Radio and Press
Jared Ingersol provides a radio and press distribution and promotion service for folk, bluegrass, acoustic and Americana artists. If you are an artist seeking to get your music heard, see the Services page. Jared also hosts a syndicated radio program in close to 50 markets , called “Wandering Minstrels with Jared Ingersol”. You can find out more about that here.
Here are the releases that Jared has promoted to folk and acoustic radio:
Brittany Jean
Introducing the mesmerizing Brittany Jean, a folk singer-songwriter with a flair for heartfelt storytelling. Originally hailing from West Chicago, IL, she now calls the picturesque Pacific Northwest her home, residing in a little apple town in Washington State. With a style deeply rooted in the folk and Americana music she has cherished all her life, Brittany Jean has a unique ability to turn every song she sings into a love song.
Over the past few years, Brittany has ventured far and wide, sharing her music with audiences both near and far. Her performances have included opening for Three Dog Night at their sold-out show at the City Winery in New York City, playing the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, participating in the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, and embarking on her first international tour on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. She achieved remarkable success with her album “Wintertide” reaching #2 on the Folk Alliance’s radio chart in December 2022, and her song “Call Me North” was named a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
On her album, “All the Love,” Brittany Jean offers listeners an intimate journey through love, hope, and resilience. Released at the onset of the pandemic, this album serves as a shining light in these challenging times, providing comfort and strength through her music. The album is a heartfelt collection of love songs featuring a mix of beloved classics and original compositions, including stunning renditions of favorites such as “Landslide,” “Please Come to Boston,” “Vincent,” and “Never Enough,” alongside her captivating original pieces. From this album, “The Mirror Go Machine” was a finalist in the 2020 International Acoustic Music Awards.
Brittany’s enchanting voice and sincere lyrics have resonated with a diverse audience, ensuring a one-of-a-kind listening experience that keeps them engaged. Her poise on stage will put you at ease, and her stories will draw you in.
Brittany Jean
Originally from West Chicago, IL, Brittany Jean is a folk singer/songwriter based in the Pacific Northwest, currently living in a little, apple town in Washington. Brittany’s style is rooted in the folk and Americana music she has loved all her life, and in one way or another, every song she sings is a love song.
During the past few years, Brittany’s performances have ventured farther and farther from home — opening for Three Dog Night’s sold out show at the City Winery in New York City, playing the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, performing at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, taking on her first international tour on Vancouver Island, British Columbia… to name a few adventures!
Brittany has released five, full-length albums — all recorded in Nashville: Whispered Stories, Leavin’ Home, Wander With Me, All The Love, and Wintertide…
Early 2020, after learning of and then dealing with the loss of her performance schedule for the rest of that year, Brittany turned her focus to creating her first-ever Christmas Album. Wintertide is comprised of fifteen songs — a blend of eight personal favorites and seven originals. From songs about home and a cabin up north to songs about crystal trees and a Christmas ghost ship, this album is a sweet new addition to the Christmas Music catalogue…
“So many of you have been asking for this album for years…
Wintertide is for you.”
-Brittany Jean
Brooks Williams
To mark this 30th anniversary, Brooks Williams has recorded an album of favourites from his back catalogue. Work My Claim plays to Brooks’ strengths as a musician and collaborator, showing off his full range of guitar styles and musical influences. The album features contributions by some of his closest musician friends including John McCusker, Christine Collister, Jim Henry, Aaron Catlow, and Phil Richardson.
#2 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO (MARCH 2020)
#2 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO (MARCH 2020)
#6 SONG (“KING OF CALIFORNIA”), #10 SONG (“INLAND SAILOR”), #25 SONG (TIES) AT FOLK RADIO (“WHATEVER IT TAKES”, “SEVEN SISTERS”) (MARCH 2020)
#21 ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT FOLK RADIO (2020)
Brooks Williams
Over a groove that would make the late Allen Toussaint proud, Brooks Williams sings, “I’m going to New Orleans to catch the lucky star that fell.” It’s a lyric from a Walter Hyatt song and gives Williams the title for his 28th album. Lucky Star features Williams’ roots driven compositions alongside songs by the aforementioned Texas legend Hyatt, a woman known as the “Empress of the Blues” and another from the original soul sister, known as “the Godmother of rock and roll.”
Brooks Williams hails from Statesboro, Georgia, the town made famous by country-blues legend Blind Willie McTell. Ranked in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists, he’s a mean finger-picker and a stunning slide guitarist, praised by Rolling Stone, The Boston Globe, R2, and Mojo. He’s played festival stages to listening rooms, from Newport to Philly, Boston to Glasgow, Cambridge to Belfast, and London to Detroit, and picked alongside Taj Mahal, John Hammond, Little Feat, and Maria Muldaur, to name a few. These days, he makes Cambridge, England his home – but he continues to keep an active tour schedule, criss-crossing continents with ease.
#2 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO (JULY 2018)
#2 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO (JULY 2018)
#2 SONG (“BRIGHT SIDE OF THE BLUES”) AND #4 SONG (“GAMBLING MAN”) AT FOLK RADIO (JULY 2018)
#7 AT INDEPENDENT BLUES BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION CHART (JULY 2018)
#8 AT EUROAMERICANA RADIO (JULY 2018)
#2 AT ROOTS MUSIC REPORT ACOUSTIC BLUES CHART
Taivi
There’s a Rising Tide on the horizon and it’s the emotional epicentre of Toronto-based Americana singer and songwriter Taivi’s refreshing new album. Thirteen songs deep and recorded in North America and Frankfurt, Germany, the Rising Tide sessions were mentored by Grammy-nominated internationally renowned bluegrass star Claire Lynch, whose incredible band served as support on the album, along with a few other notable musicians.
Engineered by Nicolas Tjelios (Basia Bulat, Jenny Whiteley, Ken Whiteley,) the intriguing and topical self-penned songs reflect “life and connections,” Taivi says, ranging from taking stock (“Red Moon Rise”) and ecology (“The Clearwater”) to romance (“When I’m With You, a duet with Nova Scotian Ryan Roberts) and rumination (“One More Dance.”)
“I feel lucky to have a body of work like Rising Tide out there,” says Taivi. “From the inspiration for the songs through the production, it has drawn from – and brought together – beautiful influences in my life. It’s a continuing journey – and I’m looking forward to where the next step is going to take me.” Keep an eye peeled for Taivi as she brings Rising Tide to stages – a fresh wave of excellent music that will leave you pining for more.
Leah Kaufman
In the 1990’s, Seattle singer-songwriter Leah Kaufman released three recordings with popular acoustic quintet ‘The Wailing Strangers’, and her own solo debut CD, ‘Five Fingers’. Performing in festivals and venues throughout the Northwest, her songs garnered songwriting awards and accolades from the South Florida Songwriting Competition, Intermountain Acoustic Music Association, Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Competition and the Austin Songwriting Competition.
Now, in 2017, relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, Leah’s re-emerging with a new collection of songs that demonstrate resilience and a deeper commitment to writing, singing and performing. Her songwriting takes a love for old-time music’s drive and melodic simplicity and marries it with the evocative lyricism of contemporary songwriting. The result: songs with melodies that stick like glue and lyrics that tell stories you love hearing. An accomplished finger-style guitar player as well as fine flat-picker, whether her songs slide into bluegrass, swing or blues, the common core of exquisite lyrics, fine guitar work and a clear strong voice holds true.
Her latest album, “On To Something Fine”, pulses with rhythm and vibrant musicianship, acoustic music that steps into Americana, bluegrass, contemporary singer-songwriter, even a touch of country-swing and folk-rock. From the sweetness of a lullaby to a driving honky-tonk dance tune, each song starts with the backbone of articulate guitar playing and then layers on an ear-catching voice that pulls you in to each song’s unique story.
Bill Booth
Bill BoothWith “Some Distant Shore,” Bill Booth illustrates the depth of his character, with a hearty mix of acoustic rock, Americana and Celtic-inspired folk. The roots-rock artist who has been described as “a Mark Knopfler with fiddle and accordion,” has also been likened to J.J. Cale, Tom Pacheco, Springsteen, and Tony Joe White.
On “Some Distant Shore”, he returns to some of the folk roots of his native New England, with it’s long history of Irish, English and Scottish immigration, to create an album which draws its musical and lyrical inspiration from the traditions of the British Isles as well as areas of North America where there is a stronger Celtic influence.
An expatriated American who has been based in Oslo since entering the Norwegian music scene performing on the fiddle with rock legend Åge Alexandersen, he has released five critically well-received solo albums of self-penned songs, and composed for and performed on dozens of releases by other established artists.Bill Booth appears regularly either with his own band or as a solo acoustic performer (guitar and fiddle) at festivals and concert arenas as well as folk clubs and venues in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe and the United States.
Brooks Williams
In celebration of his November 2016 UK Tour, Inside The Blues, with Guy Davis, Brooks Williams has released an album of some of his favourite blues songs. Recorded “old school” with just voice and guitar (acoustic, resonator and cigar box), live in the studio, using vintage mics and a creaky chair, Brooks’ Blues is a fitting homage to the music that has inspired this Statesboro, Georgia native since, well, the day he was born. Williams says: “I’m pretty sure my mother and father weren’t thinking anything about the blues when I was born in Statesboro, Georgia. And they certainly wouldn’t have known anything about Blind Willie McTell’s song, Statesboro Blues, which put Statesboro on the blues map forever. Little did they know what a legacy they were handing me.”
Brooks’ Blues represents Williams’ unique relationship with the blues, a relationship based not only on a ‘feel’ for the music, and a technical prowess with the music, but also an intimate knowledge of the place from which this music has sprung. His soulful arrangements are fresh and re-visioned, but they are also as familiar as a front-porch conversation.
“Blues great Willie Dixon once said, “The blues is the roots, the rest are the fruits.” I’ve built a 25-plus CD career based on the fruits,” says Williams. “Now’s the time for the roots.”
#8 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – JANUARY 2017
#10 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – JANUARY 2017
David Mallett
With the release of Celebration, David Mallett’s 17th collection of original music, he continues to build on his reputation as a consummate American songwriter. The album is already drawing praise for Mallett’s sophisticated, poetic — almost literate — approach to his music, leading one critic to proclaim “somebody’s got to make this man the musical poet laureate of… America.”
For over four decades, Maine-based David Mallett has remained a quintessential modern troubadour, performing thousands of shows, from backwoods grange halls to Wolf Trap, A Prairie Home Companion and The Newport Folk Festival. His songs have been sung in concert halls, festivals and folk clubs around the world by himself and many of the world’s most iconic singers, including Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss and Pete Seeger.
#7 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2016
#7 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – “CELEBRATION” – SEPTEMBER 2016
#7 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2016
The Sommers Rosenthal Family Band
The Sommers Rosenthal Family Band is one of the most exciting and diversely talented family bands on the scene today. The group plays an eclectic mix of folk, bluegrass and jazz stylings, featuring close vocal trios and adventurous instrumental solos. Phil Rosenthal is known to audiences world-wide as the former lead singer and guitarist of the seminal bluegrass band, The Seldom Scene. Naomi Sommers is a gifted vocalist with a tone and style of singing that is completely singular. Daniel Rosenthal is an accomplished young trumpeter. Conservatory trained, he has performed with such jazz legends as Steve Lacy, Bob Brookmeyer, and Anthony Braxton, among others.
On their new album, Down the Road, the group revisits several classic bluegrass tunes written by Phil in the 1970s and 1980s, giving them new and exciting arrangements. The group also bring new life to traditional songs such as “Worried Man Blues”, “Midnight Special”, and “East Virginia Blues”. The Sommers Rosenthal Family Band have been called “the real deal… just plain timeless” by the Hartford Courant.
#14 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2016
Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards
For over a decade, Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards have resonated with the lover of Americana, old country, and harmony singing, commanding crafted melodies and poignant, introspective lyrics, backing them with delicate arrangements on ukulele, clarinet, guitar and banjo. Their songs have been well-received by audiences around the eastern United States since 2010. Over the years, Mandeville and Richards have shared the stage with acts like Garnet Rogers, Melanie Safka, John Gorka, Joan Osborne, Mustard’s Retreat, Atwater & Donnely, Antje Duvekot, and more.
“Transcending the genre of folk Americana, their music echoes inspiration from traditional folk duos and singer/songwriters like Ian & Sylvia, Kate Wolf and Neil Young – combining beautiful harmonies and a lyrical intensity, while establishing a unique sound of their own. Their new CD, Grain by Grain, demonstrates an ever progressive richness in songwriting and performance. From the opening title song through its closing track — “Across the Morning” — it is an exemplar of what modern Americana can and should be. “ – Nick Noble, WICN
#16 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – APRIL 2016
Tim May & Steve Smith
Introducing the Tim May & Steve Smith duo. Tim (guitar, vocals) met Steve (mandolin, vocals) while on staff at Camp Bluegrass in Levelland, Texas and quickly discovered many common musical threads for exploration, honoring tradition and improvisation. Their new CD/EP reflects upon the acoustic music force the duo has become. Their shows include tight vocal harmonies, dazzling guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin and twin mandolin works throughout a broad range of styles, and include many original vocal and instrumental works.
