Three exceptional folk songs that you want to have in your collection

Wax Owls – “Ladybug Season”
-I didn’t know I needed a song about lady bugs in my life, but here we are. Everything from the lush arrangements to the fantastic harmonies make this an exceptional piece of folk music. The delicate energy of the opening vocal balances perfectly well with the heartfelt raspiness in the second phrase. The lyrics seem to highlight a sense of adventure and exploration. It’s a really wonderful performance and I hope all serious fans of folk music get a chance to listen to this.

Caleb Hearn – “Get There When I Get There”
-So I have to say I take this song personally; I was always one of those kids who became a young adult with a plan. College, wife, career, house, kids… I wanted it all planned out. Well, you know how that goes, right? It was mostly great but some real messes along the way. I needed exactly the message of this song about getting there when you get there. The sentimentality and message reminds me of what I love about Ben Rector’s songwriting. It’s about embracing where you are on a given day. “Why should I be living in the future or living in the past when the middle’s what I’m never getting back?” Amen to that.

Open Road Folk Music – “The Great Unknown”
-I love a good song title that makes you wonder. What exactly is the Great Unknown? It sounds like a fable, a fairytale, and an adventure. The acoustic guitar here feels like we’re sitting around the fire listening to a true troubadour. And let me tell you… this vocalist… is outstanding. The branding on the artist is a bit interesting, putting an idea ahead of any specific name. Even the artist bio keeps things pretty close to the vest and I’m ok with that. It encourages us to listen to the song rather than focus on the story of the artist. In some ways, I think the lyrics to this song are a bit like those “choose your own adventure” books. I think we all get something different from this one… and me… I get PEACE.