Our Catalog: Contemporary Singer Songwriters

Our singer/songwriters are part of an exciting renaissance in the contemporary folk world, a generation reaching new levels of excellence in songcraft. Yet each of our singer/songwriters has obvious deep roots in timeless traditions like folk, country, jazz and blues as well as influences from many other lands. Many of them include the occasional traditional song or old standard on their recordings, but whether it's their own fine tune or a nod to those who've come before, you can be sure there's plenty of great songs for you to enjoy time and time again.

Our Catalog Pages

• Appalachian Roots & Branches
• Celtic, Traditional, and World Music
• Instrumental Virtuosity
• Singer/Songwriters and Contemporary Folk
• Winter Holidays
• Compilations and Collections

More About Our Artists

Listen to "City of Lost Souls"
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"Barrett's roots are clearly deep in bluegrass, but he is just as clearly uninterested in creating music for purists; his approach puts the song first and the genre second. Thus, he is perfectly comfortable moving from straight-ahead bluegrass numbers like the disaster ballad "Halifax Hills" and the contemplative "Always on the Move" to straight-up electric honky-tonk ("She Rocks") and a jazzy soul ("Then I Met You"). "
- Bluegrass Unlimited

Lights of Home was produced by Tom McLaughlin and Randy Barrett, and was recorded, engineered and mixed by Heidi Gerber at Bias Recording in Springfield VA. This collection of 11 originals and an update of the murder ballad "Cole Younger" was voted the Best Bluegrass Album of 2002 by the Washington Area Music Association, adding to the high praise Randy's accrued for his rich baritone and timeless songwriting that is firmly rooted equally in the country, bluegrass and folk traditions. Highlights include the lovely country-inflected ballads "That was Then" and "Whole Lot of Lonely", the wide-open train song "Old Number 9", and the banjo-driven disaster story "Halifax Hills". Randy also stretches his stylistic reach on the Latin-tinged "Then I Met You" and "She Rocks", a raucous tribute to motherhood. Mike Auldridge's dobro is the essence of taste, and the bluegrass harmonies from Dede Wyland and folksinger Grace Griffith are particularly fine. Pianist Jon Carroll and drummer Robbie Magruder add the perfect musical foundation for this wonderful collection of slice-of-life stories and love songs.

"If Barrett never wrote another lyric he easily could get by on his singing alone, thanks to his handsome, rough-hewn baritone. It's a storyteller's voice, personable and persuasive, and it swiftly brings to life the characters who populate his ballads and love songs. Still, it's Barrett's songwriting skills that are chiefly responsible for album's appealing tone and variety."
- The Washington Post

Randy originally released his debut CD on his own Jolly Mountain Music label. Each & Every Day was produced by Tom McLaughlin and Randy Barrett, mixed by Bill McElroy, Randy Barrett and Tom McLaughlin, and was recorded at Bias Recording in Springfield VA. The CD features eight originals including Randy's award-winning classic ballad "Hold Me Forever", two updated classics ("High on a Mountain" and "I Am a Pilgrim") and a stellar lineup of supporting musicians including Mike Auldridge, Jon Carroll, Pete Kennedy, and Grace Griffith.

Listen to "Beyond Borders"
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"Bluegrass harmonies, introspective lyrics, & astute observations.... Overall this is a great CD with a number of standout tracks....A cross between Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Nickel Creek's Sean Watkins, and Ani Difranco this CD is for fans of intelligent & heartfelt songwriting."
- Sean Lewis, Minor 7th

The acoustic singer/songwriter stretches his wings on his fourth solo CD, blending global influences, spoken word, and traditional music together with his acclaimed songcraft, rich melodic vocals and deft guitar work. A creative collaboration with two old friends, Borders was recorded by original Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member Les Thompson, who also recorded Where This River Runs, and mixed by Michael DeLalla, who recorded Andrew's 1995 debut Traveler. The result is a stunning collection of 13 original songs, plus the traditional "June Apple" and the spoken word "Do You Hear Them?" with its improvised accompaniment. Andrew's acoustic and electric guitars and vocals are captured in powerful and impassioned performances, with tasteful ornamentation throughout courtesy of keyboardist Jon Carroll (Mary Chapin Carpenter), string whiz Danny Knicely (Footworks, David Via and Corn Tornado) and the world beat percussion of N. Scott Robinson (Malcolm Dalglish and the Oolites). Organic tones and rich textures highlight stellar craftsmanship in a diversity of settings, including the haunting bounce of "The Poet's Great Romance", call-and-response gospel ("Rust on My Halo"), high lonesome bluegrassy vocals ("How High the Mountain"), and the feelgood vibe of "Good Things Matter", winner of the Great American Song Contest (Acoustic/Folk category).

Listen to "The Road to Appomattox"
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"Gorgeously stark string work, feel-good melodies and a healthy dose of the past make Andrew McKnight's music a disarming delight... McKnight's vocals have a lovely tenor-range timbre well-suited for his brand of acoustic country flavored folk/pop."
- The Journal

Where the contemporary singer/songwriter's first two albums focused largely on the stories of rural characters and their relationship to the land, his third effort turns his considerable vision towards the landscape of the heart and soul. Among this collection of stories, reflections and letters can be found some of his most stunning songwriting gems; the "Diary" of Thomas Jefferson and his longtime slave mistress Sally Hemings, the bluesy ode to Hoagy Carmichael ("Bad News"), the simple driving clarity of "Winter", and a provocative hard-edged collaboration with renowned urban folk poet Chris Chandler on "Jesus and the Nighttime Train".

