Oh, yes, I love Krista Detor, too.  Three places in the Top 20 this month ~ no. 3, 6 and 11 ~ that could be a record!  The no. 3 song “More than I Dare Say” might just be my favorite all-time Krista song ~ although it’s SO hard to choose.  That album The Silver Wood Wintersongs is a beautiful  wintery Christmasy  work which I highly recommend.  I believe I gave away three copies as gifts last year!

Don’t tell anybody but I’m maybe not the world’s biggest Woody Guthrie fan.  But I loved Jimmy LaFave’s (no. 13) traveling Guthrie tribute The Ribbon of Highway when I saw it in Santa Monica this summer.  A rotating roster of wonderful musicians.  Catch it if you can!

Nathan Welden is a strong enough artist to represent San Diego all by his lonesome and he does it ably this month with his no. 16 ranked “Over My Shoulder”.  If you haven’t heard Nathan yet, please hop over to his website now and take a listen.  I’m always moved by his warm and natural voice and touching acoustic arrangements.  His most recent album is available at my favorite CD store CD Baby.

Thanks for voting everyone!  And thanks for listening to The Pie!

~Kelley
AcousticPie.com

Top 20 Songs on Acoustic Pie Radio
November 2009
Artist ~ Song ~ Album

1. Danny Schmidt ~ Make Right the Time ~ part ii ~ Make Right the Time
2. Xavier Rudd ~ Shelter ~ Solace
3. Krista Detor ~ More than I Dare Say ~ The Silver Wood Wintersongs
4. Jakob Dylan ~ This End of the Telescope ~ Seeing Things
5. Tim O’Brien ~ Circles Around You ~ Odd Man In
6. Krista Detor ~ Icarus ~ Cover Their Eyes
7. The Weepies ~ Somebody Loved ~ Happiness
8. Deb Talan ~ A Kinder Columbus ~ Sincerely
9. Corinne West ~ Whiskey Poet ~ The Promise
10. Tracy Chapman ~ Telling Stories ~ Telling Stories
11. Krista Detor ~ Cover Their Eyes ~ Cover Their Eyes
12. Brooker and Bullen ~ Dark Place ~ Reciprocity
13. Jimmy LaFave ~ These Blues ~ Cimarron Manifesto
14. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova ~ If You Want Me ~ Once (Collector’s Edition)
15. Sarah Sample ~ Moonlight Band ~ Never Close Enough
16. Nathan Welden ~ Over My Shoulder ~ Live Your Song
17. Emily Kurn ~ I’m Just Like You ~ I’m Just Like You
18. Ellis Paul ~ Jester Fool ~ Urban Folk Songs
19. Don McLean ~ Winterwood ~ Legendary Songs of Don McLean
20. Tracy Chapman ~ Unsung Psalm ~ Telling Stories

That Weepies song in the no. 1 spot is so, so sweet.  And since Deb Talan is singing that track, it means that listeners have singled out five ladies for the top five spots in the Top 20 this month.

Putnam Smith (no. 16)  is a newcomer to my ear and to Acoustic Pie and I’m liking him very much.  Such a charming voice and style.  You’ll find four of his songs from that album in the current rotation on the Pie.

The talented and gorgeous Sara Petite (no. 15) and the fabulous songwriter/guitarist Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek (no. 8) are representing San Diego songwriters this month along with new local resident Lafe (no. 9) and The Flimz (no. 18).   San Diego music lovers have something else to cheer about as well:  Krista Detor (no. 3), a longtime favorite of Acoustic Pie listeners, is coming to San Diego on Nov. 14 opening for another Acoustic Pie artist Peter Mulvey at AMSD.  Um hm ~ I’ll be there!  Hope to see some of you!

Thanks for reading (and listening and voting)!