Tim May (Nashville, TN) is most familiar to folk radio DJs and listeners as part of the duo Carpenter & May, which had a #1 album in 2010. He’s toured with Patty Loveless, John Cowan and Eddie Rabbitt. Tim was the solo guitarist on Charlie Daniels’ recording of I’ll Fly Away, which was nominated for a Grammy in 2005, the same year he was session leader on the critically acclaimed Moody Bluegrass album (he later played on Moody Bluegrass II as well). The Nashville Scene selected Tim in the Best Instrumentalist category in their 2012 Reader’s Choice Poll. PK Thompson Guitars, Collings Mandolins, Shubb Capos, Elixir Strings, Hoffee Cases, Benedetto Guitars , L.R. Baggs Pickups & Pre-amps and Breedlove Guitars all have presented professional endorsements to Tim, a serious nod to his talents.
Steve Smith (Las Cruces, NM) is not only known as one of the United States’ top mandolin players but also as an outstanding educator. Along with his work with the Roots/Bluegrass group The Hard Road Trio, Steve has been on faculty at camps ranging from Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Camp to the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop. He’s performed at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass, and appeared on over 30 albums, including those by Jim Hurst, Tim O’Brien and Alan Munde. His music has been heard on countless radio stations across the US and on the Discovery Channel, The History Channel and even the Weather Channel.
Gene & Gayla Mills
Gene and Gayla Mills play acoustic Americana—modern folk tinged with bluegrass and country, featuring Gene’s award-winning original songs. They offer “some of the best organic music you could hope to come across—killer stuff” (Chris Spector, Midwest Record). “One of the best (and also one of the best-kept secrets) in the central Virginia music scene,” the duo features “impressive lead guitar, solid bass fiddle, and smooth harmonies.” Gene’s songs tell rich, concrete stories of memorable characters, from miners and farmers to lovers and soldiers.
Their CD If Stones Could Talk reached #11 on the Folk DJ chart and #5 on the Roots Music Folk Chart for four months.
In their second duo record, Walk on Solid Ground, Gene and Gayla Mills once again appeal to the head and heart with original songs exploring the breadth and nuance of life. In Gene’s story songs, some characters overcome weakness, loss, or a broken heart, while others embrace the beauty and brevity of experience. Some songs continue the folk tradition of protesting threats from moneyed interests. Others poke fun at the opposite sex, embrace flirtation, or express the intensity of love.
The duo’s eclectic mix of traditional folk, bluegrass, country, and Americana centers on the sounds of Gene’s acoustic guitar, Gayla’s upright bass, and their supple harmony singing, enhanced by guest musicians on dobro, mandolin, and drums.
#10 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – APRIL 2015
Eliza Lynn
When Eliza Lynn tosses her long red hair back and steps up to the microphone to sing, a world of music comes pouring out. Foothills folk, backwoods hollers, playful pop, lilting Texas Swing and deep country blues; over the course of her young-but-well-traveled life, the St. Louis based singer/songwriter has absorbed it all. With a career bolstered by community support through album pre-sales and individual and business sponsorship, Lynn has taken the idea of community participation in her musical career to a new level.
Eliza’s new release, Goodbye Nashville, was recorded on the Isle of Mull one year ago with musicians from the Perthshire Amber festival: Gordon MacLean, Sorren MacLean, Hannah Fisher and Danny Grant. Eliza says, “With Gordon co-producing, engineering, and generally holding the space for magic to happen, Goodbye Nashville came into being. These four musicians have many hours, many years, logged playing together, so to step into their midst – into such exceptional, intuitive musicianship – was a true delight for me. And I couldn’t have known then how these tracks would carry me through the next year of grief and lamentation.”
Built on a sturdy Appalachian foundation and soaked in the blues, Lynn’s evocative singing voice, which has drawn comparisons to everyone from Bonnie Raitt to Peggy Lee, is the driving force and centerpiece of her albums and live shows. Whether she’s wailing away on clawhammer banjo or gently displaying her Piedmont blues chops, every song provides brilliant musical proof that Eliza Lynn is an artist whose time has come.
Steve Kahn
Steve Kahn is an award winning singer/songwriter. He was a part of the early Sonoma County folk renaissance in the 1970′s and 80′s, and continues to perform throughout Northern California and the West. Steve’s sings songs of love, humor, and compassion for others. The songs reflect the lives, the solitary struggles, and the improbable triumphs of the people he has met in his work and his travels.
Steve has recorded three albums: Lookout, Riding Out the Storm and his latest, These Things. All three albums have been produced in Davis, CA by Dave Nachmanoff, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who tours internationally both on his own and as the opening act and guitarist for Al Stewart. On These Things, Steve has written all the songs with the exception of “Dream About You Woman” (Hugh Shacklett) and “The Greatest” (Don Schlitz).
Steve remains committed to peace, equality, and environmental and social justice. He currently lives and performs in Northern California and beyond.
The Sweet Potatoes
The Sweet Potatoes come out of Southern California dishing up a fresh blend of country, folk and homespun Americana, sure to bring a smile to your face with their sweet harmonies and finely crafted songwriting.
The group is comprised of Laura Hall, Kelly Macleod and Rick Hall. Laura Hall (writer, vocals, guitar, accordion, ukulele) is best known for her piano work on “Whose Line is it Anyway”, and came up in the acoustic music scene in Chicago, playing in bands with Michael Smith, Buddy Mondlock and Tim Grimm. Kelly Macleod (writer, vocals, guitar) cut her teeth on the road after being discovered by Eddie Van Halen while singing at a local bar in Shreveport, La. Eddie brought her band, Private Life, on a world tour with him, and produced their two albums. Rick Hall (bass, harmonica, vocals) has been seen on countless television shows, films and commercials. He loves to write and tell stories about growing up on a farm in Central Illinois. Rick turned one of his stories into a short film, SLICE OF PIE, which he shot in his hometown. He cast Kelly in her debut acting role, and Laura created the score. Out of that collaborative process, The Sweet Potatoes was born.
Faith, Good Neighbors and a Telephone is produced by Nashville favorite, Phil Swann. The band is joined in the studio by guests that include David Carpenter (Billy Ray Cyrus, Julian Lennon) and Laura Hall’s bandmate from her “day job” as the pianist on “Whose Line is it Anyway”, Linda Taylor (Maia Sharp, Crystal Bowersox). Although they’re all old hands at performing, this is the new music from their hearts. These are the songs that really tell their stories, loaded with back porch harmonies and a touch of twang.
#15 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – JULY 2014
#9 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – JUNE 2014
Thomas Snow
Maine based pianist Thomas Snow releases his new CD “Friends” with the help of celebrated singer-songwriter Jonathan Edwards (”Sunshine” and “Shanty”) and a crew of top-notch musicians. Until now, Snow has been primarily known as a jazz musician who has performed with countless jazz luminaries. With “Friends”, Thomas re-discovers timeless, classic songs from the American folk canon and breathes new energy into these long-loved songs. Beautifully performed, his treatment of this repertoire is exciting, genuine and heartfelt.
