Folk Music Radio Airplay Chart
September 2026, Week 3

Compiled by Richard Gillmann
From Playlists Submitted to FOLKDJ-L

TOP ALBUMS of September 2026, Week 3
Compiled by Richard Gillmann from FOLKDJ-L playlists
Based on 2663 plays from 95 playlists from 66 Folk DJs

  1: "Smoketree," The Kennedys [Self, 8/2026] (20)
        "A Star To Guide You" (4)
        "Girl On A Motorcycle" (3)
        "Smoketree" (3)
        "Song for a Midday Dawn" (3)
  2: "So Much for Goodbyes," Billy Strings [Reprise, 7/2026] (17)
        "I'm One Of Those" (4)
        "Lay Me Down" (3)
  3: "Requiem for a Sleepless Night," Kelly Hunt [Compass, 8/2026] (13)
        "Dreamer" (4)
        "All the King's Horses" (3)
        "Clouds" (3)
  3: "Troubadourly Yours," Scott Cook [Release Guru, 8/2026] (13)
        "Troubadourly Yours" (3)
        "A Bigger Tent" (3)
        "Keeping Good Company" (2)
        "Frankie's Braids" (2)
        "There Is a River" (2)
  5: "The Morning Dark," Hayden Stern [Adhyâropa, 9/2026] (12)
        "Boston Harbor Welcome" (3)
        "Wedding At 11 West" (2)
        "Heather Lake" (2)
        "Farewell to Santa Ana" (2)
  6: "Tamarack," Kalos [Self, 9/2026] (11)
        "Tamarack" (4)
        "The Open Door" (3)
        "For Pete" (2)
  7: "Head Noise," Stephanie Sammons [Point Guard, 8/2026] (10)
        "Lone Coyote" (5)
        "Head Noise" (2)
  7: "Over the Horizon," Giselle & Erik [Self, 9/2026] (10)
        "Home" (3)
  7: "Williams Branch Is Hard to Find," Carla Gover & Friends [Legacy, 9/2026] (10)
        "Hear That Sound" (2)
        "Dancing With The Johnson Boys" (2)
        "Williams Branch is Hard to Find" (2)
 10: "Heirloom," Admiral Radio [Free Dirt, 9/2026] (9)
        "Coal Mining Town" (4)
        "Hillbilly Hymn" (2)
 10: "Odds...and Even So," Jon Shain [Flyin', 9/2026] (9)
        "Morning Song" (6)
 10: "Reunion," Mama's Broke [Free Dirt, 5/2026] (9)
        "No Great Reunion" (2)
        "Build It Up" (2)
 13: "The Breakdown," Keb' Mo' [Concord, 9/2026] (8)
        "Stitched Up Heart" (2)
 13: "Cover to Cover," AJ Lee & Blue Summit [Signature Sounds, 9/2026] (8)
        "Red Dirt Girl" (4)
 13: "Home-Brewed," Kate Macleod's Mind the Gap [Courier, 8/2026] (8)
        "I Will Sing My Heart Out" (4)
        "Never Looked So Good to Me Before" (3)
 13: "In the Meantime," Brant Miller [Miller Woods, 8/2026] (8)
        "I Wanna Be Cool!" (2)
        "The Last Songwriter" (2)
 13: "Light of the Hilo Moon," The Volcano Brothers [Black Hen, 9/2026] (8)
        "Honolulu Bound" (3)
        "An Orange Grove In California" (2)
 18: "Break & Mend," The Heists [Muskeg Collective, 8/2026] (7)
        "Seasons Turn" (3)
        "Buck Up Buttercup" (3)
