Nominees for the 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards Including Local Artists

Nominees for the 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards were recently announced and a few local acts were part of that prestigious list.  The award ceremony will take place April 9-12, 2026 in Calgary.

You can see the nominee announcement below.

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories, Video above courtesy of prixfolkawards

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

Contemporary Album of the Year

• Boreal (ft Tannis Slimmon from Guelph) - Winterbirds
  
  
  
  Links: Boreal, More Boreal Stories, Video above courtesy of Boreal Oficial
  
  
• AHI - The Light Behind The Sun
• Claire Morrison - Where Do You Go at Night?
• Sacred Wolf Singers X Simon Walls - L'nu'k Mawiejik
• The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger) - Glasswing

Contemporary Singer of the Year

• Stephen Fearing (Guelph)- The Empathist
  
  
  
  Links: Stephen Fearing, More Stephen Fearing Stories, Video above courtesy of Stephen Fearing
  
  
• AHI - The Light Behind The Sun
• Julian Taylor - Pathways
• Kyle McKearney - To The River
• Mia Kelly  - To Be Clear

Ensemble of the Year

• Boreal (ft Tannis Slimmon from Guelph)- Winterbirds
• Cassie and Maggie - Gold and Coal
• Garçons à Marier - La Dot
• Jessica Pearson and the East Wind - LIVE from Motel Chelsea
• The Southern Residents - Folk Signals

Single of the Year

• Lost and Found - Sultans of String (Burlington) feat. Shannon Thunderbird
  
  
  
  Links: Sultans of String, More Sultans of String Stories, Video above courtesy of Sultans of String
  
  
• Human Kind - AHI
• Edge Of The Earth - Aysanabee
• You Were There - Irish Millie
• To Fail - Rachel Cousins

Stan Rogers Traditional Singer of the Year

• Lotus Wight - Original Works for Voice and Banjo (signed to Waterdown's Borealis Music)
• Maggie MacDonald: Cassie and Maggie - Gold and Coal
• Mathieu Baillargeon: La Déferlance - Âmes des bois
• Matthew Byrne - Stealing Time
• Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps - Homemade

Vocal Group of the Year

• Boreal (ft Tannis Slimmon from Guelph)- Winterbirds
• Cassie and Maggie - Gold and Coal
• Jessica Pearson and the East Wind - LIVE from Motel Chelsea
• PIQSIQ - Legends
• The Barrel Boys - Chicken In The Window

Album Artwork of the Year

• Kevin Hutchings - Halcyon Days (Lisa Dickson - artist, Richard Boudreau - designer) 
• Nastasia Y - Kyiv Soul (BRATY Art )
• Oktoecho - Saimaniq Sivumut (Ulaayu Pilurtuut - artist, Caroline Marcant designer) 
• Ru Rose - Revival (Ru Rose)
• The Arrogant Worms - Canadian Famous (Jeff May) 

Children’s Album of the Year

• Ginalina - All the Earth Speaks
• Heather Feather - Together
• James Culleton - Superfolk
• Marky Weinstock & Friends (a.k.a. Dr. Marky) - Here for you!
• Oh Clementine - One Thousand Mornings

English Songwriter(s) of the Year

• AHI - The Light Behind The Sun
• Mia Kelly  - To Be Clear
• Shane Pendergast - Winter Grace
• Suzie Ungerleider - Among the Evergreens
• Terra Spencer - Sunset

French Songwriter(s) of the Year

• Sandie Valiquette - Forêt Marine
• Fred Dionne - Eldorado
• Guillaume Arsenault - Les plantes continuent de pousser même quand tu dors - Face B
• Maude Carrier  - Les journées grises
• Yves Marchand - Tellement naturel

Global Roots Album of the Year

• Ahmed Moneka - Kanzafula
• Amir Amiri Ensemble - Ajdad - Ancestors, Echoes of Persia
• Joaquin Nunez & Habana Safari - Ruta de la Clave
• Kazdoura - Ghoyoum (Clouds)
• Selcuk Suna - The Space Between

Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year

• Amanda Rheaume - The Truth We Hold
• Asiah Holm - The Mask That You Made
• Aysanabee - Edge Of The Earth
• PIQSIQ - Legends
• Wyatt C. Louis - Chandler

Instrumental Composer(s) of the Year

• Anne Lindsay - SOLOWORKS 2
• Dane George - Spring Buds
• Max Francis - Home
• Schmaltz & Pepper- Schmaltz & Pepper
• The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger) - Glasswing

Instrumental Group of the Year

• Amir Amiri Ensemble - Ajdad - Ancestors, Echoes of Persia
• Amir Eslami - Multicultural Wind Ensemble
• Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira - Here To Stay
• Ladom Ensemble - Sofreh Tisch
• The Fretless (featuring Madeleine Roger) - Glasswing

Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year

• Max Francis - Home
• Olivia Barrett - Elsewhere
• Rachel Therrien - Mi Hogar II
• Scott Duncan - Grandpa & Me
• Yves Cloutier - Fleuve

New Artist(s) of the Year

• Claire Morrison - Where Do You Go at Night?
• Jessica Pearson and the East Wind - LIVE from Motel Chelsea
• Kazdoura - Ghoyoum (Clouds)
• Robert Thomas and the sessionmen - The Way We Roll
• Wyatt C. Louis - Chandler

Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries

• AHI - The Light Behind The Sun
• Calgaréal - Vanishing Points
• Cassie and Maggie - Gold and Coal
• Oktoecho - Saimaniq Sivumut
• Payadora - Legend of Carau

Producer(s) of the Year

• Liam Duncan (Boy Golden - For Eden)
• Jim Bowskill (Brooks & Bowskill - Blissful State of Mind)
• Rayannah (Claire Morrison - Where Do You Go at Night?)
• Colin Buchanan, Davy Gallant, Lennie Gallant (Lennie Gallant - Shelter From the Storms)
• Ben Plotnick (Loud in the Pines - Every Colour Left)

Solo Artist of the Year

• Duane Andrews - Duane Andrews And The Hot Club Of Conception Bay
• Heather MacIsaac - The Moon’s Daughter
• Lennie Gallant - Shelter From the Storms
• Mallory Chipman - Songs to a Wild God
• Terra Spencer - Sunset

Traditional Album of the Year

• Cassie and Maggie - Gold and Coal
• Matthew Byrne - Stealing Time
• Max Francis - Home
• Richard Wood - Richard Wood Live! An Evening of Celtic Music
• The Barrel Boys - Chicken In The Window

Young Performer(s) of the Year

• Ella Gunning Parker - Look Alive
• Irish Millie - Between Then and Now
• Luka Hall - To Be Honest
• Max Francis - Home
• Salt Beef Junkies - Untitled Demo

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories

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Nominees for the 20th Canadian Folk Music Awards

From the press release:

In 2025, the CFMA will return to Ottawa/Gatineau, the birthplace of the Canadian Folk Music Awards. The 20th Anniversary of the CFMA will take place from April 3–6, 2025, with a grand gala and a series of bilingual concerts that highlight the diversity, creativity, and cultural significance of the Canadian folk music scene today. Each concert will also include several awards presentations. 

VIP Wristbands are now on sale via folkawards.ca at the early bird price of $125 (tax inclusive). The wristbands grant access to all four concerts as well as afterparty networking events, offering significant savings (Tickets to all four shows are valued at $148 + tax and ticket fees if purchased separately). 

Single tickets for each concert will be available for purchase in February 2025. 

Here is the announcement video:

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories, Video above courtesy of prixfolkawards

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

Contemporary Singer of the Year

• Camille Intson (Camie) (Hamilton) - POEMS IN THE ASHES
  
  
  
  Links: Camie, More Camie Stories, Video above courtesy of Camie
  
  
• Esther Wheaton (Onion Honey) (Kitchener)- Foul Weather Friends
  
  
  
  Links: Onion Honey, Video above courtesy of onionhoneymusic
  
  
• Derina Harvey (Derina Harvey Band) - Waves of Home
• Jeffery Straker - Great Big Sky
• Ndidi O - Simple Songs for Complicated Times

Ensemble of the Year

• Sultans of String (Burlington) - Walking Through the Fire
  
  
  
  Links: Sultans of String, More Sultans of String Stories, Crystal Shawanda, More Crystal Shawanda Stories, Video above courtesy of Sultans of String
  
  
• Good Lovelies - We Will Never Be The Same
• Rachel Davis & Darren McMullen - Home
• Rum Ragged - Gone Jiggin'
• The Fugitives - No Help Coming

Producer(s) of the Year

• David Boulanger (La Bottine Souriante) - Domino ! (released through Waterdown's Borealis Records)
• Jason Burnstick, Nadia Burnstick (Burnstick) - Made of Sin
• Gal George Gjurin (Gal George Gjurin) - How about a kiss?
• Joshua Van Tassel and Christine Bougie (Good Lovelies) - We Will Never Be The Same
• Marie Onile - Les mots, l'élan et la chance

Solo Artist of the Year

• Sue Foley - One Guitar Woman (released on Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
• Abigail Lapell - Anniversary
• Connie Kaldor  - Keep Going
• Loryn Taggart - The Lost Art of Pulling Through
• Mélisande - Rembobine
• Orit Shimoni - Winnipeg

Traditional Album of the Year

• La Bottine Souriante - Domino ! (released through Waterdown's Borealis Records)
• Bradley Murphy - BEUL
• Brandon Isaak - One Step Closer
• David Francey - The Breath Between
• Lucy MacNeil - Angels Whisper
• Rum Ragged - Gone Jiggin'

Traditional Singer of the Year

• Ken Whiteley - So Glad I'm Here (released through Waterdown's Borealis Records)
• Abigail Lapell - Lullabies
• Fathieh Honari (Gordon Grdina's The Marrow)
• Lucy MacNeil - Angels Whisper
• Mélisande - Rembobine

Children’s Album of the Year

• Abigail Lapell - Lullabies
• Bon Débarras - J'm'en viens chez vous!
• Henri Godon - Chants de vacances
• Seeka Sings - I Belong
• Will and Seeka - Will and Seeka: Friends with Everyone