~Kelley
AcousticPie.com

Top 20 Songs on Acoustic Pie
October 2009

Artist ~ Song ~ Album

1.  The Weepies ~  Gotta Have You ~  Say I Am You
2.  Rosanne Cash ~  Take My Body ~  10 Song Demo
3.  Krista Detor ~  A Red Bowl ~  Mudshow
4.  Kristen Hall ~  Nothing ~  Be Careful What You Wish For
5.  Ingrid Michaelson ~  Lady In Spain ~  Be OK
6.  Tim O’Brien ~  Circles Around You ~  Odd Man In
7.  Still on the Hill ~  Take Me to the Other Side ~  Ozark: A Celebration in Song
8.  Sean Watkins ~  Hello…Goodbye ~  Blinders On
9.  Lafe ~  Praying for Rain ~  Am I Gone
10.  Girlyman ~  St. Peter’s Bones ~  Joyful Sign
11.  Girlyman ~  Carols At Christmas ~  Joyful Sign
12.  Chris Kokesh ~  Real as a Dream ~  I Never Knew
13.  Stephen Kellogg ~  Such a Way ~  Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers
14.  SONiA ~  Gangsters of Love ~  No Bomb is Smart
15.  Sara Petite ~  Gypsy Friend ~  Tiger Mountain
16.  Putnam Smith ~  Coming Out of the Gray ~  Goldrush
17.  Jakob Dylan ~  This End of the Telescope ~  Seeing Things
18.  The Flimz ~  In My Mind ~  The Flimz
19.  Tim O’Brien ~  Like I Used To Do ~  Odd Man In
20.  Syd ~  Back Home ~  Fault Lines 

Hello!

Several favorite San Diego songwriters made the Top 20 list this month.   Sara Petite’s work (at no. 1 this month) is charming and rootsy ~ I’m so glad you all are enjoying her.   If you still haven’t “discovered” San Diego’s troubadour-in-residence Gregory Page, that album (no. 13) is a wonderful place to start.   And Jakob Martin’s “Providence” (no. 15) ~ what a sweet song!   San Diego artists make up less than 10% of the Acoustic Pie rotation so it’s  a testament to the talent this town lays claim to that so many make the Top 20 each month.

Thanks for voting for your favorite songs!  And, as always, thanks for listening!

~Kelley
AcousticPie.com

Top 20 Songs on Acoustic Pie
September 2009
Artist ~ Song ~ Album

1.  Sara Petite ~ Gypsy Friend ~ Tiger Mountain
2.   Emily Kurn ~ If I Am an American ~ Things Change
3.   Syd ~ Back Home ~ Fault Lines
4.  Ingrid Michaelson ~ The Chain ~ Be OK
5.  Krista Detor ~ Waterline ~ Cover Their Eyes
6.  Emily Kurn ~ Symphony ~ I’m Just Like You
7.  Tracy Chapman ~ Telling Stories ~ Telling Stories
8.  Stephen Kellogg ~ Such a Way ~ Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers
9.   Helgi Hrafn Jonsson ~ Ashes Away ~ Aska
10.  Tracy Chapman ~ Baby Can I Hold You ~ Hear Music XM Radio Sessions Vol 1
11.  Kim Beggs ~ J’ai Besoin des Nuages ~ Wanderer’s Paean
12.   The Weepies ~ Gotta Have You ~ Say I Am You
13.  Gregory Page ~ Bumble Bees & Me ~ All Make Believe
14.   Kesang Marstrand ~ Bodega Rose ~ Bodega Rose
15.  Jakob Martin ~ Providence ~ Masking the Mirror
16.  K. C. Clifford ~ My Smile ~ Pockets Full of Hope
17.  The Weepies ~ All That I Want ~ Happiness
18.  Syd ~ Here’s a Love Song ~ Week Days, Weak Knees
19.  Jonathan Byrd ~ Coyote ~ The Law and the Lonesome
20.  Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova ~ Falling Slowly ~ Once (Collector’s Edition)

NOTE:  Links to all Acoustic Pie artists’ websites can be found on the Artists page at Acoustic Pie!

What an interesting collection of songs you’ve voted into the Top 20 this month!  Not a single radio-based celebrity with the exception of John Denver at no. 6, a much underrated songwriter if I do say so myself.   A couple of brand new Acoustic Pie artists made the list, both great:  Rachel Garlin at no. 4 and Putnam Smith at no. 5.  And a bunch of San Diego artists are here including two songs from one of my local favorites Nathan Welden at no. 8 & 14.   The other wonderful San Diego songwriters on the list are Berkley Hart (no. 9) and John McGaraghan (no. 16).