 18: "Some Comfort," Kate Waters [Wild Raspberry, 8/2026] (7)
        "Peace on Earth" (2)
 18: "The Song Is My Home," Steve Brooks [Frog, 9/2026] (7)
        "The Song Is My Home" (2)
        "Some People You Never Get Over" (2)
 18: "Sound Signal Serenades," Son Volt [Transmit, 9/2026] (7)
        "Don Quixote's Dream" (2)
 18: "Tonight's News," Ken Pomeroy [Rounder, 9/2026] (7)
        "Late for the Sky" (2)
        "This Old Guitar" (2)
 23: "Absence & Her Sister," Tim Eriksen & Peter Irvine [Soundkeeper, 8/2026] (6)
        "As She Sank She Rose Again" (1)
 23: "Hope Is the Thing," Rhiannon Giddens [Nonesuch, 7/2026] (6)
        "Carolina Rain" (2)
        "Freight Train" (2)
        "High on a Mountain" (2)
 23: "I've Missed You All These Years," Sera Cahoone [Sub Pop, 9/2026] (6)
        "High and Low" (2)
 23: "Rooming House," Charlie Parr [Smithsonian/Folkways, 9/2026] (6)
        "Rooming House" (2)
 23: "Songs From the Knoxville Project," Angela Easterling [De L'est, 9/2026] (6)
        "Count All The Stars" (2)
        "Trouble" (2)
 23: "These Are the Days That Turn Into Years," Pharis & Jason Romero [Free Dirt, 6/2026] (6)
        "Big Time World" (2)
 23: "Try Love," Julie Gold [Gadfly, 2022] (6)
        "It's Hard To Love September" (6)
 30: "The Complete Trio Collection," Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris [Rhino, 2016] (5/6)
        "Farther Along" (2)
 30: "20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of Bill Monroe," Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys [Mercury] (5)
        "Scotland - Instrumental" (1)
 30: "Bluegrass Women," Lindsay Lou [Son Of Bart, 9/2026] (5)
        "Cc Rider" (2)
 30: "Gratuitous Grace," Richard Peter Morris [Chutney & Mango, 8/2026] (5)
        "Same Old Moon" (3)
        "Of the Vine" (2)
 30: "The Grass Is Blue," Dolly Parton [Sugar Hill, 1999] (5)
        "A Few Old Memories" (1)
 30: "Landfill Poetry," Riley Downing [Oh Boy] (5)
        "Country Fool" (1)
 30: "Night Bloom," Leslie Waugh [Smallz, 9/2026] (5)
        "To Be Poor" (2)
 30: "Pilgrimage," Leeroy Stagger [Cordova Bay, 8/2026] (5)
        "Bangor" (2)
 30: "Rattlin' Bones," Bronwyn [Sugar Petunia, 8/2026] (5)
        "Flower Child" (1)
 30: "Reckoning," Mary Gauthier [Thirty Tigers, 9/2026] (5)
        "Alcohol and Adderall" (3)
 30: "Sweet Spot," Shanna in a Dress [Self, 8/2026] (5)
        "Shelli" (2)
        "Sweet Spot" (2)
 30: "Two Crows," Louise Grasmere [LEG, 9/2026] (5)
        "Great Big World" (2)
        "Two Crows" (2)
 30: "Unadorned," Deborah Holland [Self, 8/2026] (5)
        "Last Helicopter Out Of Saigon" (2)
 30: "Believe In Kindness," Deidre McCalla [MaidenRock] (5)
        "Believe In Kindness" (5)