Thomas Snow has played with Harry Allen, Jeff Coffin, Dave Holland, Ken Peplowski, Larry Coryell, Phil Wilson, and Herb Pomeroy. In the pop world, Thomas has also played and recorded with many artists including The Motor Booty Affair, bluesman Troy Turner, and celebrated singer/songwriter Gene McDaniels.
In addition to appearing on dozens of recordings, he has released three CDs of his own. Thomas has degrees from Berklee College of Music (B.A., 1991) and the New England Conservatory of Music (M.M., 2005). Aside from his performing and writing career, Thomas is a Lecturer in Music at Bates College and records and tours frequently with Jonathan Edwards.
“Friends” is a distinct departure from his previous three, jazz-influenced offerings. This is Thomas’ long-awaited folk/Americana CD featuring his remarkable piano playing together with the incomparable voice of award-winning singer-songwriter Jonathan Edwards. Thomas has creatively set this collection of standard repertoire into new and fresh settings.
Ari & Mia
Ari & Mia, Boston’s Americana sister act, reference the traditions of Southern and Northeastern fiddle music and the early American songbook to create a realm where their own compositions cross paths with older traditions. Their stylish and sophisticated music honors the sounds of Appalachian cottages, rural dance floors, and urban concert halls. Combine this with their innovative approach to song and tune-writing and the result is a fresh and contemporary sound.
Ari & Mia “blend a traditional rootsy grounding with a clear background of classical training. Their own works are soothing and fresh, tasteful and accomplished. This duo is taking the classical study of a conservatory program and bringing it alive in folk touring circles,” says SingOut! Magazine. Both sisters studied at Boston’s New England Conservatory in its cutting edge Contemporary Improvisation department.
Their album, Unruly Heart, ranked high on the national folk radio charts for 2011 and Mia’s song “Across the Water,” won the 2010 John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the folk category. Their brand new album, Land on Shore, was released in May 2013.
#19 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – JUNE 2013
Buffy Ford Stewart
Her name is Buffy Ford-Stewart, the widow of The Kingston Trio original group member John Stewart. He called her Angel Rain. For John Stewart, who died in San Diego in 2008, she was the muse for one of the great American singer-songwriters of the last 50 years. Without her, he may never have written the body of work ranging from “Daydream Believer,” “Mother Country,” and “California Bloodlines” to the latter day “Jasmine.” As one of the founders of Americana music, she inspired John’s lyrical, authentic, poetic, and visionary body of work. She was his all-time woman, the one who believed in him, the keeper of the flame lit by the treasury of songs authored by poet, artist, writer, dreamer, storyteller, and magic man.
Today, she follows a road of her own, a highway she once traveled with John. But, she does not walk it alone. A legion of John Stewart fans or Bloodliners, her close friends and family walk with her. She is a cancer survivor who has walked the borderline between life and death. She is still a daydream believer, still a homecoming queen, still the girl swept away by the lonesome troubadour of her youth.
After many hit albums, Buffy is back with more powerful vocals than ever before in her newest CD, Same Old Heart. She rides high in her rhythm and gives astonishing takes on classics. This album speaks volumes with the tone of her career. She weaves magic into every song, and leaves you with a great feeling after hearing each take that she demands.
Hey Mavis
The music of Hey Mavis can only be described as “Appalachian Americana”. With banjo, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, kick drum and harmonica, the quartet effortlessly moves from a softly orchestrated lullaby to a raw and raucous love song. “The songs feel soulful, they have dirt and substance,” says Hey Mavis founder Laurie Michelle Caner. “There is a sense of being grounded and close to the earth, and we try to breathe life into everything we do.”
After their most recent summer tour out west, during which Hey Mavis achieved notoriety as a finalist in the highly acclaimed Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest, Laurie (banjo/vocals/songwriting) and Ed Caner (fiddle/viola) started working with Cleveland songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Brent Kirby and seasoned upright bassist, Bryan Thomas.
Set to an instrumentation and impression of timeless Appalachian backwoods, the songs on Honey Man represent tales constructed around passing imagery of emotions and situations, such as relationships, the joy and labor of raising a child, hurting and heartbreak. The songs on Honey Man seem to lead us on a journey through the complex emotions of adult life, where one can only end up where they began, in a place where the simplicity of love always wins.
Honey Man is produced by the legendary Don Dixon (REM, Red Clay Ramblers, Smithereens), who also produced their first CD, Red Wine. Red Wine immediately climbed the international Folk DJ-L radio charts, peaking at #5 for overall artist while the songs “Red Light” and “Red Wine” peaked at #5 and #9. The CD finished the year at #12 in Folk Alley’s “Top CD’s of 2010”.
Maria Gillard
Maria Gillard is a talented singer, songwriter, and educator from the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. She has been composing and performing for 25 years. Her compelling, rich alto voice draws you into the lyrics which, when combined with memorable melodies, head straight for the heart. Her music has been described as soul stirring, evocative, contagious, lively and energizing. She has a down-home flair that makes you feel like you are in her living room – she is that charming, warm and inviting.
Her new album, “Mending”, is a mixed bag of songs and combos recorded over a 12-month period. It is her journey of creating studio versions of some songs that were written through a confusing period of transformation, grief and recovery. We mend ourselves little by little through love, faith, forgiveness and letting go. Peace is within our reach at all times. We just have to open our hearts and minds.
Andrew and Noah Band
Powerful songwriting, explosive improvisation, deep dance grooves and a unique vision for the future of American roots music. That’s what the Andrew & Noah Band is bringing to festival stages, concert halls, living rooms and dance floors all over North America.
Their core material, written by brothers Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand, might best be described as Americana Groove: a mix of Appalachian, Celtic, classic Country and Bluegrass, Jazz and Swing, Cajun / Zydeco, Alternative Folk, Roots Rock and various world music influences. The full seven-piece band features fiddle, accordion, mandolin, saxophone, guitars, bass, drums and three-part harmony vocals. Music that captures the memory of what we had, the urgency of where we are and the beat to keep you moving all night long..
#6 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – MAY 2012
#2 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – MAY 2012
#12 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO- MAY 2012
ellen cherry
Emmy nominated singer/songwriter ellen cherry is a full-time touring and working performer based in Baltimore, MD. She has licensed her music to the Oxygen Network, MTV, and Soap.net. In 2009, she wrote, recorded and performed a TV campaign for FOX Networks and also composed the score for a shadow puppet piece entitled “Alonzo’s Lullaby”, which has been awarded the prestigious UNIMA Citation of Excellence. She has been awarded Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Awards for Vocal Performance (2007) and Music Composition (2009), and the Wildflower! Michael Terry People’s Choice Award (2011). She founded her own studio and label, Wrong Size Shoes, in 2004.