Thanks for voting and thanks for listening to the Pie!

~Kelley
Acoustic Pie

Top 20 Songs on Acoustic Pie Radio
August 2009
ARTIST ~ SONG ~ ALBUM

1. Robby Hecht ~ Along the Way ~ Late Last Night
2.  Kristen Hall ~ Nothing ~ Be Careful What You Wish For
3.  Kim Beggs ~ J’ai Besoin des Nuages ~ Wanderer’s Paean
4.  Rachel Garlin ~ Bound to be Mountains ~ Bound to Be Mountains
5.  Putnam Smith ~ Coming Out of the Gray ~ Goldrush
6.  John Denver ~ Annie’s Song ~ The Wildlife Concert
7.  Dale Marsh ~ Santa Fe September ~ No Turning Back
8.  Nathan Welden ~ Good Times ~ One Step Closer to You
9.  Berkley Hart ~ Runnin’ for the Texas Line ~ Wreck ‘N Sow
10.  Andy Whittle ~ Ten Thousand Miles ~ Songmaker’s Tale
11.  The Weepies ~ Sing Me to Sleep ~ Live in Ohio
12.  Noah Gundersen ~ Moss on a Rolling Stone ~ Brand New World
13.  Tom Kimmel ~ Pages ~ Light of Day
14.  Nathan Welden ~ Kite in the Wind ~ Live Your Song
15.  Kris Delmhorst ~ Strange Conversation ~ Strange Conversation
16.  John McGaraghan and Lee Simpson ~ Big Sky ~ Summertime in California
17.  Emma Hill ~ Clumsy Seduction ~ Clumsy Seduction
18.  Emily Picha ~ Divisidero ~ Westerly
19.  Lori McKenna ~ What’s One More Time ~ Paper Wings & Halo
20.  Irene Jackson ~ Miles Away ~ www.mp3.com

Congratulations to San Diego local Josh Damigo for taking the #1 spot this month!  That is a very sweet song, too.   Josh is the only San Diego artist to be voted into the Top 20 for July.  And as long as I’m addressing San Diego issues, I’ll just mention that Cheryl Wheeler (no. 7) is coming to town on Sept. 10 and is the Acoustic Pie Pick of the Month.  What a voice, what a writer, what a performer ~ I think you all should join me!

“Crazy in Love” (no. 8) is a favorite romantic country-flavored ballad of mine but the whole album is wonderful.  The songwriting is great, Abbie is a fantastic dobro player, and the duet harmonies are lovely.  Highly recommended!

Thanks for voting and thanks for listening to Acoustic Pie, everybody!

~Kelley
AcousticPie.com

Top 20 Songs
Acoustic Pie Radio
July 2009

Artist ~ Song ~ Album

1. Josh Damigo ~ Pocket Change ~ Pocket Change
2. Michael Berkowitz ~ Fisherman’s Daughter ~ A Song for Every Station
3. Willy Porter ~ One More September ~ Available Light
4. Richard Shindell ~ The Last Fare of the Day ~ Vuelta
5. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova ~ Drown Out ~ The Swell Season
6. Darryl Purpose ~ Bryant St. ~ A Crooked Line
7. Cheryl Wheeler ~ Grey and Green ~ Pointing at the Sun
8. Abbie Gardner and Anthony da Costa ~ Crazy in Love ~ Bad Nights / Better Days
9. The Weepies ~ Painting By Chagall ~ Say I Am You
10. Robby Hecht ~ Something, Somehow ~ Late Last Night
11. Ellis ~ City on Fire ~ 2008/2009 Music to Life
12. Chuck McCabe ~ Old Enemy ~ Sweet Reunion
13. Alex Valentine ~ Tardis Heart ~ Tardis Heart
14. Amos Lee ~ Long Line of Pain ~ Supply and Demand
15. Marty Atkinson ~ Town of Hope ~ Two Room Shack
16. Christine Kane ~ She Don’t Like Roses ~ Rain and Mud and Wild and Green
17. Bill Morrissey ~ Holder’s Blues ~ Come Running
18. Shawn Hlookoff ~ Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This ~ Both Sides
19. Mark Erelli ~ Once ~ Barn Raising
20. Lori McKenna ~ Stealing Kisses ~ Bittertown

