2024 Ontario Folk Music Award Nominees, Including Local Arists

From the press release: 

Folk Music Ontario Announces the 2024 Ontario Folk Music Award Nominees!

The 30th annual Ontario Folk Music Awards will take place in Mississauga, Ontario on Sunday, October 6, 2024 following the Folk Music Ontario Conference.

Mississauga, ON - August 14 2024 - In recognition of the outstanding work and contributions of Folk artists and musicians from across the province of Ontario, Folk Music Ontario (FMO) is pleased to announce the nominees for the 2024 Ontario Folk Music Awards (formerly the 'Songs from the Heart Awards'). Now celebrating its 30th year, the annual award ceremony will take place as the final event of the Folk Music Ontario Conference at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario on Sunday, October 6, 2024 and will feature performances by a select number of nominated artists and special guests.

Click here to purchase tickets

Copyright © 2024 Folk Music Ontario, All rights reserved.

Below is a complete list of nominees. Local artists are bolded

Performing Artist of the Year

• Sultans of String (members from Burlington)
  
  
  
  Links: Sultans of String, More Sultans of String Stories, Video above courtesy of Sultans of String
  
  
• Payadora Tango Ensemble featuring Lenka Lichtenberg and Aviva Chernick
• Mimi O'Bonsawin
• The Angelique Francis Band
• OKAN
• Adrian Sutherland
• Jessica Pearson and the East Wind

Recording Artist of the Year

• Great Lake Swimmers (Wainfleet)
  
  
  
  Links: Great Lake Swimmers, More GLS Stories, Video above courtesy of GreatLakeSwimmers
  
  
• Logan Staats (Brantford)
  
  
  
  Links: Logan Staats, More Logan Staats Stories, Video above courtesy of L Staats
  
  
• Good Lovelies
• The Pairs
• Sarah Segal-Lazar
• OKAN
• Tarek Ghriri

Song of the Year

• “Hey Boy” - Mike Leon (Hamilton) (co-written by Matthie Leon)
  
  
  
  Links: Mike Leon, Video above courtesy of Mike Leon
  
  
• “I Called It Love” - David Francey (co-written by Terry Tufts - Port Colbourne)
• “Georgia Moon” - Julian Taylor
• “Le Reina de Norte” - OKAN (written by Elizabeth Rodriguez, Magdelys Savigne)
• “christian scientist” - summersets (written by Kalle Mattson)
• “Annie’s Daughter” - The Pairs (written by Renée Coughlin, Noelle Frances Coughlin, Hillary Watson)

Album of the Year

• Steven Taetz​ - "Late Bloom" (ft Hamilton's Jill Barber & Adrean Farrugia)
• Good Lovelies​ - "We Will Never Be The Same"
• David Francey​ - "The Breath Between"
• Payadora Tango Ensemble featuring Lenka Lichtenberg and Aviva Chernick​ - "Silent Tears, The Last Yiddish Tango"
• Julian Taylor​ - "Anthology Vol 1"
• Aysanabee​ - "Here and Now"
• Rose-Erin Stokes​ - "When The Sun Goes Away"

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2024 Opening Night Juno Winners

A number of Junos were handed out at a streamed gala on March 23, 2024. Unfortunately, no local artists won but there were lots of talented winners. The televised gala on Sunday, March 24, 2024 (on CBC at 8pm) will feature more incredible artists receiving Junos.

Local musicians Georgie Fab of the Rockets, Greg "Fritz" Heinz of Helix & Robbie Robertson of the Band were honoured at the "In Memoriam" section while Begonia sang Butterfly. Click their names at the beginning of this paragraph to go directly to their section.

Below is a video of the amazing event.

Links: Juno Awards, More Juno Stories, Video above courtesy of CBC Music

Click here for the televised winners.

Below is a complete of winner from the gala:

• ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Multitudes by Feist 
• ALBUM ARTWORK OF THE YEAR: RIOPELLE SYMPHONIQUE – Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal 
  - Nicolas Lemieux (Art Director)
  - Mykaël Nelson (Designer & Illustrator)
  - Albert Zablit (Photographer)
• ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Here and Now by Aysanabee 
• ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Tate McRae
• BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Scream, Holler & Howl by Blue Moon Marquee 
• BREAKTHROUGH GROUP OF THE YEAR: New West 
• CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Welcome to the Flea Circus by The Swinging Belles
• CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (LARGE ENSEMBLE): Maxime Goulet: Symphonie de la tempête de verglas Orchestre classique de Montréal, conducted by Jacques Lacombe 
• CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SMALL ENSEMBLE): Il Ponte di Leonardo By Constantinople 
• CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO ARTIST): Nielsen: Violin Concerto, Symphony No. 4 by James Ehnes
• CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR: Don’t Throw Your Head in Your Hands by Nicole Lizée
• COMEDY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: A Lylebility by Kyle Brownrigg 
• CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN | GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Arrow by K-Anthony
• CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR: Elisapie 
• CONTEMPORARY R&B RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Never Enough by Daniel Caesar
• CONTEMPORARY ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Stand in the Joy by William Prince
• COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Ahead Of Our Time by James Barker Band 
• DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Need Your Love by Felix Cartal & Karen Harding 
• ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: INFINITY CLUB by Bambii 
• FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: En concert avec l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal by Les Cowboys Fringants
• GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Okantomi by OKAN
• INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: When we were that what wept for the sea by Colin Stetson
• INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOS by SZA 
• JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (GROUP): Cry Me A River by Hilario Duran and His Latin Jazz Big Band 
• JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO): Day Moon by Christine Jensen 
• METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: As Gomorrah Burns by Cryptopsy 
• MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Demons by  Allison Russell (Ethan Tobman - Director)
  
  
  
  Links: Allison Russel, More Allison Russel Stories, Video above courtesy of Allison Russell
  
  
• POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: 99 Nights by Charlotte Cardin 
• PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Shawn Everett
• RAP ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR: PANIC by TOBi
• RAP SINGLE OF THE YEAR: Someone I Knew  by TOBi 
• RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: Shawn Everett
• REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Dread by Kirk Diamond & Finn
• ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Blame My Ex by The Beaches 
• SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Aysanabee
• SPECIAL ACIEVEMENT AWARD: Chip Sutherland
• TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR: Joel Wood
• TRADITIONAL R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Hello by Aqyila
• TRADITIONAL ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: The Breath Between by David Francey
• UNDERGROUND DANCE SINGLE OF THE YEAR: Call My Name by BLOND:ISH 
• VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Our Roots Run Deep by Dominique Fils-Aimé 

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News Roundup (St. Catharines Arts Awards, Grammys, Sam Heller, Gaslight Alley, Ti-Cats, more)

Chuckle Bros

More Musical Toons

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News

St. Catharines Arts Award Nominations

Arts in Education

• Amanda Nelli (Chorus Niagara Children's Choir)
• Joe Norris
• PK Hummingbird Steel Drums
• Kay Charles
• Patrick Nunes
• Danielle Wilson

Emerging Artist

• Kylie Haveron
• Rea Kelly
• Ola Kiermacz
• Mel Monaco

Established Artist

• Ayo Adewumi
• Colin Bruce Anthes
• Wayne Corlis
• Geoff Farnsworth
• Clelia Scala

Making a Difference

• Rhiannon Barry
• Juliet Dunn
• Mark Elliott
• Emma German
• Chris Illich
• Laurie Sadowski
• Jeanette Tossounian
• Willow Arts Community

Spectator Stories

• Valerie Tryon
• Gemma New to conduct for TSO
• Grammy ceremony review
• Pre-Grammy story
• More Grammys

Canadian Grammy Winners

• Rap Song: Drake - God's Plan
• RnB Performance:  H.E.R. - Best Part (ft Daniel Caesar)
• Contemporary Classical Composition: Aaron Jay Kernis - Kernis: Violin Concerto (ft James Ehnes)
• Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media: The Greatest Showman (ft Greg Wells)
• Recording Package: St. Vincent - Masseduction (ft Willo Perron)
• New Age Album: Opium Moon (ft Lili Haydn) - Opium Moon
• Album of the Year and Best Country Album: Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour (mixed by Shawn Everett)
• Bluegrass Album: The Travelin' McCourys - The Travelin' McCourys (ft writing by David Francey)

Passings

• Joseph Jarman (Art Ensemble of Chicago)

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Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music-Loving Monkey

Trebleclef went to a wonderful matinee featuring Sam Heller and Gaslight Alley at Clifford Brewing in Hamilton.

Click here for more pics from the event

Links: Gaslight Alley, More Gaslight Alley Stories, Video above courtesy of Sam Heller

Links: Sam Heller, More Sam Heller Stories, Video above courtesy of Sam Heller

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Treble also bumped into Justin Vaughn of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who was at St. Charles Adult Education Centre speaking out against gender-based violence and harassment.

Video above courtesy of The Hamilton Tiger-Cats

MORE NEWS ROUNDUPS

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CONGRATS! Local 2016 Canadian Folk Music Award Winners!

On December 3, 2016 the 12th Annual Canadian Folk Music Awards were handed out to a number of amazing artists. Vineland's own David Gillis took home the Producer of the Year award for his work on new Hamiltonian Corin Raymond's latest album, Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams.

David had the folowing to say on his Facebook page: "I want everyone to know I never could have won "The CFMA, Producer of the Year" award without Corin Raymond's great songs, his relentless pursuit of perfection and his authenticity as an artist!"



