Joan Baez: Sing Me Home to Air October 14 on PBS

Joan Baez made her debut appearance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959.  Fifty years later, she returned to that same Rhode Island stage on August 2 as she continued her worldwide tour in celebration of her 50 years as a performer and in support of her Grammy-nominated CD, Day After Tomorrow.

In the first comprehensive documentary to chronicle the private life and public career of Joan Baez, American Masters examines her history as a recording artist and performer as well as her remarkable journey as the conscience of a generation in Joan Baez: Sing Me Home, premiering nationally Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings). The film coincides with the DVD/CD release on October 13th on Razor & Tie. This DVD/CD will feature the film with bonus content and an audio CD of music from the film. The audio CD contains rare live performances and studio recordings that span her career.

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WFUV and NPR Music Bring Listeners George Wein’s Folk Festival 50 at Newport

New York, NY — Noncommercial New York City radio station WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org) and NPR Music will broadcast and webcast George Wein’s Folk Festival 50 at Newport throughout Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd.  WFUV Music Director Rita Houston and Bob Boilen, host of NPR Music’s “All Songs Considered,” will be at Newport, RI’s Fort Adams State Park to bring listeners two days of music from the storied annual festival, now in its 50th year.

“The Folk Festival and FUV share similar missions to bring audiences the most exciting new artists and, at the same time, remind people how much is owed to musical trailblazers like Seeger and Baez.  I’ve seen so many important moments in music history take place at the Festival and I’m sure more history will be made this year,” says WFUV Music Director Rita Houston.

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Pete Seeger’s 90th Birthday Concert

May 3, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

American Express Pre-Sale Monday, March 23 at 9:00 a.m. EDT at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D004273B57B4BE0
Tickets On Sale Monday, March 30 at 9:00 a.m. EDT at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D004273B57B4BE0

Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Eddie Vedder, John Mellencamp, Juanes, Ani DiFranco, Arlo Guthrie, Bela Fleck, Ben Bridwell, Ben Harper, Billy Bragg, Billy Nershi, Bruce Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Keller Williams, Kris Kristofferson, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Michael Franti, Patterson Hood, Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Del McCoury, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Richie Havens, Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Tom Morello, Warren Haynes, Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Dar Williams, Guy Davis, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Larry Long, Mike & Ruthy, Native American Indian Cultural Alliance, NYC Labor Chorus, Scarlet Moore, Silvio Rodriguez, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, Tom Chapin, Tom Paxton, Tommy Sands, Tony Trischka, and Toshi Reagon. Details HERE.

All proceeds to benefit Hudson River Sloop Clearwater a non-profit organization created to defend and restore the Hudson River.

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Liz Carroll & John Doyle to play for President Obama

On March 17, 2009, Liz Carroll & John Doyle are scheduled to perform for President Barack Obama at the annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The event is hosted by Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and among the guests is the the new Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, Mr. Brian Cowen. Previous entertainers at the event have included The Chieftains, Frankie Gavin, The Commitments, and Ronan Tynan.

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Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album Grammy Poll: Results

Here are the results to our Grammy poll for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album. Voting took place from January 12th through January 18th.

Field 14 — Folk, Category 69
Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album (Vocal or Instrumental.)

Who should win the Grammy?

• 75% “Day After Tomorrow” Joan Baez [Bobolink/Razor & Tie]
• 21% “Raising Sand” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss [Rounder Records]
• 3% “Sex & Gasoline” Rodney Crowell [Work Song/Yep Roc Records]
• 1% “All I Intended to Be” Emmylou Harris [Nonesuch Records]
• 0% “I, Flathead” Ry Cooder [Nonesuch Records]

Who WILL win the Grammy?

• 69% “Day After Tomorrow” Joan Baez [Bobolink/Razor & Tie]
• 19% “Raising Sand” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss [Rounder Records]
• 12% “All I Intended to Be” Emmylou Harris [Nonesuch Records]
• 0% “I, Flathead” Ry Cooder [Nonesuch Records]
• 0% “Sex & Gasoline” Rodney Crowell [Work Song/Yep Roc Records

Thanks for voting. Try our next poll: Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album.

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Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album Grammy Poll

Field 14 — Folk, Category 69
Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album (Vocal or Instrumental.)

• “Day After Tomorrow” Joan Baez [Bobolink/Razor & Tie]
• “I, Flathead” Ry Cooder [Nonesuch Records]
• “Sex & Gasoline” Rodney Crowell [Work Song/Yep Roc Records]
• “All I Intended to Be” Emmylou Harris [Nonesuch Records]
• “Raising Sand” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss [Rounder Records]

Vote for your Grammy favorite…

And make a prediction…

January 19: Voting has closed for this poll. See the results.

We’ll run this poll for a week, then do other Grammy categories. Results will be posted each Monday when the next poll starts.

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