Over on the FOLKDJ-L (Folk DJ list), we’re talking about who the Folk Artists of The Decade are. One measure is how many months the artists have topped the Folk Radio charts over the last 10 years, which would lead to the following list:
- Tracy Grammer/Dave Carter-8
- Tom Russell-6
- The Duhks-5
- Eliza Gilkyson-4
- Tim Grimm-4
- Joel Mabus-4
- Wailing Jennies- 4
- Rani Arbo-3
- John Gorka-3
- Allison Krauss-3
- Danny Schmidt-3
- Dolly Parton-2
- Lucy Kaplansky-2
- Seldom Scene-2
- Richard Shindell-2
- Bruce Springsteen-2
- Uncle Earl-2
- Robin and Linda Williams-2
This is a pretty good list. However, it is important to note that folk radio airplay may or may not represent the best way to measure, since folk music DJs tend to like acoustic singer/songwriters far above about anything else. Folk fusion groups like Afro Celt Sound System are not ever likely to grace the top of the folk radio charts.
Certainly, if sales were the sole determination, Bruce Springsteen would be the most influential, having put one folk album (We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions) into the Billboard “Top 200 Album Chart” top 10 (#3) and another (Live in Dublin) at #23. I would say that Springsteen’s rtribute to Pete Seeger was clearly the most important thing that happened in folk music this decade, and that any discussion of Folk Artist of the Decade has to start with Springsteen.
The quick rise to prominence and tragic early death of Dave Carter would also have to rate as important developments in folk music. His blend of folk music stylings and Eastern spirituality took the folk world by storm, and the quality of the songs he left behind may be unparalleled in this decade.
Although she didn’t receive the kind of airplay on folk radio that the other artists received, I think you would also have to consider the importance of Ani DiFranco – not only for her staccato folk/punk fusion, but also for her business acumen. Righteous Babe Records not only showed the world that a folk artist could do well by starting her own label and staying the course, but in the last decade Righteous Babe branched out from being Ani’s personal label to signing and developing other artists. Her albums with Utah Phillips introduced him to a whole new generation of fans. Other artists she has signed include Anaïs Mitchell and Andrew Bird, whose appeal extends outside of the folk community into the indie world.
So, there are some artists to consider for Folk Artists of the Decade. Your thoughts?
It’s good to start the consideration early, and better to realize we have one more year to ponder this.
Remember, the current era began January 1, 1 (there was no year zero). Carrying the marth forward, this decade began January 1, 2001 and will end 10 years later, December 31, 2010.
I’ll bet all the Y2K hoopla about the new millennium drove you crazy.