Artists and Styles
By Kim Ruehl, About.com Guide to Folk Music
Learn more about all the artists and styles that make up American folk music, from bluegrass to folk-rock, protest music, alt.country and beyond. What artists are making waves today, and who most influenced the early days of American folk music? Find the answers here.
Ani DiFranco
Learn more about Generation X's most ardent activist-folksinger, including a bio, interview, album and book reviews.
- Ani DiFranco Bio and Profile
- Ani DiFranco Discography
- Interview With Ani DiFranco
- 'Verses' (book of poetry by Ani DiFranco)
Bob Dylan
Get more in-depth information about Bob Dylan, including recommended CDs, trivia, his bio, and the movies and books that have been written about his life and work.
- Bob Dylan Bio and Profile
- 10 Best Moments in Dylan's Early Career
- 'I'm Not There' (film)
- 'Bob Dylan: No Direction Home' (film)
- 'Bob Dylan: Essential Interviews' (book)
- 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan' (album)
- Behind "Blowin' in the Wind"
Alt-Country
Alt-country is a really interesting area of American folk music, and these days comes across as a blend of indie rock, bluegrass and old style country music. Learn about the artists and albums essential to your CD collection.
Bluegrass
Bluegrass is one of the most popular styles of American folk music. Learn more about what characterizes bluegrass, who plays it, and where to get started.
- All About Bluegrass
- Bluegrass History
- Best Bluegrass Artists Ever
- Best Bluegrass Instrumentalists
- Alison Krauss
- Bill Monroe
Folk-Rock
Ever since Bob Dylan plugged in at the Newport Folk Festival more than 40 years ago, folk-rock has been a major player in mainstream music in America. Learn more about the classic and contemporary folk-rock artists and CDs you need to check out.
- Folk-Rock 101
- Ben Harper
- Bob Dylan
- Bob Schneider
- Grateful Dead
- KT Tunstall
- Martin Sexton
- Michael Franti & Spearhead
Old Time
Old time music (sometimes called "old timey") preceded bluegrass, and is enjoying quite a resurgence these days among younger urban bands. Learn more about the old time phenomenon, old timey roots and where the genre is headed these days.
Singer/Songwriters
Singer/Songwriters are what most people think of when they hear the phrase "American folk music." Learn more about the great American singer/songwriters, and who's affecting the scene these days.
- Singer/Songwriters 101
- Cat Stevens
- James Taylor
- Joni Mitchell
- Woody Guthrie
- Greg Brown
- Dar Williams
- Erin McKeown
- Guy Clark
- Janis Ian
- John Gorka
- John Prine
- Kris Kristofferson
- Laura Veirs
- Leonard Cohen
- Patty Griffin
- Paul Simon
- Phil Ochs
- Richard Shindell
- Tom Paxton
Women in Folk Music
Here are albums and other work by all the great women singer/songwriters, bluegrass artists and the like.