Verrrry interesting!  Girlyman’s “Commander”, which squeaked onto the list last month at no. 20 was listeners’ top pick this month.  Have any of you caught a show from their current tour?  The San Diego concert was wonderful!   I just bought last year’s live album will be adding several songs to the Pie in the next few days.  Yes, it’s great, too.

Do you know who Kristen Hall is (no. 3 this month)? She was the third songwriter in the country trio Sugarland before they became a duo.  Wikipedia says she started her music career as a roadie for the Indigo Girls.  I like her solo work.  I hope she puts out another album soon.

San Diego artists are represented by Lindsey Yung at no. 5, Calman Hart (no. 11) and Gregory Page at no. 13.

Thanks for voting and listening to Acoustic Pie!

~Kelley
AcousticPie.com

Artist ~ Song ~ Album

1. Girlyman ~ Commander ~ Hail to the Thieves, Volume III
2. Lori McKenna ~ How To Survive ~ Unglamorous
3. Kristen Hall ~ Nothing ~ Be Careful What You Wish For
4. Ellis ~ City on Fire ~ 2008/2009 Music to Life
5. Lindsey Yung ~ Providence ~ Opal Essence
6. Ingrid Michaelson ~ The Chain ~ Be OK
7. Ellis ~ Words You Said ~ Undefended Heart
8. Damien Rice ~ 9 Crimes ~ 9
9. David Wilcox ~ Beyond Belief ~ Open Hand
10. Jakob Dylan ~ On Up the Mountain ~ Seeing Things
11. Calman Hart ~ Barrel Of Rain ~ The John Boy Drum
12. Bob Sima ~ Last Resort ~ Pour It On
13. Gregory Page ~ Dusty Road ~ Bird in a Cage
14. Erik Balkey ~ Always One More Round ~ Sanctuary Road
15. The Weepies ~ Little Bird ~ Hideaway
16. Jonathan Byrd ~ The Ballad of Larry ~ The Waitress
17. Richard Shindell ~ Fenario ~ Vuelta
18. Patty Griffin ~ Burgundy Shoes ~ Children Running Through
19. Ingrid Michaelson ~ The Way I Am ~ Be OK
20. Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer ~ Red (Elegy) ~ Seven is the Number

Hello and happy summer!

I love the summer.  I love outdoor concerts.  I’ll tell you about a wonderful new outdoor music festival if you keep reading.  Here’s the agenda…

1.  Even When I’m Very Lazy

2.  LA Acoustic Music Festival

3.  For San Diegans Only

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1.  Even When I’m Very Lazy

… and I don’t write newsletters for a bit, I still post the Top 20 songs from Acoustic Pie Radio on the first of every month.   You’ll find them in the Acoustic Pie Blog.  I even made a new category for them, “Top 20″, to make them easier to find.  Here they are:  Top 20 Songs on Acoustic Pie

And I update the Featured Artist on the website periodically as well!  This month, David Wilcox will jump out at you from the Acoustic Pie home page.

2.  The LA Acoustic Music Festival

What a glorious place to listen to music.   A brand new outdoor festival took place on June 6-7 on the Santa Monica Pier with fresh air, sunshine and amazing views in every direction.  Perfect weather graced the first ever LA Acoustic Music Festival.  I went all day Sunday and I thought it was fabulous.  It was lightly attended but the organization, the sound, the atmosphere and the performances were top rate!  I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed the traveling Woody Guthrie Tribute show “The Ribbon of Highway” with Jimmy LaFave, Joel Raphael, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Eliza Gilkyson and Slaid Cleaves among others.  It’s a beautifully organized tribute combining Guthrie songs with readings from his other writings.  I think I may just have to buy the album.

I took WAY too many pictures which is my excuse for why they are not yet posted on the website.  It’s going to take me a while to weed through them all!  But I hope to have a new album up by next week.  Hopefully.

