruce Cockburn (34)
29. How We Want to Live by Lisa Bastoni (33)
29. The Lost Tapes by Ian and Sylvia (33)
29. Time and Tides by Susan and Ray (33)
32. Visions by Alice Howe (32)
33. Honest by Ordinary Elephant (31)
33. Assiniboine and the Red by The Small Glories (31)
35. Fires for the Cold by Jonah Tolchin (30)
36. Hush the Wild Horses by Rachel Harrington (28)
37. That We Could Find a Way to Be by Andrew Van Norstrand (27)
37. Tall Fiddler by Michael Cleveland (27)
37. Home by Billy Strings (27)
40. These Old Hands by Crys Matthews (26)
40. Moth Nor Rust Ii by Jon Brooks (26)
40. Conspirators by Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey (26)
40. Facets of Folk by Mara Levine (26)
40. October in the Railroad Earth by Tom Russell (26)
45. Leylines by Rising Appalachia (25)
45. White Noise, White Lines by Kelsey Waldon (25)
47. Ten: The Errant Night by Runa (24)
47. The Iron Trios by Laurel Premo (24)
47. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters (24)
50. Who Asked You Back by Ella Harp (23)
50. Oklahoma by Keb’ Mo’ (23)
50. It’s a Hard Life by Ruby Lovett (23)
50. Every Trip Around the Sun by Sharon Goldman (23)
50. Steering Pete’s Course, Maritime Songs From the Seeger Songbag by The Rix (23)
55. My Dony by Grant Dermody (22)
55. Acoustic Rainbow Roots Volume 49 by Various Artists (22)
55. Charlie Parr by Charlie Parr (22)
55. Heather Down the Moor by Gatehouse (22)
59. How Far It Goes by The Refugees (21)
59. As I Go Ramblin’ Around by Nicholas Edward Williams (21)
59. Free and Fine by Jordi Baizan (21)
62. Paws of a Bear by Sofia Talvik (20)
62. The Bull Mountain Moonshiners’ Way by Jesse McReynolds and Friends (20)
62. Acorns by Ben Winship (20)
62. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (20)
62. Fire Out of Stone by Chuck Hawthorne (20)
62. Even the Sparrow by Kelly Hunt (20)
68. June Is Short, July Is Long by Jeb Loy Nichols (19)
68. What Will We Do by Lula Wiles (19)
68. It’s a Dog’s Life by Si Kahn and the Looping Brothers (19)
68. Toolshed by Ben Winship (19)
68. Rings Around Saturn by Marion Halliday (19)
68. Rose Avenue by Joel Rafael (19)

Top Songs of October 2019

1. “The Old Changing Way” by Debra Cowan (29)
2. “Scarecrow” by Debra Cowan (21)
3. “Bones and Feathers” by Debra Cowan (19)
4. “Celebrate the Crop” by Dave Gunning (16)
4. “Walk Away” by Lizanne Knott (16)
6. “Answer Not Blowing in the Wind” by Tommy Sands (15)
7. “Man in the Bottom of the Well” by Linda McRae (14)
7. “Wahoo!” by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (14)
7. “Straight to Marrow” by Clint Alphin (14)
7. “Polly on the Shore” by Debra Cowan (14)
11. “Muddy Waters” by Susan and Ray (13)
12. “Feathers and Wings” by Gathering Sparks (12)
12. “Triskaidekaphobia” by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (12)
12. “Anna Dixie” by Debra Cowan (12)
12. “Hills of Greenmore” by Debra Cowan (12)
12. “What Will I Dream” by Allison Lupton (12)
17. “In the Time I Was Away” by Dave Gunning (11)
17. “All That’s Yet to Come” by Dave Gunning (11)
17. “(That Would Do) Some Good” by Annie and Rod Capps (11)
17. “All I Ever Wanted” by Dori Freeman (11)
17. “Ferris Wheel” by Dave Gunning (11)
17. “High on a Mountain” by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (11)
17. “2 Step” by Dori Freeman (11)
17. “The Dreamer” by Che Apalache (11)
25. “All Brand New” by Cej (10)
25. “Darlin’ Boy” by Dori Freeman (10)
25. “The Liar Tweets Tonight” by Christine Lavin (10)
25. “American Girl” by Bobtown (10)
25. “I Will Rise” by Allison Lupton (10)
25. “Bones and Gravity” by Lizanne Knott (10)
25. “The Welcome Song” by Jan Aldridge Clark (10)
25. “Hurricane” by Lizanne Knott (10)

Top Artists of October 2019

Debra Cowan was the most-played artist and also had the top album and the three most-played songs on folk radio during October 2019.