TOP SONGS of September 2026, Week 3
Compiled by Richard Gillmann from FOLKDJ-L playlists
Based on 2663 plays from 95 playlists from 66 Folk DJs

1. "Bound to Ride" (7)
     from "Bound To Ride - single" (Dolly Parton & The First Ladies of Bluegrass)
2. "It's Hard To Love September" (6)
     from "Try Love" (Julie Gold)
2. "Morning Song" (6)
     from "Odds...and Even So" (Jon Shain)
4. "Believe In Kindness" (5)
     from "Believe In Kindness" (Deidre McCalla)
4. "I Will Sing My Heart Out" (5)
     from "Home-Brewed" (Kate Macleod's Mind the Gap)
4. "Lone Coyote" (5)
     from "Head Noise" (Stephanie Sammons)
7. "Alcohol and Adderall" (4)
     from "Reckoning" (Mary Gauthier)
7. "Build It Up" (4)
     from "Reunion" (Mama's Broke)
7. "Coal Mining Town" (4)
     from "Heirloom" (Admiral Radio)
7. "Dreamer" (4)
     from "Requiem for a Sleepless Night" (Kelly Hunt)
7. "Freedom Bus" (4)
     from "Pick You Up" (Sheryl Crow)
7. "I'm One Of Those" (4)
     from "So Much for Goodbyes" (Billy Strings)
7. "My Baby Loves Me" (4)
     from "EP Rent Money" (Pokey LaFarge)
7. "Red Dirt Girl" (4)
     from "Cover to Cover" (AJ Lee & Blue Summit)
7. "A Star To Guide You" (4)
     from "Smoketree" (The Kennedys)

TOP ARTISTS of September 2026, Week 3
Compiled by Richard Gillmann from FOLKDJ-L playlists
Based on 2663 plays from 95 playlists from 66 Folk DJs

1. Dolly Parton (37)
        "Dolly" (5)
        "The Grass Is Blue" (5)
        "My Tennessee Mountain Home" (5)
2. The Kennedys (23)
        "Smoketree" (20)
3. Billy Strings (17)
        "So Much for Goodbyes" (17)
4. Scott Cook (14)
        "Troubadourly Yours" (13)
5. Kelly Hunt (13)
        "Requiem for a Sleepless Night" (13)
6. Hayden Stern (11)
        "The Morning Dark" (11)
6. Kalos (11)
        "Tamarack" (11)
6. Mama's Broke (11)
        "Reunion" (8)
9. Giselle & Erik (10)
        "Over the Horizon" (10)
9. Keb' Mo' (10)
        "The Breakdown" (8)
9. Stephanie Sammons (10)
        "Head Noise" (10)
12. Carla Gover & Friends (9)
        "Williams Branch Is Hard to Find" (9)
12. Jon Shain (9)
        "Odds...and Even So" (9)
12. Rhiannon Giddens (9)
        "Hope Is the Thing" (6)
12. The Volcano Brothers (9)
        "Light of the Hilo Moon" (7)
16. Brant Miller (8)
        "In the Meantime" (8)
16. Kate Macleod's Mind the Gap (8)
        "Home-Brewed" (8)
16. Son Volt (8)
        "Sound Signal Serenades" (7)
19. AJ Lee & Blue Summit (7)
        "Cover to Cover" (7)
19. David Francey (7)
        "The Breath Between" (2)
19. Deidre McCalla (7)
        "Believe In Kindness" (5)
19. The Heists (7)
        "Break & Mend" (7)
19. Kate Waters (7)
        "Some Comfort" (7)
19. Ken Pomeroy (7)
        "Tonight's News" (7)
19. Rising Appalachia (7)
        "Trade My Troubles" (4)
19. Steve Brooks (7)
        "The Song Is My Home" (7)

TOP LABELS of September 2026, Week 3
Compiled by Richard Gillmann from FOLKDJ-L playlists
Based on 2663 plays from 95 playlists from 66 Folk DJs

1. Rounder (38)
2. Smithsonian/Folkways (37)
3. Compass (36)
3. Legacy (36)
5. Reprise (25)
6. Sugar Hill (24)
7. Red House (21)
8. Columbia (20)
9. Thirty Tigers (18)
9. Warner (18)
11. Free Dirt (17)
11. New West (17)
11. Signature Sounds (17)
14. Nonesuch (16)
15. Rhino (14)
16. Appleseed (13)
16. Mercury (13)
18. Oh Boy (12)
19. Capitol (11)
19. Concord (11)
19. Elektra (11)
19. Philo (11)
19. RCA (11)

