2026 Folk Hero Online
PLEASE READ ALL THE INFO
Most links are youtube but not all.
Youtube links often have advertisements which you can skip but occasionally you have to sit through them.
Facebook may require you to find the volume icon to unmute but you do not need to have an account to view.
Soundcloud is the same. You do not need an account, just open the link and hit the play button once it has loaded.
Please rank in order 1 through 16 with #1 for your favorite and #16 for your least favorite.
When you have decided please send your vote and select “reply all” in your outgoing email to include all board members.
No later than July 31 but sooner is better.
The bios are a direct cut and paste from the artist. I have not spent the time to edit grammar or punctuation. Bios will be edited for the booklet once our contestants are selected for the Folk Hero Finals.
1-Collide -- Duo
Collide lands at the intersection of folk, rock, country, and Americana, with an alchemy of sound that is inviting, thoughtful, and fun. Their debut album, Union Station, hit #16 on the Folk Alliance chart with songs that spring from a lifelong well of love, loss, joy, and hope. Their music was described as “the thoughtful, folksy Americana we didn't know we were missing” by Tony Mora, KUNM Radio, Albuquerque. Formed on the eve of the COVID pandemic in late 2019, Collide consists of Washington, DC singer/songwriter Catherine Messina Pajic and California-bred musician Daniel Ogden. Catherine - the driving creative force behind the music - had been a writer and composer since college, long before she met Daniel, a multi-instrumentalist with solid chops from his years in cover bands. Together, they create music that their fans describe as both powerful and enchanting. Collide appears regularly at cafes, art shows, and music festivals in the DC and Delmarva area, offering original ballads and upbeat tunes you can dance to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9fEs4ytfes
2-Derek Burkins -- Solo
I’ve been making music for over 30 years, from playing trumpet in orchestras and brass quintets to performing my own songs at coffeehouses and farmer’s markets across the Northeast. Whether I’m playing solo or with my trio, I love the connection that live music brings to a community.I currently have one album out, Ten Years and 29 Days, and I’m hard at work in the studio on my second. After a 30-year career in teaching, I’m now focused full-time on sharing my music and bringing people together. Although I live in Vermont, I have a large extended family in Delaware and spent my summers as a kid down near Rehoboth. I would love a chance to come down to visit and play at the festival!
https://youtu.be/BB3KpJlnxmM?si=zhoWopAEnYbATCdf
3-Wattle & Daub -- Duo
We're a folk duo based in Grayslake, Illinois. We know we're far away, but we have never been to Delaware and need to check it off the list.! We'd love to come play for you. Wattle & Daub’s authentic acoustic voice is rooted in their passion for the power of the folk music tradition. From the heart of the midwest,, husband and wife singer-songwriters, Tim and Susan Mocarski are dedicated to keeping folk culture alive and kicking through participation, social commentary, and entertainment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wfwdxBp1JI
4-Wilbur -- Solo
Hi, I'm Wilbr, a DMV singer-songwriter, based in Virgina , who's been playing guitar since I was a kid. Songwriting became my way of making sense of life's twists and turns, and it's grown into a passion for telling honest, heartfelt stories through music. My songs explore resilience, growth, and the moments that connect us, and I hope each performance leaves people feeling a little lighter than when they arrived. I'm excited to share my music across the Mid-Atlantic region and I am grateful for every chance to meet new listeners and become part of this wonderful folk community.
5-Josh Brokaw -- Solo
Roadside Rhythms - that's the name of Josh Brokaw's act and it's how he lives his life, as a wandering bard living out of a DIY tour bus. Writing, playing, and singing from Florida to Arizona, California, Utah and back to his homebase in Delaware and the East Coast. Wielding guitar & harmonica, Josh plays offbeat originals and timeless classics for audiences coast to coast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Rf8U1541E
6-David Scott Weaver —Duo
David Scott Weaver, is an award-winning songwriter who crafts tunes in a range of genres from Americana to Folk, Bluegrass, Gospel and Rock. Weaver has earned recognition in multiple songwriting competitions, including the World Songwriting Awards, the Global Music Awards and the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, where he won top honors for his song “Going Home.” Over the years, Weaver has collaborated with Mary Chapin Carpenter’s longtime producer John Jennings, GRAMMY-award winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, and co-written with the legendary songwriter Louisa Branscomb. The Whistling Traveler Music Blog writes that his songs offer “vivid storytelling frames and immersive evocation,” while The Other Side Reviews note that Weaver “crafts engaging melodies that speak to the heart while tantalizing the ears.”
7-Joe Barbella —Solo
I am a singer/songwriter currently living in Lewes, DE. I graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a BFA in Illustration. In addition to my career in fine art I have spent many years as a folk singer. I have produced six albums. I have performed in many venues including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, World Cafe Live, Penns Landing, Listening Booth in Lewes DE as well as many other southern Delaware venues. My music also appears in the WHYY music library. I have received “Chart-Topping Artists” and “Trending Alternative Music” playlists on Reverbnation.com. My music can be heard on Spotify, Apple music, Amazon, Youtube and many other streaming services as well as on soundcloud.com and reverbnation.com. For more information visit my website at joebarbella.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCjhGgwFHXY
8-Treefolk with Mulch—Duo
Treefolk is back and ready to avenge oneself! Presenting: 'Treefolk with Mulch', a dynamic two-piece folk punk band from Delaware, consisting of a guitar, a kazoo, and an acoustic bass. Known for their quick-beat lyrics revolving around environmentalism, mutual aid, and humans' conflict with nature, 'Treefolk with Mulch' embodies what folklore and storytelling is all about. Their lyricism coupled with dance-worthy basslines provide for a performance sure to captivate the audience and leave them yearning for a better world ahead. With hundreds of shows under Treefolk's belt, it was only natural for some acoustic bass-ridden Mulch to be added to the mix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYtprurZyBQ&list=PLbXVrEHSwz7o&index=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPvee5rYm70&list=PLbXVrEHSwz7o&index=2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHh9IO9A2mk&list=PLbXVrEHSwz7o&index=3
9- Daniel's Living Tapestry— Solo
My name is Daniel McDonald, a 35-year-old songwriter and musician from Delaware. With over 22 years of experience in songwriting and 15 years on the road, I’ve dedicated my life to crafting melodies and lyrics that resonate with people. My mission goes beyond the music, family and health are just as important to me. Along with those, I’m passionate about knowledge and personal growth. Water quality initiatives are a huge part of my journey and naturally reflect in my identity as a surfer and musician.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1K9QsmRKoe/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18sSZkP2NN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CxCfX4L1P/?mibextid=wwXIfr
10- Hellabore Holler—Duo
Hellabore Holler,a banjo and guitar duo comprised of Rin Royer (Pennsylvania) and Nick Stultz (Delmarva Peninsula). Together they create a driving acoustic sound that digs deep with roots in traditional folk, country western, americana, and blues. Featuring original music and reinvented traditionals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxrxdu5t0mg
11-Ian Otto Collins —Solo
Ian Otto Collins is a singer-songwriter based out in Maryland. I’ve been creating music since I was 10 years old and have been writing and playing ever since. For more please visit. https://www.youtube.com/@IanOttoCollins/videos
https://soundcloud.com/ianottocollins/alittlewater
12-Mike Spear—Solo
Folkin’ smokin’ original Americana with social conscience. Philadelphia Folk Festival, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem Musikfest, and open mic veteran. Songwriter, singer, and guitarist Mike Spear was a co-winner of Godfrey Daniels best of open mic competition 2016. He is a member of the Philadelphia Folksong Society’s (“PFS”) Musical Artists Cooperative (“M.A.C.”). M.A.C. is a cooperative of musical artists in the PA/NJ/DE region, and a program of PFS. He is also a member of the Philadelphia Area Songwriter's Alliance. Mike’s all originals repertoire is a mix of up-tempo stomps, ballads, and blues, as well as political songs that transcend the limitations of so-called short shelf songs. His recordings are at soundcloud.com/spearmuzik and reverbnation at spearmusic, and videos @spearmusic on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsSBiQcpScw
13- Peter & Anna—Duo
Pete + Anna is an Americana husband and wife duo with wildly different musical influences. While living life and raising 2 active boys, they felt the Lord push their different styles together into a unique blend of Worship, Truth, Soul & Rock-N-Roll.
https://youtu.be/qw3o_wAuAEM?si=Qvh4frdurRpFqJR9
14-Rebecca Berlin —Solo
I am a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter based in Silver Spring, MD. I believe music is the way to bridge the great divide between people, by showing us just how similar our hearts are. We all hurt, love, yearn, fear, and in those vulnerable and beautiful moments we are, I believe closest to our essence as human beings. I write because I want to share my stories, but also because I want to give my listeners the chance to feel seen, comforted, and validated in their own experiences. I am blessed to get to perform for a good part of my living, and I entered this contest in hopes that if I am chosen, I can spread my music to a larger audience and connect to more hearts, one set of ears at a time. See more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVb14XlIgT0&t=7232s Thank you for your consideration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0bGhQpGT-I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPZa9i0Ubto (note: guitar accompanist is not part of the application consideration)
https://youtu.be/TJr1c5_ZBOs (note: bass accompanist is not part of the application consideration)
15- Liz Reed-Swale—Solo
Liz Reed’s music is more than just sound, it’s the authentic expression of a deeply compassionate, fiercely dedicated human being. Known for her soulful voice, sharp wit, and songs rooted in social justice and self-actualization, Liz is a mother, public school music educator, community leader, and a seasoned singer-songwriter whose artistry is inseparable from the life she leads. Raised in the peaceful rhythms of Woodstock and currently living in the Hartford, Connecticut area, Liz’s earliest musical moments came through church choir and the storytelling traditions of folk legends like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Joan Baez. These early influences, along with the imagery and candor used by artists such as Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, planted the seeds for a career built on honesty, heart, and purpose. Reed approaches songwriting with the easy swagger of Jim Croce and the heart of the biggest, gentlest lion you can imagine. Her songs don’t posture or pretend; they show up honest, and lived-in, unafraid to tell the truth plainly. Liz draws from the well of personal experience, most recently in a profoundly moving new chapter. In 2025, she joined Bigger Beast Records and recorded “Maybe Kind of World,” a tender, intimate song inspired by her teenage daughter on the autism spectrum. Rockmommy described “Maybe Kind of World” as evoking “the introspective tenderness of Jim Croce’s ‘Time in a Bottle,’ the lyrical honesty of Tim Hardin, and the graceful, emotive spirit of Janis Ian.” Jammerzine called it “a heartfelt tug at the strings of life with a track that everyone has lived and everybody needs to hear.” Show by show, song by song, Liz has built something real. She is carving out space to uplift and connect the artist community around her as well as give back to her own hometown. She has worked with a non-profit in Manchester, CT to create and host a free monthly open mic, and for over two decades, she’s run an annual festival to raise funds and food the Rocky Hill Human Services food pantry. Liz Reed is much more than a musician. She is an extraordinary human whose music is an authentic extension of her heart and life. Listening to Liz is to witness a rare alchemy of honesty, empathy, and artistry; a voice truly worth hearing. find out more at www.lizreedmusic.com
https://youtu.be/5RwmX7Uf6EQ?si=OhR4jotJsp1GkCzs
16-Anne Ramsey—Solo
I’m a recent retiree turned singer-songwriter. I loved folk music growing up, and was enrapt as a Toronto high-schooler by the Mariposa Folk Festival every summer. It was due to early exposure there to musicians like Michael Cooney, Martin Carthy, Jean Redpath, and so many others, that I learned to play guitar to accompany my singing. I studied traditional music in college in Boston, including fingerstyle lessons with Guy Van Duser, and afterward played in many informal events and talent shows during my working life. It’s like a homecoming to come back full-throttle to this passion! I started writing my own songs (Americana with an Anglo-Celtic twist) in the spring of 2022. I’ve written about 80 songs since then, joining the Philadelphia Area Songwriters Alliance (pasamusic.org), and the Philadelphia Folksong Society’s Musical Artists Cooperative (PFS/MAC) with enthusiasm. My coaches and teachers have included Richard Thompson, Teddy Thompson, Adam Traum, Sloan Wainwright, Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka, Mary Gauthier, and Korby Lenker. I perform live at local events, showcases, open mics, and song circles in the mid-Atlantic. My style is often described as atmospheric, imaginative and haunting. Fellow musicians tease me about the "body count" in my ballads and I can't deny killing off many soldiers and sailors in my songs... As Richard Thompson once said, "Sad songs are the best songs."
https://youtu.be/oDwGOC0YYko?si=Xws86Lm_3Wa9s0is
https://youtu.be/KYD1raxzO2w?si=P1Mnb0i4Rrb26nbO (note: mandolin accompanist is not part of the application consideration)
17-Rich Morey—Solo
Rich Morey is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who draws from Americana, Folk, Rock, and Soul, with a dash of Funk. His songs feature catchy guitar grooves; rich, soulful vocals; and thought-provoking lyrics inspired by his love of poetry. Rich strives to put his heart and soul in every note. A native of the D.C. area who retired and moved to coastal Delaware in 2025, Rich joined his first band at 14, studied classical guitar and jazz in college, and learned to play gospel and sing in church. He has performed with bands in such storied D.C.-area venues as the 9:30 Club, Jammin Java, and the Fillmore Silver Spring. Rich has never met a musical style he couldn’t learn from, and he draws on decades of playing and studying the guitar to create a sound that is fresh, energizing, and soulful. He loves connecting with people through music, either through performing as a solo artist, backing up other artists, or impromptu jam sessions. Rich is busy working on an EP due in the Fall.