Veteran folk DJ Ron Olesko was the recipient of the inaugural Creator of the Year Award presented by the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) during the nonprofit organization’s 25th annual conference in Stamford, CT, Nov. 7-10, 2019. Olesko, a NERFA stalwart, who has been hosting a folk show (Traditions) on WFDU-FM (Teaneck, NJ), was recognized for launching Folk Music Notebook, an online radio station showcasing folk music 24/7 earlier this year.

Ron Olesko receives NERFA’s 2019 Creator of the Year Award from Michael Kornfeld, the nonprofit organization’s board president (Photo: Jake Jacobson)

Visibly moved and overwhelmed, after having himself just presented NERFA’s first Album of the Year Award to singer-songwriter Ellis Paul for The Storyteller’s Suitcase. Olesko accepted the award in front of some 700 conference attendees during a Friday night dinner and awards ceremony in the Stamford Crowne Plaza’s International Ballroom.

“It is because of NERFA and the spirit it creates that I am able to find the motivation and support to organize this channel,” asserts Olesko. “You are all my family and the art created by this community keeps me going. I will continue to work this labor of love until my last breath. Thank you all for the love you’ve shown me.”

Folk Music Notebook launched on May 3, 2019 – the 100th anniversary of the birth of folk music icon Pete Seeger. Olesko envisions it as a gathering spot for the folk community and all the fans of our music –- a place to ‘discover’ new artists ad songs as well as honor the established names who created this living tradition.

As previously reported on AcousticMusicScene.com [http://acousticmusicscene.com/2019/05/02/folk-music-notebook-a-247-music-channel-launches-online-and-is-available-via-free-apps/], Folk Music Notebook offers up a curated playlist focusing on the diverse contemporary folk music community, while also incorporating the folk revival artists who drew many people to this genre. Interspersed with the music are brief but informative DJ announcements, recorded stories behind the songs from the artists themselves, as well as commentary, news and other special features. The channel broadcast juried official showcases, as well as its own curated artist showcases, live from the conference.

Folk Music Notebook engages listeners by showing the connections between songs and styles – keeping them engrossed throughout the day without constant badgering from hosts, endless strings of commercials, or repetitive automated playlists.

“I was stunned to receive such a recognition and proud of what has been accomplished by all the wonderful program hosts and correspondents that make Folk Music Notebook possible,” Olesko posted on his Facebook page. “I almost lost it when I walked onstage to accept the award and saw people starting to give me a standing ovation … It was a moment I won’t forget, to be recognized by this wonderful family of folkies!”

Olesko noted that he shares the award “with all of our hosts, everyone who contributed to our Kickstarter campaign that enabled us to launch, the artists whose music we share, and [with] everyone who tunes in to our 24-hour service. I am very proud what we have created together!” He expressed thanks to the NERFA board of directors for recognizing Folk Music Notebook and what it has accomplished so far. “We have some exciting new shows and plans for the future, and I think you will enjoy what we are going to be adding at www.FolkMusicNotebook.com – your home for great folk songs old and new, 24 hours a day!”

An active participant in NERFA conferences for many years, Olesko served as a moderator and panelist during this year’s event, and was part of the judging panel that selected the official showcase artists. He joined Sonny Ochs (an upstate New York-based folk DJ who also has a show that airs on Folk Music Notebook) in moderating a Wisdom of the Elders session featuring fellow folk DJs Wanda Adams Fischer (host of Hudson River Sampler on WAMC in Albany, NY), John Platt (host of Sunday Supper on WFUV in the Bronx, NY), and Rich Warren (host of the nationally syndicated Midnight Special that emanates from WFMT in Chicago, IL). Olesko also joined Platt and folk DJs Jess Phaneuf (MVY Radio on Martha’s Vineyard, MA), Joe Pszonek (who hosts shows on WNTI in NJ and on Blues & Roots Radio), and Greg Torrington (Stingray Digital) in a panel discussion entitled Ride The Wave: Radio, Podcasts, Satellite, Terrestrial & New Media Platforms, as well as Pszonek, AcousticMusicScene.com’s Michael Kornfeld, and artists Mara Levine and Stuart Markus on a panel exploring Self-Promoting Your Project To The Folk DJ Chart – Is It For You?