FOLK DJs - September 2026, Week 3
Compiled by Richard Gillmann from FOLKDJ-L playlists
Based on 2663 plays from 95 playlists from 66 Folk DJs

Allen Larman (KPFK-FM, CA)
Angela Page (WJFF-FM & folkmusicnotebook.com, NY)
Annie Keville (WVBR-FM, NY)
Art Menius (WHUP-LP, NC)
Art Stevenson (WORT-FM, WI)
Bill Revill (WESU-FM, CT)
Bruce Cameron (2MCE-FM, Australia)
Bruce Swan (WSFM-LP, NC)
Carolyn VandeWiele (WFHB-FM, IN)
Chris Kocher (WHRW-FM, NY)
Chris McGill (WSPN-FM, NY)
Cindy Howes (folkalley.com)
Colin Fielding (3INR-FM, Australia)
Craig Huegel (WMNF-FM, FL)
David John (KEOS-FM & KAXE/KBXE-FM, TX)
David Sears (WBGU-FM, OH)
Dick Hermans (WKZE-FM, NY)
Don Jacobson (KBOO-FM, OR)
Eureka Mike (WFCF-FM & thesonicplanet.com, FL)
Gerry Goodfriend (CKUT-FM, QC)
Gordon Nash (folkmusicnotebook.com)
Graham Dean & Barbara Dean (WBCR-LP, MA)
Harlon Joye (WRFG-FM, GA)
JB Nuttle (WSDL-FM, MD)
Jack Dugan (WIOX-FM & thesonicplanet.com, NY)
Jan Vanderhorst (justusfolk.com, ON)
Jim Gilliland (WRUW-FM, OH)
Jim Marino (CFMU-FM, ON)
Joe Pszonek (folkmusicnotebook.com, SC)
Johnny Bazzano (KRCB-FM, CA)
Jon Stein (WTBQ-FM, NY)
Juliet Youngren (WEFT-FM, IL)
Karen Rakos (KEUL-FM, AK)
Ken Batista (WRCT-FM, PA)
Kevin Elliott (WEFT-FM, IL)
Laurie DesJardins (KVMR-FM, CA)
Len Holton (KUAR-FM & mixcloud.com, AR)
Marc Albert (KMUZ-FM & mixcloud.com, OR)
Marilyn Rea Beyer (WFMT-FM, IL)
Mark Michaelis (WGDR/WGDH-FM, VT)
Michael Alzo (WSLU-FM, NY)
Michael Benson (WESU-FM, CT)
Michael Kane (WBRS-FM, MA)
Mike Regenstreif (CKCU-FM, ON)
Mitch Park (Radio Hawke's Bay & Radio Kidnappers, New Zealand)
Nick Noble (WICN-FM, MA)
Norm Mast (WVPE-FM, IN)
Paul Hartman (WTMD-FM, MD)
Peter Kernast (WTSR-FM, NJ)
Richard Gordon (WRCT-FM & mixcloud.com, PA)
Richard Howard (KZMU-FM, UT)
Ron Olesko (WFDU-FM & folkmusicnotebook.com, NJ)
Sarah LaDuke (folkalley.com, NY)
Sherre Birenbaum (therootsfm.org, MO)
Steve Brockway (KRFC-FM, CO)
Steve Edge (CiTR-FM & syndicated, ON)
Steven Morrison (KBOO-FM, OR)
Stu Weaver (WFCF-FM, FL)
Susan Forbes Hansen (WWUH-FM & folkmusicnotebook.com, CT)
Taylor Caffery (WRKF-FM, LA)
Terry B. Moses & Naomi Soule (KCLC-FM, MO)
Tom Druckenmiller (WDIY-FM & podcast, PA)
Tom Funk (KGLP-FM, NM)
Wally Bowen (KOCF-LP, OR)
Wayne Greene (KEOS-FM, TX)
Zeke Duckworthy & Andy Rogovin (WZBC-FM, MA)