THROUGH THE LENS: The Blues Come Alive — Briggs Farm Blues & Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festivals

While West Virginia flies under the radar for most people for most things, it is known around the world for its traditional roots music. This week’s column highlights Gerry Milnes, the 2026 recipient of the National Endowment of the Arts Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship. Established in 2000,

The Americana Music Association announced yesterday that Dolly Parton will be awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2026 Americana Honors & Awards. The ceremony will take place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville during this year's AMERICANAFEST and Parton will accept the honor via video. Sierra

The venerable Newport Folk Festival, first held in 1959, returned with another triumphant weekend of roots music, tradition and rebellion at Fort Adams Park in Newport, Rhode Island (July 24-26, 2026). Newport Folk was both the result of the folk and blues revival of the 1950s and instrumental in