Once a character in a novel, ellen cherry sprung from the pages of a book in 1997, and began her life as a living, breathing, dynamic performer. An artist incapable of stopping the process of creation, ellen cherry has recorded and released original music continuously since 1997. Her style has been described as “spunky downer pop for History buffs” and, yes, she is over 5’10” tall!
Her brand new EP, Please Don’t Sell the Piano, produced by Caleb Stine, is her first CD exploring the piano. Her last album, (New) Years, featured many tracks focusing on specific moments in women’s history, as well as ellen’s own personal journey and experience. (New) Years charted in the top 20 on the FOLKDJ-L chart in 2011.
ellen cherry mesmerizes her audience with her powerful voice and uses her keen, on-the-fly sense of humor to weave history, storytelling, and melody together.
West of Eden
For a decade West of Eden has thrilled audiences with their unique Celtic folk rock. The highest of songwriting standards combined with the extraordinary voice of singer Jenny Schaub has earned them a solid reputation amongst critics around the globe. The band has become accustomed to being called “simply phenomenal” (Rock ‘n’ Reel). “masters of their genre” (UNT) and “the best living example of the folk rock genre in action” (Irish Music Magazine)!
West of Eden has toured Ireland, Benelux and Scandinavia. They played at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Scotland, and in 2009, they performed a multi-media concert with members of the Swedish National Orchestra at the Concert Hall in Gothenburg.
“Safe Crossing” is the band’s seventh album, and their finest offering yet. It features thirteen strong, carefully crafted songs that carry stories about people and shipwrecks outside Cornwall and around the Scilly Islands. West of Eden delivers a broad palette of Celtic music that echoes of their love for everything from traditional tunes to contemporary folk. But make no mistake: whether intimate acoustic storytelling, traditional tunes or catchy uplifting folk rock, West of Eden has a unique and soulful sound of their own!
The album was recorded on location at Sawmills Studio (Robert Plant, Oasis and many more) and features guest performances by the Irish flute player Steph Geremia, Swedish singer/songwriter Christian Kjellvander and The Celtic Brass Quartet.
Swedish by birth they may be, but in heart and soul they are definitely Celtic!
#5 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – MARCH 2012
#7 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – MARCH 2012
#8 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO- MARCH 2012
The Carrborators
The Carrborators are an acoustic quartet that delivers a rich blend of folk, rock, and jazz influences in true Americana style. They are based in the sister cities of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, deep in the heart of the North Carolina Piedmont. Their music features layered vocal harmonies intertwined with a mix of flatpicking and finger-styled guitars, mandolin, dobro, harmonica, and bass. They perform original tunes that span the spectrum from love to war to caffeine. Their influences are as diverse as Gram Parsons, Donald Fagen, Gillian Welch, John Lennon, Tim and Mollie O’Brien, and John and Michelle Phillips.
The eclectic mix of songs that comprises Caffeinated Heart is rooted in the contemporary singer-songwriter tradition, but fortified with a healthy dose of rock-and-roll and tempered with a sweet dusting of bluegrass. In this, their debut album, the Carrborators ponder the challenges of the twenty-first century, with thoughtful lyrics that are intensified by the carefully-crafted harmonic structure of the music. The result is pure acoustic Americana, served with a shot of caffeine (the original fuel additive).
Caffeinated Heart also includes guest appearances by fiddler Bobby Britt (Town Mountain, Big Fat Gap), banjoist Chandler Holt (Chatham County Line), guitarist Will McFarlane (Bonnie Raitt, The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section), drummer Mitch Easter (Sneakers, Let’s Active), and percussionist Colin Cannell (Skylark, the Donnybrook Lads). The album was recorded in Chapel Hill by Chris Stamey (the dBs, the Chris Stamey Band).
The Barefoot Movement
The Barefoot Movement is a trio of immensely talented musicians from North Carolina and Tennessee whose music successfully melds Americana influences with the invigoration of acoustic modern rock and jazz. Their sound simultaneously captures the rustic beauty of old Southern front porch Bluegrass improvisation while being immediately accessible to the modern era.
The group was initially formed when Noah Wall, singer and fiddler, and Tommy Norris, mandolin player, attended high school together in their home county of Granville, NC and began setting Noah’s lyrics to Tommy’s chords. Though the band was threatened when the two members left to attend colleges in different states, it was while Noah was a student of the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Program at Eastern Tennessee State University that she met Quentin Acres, when both were chosen to perform for the Old-Time Pride Band. The three soon united to form The Barefoot Movement. The name evolved from Noah’s tendency to remove her shoes during shows, a testament to the relaxed atmosphere and down-home stylings of the group.
This evolution of sound can be heard in their latest record “Footwork,” a polished opus showcasing the group’s maturation and talent. Noah’s voice is subtly piercing while displaying a remarkable range, from the toe-tapping, barn-raising Calico Jack to the melodic, nostalgic Tobacco Road. Barefoot Movement’s newest album is nothing short of addictive. Embedded in each track are compelling visual evocations, complex tonal twists, and a downright good time.
#7 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – OCTOBER 2011
Moody Bluegrass Two…Much Love
Legendary Nashville songwriter Roger Miller once wrote about what happens “When Two Worlds Collide,” but even though, at first glance, the progressive British rock of the Moody Blues and the all-star bluegrass lineup paying tribute to that music may seem worlds apart, the harmonious results, Moody Bluegrass Two…Much Love, prove they’re really parallel universes.
Following 2004’s critically and commercially acclaimed tribute to the legendary Moody Blues, the GRAMMY nominated Moody Bluegrass, along with the highly successful Moody Bluegrass Live, Nashville’s finest have come together again to honor the Moody Blues. Producer David Harvey returns for this second volume, which perfectly blends the brilliant songwriting of the Moody Blues with the bluegrass sounds of mandolins, banjos and even clogging. The record spans the entire Moody Blues catalogue, and includes fan favorites such as “Tuesday Afternoon” and “I Know You’re Out There.” Moody Bluegrass Two…Much Love translates the Moody Blues’ original songs seamlessly, and much like the first bluegrass tribute, the beauty of the original Moody Blues music shines. There are stellar performances from Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Carl Jackson, Tim O’Brien, Peter Rowan, Sam Bush, Larry Cordle, Jon Randall, the late Harley Allen, and more. They are surrounded by the best-of-the-best musicians, engineers and vocalists.
For the first time in over 30 years, all five Moody Blues members perform on the same album; Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge are joined by retired members Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder. With Moody Bluegrass Two…Much Love, the worlds of bluegrass and progressive rock don’t collide, they combine, finding common ground in perfect harmony.
Gene & Gayla Mills
Gene and Gayla Mills play acoustic Americana–folk tinged with bluegrass, country, and more. “One of the best (and also one of the best-kept secrets) in the central Virginia music scene,” the duo features “impressive lead guitar, solid bass fiddle, and smooth harmonies.” Gene’s songs tell rich, concrete stories of memorable characters, from miners and farmers to lovers and soldiers.
In their new release, “If Stones Could Talk”, Gene portrays recent events, from a vet’s account of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in Forgetting to the pain a woman faces in the recession after two years of unemployment in Twelve Days. Their acoustic Americana sound varies from a folk feel on Great Divide and Talking to a Stone, to a bluegrass treatment on Milk and Honey and River, Railway, Road and a traditional country sound on Thriving and Everyday Things. Two instrumentals, flat-picked Bright Blue Eyes and finger-picked Dying Fire with spare bass accompaniment, add further depth. Talking to a Stone has already won two first place songwriting awards, and Gene’s first CD, “Waiting for Rain”, garnered national airplay and more than a dozen songwriting awards.
The duo are joined on various tracks by Bill Evans (banjo), Ivan Rosenberg (dobro), Barry Lawson (mandolin), and Jim Skelding (fiddle). Add a professional sound by famed engineer Bill McElroy, and Gene and Gayla have an alt country Americana sound both contemporary and timeless.
#11 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – AUGUST 2011
#9 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – AUGUST 2011
Downtown Ramblers
Meet the Downtown Ramblers. They call themselves a “nordic urban bluegrass” band, a mixed expression that indicates the music they play, where they’re from and what they love. Their music is based on traditional bluegrass with influences from all kinds of music, including Swedish folk music, pop, and jazz. It all started in 2005, when lead singer Emelie Junsten asked Pär Öjerot if he wanted to play some country music with her. Within a few weeks Martin Blomberg and Oskar Reuter were invited to join the band. After a few lineup changes, bass player Kalle Annerhult joined and the Downtown Ramblers took the form that remains the same to this very day.
In the early days of the Downtown Ramblers, they played covers, but their focus gradually changed and they decided to dedicate the band to bluegrass only. By that time, Oskar, the mandolin player, also started to write songs for the band. In the fall of 2007, the Downtown Ramblers won the Swedish Bluegrass Championships, and the following summer they performed at almost every major country and bluegrass festival in Sweden. They released their first CD in late 2008.
Their follow-up CD, “On the Other Side of the City”, has just been released, featuring thoughtful lyrics, beautiful harmonies and tasty licks. Grammy award winner Tim O’Brien sings and plays fiddle on “Be My Baby Still”, and Crooked Still fiddler Brittany Haas joins in on three tracks. This is a band on the rise, worldwide. Just consider: in 2009, they were voted the #1 European Bluegrass Band at the European World of Bluegrass Festival. This gave the band the opportunity to present their music to an American audience for the first, but certainly not last time at the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass in 2010 (Nashville, TN).
#4 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – AUGUST 2011
#1 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – AUGUST 2011
#7 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – AUGUST 2011
ellen cherry
ellen cherry is a singer, songwriter, musician, designer, artist, producer, recording engineer, and human. Once a character in a novel, ellen cherry sprung from the pages of a book in 1997, and began her life as a living, breathing, dynamic performer. Mixing equal parts of pathos and humor throughout her songs, ellen cherry is mysterious and powerful on stage. She seamlessly fuses her love of History, Poetry, and Literature with the Usual Suspects of Love, Loss, and Despair, with a powerful, commanding voice and a command of Power Chords on her guitar.
An artist incapable of stopping the process of creation, ellen cherry has recorded and released original music continuously since 1997. In 2010, ellen decided to re-visit her well received 2005 EP “Years” and recorded new arrangements of the 6 tracks. She also added 6 new tracks to create the new full length work, aptly titled “(New) Years.” Each song’s title contains a reference to a specific year. Many tracks explore specific moments in women’s History, as well as ellen’s own personal journey and experience.
Although the past year has included the excitement over an Emmy nomination and a prestigious Puppetry award, ellen has no plans to sit back and relax. She’s already hard at work on the next batch of songs, as well as taking several forays into the world of producing works of other artists such as The Ernie Fowler Trio (ellen Executive Produced and Co-Produced their 2010 EP “Life’s Lessons Learned”).
Ari & Mia
Ari & Mia are a soulful and spirited acoustic accompanied duo exploring the traditions of Southern Appalachia, Northeastern fiddle music, and the realm where their own compositions cross paths with older traditions.
Their hearts also lie with early American swing, jazz, and bluegrass music. Combine this with their bold approach to song and tune-writing and their interpretations of traditional music and the result will open hearts and dance floors. Ari & Mia’s “intricate arrangements, soaring harmonies, infectious grooves and intuitive improvisations combine an old-time sensibility with a truly adventurous spirit,” says Hankus Netsky of New England Conservatory.
Featured guests on their brand new album, “Unruly Heart,” include grammy-nominated Sarah Jarosz, fiddler extraordinaire Eden MacAdam-Somer of the band Notorious, Rebecca Wudarski and Owen Marshall on guitar, Ben Krakauer on banjo, and Ari and Mia’s sister, Shoshana Friedman.
Their music is all at once driving, uplifting and moving. They’re artists on the rise – stay tuned, because you’ll definitely be hearing more of them.
#2 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – FEBRUARY 2011
#5 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – FEBRUARY 2011
J Wagner
A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico and one time park ranger of the Joshua Tree National Park, J. Wagner weaves stories filled with red rocks, creosotes, and sagebrush of the American Southwest into tangible and intimate songs.
He is well known for writing songs that other performers cover. His music has been covered and recorded by a variety of notable musicians such as Gregory Alan Isakov, Brandi Carlile, Victoria Williams, 3 Penny Acre and many countless others. Along with being a regional finalist in the Kerrville Songwriting Competition, his song “If I Go, I’m Goin” was in season four of Showtime’s television series “Californication”. He now resides in central Texas where the Austin American Statesman refers to him as “The number one best bet” for acoustic music in Austin and the Dallas Morning News labels him as “A Texas Folk Music Staple”. He performs often throughout the Southwest and is currently touring to support his new album “Disappear” .
J. Wagner’s fourth album “Disappear” is a collection of eleven songs that takes you down the desert highway, pass the sage brush and the fields of grain, and then lets you whisk like smoke and speed off with the hills behind you. Wagner has a keen interest in the human condition and his lyrics take a curious glance at both the individual who loves, who feels alone, and the culture we all inhabit. “Disappear” is a lyrical-based album that moves like desert wind, so much so, you can practically smell the cacti and creosote on the rain.
#12 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – FEBRUARY 2011
#14 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – FEBRUARY 2011
Shaun Cromwell
A singer/writer of eclectic roots-inspired songs, Shaun Cromwell uses his guitar, banjo, and voice to weave tales of intrigue and epics of sorrow. Drawing heavily from the pantheon of American roots traditions, he infuses the music with contemporary influences such as Bill Frisell, Lowell George & Tom Waits.
