Started in 2007 to honor independently owned music retailers, and celebrated the third Saturday in April, Record Store Day is April 18th this year. With special promotions, artist appearances, guitar giveaways and fun activities, it is becoming a popular event. Find your nearest participating record dealer here.

A National Headliner Award in the Public Affairs category was recently given to the “Texas Music Matters” program of KUT 90.5 radio, based at the University of Texas at Austin, for the audio documentary “Amazing Grace: The Story of Willie Nelson.” The documentary was produced by David Brown of KUT along with journalist Michael May. The awards are given by the Press Club of Atlantic City.

The Swallow Hill Music Association is celebrating its 30th anniversary Saturday night, with RootsFest Denver, an event known in previous years as the Denver Folk & Roots Music Festival. Shawn Colvin, Leo Kottke, the Boulder Acoustic Society and Joe Pug are among the performers. Also playing is the longrunning bluegrass group Hot Rize, currently consisting of Tim O’Brien, Bryan Sutton, Nick Forster and Pete Wernick. A Taylor Leo Kottke 12-string guitar, signed by Leo Kottke and estimated to be worth $3400, will be raffled off at the festival. The location is the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available online or at the box office.

The nonprofit organization Parents Allied with Children and Teachers for Tomorrow (PACTT) is sponsoring a concert by folk singer/songwriter Greg Brown to benefit children and young people suffering from severe autism.

Tickets range from $25 to $100, with the $100 including premium seating and a private afterparty with the Grammy-nominated performer.

The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association will hold its Winter Bluegrass Weekend in Plymouth, Minnesota this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Headliners Greg Cahill and The Special Consensus will play two concerts Saturday night. Bands performing throughout the festival include the Mill City Grinders, the Goose River Boys, Hello Stranger, Morgans Run, Switched at Birth and a multitude of others. Banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass and guitar workshops and the Grass Seeds Academy youth workshop are among the many activities offered.

The Cedar Lane Universalist Unitarian Church in Bethesda, Maryland will be the venue for two World Folk Music Association anniversary celebrations in one: 50 years of the Chad Mitchell Trio and 25 years of folk/acoustic duo Side by Side. The concert will be held March 31; tickets (all general admission) are on sale for $35 in advance or $40 at the door.

The Swallow Hill Music Association seeks a dynamic, experienced and creative Executive Director to lead, develop and operate the organization.

Located in Denver, Colorado, The Swallow Hill Music Association is the largest folk, roots and acoustic music organization west of the Mississippi. Swallow Hill is an award winning 30-year-old non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation and presentation of folk and roots music. It currently presents more than 250 concerts a year in a 22,000 square foot facility with two concert halls and a coffee house. Through its on-site music school, Swallow Hill provides instruction to more than 3000 students enrolled in 300+ classes.

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Nate Clark wrote:

I’m trying to spread the word about my new fretted stringed instrument repair shop. Finger Lakes Guitar Repair specializes in the repair and restoration of fretted stringed instruments.

Sing Out! Magazine is looking for a new managing editor.

The Blues Music Foundation is accepting applications for $195,000 in grants to be given out this year. The money is to go to organizations and museums that celebrate and preserve the blues.

A February 1st Carnegie Hall concert billed as “the music of Joni Mitchell at Carnegie Hall” is a benefit for Music for Youth Foundation

The 2006 Naked Folk Calendar is now available…..