3.  For San Diegans Only

I’ve added a few shows to the Acoustic Pie Picks Calendar and I wanted to especially recommend Girlyman at LeStat’s on Saturday, June 20.  I just love that trio.  It will be a huge treat to hear them on one of my favorite coffeehouse stages.

Ok, thanks for reading, everybody!

~Kelley
AcousticPie.com

I have a confession.  I just spent $44.09 on eBay for a used copy of Deb Talan’s out-of-print and extremely hard to find album Sincerely. Now, I am not a collector, unless you count those Jack-in-the-Box antenna balls that I collect to put on my car antenna so I can find it in a parking lot, but I’ve always wanted that album and somebody thwarted my bidding attempt (was it one of you, hm?) last year at $36.01. But still ~ I’d been feeling a bit self-conscious about the expense and I feel so much better now that I see, once again, that Acoustic Pie listeners have voted two of Deb’s songs into the top of the Top 20 at no. 2 & 4.  So please listen for new (and rare!) Deb Talan tracks next month!

David Wilcox’s new album “Open Hand” (no. 7) is lovely.  Maybe you’ve noticed that he’s the Featured Artist over on the website this month?

I love the acoustic trio Girlyman (no.6 & 20).  In fact, I see they have a new “live” album out! I’ll order a copy today and try to get some new tracks up next week.  And they’re coming to LeStat’s in San Diego on June 20 ~ San Diego listeners, we are in for a treat!

A slew of San Diego artists made the Top 20:  Steve Poltz (no. 5), Michael Tiernan (no. 12), John McGaraghan (no. 14) and Jason Mraz (no. 19).

Thanks for voting and thanks for listening, everyone!

~Kelley
AcousticPie.com

Top 20 Songs on Acoustic Pie, May 2009

Artist ~ Song ~ Album

1. Lucy Kaplansky ~ Song For Molly ~ Lucy Kaplansky ~ Parkinsong Volume One : 38 Songs of Hope
2. Deb Talan ~ Forgiven ~ Something Burning
3. Greg Greenway ~ Rosa Parks ~ Weightless
4. Deb Talan ~ River ~ Rarities
5. Steve Poltz ~ Leavin’ Again ~ One Left Shoe
6. Girlyman ~ St. Peter’s Bones ~ Joyful Sign
7. David Wilcox ~ Dream Again ~ Open Hand
8. Arlo Guthrie ~ In Times Like These ~ In Times Like These
9. Jonathan Byrd ~ Radio ~ The Waitress
10. Tom Dews ~ No More to Roam ~ Driving Dreams
11. Patty Griffin ~ Be Careful ~ 1,000 Kisses
12. Michael Tiernan ~ You Hide ~ Spaces
13. Lori McKenna ~ Fireflies ~ Pieces of Me
14. John McGaraghan and Lee Simpson ~ Big Sky ~ Summertime in California
15. Dale Marsh ~ Johnny Appleseed’s Lament ~ No Turning Back
16. Bob Dylan ~ Lay Lady Lay ~ Biograph
17. Natalia Zukerman ~ Better Me ~ Brand New Frame
18. Krista Detor ~ More Than I Dare Say ~ Wilderness Plots
19. Jason Mraz ~ Plain Jane ~ Hear Music XM Radio Sessions Vol 1
20. Girlyman ~ Commander ~ Hail to the Thieves, Volume III

Well, you certainly are consistent! Deb Talan is a frequent favorite on the Top 20 lists and here she is again at no. 1 with her duo The Weepies. Smart quirky lyrics and a voice you don’t easily forget are the signatures in all of her work. I’m so glad Kim Beggs re-released her album Wanderer’s Paean (no. 9) ~ it’s really lovely and rootsy without being the least bit fuddy-duddy. And you know how I feel about Christopher Dallman (no. 14)! If you want to help him to make his new album, you can make a donation using the “Chip In” button at www.cjdmusic.com.

Two favorite San Diego artists were voted into the Top 20 this month: Berkley Hart (no. 12) and Jason Mraz (no. 13).

Thanks for voting and thanks for listening to The Pie!

~Kelley
Acoustic Pie

Top 20 Songs on Acoustic Pie
April 2009
Artist ~ Song ~ Album

1. The Weepies ~ Painting By Chagall ~ Say I Am You
2. Mark Erelli ~ The Only Way ~ www.markerelli.com
3. Storyhill ~ Love Will Find You ~ Storyhill
4. Michelle Lewis ~ San Francisco Bay ~ This Time Around
5. Ellis Paul ~ Friday Night ~ Am I Home
6. Tracy Grammer ~ Mother, I Climbed ~ Flower of Avalon
7. Sarah Sample ~ Moonlight Band ~ Never Close Enough
8. Donal Hinely ~ Louisville ~ Giants
9. Kim Beggs ~ Wanderer’s Paean ~ Wanderer’s Paean
10. Gordon Lightfoot ~ Mother Of A Miner’s Child ~ Old Dan’s Records
11. Girlyman ~ Reva Thereafter ~ Joyful Sign
12. Berkley Hart ~ Runnin’ For the Texas Line ~ Wreck’N Sow
13. Jason Mraz ~ Plain Jane ~ Hear Music XM Radio Sessions Vol 1
14. Christopher Dallman ~ Driving to You ~ Race the Light
15. Victoria Williams ~ Rainmaker ~ Musings of a Creek Dipper
16. Mary Chapin Carpenter ~ Stones in the Road ~ Stones in the Road
17. Marybeth D’Amico ~ Nothing Without You ~ Heaven, Hell, Sin & Redemption
18. Kate Campbell ~ Free World ~ Blues and Lamentations
19. K. C. Clifford ~ Stained Glass ~ Pockets Full of Hope
20. Chris Pureka ~ Come Back Home ~ Dryland

Well, this was an interesting month for Top Picks by listeners! Almost all of the Top 20 songs are by little-known artists that you won’t find on conventional broadcast radio. I caught a Chris Kokesh (no. 2) show at Sisters Folk Festival this fall and immediately had to have her album. She has such a sweet voice and interesting lyrics, too. And Arlan Feiles (no. 18) is a songwriter worth pointing out. I’ve never caught him live but his recorded work is very powerful. There is definitely something sublimely Dylan-esque about him.

Lindsey Yung (no. 16) and Will Edwards (no. 19) represent the San Diego singer/songwriter scene for us this month!

Thanks for voting! Thanks for listening!

~Kelley
AcousticPie.com

Top 20 Songs
March 2009

Artist ~ Song ~ Album

1. Susan Levine ~ 20 Million Reasons ~ Atlas
2. Chris Kokesh ~ I Never Knew ~ I Never Knew
3. Kim Beggs ~ Wanderer’s Paean ~ Wanderer’s Paean
4. Eric Taylor ~ Carnival Jim and Jean ~ Hollywood Pocketknife
5. The Refugees ~ On My Way ~ Unbound
6. Rj Cowdery ~ County Road ~ One More Door
7. Lori McKenna ~ Fireflies ~ Pieces of Me
8. Darrell Scott ~ And the River is Me ~ The Invisible Man
9. Jenee Halstead ~ Nick Drake ~ The River Grace
10. Dougie MacLean ~ Mary Queen of Scots ~ Who am I
11. John Parker Compton ~ Pascal’s Paradox ~ LIVE at Turk’s Head Coffeehouse
12. Carrie Elkin ~ Black Lung ~ The Jeopardy of Circumstance
13. Steve Chizmadia ~ Little Voice ~ It Is What It Is
14. Sarah Sample ~ Moonlight Band ~ Never Close Enough
15. Martha Berner ~ A Town Called Happiness ~ This Side of Yesterday
16. Lindsey Yung ~ Providence ~ Opal Essence
17. Arlo Guthrie ~ City of New Orleans ~ In Times Like These
18. Arlan Feiles ~ Worthless ~ Come Sunday Morning
19. Will Edwards ~ City Walls ~ Lookout Rd.
20. SONiA ~ Gangsters of Love ~ No Bomb is Smart