Conference attendees included performing artists, presenters, promoters, agents and managers, folk DJs, and others actively engaged in contemporary and traditional folk music. They enjoyed and were inspired by jam-packed days and nights of music showcases, song swaps/in-the-rounds, open mics and informal jam sessions, a children’s concert, informative panel discussions and workshops, one-on-one mentoring and peer group sessions, communal meals, an exhibit hall, a community meeting with NERFA’s board of directors, a community sing, a welcoming party, a 25th anniversary celebration, and lots of opportunities for schmoozing and networking.

Noel Paul Stookey keynoted the 25th annual NERFA Conference. (Photo: Jake Jacobson)

Courtney Rodland, NERFA’s conference director, presented the organization’s first Lifetime Achievement Award to Dianne Tankle, NERFA’s founder and its conference director from its inception until stepping down last fall.

NERFA (www.nerfa.org) is a regional affiliate of Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion. NERFA’s geographic boundaries extend from the eastern provinces of Canada south to the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to my NERFA board colleagues for their ongoing commitment and dedication to our organization and the community that we serve, and for re-electing me to another term as president during our reorganization meeting that took place just prior to the start of the conference. It was my pleasure to present NERFA’s first Creator of the Year Award to Ron Olesko, as well as to participate on two panels and host late-night showcases under the banner of AcousticMusicScene.com during the conference.

The Early Risers: Putnam Smith and Ashley Storrow

Making Life Sweet is the debut release by The Early Risers, a Vermont-based folk duo whose rootsy and lyrical original songs feature close vocal harmonies and arrangements on an array of instruments – including banjo, guitar, mandolin, piano, and shruti box. “This Changes Everything,” “Red Bird,” and the album’s title track were the top three songs on folk radio in November. Smith and Storrow — both formerly from Maine — came together as The Early Risers in 2015 after pursuing solo careers and have since toured across North America. Accompanying the musical duo on the recording are April Reed-Cox and Seth Yentes on cello, Zak Trojano on percussion, Steve Cady on upright bass, and Emily Mure on oboe and harmony vocals.

The November 2019 Top Albums, Songs and Artists charts are based on 13,738 airplays reported on 518 playlists submitted by 120 different DJs. The number of reported spins is shown below in parentheses. The charts are compiled by Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org), a nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion.

The monthly top albums and songs charts are posted on AcousticMusicScene.com, with permission.

