Folk Artists S-Z
A list of artist profiles for performers whose last names begin with letters S-Z
Bob Schneider
Learn more about the music and background behind Texas singer-songwriter Bob Schneider.
Learn more about the music and background behind Texas singer-songwriter Bob Schneider.
Earl Scruggs
Earl Scruggs is one of the greatest banjo players ever to meet the instrument. His three-finger picking style has come to be known as "Scruggs Style," and his work has influenced everyone from Béla Fleck to J.D. Crowe & the New South
Earl Scruggs is one of the greatest banjo players ever to meet the instrument. His three-finger picking style has come to be known as "Scruggs Style," and his work has influenced everyone from Béla Fleck to J.D. Crowe & the New South
Martin Sexton
A unique blending of jazz, blues, folk, and soul in a one-man band like no other.
A unique blending of jazz, blues, folk, and soul in a one-man band like no other.
Richard Shindell
Richard Shindell's songs range from lyrical poetry to protest and outright sarcasm. He worked with Lucy Kaplansky and Dar Williams for the 1998 group Cry Cry Cry, played in a band with John Gorka, and has been covered by Joan Baez.
Richard Shindell's songs range from lyrical poetry to protest and outright sarcasm. He worked with Lucy Kaplansky and Dar Williams for the 1998 group Cry Cry Cry, played in a band with John Gorka, and has been covered by Joan Baez.
Paul Simon
Originally one-half of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon has continuously innovated and invigorated contemporary American folk music with the influences of the Caribbean, Africa, and world beats.
Originally one-half of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon has continuously innovated and invigorated contemporary American folk music with the influences of the Caribbean, Africa, and world beats.
Michael Franti & Spearhead
This folk-hop group is best known for their catchy and biting songs of protest and social justice.
This folk-hop group is best known for their catchy and biting songs of protest and social justice.
The String Cheese Incident
Originally a rather casual operation, the band would play local gigs at ski resorts, where they would be compensated with free lift tickets.
Originally a rather casual operation, the band would play local gigs at ski resorts, where they would be compensated with free lift tickets.
Cat Stevens
One of the most respected artists from the 1970s folk-pop singer/songwriter era.
One of the most respected artists from the 1970s folk-pop singer/songwriter era.
James Taylor
Everyone's favorite sensitive singer/songwriter
Everyone's favorite sensitive singer/songwriter
Richard Thompson
Over the course of his more-than-three-decades-long career, Richard Thompson's influence has been felt by folks from Bonnie Raitt to Del McCoury.
Over the course of his more-than-three-decades-long career, Richard Thompson's influence has been felt by folks from Bonnie Raitt to Del McCoury.
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk, often called the Mayor of MacDougal Street, was highly influential during the 1960s Greenwich Village folk scene.
Dave Van Ronk, often called the Mayor of MacDougal Street, was highly influential during the 1960s Greenwich Village folk scene.
The Waifs
Western Australian trio The Waifs are a largely independent group of singer/songwriter/guitarists who play smooth music with sweet melodies.
Western Australian trio The Waifs are a largely independent group of singer/songwriter/guitarists who play smooth music with sweet melodies.
Tom Waits
Known for his low, gritty voice and for being musically adventurous, Tom Waits is one of the most respected songwriters in contemporary folk music.
Known for his low, gritty voice and for being musically adventurous, Tom Waits is one of the most respected songwriters in contemporary folk music.
Kate Walsh
British singer-songwriter Kate Walsh is one of the most gifted up-and-coming songwriters of her generation. Learn more about this talented artist.
British singer-songwriter Kate Walsh is one of the most gifted up-and-coming songwriters of her generation. Learn more about this talented artist.
Sara Watkins
Learn more about Sara Watkins, Nickel Creek's prodigious fiddle player, and what she's been up to since the band split.
Learn more about Sara Watkins, Nickel Creek's prodigious fiddle player, and what she's been up to since the band split.
Sean Watkins
Sean Watkins was the guitar player for prodicious bluegrass trio Nickel Creek. Learn what Sean's been up to since the group split in 2007.
Sean Watkins was the guitar player for prodicious bluegrass trio Nickel Creek. Learn what Sean's been up to since the group split in 2007.
Doc Watson
Old Timer, Bluegrasser, Singer/Songwriter, and guitar picker extraordinaire.
Old Timer, Bluegrasser, Singer/Songwriter, and guitar picker extraordinaire.
The Weavers
Despite their unfortunately abbreviated career as a group, The Weavers managed to influence a generation of musical activists, and to help provoke a revival of American Folk Music.
Despite their unfortunately abbreviated career as a group, The Weavers managed to influence a generation of musical activists, and to help provoke a revival of American Folk Music.
Gillian Welch
Folk, blues, bluegrass, and country ... Gillian covers it all.
Folk, blues, bluegrass, and country ... Gillian covers it all.
Wilco
alt.country, roots rock, folk rock, Americana—call them what you will. Wilco has done it all.
alt.country, roots rock, folk rock, Americana—call them what you will. Wilco has done it all.
Lucinda Williams
It was 20 years before Lucinda Williams's career really took off, but since then, she's received three Grammy Awards and been named America's Best Songwriter by TIME Magazine.
It was 20 years before Lucinda Williams's career really took off, but since then, she's received three Grammy Awards and been named America's Best Songwriter by TIME Magazine.
Yonder Mountain String Band
Together since 1999, this progressive bluegrass string band is one of the most prominent innovators in bluegrass-rock today.
Together since 1999, this progressive bluegrass string band is one of the most prominent innovators in bluegrass-rock today.