He was chosen as a finalist at the 2009 Mountain Stage contest, among other competitions, and was a mainstage performer at the Tucson Folk Festival. In addition, he was selected for an official showcase in both 2008 and 2009 at the Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, Tennessee.
Folk-Worn Prose is Shaun’s second release. Unlike his first record, it’s not a concept album, but rather a collection of twelve original tracks (ten songs, two instrumentals) that he felt represented his best work over a two year period.
“Shaun Cromwell’s soul is based in the roots of the blues and the dawn of Americana. His masterful guitar playing demonstrates his ability and his original music confirms his devotion to the medium. I love this guy.”
– Betsi Meissner (Amazing Grace): ‘Acoustic Alternative’ KXCI 91.3 FM, Tucson
#7 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – JANUARY 2011
#3 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – JANUARY 2011
#4 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – JANUARY 2011
Caleb Stine
Emerging from the widely divergent Baltimore music scene is singer/songwriter Caleb Stine who is the soul of that scene, and the best representation of a city he calls, “vibrant, troubled, and passionate.” His straightforward, honest, music is what Baltimore is at its core – hardworking, genuine, and unafraid to tell it like it is. Armed with a storyteller’s eye and a restless independent spirit, Stine delivers his latest album, ‘I Wasn’t Built for a Life Like This’.
His deeply personal music has been described by Honest Tune Magazine as, “somewhere between the renegade cowboy-poetry of Townes Van Zandt and the sweet rough and tumble sound of Neil Young’s Harvest. The power in his music comes not from overwhelming volume or violent guitars, but from simple strums and carefully measured words that together carry an army of unmatched strength.”
‘I Wasn’t Built for a Life Like This’, Stine’s 5th full-length album, is a collection of ten-unflinchingly direct songs in which Stine continues to tell the story of his exploration in what he calls, “an evolving and eroding America. “ The New Yorker calls this direct approach, “appropriately train-like, steady and powerful.” His timeless style of songwriting evokes images of a classic generation of outlaw- Country songwriters like Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle, and Willie Nelson. Each song is glimpse into the heart and soul of America.
#15 AT FOLK RADIO – JANUARY 2011
#7 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – JANUARY 2011
#31 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – JANUARY 2011
Red June
Paths finally converged in 2008 as veteran musicians Will Straughan, John Cloyd Miller and Natalya Weinstein officially formed the acoustic Americana band, Red June. The three had been collaborating since 2005 as well as working in other acclaimed groups, namely the Emma Gibbs Band, Lo-Fi Breakdown and Polecat Creek, respectively. But, when the stars aligned and time opened up for a new musical endeavor, Red June was enthusiastically christened.
The Red June sound is as versatile and original as the musicians themselves; they touch on bluegrass, roots rock, and traditional country music with powerful harmonies, innovative songwriting and expert musicianship. Collectively these three musicians have shared the stage with countless bluegrass and Americana greats such as James Taylor, Jim Lauderdale, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Joe Craven, Alice Gerrard, Jim Shumate and B.B King, and have performed at festivals across the country such as RockyGrass, Grey Fox, Merlefest, Grand Targhee, Magnolia Fest and Shakori Hills.
Their highly anticipated debut album, Remember Me Well, leads listeners through a raw, emotional journey, highlighted by Will and John’s soulful, unique vocals and songwriting and Natalya’s tasteful fiddling and elegant harmonies. With eight original tracks and three covers, including two blazing instrumentals, Red June is poised to firmly establish themselves on the Americana scene with this new recording. In an additional nod of support, Remember Me Well was funded, in part, by a Regional Artist Project Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council and the Asheville Area Arts Council.
#4 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – NOVEMBER 2010
#5 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – NOVEMBER 2010
#4 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – NOVEMBER 2010
The Honey Dewdrops
Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish are The Honey Dewdrops: an award winning, nationally touring husband and wife folk duet who perform fresh, original songs focusing on vocal harmonies and tight instrumentation. Influenced by traditional Appalachian music as well as contemporary singer-songwriters, The Honey Dewdrops blend old styles with new, creating music that is powerful and heartfelt.
“If the Sun Will Shine,” their debut record, was released in 2009 to critical acclaim and was #2 for two consecutive months on Folk DJ Radio in 2010.
Their second album, “These Old Roots,” has just been released. Like their debut, it is a tribute to the way music was recorded before overdubs and tracking. “We wanted that sound and feeling to come through in each of the songs here. For this session, the microphones were set up, we gathered around them and played each song, and then we picked the take that sounded the best. We’ve tried as much as possible to leave it at that,” says the duo from Charlottesville, Virginia. “The songs in this collection encompass so much of what we love about traditional southern mountain music- the earthy singing, the haunting guitar melody, the message the song delivers. We’re drawn in. We hope that you are drawn too.”
#1 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – OCTOBER 2010, NOVEMBER 2010
#1 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – OCTOBER 2010
#1 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – OCTOBER 2010
#6 MOST PLAYED ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO IN 2010, #10 SONG, TWO ALBUMS IN TOP 30
REMAINS ON FOLK RADIO CHART AS OF JAN. 2011 – #3 ALBUM, #6 SONG, #3 ARTIST
Carpenter & May
Carpenter & May perform a combination of genres, all rooted in the acoustic music tradition. They are fine vocalists, published songwriters, and have contributed their instrumental skills to Grammy nominated projects. Their repertoire features elements of bluegrass, swing, rock, blues, jazz, Celtic, and original material.
“Fred Carpenter and Tim May play roots music at its best. Their versatile new trio with bassist Charlie Chadwick is a solid equilateral triangle of tone, taste, and timing. Using guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bass, and vocals, they can mow down backyard bluegrass, tug the Celtic heartstrings, or even croon a jazz standard. ”
– TIM O’BRIEN
“Carpenter & May are everything you could ask for in an acoustic act. They are the cream of the crop, both as solo players and side men, and together they make a beautiful musical statement: fiddle and guitar with heart and soul and a whole lotta fun! We have a high standard for live music here at Stone Mountain Arts Center, and Fred and Tim had no trouble living up to it.
– CAROL NOONAN
Singer, songwriter and owner of the Stone Mountain Arts Center
#1 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2010
#1 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2010
#3 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2010
Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand
Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand have been bringing their brand of high-energy contemporary acoustic music to concert halls, festival stages and dance floors across North America for several years. Both boys are accomplished singers, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists, focusing on twin fiddles, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and banjo.
Their original music is a finely crafted blend of old-time Country and Bluegrass, Celtic and Contra, Swing and Jazz, alternative folk rock and various world music influences, with equal emphasis on both daring improvisation and intricate arrangements.
All The Good Summers is the brothers’ third release as a duo. With this album, they sought to expand their sound with broader instrumentation and a strong focus on the three-part vocal blend they developed with Noah’s wife, Kailyn Wright. The duo finds its niche somewhere between Nickel Creek, Iron & Wine, The Tin Hat Trio and Lunasa; their deep understanding of traditional folk music is easily recognized even as their creative original material continues to explore new musical horizons.