Top Albums of November 2019

1. Making Life Sweet by The Early Risers (122)
2. Best of the Rest by Si Kahn (112)
3. Heroes and Sparrows by Kevin Brown (77)
4. If I Catch My Dream by Bett Padgett (64)
5. Wahoo! by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (56)
6. Lines and Spaces by Heather Pierson (52)
7. Today Again by Fred Arcoleo (50)
7. Bones and Gravity by Lizanne Knott (50)
9. Greening the Dark by Debra Cowan (48)
10. Fair Play to You All by Tommy Sands (43)
10. All That’s Real by Gathering Sparks (43)
12. Straight to Marrow by Clint Alphin (41)
13. Up Against the Sky by Dave Gunning (39)
14. Heart Land Again by Tim Grimm (38)
15. Going to the Well by Linda McRae (37)
16. Wildwood by Katie Dahl (36)
17. Every Single Star by Dori Freeman (35)
17. Assiniboine and the Red by The Small Glories (35)
17. How We Want to Live by Lisa Bastoni (35)
17. Words of Love by Allison Lupton (35)
21. Rearrange My Heart by Che Apalache (33)
21. Honest by Ordinary Elephant (33)
21. If You Fall by Jaime Michaels (33)
24. Country Music: A Film by Ken Burns (The Soundtrack) by Various
Artists (32)
24. Old Ghosts and Lost Causes by Helene Cronin (32)
26. These Old Hands by Crys Matthews (31)
26. The Best of Christine Lavin by Christine Lavin (31)
26. Heather Down the Moor by Gatehouse (31)
29. Visions by Alice Howe (30)
29. While I’m Livin by Tanya Tucker (30)
31. Mama’s Biscuits by Kirby Heard (29)
31. Redemption 10: Live at Blue Rock by Libby Koch (29)
33. My Dony by Grant Dermody (28)
33. Wonderful Fairytale by Bill Jones (28)
33. Come on Up to the House – Women Sing Waits by Various Artists (28)
36. Due to the Darkness by The Gossamer Strings (27)
36. Catching Rain by Peter Mayer (27)
38. Unfortunate Point of View by Katherine Rondeau (26)
38. Travelin’ Thru: The Bootleg Series Vol. 15, 1967-1969 by Various (26)
40. Oklahoma by Keb’ Mo’ (25)
40. No Ceiling by Dick Weismass (25)
42. Acorns by Ben Winship (24)
42. The Storyteller’s Suitcase by Ellis Paul (24)
42. Gonna Love Anyway by Louisa Branscomb (24)
42. Home by Billy Strings (24)
42. Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne by Amy Speace (24)
47. Sketches by Natalie Macmaster (23)
47. Winter Stories by Judy Collins and Jonas Fjeld (23)
47. Even the Sparrow by Kelly Hunt (23)
50. World Full of Blues by Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley (22)
50. That We Could Find a Way to Be by Andrew Vannorstrand (22)
52. Hush the Wild Horses by Rachel Harrington (21)
52. Chasing the Sun by Bobtown (21)
52. Resurrection by Kinky Friedman (21)
52. Talk to a Human by Terri Hendrix (21)
52. Walls of Time by Mike Block (21)
52. Songs of Our Native Daughters by Our Native Daughters (21)
58. When They Fall by Annie and Rod Capps (20)
58. Medicine for Living by Alexa Rose (20)
58. Tall Fiddler by Michael Cleveland (20)
61. Sunshine Is Free by Monica Rizzio (19)
61. Leylines by Rising Appalachia (19)
61. Adobe Road by Cej (19)
61. Pharmakon by Humbird (19)
61. Songs for the Book of Life by Ron Israel (19)
66. Wrestling With the Mystery by Nick Nace (18)
66. Blood by Allison Moorer (18)
66. Breaking in Lonesome by Rick Faris (18)
66. Rings Around Saturn by Marion Halliday (18)
70. Shades of Blue by Lynne Taylor (17)
70. Crowing Ignites by Bruce Cockburn (17)
70. Charlie Parr by Charlie Parr (17)
70. Rifles and Rosary Beads by Mary Gauthier (17)
70. Is It the Kiss by Ana Egge (17)
70. Coyote by Catherine Maclellan (17)

Top Songs of November 2019

Here’s a link to view a video of The Early Risers performing “Making Life Sweet,” the title track of the duo’s October 2019 debut release:

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

1. “This Changes Everything” by The Early Risers (19)
1. “Red Bird” by The Early Risers (19)
3. “Making Life Sweet” by The Early Risers (17)
4. “The Distant Lights of Nowhere” by Kevin Brown (15)
5. “These Old Hands” by Crys Matthews (14)
5. “Bless Your Heart” by Clint Alphin (14)
5. “Down on the Merrimack River” by Si Kahn (14)
8. “Scarecrow” by Debra Cowan (13)
8. “The Dreamer” by Che Apalache (13)
10. “Thanksgiving” by Ron Israel (12)
10. “The Old Changing Way” by Debra Cowan (12)
10. “Walking” by The Early Risers (12)
13. “Lines and Spaces” by Heather Pierson (11)
13. “When I’m Gone” by Fred Arcoleo (11)
13. “The Old Front Porch” by Bett Padgett (11)
13. “High on a Mountain” by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (11)
13. “Jump Up Ginger” by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (11)
13. “My Town” by The Early Risers (11)
19. “World Full of Blues” by Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley (10)
19. “Shades of Blue” by Lynne Taylor (10)
19. “When I Go Out at Night” by Kevin Brown (10)
19. “Rearrange My Heart” by Che Apalache (10)
19. “Jenny & James” by Ordinary Elephant (10)
19. “The Unconquerable Past” by Stephen Fearing (10)
19. “What Will I Dream” by Allison Lupton (10)
19. “For Goodness Sake” by Kevin Brown (10)
19. “Hurricane” by Lizanne Knott (10)
19. “Snowing on Raton” by Jaime Michaels (10)
19. “Darling Corey” by The Early Risers (10)
19. “To Hear Doc Watson Play” by Si Kahn (10)
19. “Northwest Passage” by Judy Collins and Jonas Fjeld (10)

Top Artists of November 2019

Si Kahn (Photo: Nancy Peirce)