Locally-based charity organizations have big goals and limited resources. One works through reservations to improve dietary health of Native Americans. Another focuses on shelters for battered women and their children. Others are oriented toward urban school systems and getting nutritious food to children who can’t afford it. Such organizations work directly with the people who [...]

This man is a former Green Beret. He won a talent contest in Korea with his “Tennessee Waltz.” He’s yodeled Jimmie Rodgers songs to Mongol herders in the South Gobi. On a trip to the Balkans as a member of the United Nations, he formed a band called The Kosovo Mad Cowhands. Kris Kristofferson called him a “musician [...]

In preparation for their upcoming release, God Bless You, Amigo, New York folk-punk rockers The Felice Brothers have released the song “Lincoln Continental” for free download via Rolling Stone. God Bless You, Amigo includes eight traditional folk songs and 12 original songs that didn’t appear on previous albums, yet remain some of the band’s favorites. It’s [...]

Experts believe a New Jersey woman has found the legendary 1964 sunburst Fender Stratocaster Bob Dylan played at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, and pages of typed and handwritten lyrics that were in the guitar case, according to Rolling Stone. The owner, Dawn Peterson, says her late father was a pilot who worked for Dylan’s manager, [...]

When former American Idol contestant Kat Edmonson released her sophomore record Way Down Low April 10, she quickly rose to the top of the Billboard Heatseeker Chart and was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered. It’s easy to see why. The Houston native has a charmingly nostalgic jazz voice, and her tender songwriting is catchy enough [...]

Tenacious D brought their unique brand of comedic cock rock to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Saturday, June 23. The band are touring behind their new album Rize of the Fenix.

With his sixth solo record The Dreamer, Texan-turned-New Yorker Rhett Miller blends his Americana roots with a modern rock-pop sound. The result is a striking album of lyrical folk, with catchy melodies and some awesome Western guitar riffs. The frontman for Old 97′s talked to American Songwriter about becoming a “competent songwriter” and finding lyrical [...]

The National Music Publishers’ Association, which aims to protect its music publisher and songwriter members in copyright issues, announced yesterday a groundbreaking music video licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. The agreement allows U.S. songwriters and music publishers with NMPA memberships to profit from their music videos, making UMG the first record label to compensate [...]

These United States’ self-titled fifth studio album is aptly named, not only for the band itself, but for the diverse collaborations featured on the album. With help from John McCauley of Deer Tick, Michael Nau of Cotton Jones, Matthew Houck of Phosphorescent, Laura Burhenn of The Mynabirds, Ben Sollee, David Moore of Langhorne Slim, Josh Read, [...]

Notion Music, the creator of musical notation iPad apps and software, began its search earlier this year for up-and-coming, “foward-thinking” musicians and composers to appear in its “You Are Next” international promotional campaign. Interested in participating in the You Are Next campaign? Submit an entry form here: http://www.notionmusic.com/youarenext.html. Find out more at http://www.notionmusic.com Here’s a [...]

Stanford Jazz Workshop, a nonprofit organization dedicated to jazz education and appreciation, is now open for enrollment in their 40th annual Jazz Residency program, July 29 to August 3, 2012. The residency is for adults, and gives emerging professionals a chance to learn from jazz legends. Participants under 18 may audition in advance to attend [...]

[Photo Credit: Frank Micelotta / FOX] Casey Abrams, the sixth place finalist on American Idol season 10, will release his self-titled debut album, produced by Randy Jackson, on June 26, 2012 through Concord Music Group. Abrams, known for his jazz-infused vocal style and upright bass skills, says he plays everything on the album. “Bass, cello, guitar, [...]