FAR-West 2015 Official Showcase Deadline THIS Thursday!

Submissions for FAR-West’s (Folk Alliance Region-West) 2015 Official Showcases will close THIS Thursday, April 30th at 11:59pm (PST).

All musicians in the region and from other regions are encouraged to submit for a showcase.

World Folk Music Association Founder Passes.

Bluegrass Radio Personality Katy Daly reports that World Folk Music Association (WFMA)Founder and Past-President. Dick Cerri, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

Dick, along with Tom Paxton, founded the organization in 1982 and was the guiding force behind WFMA for 29 years.

New Robin and Linda Williams CD Streaming LIVE!

We have some good news about the new CD from Robin and Linda Williams, "These Old Dark Hills." It is due to be released on August 14.

And even more good news, the nice folks at Pretty Good Goods catalog will be streaming the CD live  until August 14. So if you're interested in what it sounds like, CLICK HERE  to give it a listen.

The CD is already starting to get some airplay. So far the song about the William’s dog, Tess, has drawn a lot of attention. And some of the guys who make guitars at Huss and Dalton in Robin and Linda’s hometown say they heard some cuts on Ian Anderson's folk show from Scotland.

Far West Folk Alliance Offers Scholarships for Annual Conference

Folk Alliance Region West (FAR-West) is pleased to announce its 9th Annual FAR-West Regional Conference will be held Thursday, October 18 through Sunday, October 21, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in southern California.

Would you love to attend FAR-West but just don't seem to have the funds available at this time? If so, then you may be a candidate for a scholarship award through the Howard Larman Memorial Scholarship Fund.

UNDISCOVERED WOODY GUTHRIE

ROUNDER RECORDS TO RELEASE

WOODY GUTHRIE: AMERICAN RADICAL PATRIOT

SEPTEMBER 25

A UNIQUE PORTRAIT OF AMERICA'S MOST ICONIC FOLK SINGER

Includes the first publication of the complete Library of Congress recordings and many newly-discovered masters, plus a DVD – offering more than three hours of Woody Guthrie material never before released, including what Alan Lomax called Woody’s “musical autobiography.”

Hard Road Trio Releases “Monticello”

The Hard Road Trio took the long road to get to a place where their music feels at home.

With their original Southwestern acoustic blend of Americana and Bluegrass music from the wide-open spaces of New Mexico, The Trio extends their roots into old time, jazz, country  and modern chamber music.

Folk icon Tom Russell says:

"This fine CD reminds me of the raw and colorful beauty of the New Mexico landscape. Stories of honesty and power. Steve Smith shines on the mandolin... a master."

Doc Watson Gone at 89

A simple statement on his official spokesperson’s website says:

“Regret to announce that Doc Watson died this evening. More details shortly.
Rest in peace.”

That’s the way the world was informed of the death of one of the greatest acoustic guitar players to live in this and the last century.

Nostalgic Music Release Free to 500 Lucky Fans!

THE DOUBLE LP OF ROOTS MOMENTS GOES TO PRESS!

Analog record pressing and old-school mail-in promotion can earn Music City Roots and Vietti Chili fans a cherished musical keepsake

Details and Video Coming Soon!

Music City Roots and Vietti Vinyl  announce the release of Roots Moments: Special Live Cuts From Season One in a limited edition, double LP set.

Already released on CD and iTunes download by Nashville’s Compass Records, this anthology is known as an enthralling sonic document of the inaugural season of Nashville’s admired roots/Americana radio show.

I Draw Slow Signs with Pinecastle Records

Pinecastle Records is pleased to announce that it has signed I Draw Slow. Their upcoming album Redhills will be released August 7th, 2012. Customers who pre-order Redhills from the Pinecastle website will also receive a free digital copy (available here) delivered on the release date. In addition, customers will also receive the single "Goldmine" instantly after their purchase.

I Draw Slow is a five piece string band playing original music in the American folk tradition, but with an Irish influence. All five members have played in old time and bluegrass bands around Ireland, Europe and the US over the last decade. Siblings Dave (guitar) and Louise (vocals) Holden have been writing together for two decades, starting on Dublin, Ireland’s touring circuit with a funk band.

Folk Alliance Looking for Workshop and Panel Presenters!

Far - West (the western region of the National Folk Alliance) panels and workshops coordinators, Steve Brandick and Gigi Johnson, are putting together the sessions for the 2012 annual conference and looking for interested presenters for the following topics:

• Audience Building
• Finding Your Touring Niche
• Where the gigs are
• Use of Data and Social Media to Build the Audience
• Capturing Live Performances
• Understanding Digital Distribution
• Southern California Folk Scene
• Finding Brand Sponsorship
• One-on-One Song Critique

CD REVIEW - Elena Yeung's "Dandelion"

...She definitely is a bluegrass girl when she kicks off one of her songs. Dexterity, feel and timing are her forte....

Prescription Bluegrass CD Reviewer W.J. Hallock finds one of Canada's Best-Kept Secrets.  Elena Yeung's "Dandelion" get's favorable+ review.

Read the full review on the Prescription Bluegrass CD Review Page

Click Here

NewFolkRadio.com Launches Online Interactive Folk and Bluegrass Radio Station

(PORTLAND, OR -- February 21, 2012) -- A new composite Internet radio station has launched online and it's titled NewFolkRadio.com. The station, based in Portland, Oregon, plays roots, traditional folk, new folk, and bluegrass 24/7., without subscription fees.

What makes the station fall into the category of composite is its split personality: on the desktop or laptop, you can create your own playlist from the station's large library of songs, and on your smartphone or tablet, you can listen to NewFolkRadio as a streaming broadcast, or with one click you can transfer your own playlist to a mobile player for on the go listening.

NewFolkRadio.com is the first Internet station to feature custom playlists for listeners on the go. With just one click, a listener can save a custom playlist and have it available on any mobile device, such as smartphones and tablets.

U.S. Department of State’s American Music Abroad Initiative Now Accepting Applications

Using music as a means to engage audiences worldwide, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that the American Music Abroad program is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 season.  Musicians interested in applying for this international exchange program, which consists of month-long, multi-country tours for approximately 10 ensembles from a variety of American musical genres, may apply at www.americanvoices.org/ama. 

American Music Abroad ensembles will be selected on the basis of artistic quality and commitment to educational and cultural engagement.    To represent the full spectrum of the American musical landscape, musical ensembles from across the United States that specialize in Hip Hop, Rock & Roll, Jazz, Country, and other American roots music including but not limited to Native American, Latin, Afro-Caribbean, Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Gospel and Zydeco are invited to apply for this international exchange program.

A Tearful Laurie Lewis Receives “Performer Award” from Best of the West!

Congratulations to Laurie Lewis!
Laurie has been honored with the 2011 Performer Award from the Folk Alliance Far-West, the western regional chapter of Folk Alliance International.

73rd National Folk Festival this Labor Day Weekend!

The National Folk Festival is coming to Nashville Labor Day weekend Sep 2 – 4 and we hope you can join us.  “The National” is the oldest festival of its kind in the United States and features a musically diverse programming that will knock your socks off.  And it’s FREE.
Bluegrass music will be well represented this year by 3 time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Dale Ann Bradley. 
She will be on hand all weekend celebrating the release of her new album Somewhere South of Crazy.  The Country Music Hall of Fame is programming the Folklife Area of the festival which this year will feature a special workshop with Bluegrass Boys Roland White, Curtis McPeake, Bobby Hicks, and Tom Ewing. Watch Video