Links: David Gillis, More David Gillis Stories, Corin Raymond, More Corin Raymond Stories, , Video above courtesy of Gilmour Street Music Hall

CONGRATS!

Here's a complete list of winners.

• Producer(s): David Gillis (Corin Raymond)
• Solo Artist: David Francey
• Contemporary Album: David Francey: Empty Train 
• New/Emerging Artist: Hillsburn
• Pushing the Boundaries: Kaia Kater
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of 977WEXT
  
  
• World Group: Sultans of String (members from Burlington & Oakville)
• English Songwriter(s): Donovan Woods
• Contemporary Singer: Jadea Kelly
• Ensemble: The East Pointers
• Young Performer: Nick Earle and Joe Coffin
• French Songwriter(s): Les soeurs Boulay 
• Aboriginal Songwriter(s): Twin Flames
• World Solo Artist: Willy Rios
• Traditional Album: Yann Falquet and Pascal Gemme: Princes et Habitants
• Traditional Singer: Chaim Tannenbaum
• Instrumental Group: The Andrew Collins Trio
• Instrumental Solo Artist: Duane Andrews
• Vocal Group: Musique à bouches
• Children's Album: The Kerplunks: Pants and Mammals
• Unsung Hero: Steve Edge, Rogue Folk Club

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories

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News Roundup (Hamilton Blues Society, Barbershop Podcast Anniversary, Videos)

Local

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• Spec Article on Downchild Blues Band
• Hamilton Blues Society help the needy
• Pictures from Hamilton Blues Lovers 5th Anniversary Open Stage
• Barbershop Podcast 1 Year anniversary show (pictured above) 
  
  

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Canada

• David Francey Wins Folk USA Songwriting Competition

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Blasts from the Past

• 2009: Videos-Pappy Johns Blues Band@Waltz 
• 2010: Videos-Alfie Smith@Pheasant Plucker
• 2011: Ariana Gills CD: Forget Me Not
• 2012: News Roundup (X-Mas Singles, Podcasts, more)

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Featured Videos
 


Links: Cadillac Bill, More Cadillac Bill Stories, Video courtesy of Cadillac Bill



Links: Neon Moon, Video courtesy of George Bakhuis

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2013 Canadian Folk Music Award Winners

On November 10, 2013 in Calgary there was a wonderful celebration of the great roots music this country has to offer.  The Canadian Folk Music Awards were handed out to some very deserving musicians.

The big winners were the Good Lovelies and Jaron Freeman-Fox with two awards each. Congratulations to everyone!



Links: Good Lovelies, More Good Lovelies Stories, Video courtesy of the Good Lovelies



Links: Jaron Freeman-Fox, More Jaron Freeman-Fox Stories, Video courtesy of Humple Empire


Here is a complete list of winners.

• Vocal Group of the Year: Good Lovelies
• New/Emerging Artist: Mo Kenney
• Pushing The Boundaries: Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• English Songwriter: David Francey
• French Songwriter: Dany Placard  
• Aboriginal Songwriter: Nancy Mike  
• World Solo Artist: Jorge Miguel
• World Group: Jaffa Road  
• Traditional Album: Seinn (Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy MacIsaac)
• Traditional Singer: Pharis Romero
• Contemporary Album: Valleyheart (Justin Rutledge) 
• Contemporary Singer: Ian Sherwood 
• Instrumental Group: Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• Instrumental Solo Artist: Chrissy Crowley 
• Ensemble: Good Lovelies
• Solo Artist: Lynn Miles
• Young Performer: Kierah
• Children’s Album: Helen Austin (Always Be A Unicorn)
• Producer: David Travers-­Smith (Ruth Moody & Jaron Freeman-­Fox and The Opposite of Everything)
• Unsung Hero: Mitch Podolak
• Innovator: Daniel Lapp  

Click here for about the Folk Awards

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

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David Francey Videos

Check out the videos below, courtesy of David Francey's YouTube page.










Links: David Francey, More David Francey stories

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Dawn and Marra Nominated for 2013 Canadian Folk Music Award

Dawn and Marra, the fabulous local folk duo, have been nominated for a 2013 Canadian Folk Music Award (Vocal Group).  The talented ladies will be up against such luminaries as the The Good Lovelies and The Wilderness of Manitoba. Good Luck!

Nominees include former Jackie Washington musical co-hort Ken Whiteley, Stephen Fearing (Blackie and the  Rodeo Kings), David Francey, Kevin Breit, and Corin Raymond.

The winners will be announced on November 10, 2013 in Calgary.



Links: Dawn and Marra , More Dawn and Marra Stories,

Here is a complete list of nominees.