#7 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2010
#16 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2010
STILL ON CHART AS OF JANUARY 2011
Hey Mavis
Legendary producer Don Dixon (REM, Red Clay Ramblers, Smithereens) “discovered” Hey Mavis after they were featured on a 2009 Christmas compilation. Four months later, Dixon produced their debut CD, Red Wine.
Hey Mavis crosses the genres of Americana, Texas Two-step, Bluegrass, Folk, and Art Rock, with a unique blend of sweet vocal harmonies, banjo, upright bass, and over-the-top fiddle and viola solos. In their songwriting, the trio finds the fine threads within stories of all types–from the fantastic to everyday–and weaves them into musical journeys.
Hey Mavis is Laurie Michelle Caner (lead songwriter, vocals, and banjo), Sarah Benn (songwriter, vocals, and bass), and Eddie Caner (viola profunda, fiddle and vocals). Laurie and Sarah both have extensive experience as members of the all-women vocal harmony group The Rhondas. Ed has toured and performed all over the globe as sideman and soloist with over 25 major artists, including Smokey Robinson, Page and Plant, Luciano Pavarotti, Natalie Cole, and more.
#5 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2010
#5 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2010
#8 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – SEPTEMBER 2010
3 Penny Acre
3 Penny Acre is a musical collaboration between three up and coming songwriters: Bayard Blain, Bernice Hembree, and Bryan Hembree. Fans and critics have quickly identified their unique, Ozark-inspired sound as distinct, yet universally appealing. Listeners in all corners have begun to appreciate their attention to lyrics, harmony, and carefully crafted acoustic arrangements steeped in roots music traditions but with a focus on fresh, new songs.
Shortly after forming as a band, 3 Penny Acre won the 2008 Walnut Valley Festival (Winfield, Kansas) NewSongs competition. The exposure the win brought 3 Penny Acre helped to solidify their path as emerging artists. In the 18 months that followed, they toured extensively throughout the nation, were invited as an official showcase artist to the 2009 and 2010 International Folk Alliance Conference, and released a debut album that was selected as one of the Top 40 albums of 2009 by Norm Mast and Al Kniola of The Back Porch 88.1 WVPE (Indiana) and won “Album of the Year” at the Northwest Arkansas Music Awards.
Their sophomore effort “Highway 71” is an album of 10 songs documenting the people and places of middle America. 3 Penny Acre, whose name comes from the cost of the Louisiana Purchase, is a fitting name for a band whose members were all raised inside its borders. The album paints a portrait of their homeland two-hundred years on. The songs are beautiful and longing, yet at times anti-nostalgic, resisting the temptation to “gold wash” the tough history of the people and places they portray.
#3 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO AT FOLK RADIO – JULY AND AUGUST 2010
#1 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – JULY AND AUGUST 2010
#3 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – JULY 2010; #6 in AUGUST 2010
#10 SONG, #36 ALBUM OF 2010 AT FOLK RADIO ON 2010 YEAR END CHART
STILL ON CHART AS OF JANUARY 2011
Lainie Marsh
Lainie Marsh studied music at Boston’s Berklee College and subsequently plied the singing and songwriting trades in Los Angeles before coming to Nashville in 1989. With her band, The Cool Miners, she has performed on The Mountain Stage and as a featured artist at both the Nashville Entertainment Extravaganza and Tin Pan South music showcases.
Her songs have been recorded by Emmylou Harris and Cerys Matthews, as well as featured on National Public Radio. Her 2009 CD recording, The Hills Will Cradle Thee, on the independent Bait & Tackle Records label, features a stellar cast of musicians, including Ketch Secor of The Old Crow Medicine Show, pedal steel virtuoso Bucky Baxter, and Kent Goodson, longtime keyboard player with George Jones.
This is brave record, down home and exotic at once, from an Appalachian artist not worried about getting the Appalachian thing right. The Hills Will Cradle Thee surpasses hackneyed narratives of the coal mining experience to achieve a unique chronicle of one mountaineer’s odyssey through what lies yonder, delivered up with a maverick vocal style.
#15 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – MARCH 2010
#5 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – MARCH 2010
The Honey Dewdrops
Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish are The Honey Dewdrops: a nationally touring and award winning husband and wife duet who perform fresh, original songs focusing on vocal harmonies and tight instrumentation. If the Sun Will Shine, their debut record, was recorded live and mixed in a 1920’s barn. The record is meant to pay homage to their live performances – full of the same energy and emotion The Honey Dewdrops bring to the stage.
The album is a collection of songs that The Honey Dewdrops have written over the past two years and it features material that comes straight from the heart. There are eleven original tunes – some of which are award winners, and a few of the songs got Laura and Kagey plane tickets to St. Paul, Minnesota where they won first place on A Prairie Home Companion’s “People in their Twenties Talent Show” in March 2008.
They just opened for Eddie from Ohio in January 2010 at a sold-out show at The Birchmere; in February, they will open for the David Wax Museum at Club Passim. Additionally, the Dewdrops were selected as finalists in the 2009 Mountain Stage NewSong competition and recently took 2nd place in the Eddie’s Attic Open-Mic Shootout Finals in Decatur, Georgia.
This is a record capturing “something haunting, melancholic and all-together charming” (Jeff Royer, Fly Magazine).
#2 ALBUM AT FOLK RADIO – FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2010
#1 SONG AT FOLK RADIO – FEBRUARY 2010; #2 SONG IN MARCH 2010
#3 ARTIST AT FOLK RADIO – FEBRUARY 2010; #4 ARTIST IN MARCH 2010
Al Stewart
With the release of Uncorked, Al Stewart (“Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages”) and musical partner Dave Nachmanoff take a trip through Stewart’s musical back pages, both in terms of the musical catalogue (they did have nearly 20 albums’ worth of songs to pick from), and in terms of performance style. After all, Al made his bones in the massively fertile folk scene that was London in the late ’60s, and he numbers among his contemporaries the likes of guitar wizards Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, singer-songwriters Roy (“Hats Off To”) Harper and Richard Thompson, and a former flatmate named Paul Simon, who went on to some celebrity upon returning to America.
Recorded live during a springtime East Coast swing, Uncorked is the first live acoustic disc Al’s done since 1992’s Rhymes In Rooms, and both he and Nachmanoff made a conscious decision not to replicate any of the tracks from that disc, even if it meant leaving off such standards as “On the Border” and the two aforementioned Top 40 hits. As a consequence, it sounds like the duo isn’t merely playing well (fact is, Al’s guitar work is actually even better now than it was back in the day, thanks to the acoustic touring configuration that brings his musical contributions more to the fore), it sounds like they’re having fun.