Folk Artists S-Z

William Elliott Whitmore writes songs which can decisively be called folk songs, yet his appeal reaches as far as punk rock and indie pop fans. Learn more about William Elliott Whitmore with this bio and profile, including recommended CDs and MP3s.

Darrell Scott is as well-known for his songwriting and session work as he is for his solo albums. But, for all these things, he's widely respected as one of the finest artists at work in the folk and Americana world these days. Learn more about Darrell Scott with this biography and profile.

WPA (Works Progress Administration) is one of the most notable folk and Americana supergroups at work these days. Arisen from the Watkins Family Hour show in Los Angeles, this band of folk, bluegrass, and roots music superstars has been converting audiences for over a year at festivals.

Abigail Washburn has made a mark on the folk, bluegrass, old time, and Americana music scenes both as a versatile solo singer-songwriter and founding member of the Sparrow Quartet and Uncle Earl. Learn more about this talented young artist with this biography and profile of Abigail Washburn.

Amy Speace has been making music for quite a while, but has been winning over more and more audiences with the release of her last two albums. Learn more about this great up-and-coming songwriter with this profile of Amy Speace.

David Wilcox took one week this winter in a Ferndale, Calif., studio to make his next record, 'Open Hand' (due in April). Fresh from that experience, he was kind enough to hop on the phone with me to talk about the record, the economy, and how he knows a song is good enough and ready to share with the world.

Learn more about the music and background behind Texas singer-songwriter Bob Schneider.

Danny Schmidt is one of the most promising up-and-coming folk singer-songwriters on the scene these days. Learn more about Danny Schmidt, including recommended CDs and MP3s.

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

A unique blending of jazz, blues, folk, and soul in a one-man band like no other.

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.

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.

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder are one of contemporary bluegrass music's best bands. With more than a couple dozen awards--including Grammys, CMA Awards, and IBMA Awards--Skaggs has solidified his place in bluegrass music history. Learn more about Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.

Todd Snider is frequently considered one of the finest singer-songwriters in contemporary folk music, tackling everything from topical political songs to tunes about intensely personal issues. Learn more about the music of Todd Snider with this biography and profile, including recommended CDs and MP3s.

This folk-hop group is best known for their catchy and biting songs of protest and social justice.

The Steeldrivers debuted on the scene in early 2008 with a highly anticipated self-titled debut album. Since then, they've been churning up plenty of interest in the modern bluegrass scene. Learn more about this up-and-coming bluegrass band.

Originally a rather casual operation, the band would play local gigs at ski resorts, where they would be compensated with free lift tickets.

One of the most respected artists from the 1970s folk-pop singer/songwriter era.

Everyone's favorite sensitive singer/songwriter

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.

Twilight Hotel are one of Canada's finest up-and-coming singer-songwriter duos. Learn more about Twilight Hotel with this full biography and profile, including recommended CDs and MP3s.

Dan Tyminski started his career with the Lonesome River Band before joining Alison Krauss and Union Station in 1994. Now, with his own group - the Dan Tyminski Band - he has earned a number one bluegrass album and a 2009 Grammy Award nomination. Learn more about Dan Tyminski.

Dave Van Ronk, often called the Mayor of MacDougal Street, was highly influential during the 1960s Greenwich Village folk scene.

Vandaveer is basically a duo borne of the musical vision of Mark Charles Heidinger. Though their debut album released in 2007, it's taken some time for the word to spread. Their '09 release Divide and Conquer earned them considerable praise and attention, and the momentum is only likely to continue.

Western Australian trio The Waifs are a largely independent group of singer/songwriter/guitarists who play smooth music with sweet melodies.

Loudon Wainwright III is a gifted songwriter and humorist, and was considered the next Bob Dylan when his debut released in 1970. Find out more about this great singer-songwriter, including recommended CDs and MP3s.

Known for his low, gritty voice and for being musically adventurous, Tom Waits is one of the most respected songwriters in contemporary folk music.

British singer-songwriter Kate Walsh is one of the most gifted up-and-coming songwriters of her generation. Learn more about this talented artist.

Learn more about Sara Watkins, Nickel Creek's prodigious fiddle player, and what she's been up to since the band split.

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.

Old Timer, Bluegrasser, Singer/Songwriter, and guitar picker extraordinaire.

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.

alt.country, roots rock, folk rock, Americana—call them what you will. Wilco has done it all.

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.

Together since 1999, this progressive bluegrass string band is one of the most prominent innovators in bluegrass-rock today.

Tallest Man on Earth is the stage name of Swedish singer-songwrier Kristian Matsson. Learn more about his excellent indie roots music, including recommended CDs and MP3s.

The Sweetback Sisters released their second full-length album in May 2011, much to the pleasure of Americana fans and critics alike. Their sweet harmonies and blend of country, roots, and Americana music has impressed audiences at folk and bluegrass festivals. Learn more about the Sweetback Sisters with this brief bio and profile, including...

Learn more about bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and his band the Stanley Brothers with this introductory bio and profile, including recommended CDs and MP3s.

Learn more about progressive bluegrass troupe Trampled by Turtles with this introductory bio and profile, including recommended CDs and MP3s.

Learn more about legendary folk a capella troupe Sweet Honey in the Rock, with this introductory bio and profile, including recommended CDs and MP3s.

Learn all about the new Canadian singer-songwriter duo Whitehorse, made up of Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland. Check out this bio complete with recommended CDs and MP3s.

The Two Man Gentleman Band is one of the best loved up-and-coming duos on the burgeoning old time folk music scene. Learn more about them with this introductory bio and profile, including recommended MP3s and CDs.