Vocal Group of the Year

• Dawn and Marra
• Good Lovelies 
• Trent Severn 
• Sweet Lowdown 
• Wilderness of Manitoba

New/Emerging Artist

• Ashley Condon 
• Lemon Bucket Orkestra
• Mo Kenney
• Ten Strings And A Goat Skin
• Trent Severn 

Pushing The Boundaries

• Kevin Breit
• Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• New Country Rehab 
• Orchid Ensemble 
• Wilderness of Manitoba

English Songwriter

• David Francey
• Old Man Luedecke
• Lynn Miles
• Justin Rutledge
• John Wort Hannam

French Songwriter

• Chantal Archambault 
• Louis-­Jean Cormier
• Catherine Durand 
• Alexis Normand 
• Dany Placard 

Aboriginal Songwriter

• Don Amero 
• Diem Lafortune 
• Nancy Mike 
• Kristi Lane Sinclair 
• Vince Fontaine 

World Solo Artist

• Aviva Chernick
• Alex Cuba
• Lenka Lichtenberg 
• Jorge Miguel 
• Sora 

World Group

• Njacko Backo & Kalimba Kalimba 
• David Buchbinder & Odessa
• Lemon Bucket Orkestra 
• Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• Jaffa Road 

Traditional Album

• Long Gone Out West Blues (Pharis Romero & Jason Romero)
• Lume, Lume (Lemon Bucket Orkestra)
• Mosaïk (Vishtèn)
• Seinn (Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy MacIsaac)
• Tune Tramp (Erynn Marshall)

Traditional Singer

• Natalie Edelson (The Blue Warblers)
• Ian Bell 
• Ken Whiteley 
• Pharis Romero
• Mary Jane Lamond 

Contemporary Album

• Downpour (Lynn Miles)
• Rise (Annabelle Chvostek)
• So Say We All (David Francey)
• These Wilder Things (Ruth Moody)
• Valleyheart (Justin Rutledge)

Contemporary Singer

• Stephen Fearing 
• Old Man Luedecke
• Justin Rutledge 
• Ian Sherwood 
• John Wort Hannam 

Instrumental Group

• Boxcar Boys 
• Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• Gordon Grdina’s Haram 
• Lemon Bucket Orkestra 
• Log Drivers 

Instrumental Solo Artist

• Stephanie Cadman 
• Maxim Cormier
• Chrissy Crowley
• Rachel Davis 
• Jorge Miguel 

Ensemble

• Genticorum 
• Good Lovelies
• Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy MacIsaac
• Corin Raymond & The Sundowners 
• Vishtèn for Mosaïk

Solo Artist

• Maria Dunn
• Stephen Fearing
• David Francey 
• Lynn Miles 
• John Wort 

Children’s Album

• Helen Austin: Always Be A Unicorn
• Funky Mamas: Pickin’ in the Garden 
• Jennifer Gasoi: Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well
• Madame Diva: Viva la Diva
• Gary Rasberry: What’s the Big Idea?!

Producer

• David Francey (David Francey: So Say We All)
• David Travers-­Smith (Ruth Moody: These Wilder Things by Ruth Moody & Jaron Freeman-­Fox and The Opposite of Everything)
• Jory Nash (Jory Nash: Little Pilgrim)
• Rick Scott  (Great Gazzoon -­ A Tall Tale With Tunes & Turbulence)
• Steve Dawson (Kelly Joe Phelps: Brother Sinner & The Whale & Jim Bynes I Hear The Wind In The Wires)

There will also be Unsung Hero and Innovator Awards

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Harrison Kennedy Nominated for Juno

Hamilton Blues legend Harrison Kennedy has received a nomination for the upcoming 2012 Juno Awards. His latest CD, Shame the Devil is up for the Blues album of the year.

Harrison is up against David Gogo, Bill Johnson, MonkeyJunk and Suzie Vinnick. We wish him luck!

For the Roots category, we have Bruce Cockburn, Craig Cardiff, Dave Gunning, David Francey, and Lindi Ortega vying for the Best Solo CD. The Good Lovelies, The Deep Dark Woods, The Once, The Wailin' Jennys, and Twilight Hotel are up for best Roots Group CD.

Other Hamilton-area nominees include the Arkells (Group, Rock CD), David Braid (Traditional Jazz), Diana Panton (Jazz Vocal), Junior Boys (Electronic).

The award ceremony will be broadcast live from Ottawa on April 1 on CTV.

Click here for the complete list of nominees

Click here for the Spectator article

Blasts from the Past: Our review of Shame the Devil, 2009 Juno Award Winners, Jack DeKeyzer Wins 2010 Juno, Daniel Lanois Wins 2011 Juno, All of our Juno Stories

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories

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David Lum@Brantford Station House (April 17, 2011)

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Click here for more videos from this show and a review of his latest CD.

Links: David Lum - More David Lum Stories

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