"Highly listenable and capable of evoking an array of moods.. McKnight's guitar playing is fabulous as is his vocal delivery -- usually friendly and occasionally spooky."
- Crossroads

Andrew's second CD continues his literate exploration of America's back roads and small towns. Each of the 14 songs is set in a musical style and production that vividly evokes the scenery; the spooky swamp blues of "Chemical Voodoo" set along Cancer Alley on Louisiana's Mississippi Delta, the open Dakota prairies in "A Prairie Wind/Big Sky Town", or the evocative Saturday night at the Grange Hall dance in "Shenandoah Moon". Skillfully produced with original Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member Les Thompson, this album is rich with elegant harmony vocals and exquisite arrangements. Andrew's wry charm, signature acoustic guitar style, and rich warm vocals shine throughout. Guest harmony vocalists include Terri Allard, Laurie Rose Griffith and Tom Prasada-Rao, while regular Falling Mountain friends and family such as Ralph Gordon (bass, cello) and Chas Fowler (pipes, whistles) are also well represented. Other highlights include the a cappella title track, the lush "Bargeman", the elegant simplicity of "I Can't Understand the Moon", and the Americana drive of "A Town Called Progress".

"An impressive debut filled with mature, confident songwriting and tight musicianship. McKnight has a Ricky Skaggs-like voice that blends smoothly on the record with a rhythmic mix of banjos, fiddles and acoustic guitars."
- Norwich Bulletin

"a touch of traditional, a touch of country, a touch of Celtic, a touch of contemporary. Spokes run down from each to a sweet spot at the hub."
- Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange

The debut CD from one of the nation's most promising "story songwriters" that has introduced folk fans around the world to Andrew's literate stories and vivid imagery, all wrapped in his smooth expressive tenor and standout guitar playing. The album features some of Andrew's best-loved songs, including "Dancing in the Rain" about the plight of an Iowa farm family (and the first recording with his two friends who would join forces years later to form Dang Varmints!), a love song from the Old Man Mississippi to his lady love "Atchafalaya", and "Magnolia Tree" detailing his own escape from corporate America. Other highlights include "Highland County Romp" a gorgeous guitar duet with virtuoso Seth Austen, the old-time/folk tinged "Gatlinburg", and the gentle small-town country/Americana feel of "Still Home to Me".

Listen to "Living Out There"
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"Keith & Joan Pitzer, alone and especially together, are fine singers... his vocals will remind listeners - just a tad - of Gordon Lightfoot.... great guitar work, solid vocals... with fine originals like Keith's 'Living Out There' "
- Sing Out!

West Virginia Serenade is a warm, intimate look into the Pitzer's world tucked into the folds of the Mountain State's hills. Keith's incisive songwriting covers a wide swath of emotional landscape, celebrating a deep connection with nature and the places, people and times he and Joan have known. The 15 tracks include 3 traditional tunes, 3 fine instrumentals, and "Do Still Waters Still Run Deep", their award-winning tune in the 2002 Mountain Stage NewSong Festival performing songwriter contest. The rich vocal blends, fine flatpicking and elegantly understated adornments of whistles, mandolin and bass frame a spellbinding lyrical and musical meditation on Appalachian beauty: an audio tour through a special place for solace and reverie.

After 4 children and 2 decades of life and music together, the duo released their debut recording The Long Journey, a collection of original and traditional songs grown from many years of writing and playing music. The CD features 9 originals and 3 traditional tunes ("Silver Dagger", "Wagoner's Lad" and "Star of the County Down").

Singer and songwriter John Rickard has spent a half century living in the shadow of Short Hill Mountain in northwestern Virginia. His songs reflect both the charms and the hardships of Appalachian living, and the progress that inevitably and inexorably comes to the mountains. From the reverential recounting of an old man's life in the title track and the heartfelt preference for the simple pleasures of rural life ("I'd Rather Be Fishin'") to the side-splitting misadventures on a squirrel hunting trip gone awry ("When The Squirrels Came to Dine"), John's warm baritone and engaging humor fill his stories with life and love. Each song is well framed with just the right touch of mandolin, banjo or fiddle. John's blues and rock musical roots provide a solid anchor to a delightful production.

Listen to "Real Love"
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"a sound all their own, anchored in Pamela Temple's well-crafted songs, gorgeous soprano voice and Spencer Funk's amazing mastery of guitar and mandolin"
- Sing Out!

"...traces its roots to the music of the Appalachians, but the songwriting reflects influences of the finest modern songwriters... gorgeous vocals, strongly melodic playing and uncluttered arrangements"
- Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange

Recorded with dulcimer great Bob Belamy and singer/songwriter/producer Chris Rosser, Hope features 10 original songs including "These Songs" (winner of the 2000 Walnut Valley Festival's New Songs Contest) and the touching title track (two Emily Dickinson poems stitched together with some original lines) as well as three well-chosen covers. Guests include Don Porterfield on fretless bass and Brandt Smith (dobro and banjo).

"an omnipresent eye toward strong songwriting and rich harmonic balance... Stitched out of gentle acoustic guitar play and a nicely checked vocal fabric"
- Creative Loafing

wild carrot's debut recording is the duo's response to consistent and enthusiastic audience demand. Recorded live with no overdubs, Defined features Pamela's well-crafted songs nestled among delightful renditions of traditional folk blues, show tunes ("Over the Rainbow") and the duo's trademark rendition of the Jean Ritchie classic, "L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore".