3 Sensational Female Folk Artists Today

There are some wonderful women singer songwriters on the folk circuit today but three of them are certainly among my favorites. Indeed, Catie Curtis, Claire Lynch and Eliza Gilkyson are unique folk artists that offer the listener harmonies, sound and lyrics beyond compare. As a result, they're big time fan favorites, awesome performers you'll definitely want to check out the next time these sensational female folk artists visit your town.

Boston's Folk Artist Catie Curtis

Catie Curtis is a notable for love songs that are both deeply personal and accessible. For almost two decades, this Boston-based folk singer has put together quite a songbook, including my favorites like "Troubled Mind" (Truth from Lies, 1996), "Kiss that Counted" (My Shirt Looks Good, 2001), "Soulfully" (Catie Curtis, 1996) and "100 Miles" (A Crash Course in Roses, 1999). You may remember Catie Curtis from her award-winning, Hurricane Katrina inspired folk song entitled, "People Look Around," a track she wrote with Mark Erelli. You've probably heard Catie Curtis' folk songs and music on Dawson's Creek, Felicity, Alias, Chicago Hope, and Grey's Anatomy. Her folk songs have also been featured in several independent films. Catie Curtis is well-regarded on the folk circuit and has toured with the likes of Dar Williams, Mary Chapin Carpenter and as a performer with Lilith Fair.

Claire Lynch Compared to Nanci Griffith and Allison Krauss

Claire Lynch represents contemporary and traditional bluegrass and country folk. She joined her first band (Hickory Wind) in 1973. Later, the band changed its name to Front Porch String Band which toured extensively for years in the Southeastern United States. Claire Lynch's songs have been recorded by notable artists like Patty Loveless, Seldom Scene, Kathy Mattea and Stephanie Davis). Claire Lynch is also a well-regarded session vocalist, providing harmonies on tracks and albums by country music and folk legends Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, John Starling, Ralph Stanley, among others. Check out Claire Lynch tracks like, "If Wishes Were Horses" to get a feel for this American original folk artist who's been compared to the American folk legends Nanci Griffith and Allison Krauss. If you like post-modern bluegrass, you'll love what Claire Lynch brings to the circuit.

Austin Bound's Eliza Gilkyson

Austin-based singer songwriter Eliza Gilkyson is another folk artist that tops my list. While she's been around forever, you'll find her music and lyrics are as fresh as ever, with an intensity that goes to the heart of her appeal. Check out "Beautiful Dreamer" (RetroSpectro, 2005), "Hollywood Years" (Misfits, 1999) and "Emerald Street" (Beautiful World, 2008), among others, to get a sense of her deeply personal feelings about love, loss, world events and more. Eliza Gilkyson's talents may originate with her musical roots as the daughter of American folk artist and singer songwriter Terry Gilkyson (1916-1999).

FEMALE FOLK ARTIST RESOURCES

Catie Curtis
http://catiecurtis.com

Claire Lynch
www.clairelynch.com

Eliza Gilkyson
www.elizagilkyson.com

Seeger, Peggy. The Peggy Seeger Songbook: Warts & All. Music Sales Corp, 1998.

Wenner, Hilda and Elizabeth Freilicher. Here's to the Women. Sing Out! Publications: 1991.