Contemporary Album of the Year

• Sandra Bouza - A Sound in the Dark (ft Hamilton's Miles Evan Branagh)
• Abigail Lapell - Anniversary
• Boy Golden - For Jimmy
• Juurini - Aqqutinni
• Kaia Kater - Strange Medicine
• Lynne Hanson - Just A Poet

English Songwriter(s) of the Year

• Celeigh Cardinal, Brennan Cameron (Celeigh Cardinal) - Boundless Possibilities
• Kellie Loder - Transitions
• Ndidi O - Simple Songs for Complicated Times
• Ruth Moody - Wanderer
• Shayna Hayes - Kindergarten Heart
• Adrian Glynn, Brendan McLeod (The Fugitives) - No Help Coming

French Songwriter(s) of the Year

• Alexandre Poulin - La somme des êtres aimés
• Michel Robichaud - Rallumer l'effort
• Reney Ray - L'album Temporaire
• Sara Dufour, Dany Placard (Sara Dufour) - On va-tu prendre une marche?
• Lennie Gallant, Patricia Richard (Sirène et Matelot) - Un monde de dissonances

Global Roots Album of the Year

• Dumai Dunai - Sometime Between Now and Never
• Jason Wilson and Ashara - Ashara
• Lemon Bucket Orkestra - Cuckoo
• Merrie Klazek - Dance Around the Sun
• Okavango African Orchestra - Migration

Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year

• Alan Syliboy & The Thundermaker - Marks on the Ground
• Jason Burnstick, Nadia Burnstick (Burnstick) - Made of Sin
• Celeigh Cardinal - Boundless Possibilities
• Gabrielle Fontaine (Indian City) - Tomorrow
• Mimi O'Bonsawin - Live in Concert

Instrumental Composer(s) of the Year

• Alanna Jenish - Daleview
• Karson McKeown, Tom Gammons, Tuli Porcher (Inn Echo) - Hemispheres
• Andrew Collins (The Andrew Collins Trio) - The Rule of Three
• Andre Valerio (Tio Chorinho) - Tempestuoso
• Pastelle LeBlanc (Vishtèn) - Vishtèn Connexions Expansion

Instrumental Group of the Year

• Masmoudi Quartette - Villes Éternelles
• Pipeslinger - The King's Clothing
• Solidaridad Tango - DISTANCIA
• The Andrew Collins Trio - The Rule of Three
• Tio Chorinho  - Tempestuoso

Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year

• Jason Fowler - FORELSKET
• Jeremie Groleau - Uphill
• Merrie Klazek - Dance Around the Sun
• Miles Zurawell - Far Afield
• Shaun Ferguson - La Lumière De L'Ombre - L'Ombre De La Lumière

New/Emerging Artist(s) of the Year

• Derina Harvey Band - Waves of Home
• Lucy MacNeil - Angels Whisper
• Maggie's Wake - Maggie's Wake
• Miles Zurawell - Far Afield
• Rachel Davis & Darren McMullen - Home
• Solidaridad Tango - DISTANCIA

Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries

• Irish Millie - GRACE
• James Hill - Uke Heads
• Jonathan Bélanger - Sur le Boulevard
• Kiran Ahluwalia - Comfort Food
• Nastasia Y - Kyiv Soul
• The Andrew Collins Trio - The Rule of Three

Single of the Year

• What Would Love Do? (Alt Version) - Andrew Allen
• Train Coming (ft. Eric Gales) - Angelique Francis
• Wildflower - Asiah Holm
• Same Old Me - Geneviève Racette
• Tell Me How - Loryn Taggart
• Meaning Well - Mia Kelly

Vocal Group of the Year

• Good Lovelies - We Will Never Be The Same
• La Nef - RED SKY AT NIGHT
• Mikha.elles - Camino de mujeres
• Prairie Comeau - L'emprunt(e)
• summersets - small town story

Young Performer(s) of the Year

• Amelia Parker - Forwards
• Irish Millie - GRACE
• Mary Frances Leahy - First Light
• Paige Penney - INFINITY
• The Salt Beef Junkies - Somewhere In Between

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories

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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Videos by Sultans of String ft Raven Kanatakta, The Halluci Nation, Antone George

Links: Sultans of String, More Sultans of String Stories, Digging Roots (Raven's Band), More Digging Roots Stories, Video above courtesy of Sultans of String

Links: The Halluci Nation (the band's new name), More Haluci Nation Stories, Video above courtesy of Digital Lodge

Links: Antone George, Video above courtesy of Children Of The Setting Sun

More Truth and Reconciliation Videos

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Violin Day Videos by Chris McKhool

Links: Chris McKhool, More Chris McKhool Stories, Video above courtesy of Chris McKhool - Topic

Links: Sultans of String, More Sultans of String Stories, Video above courtesy of Sultans of String

Links: Chris McKhool, More Chris McKhool Stories, Video above courtesy of Chris McKhool

More Violin Day Videos

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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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Happy Earth Day - Videos by Sultans of String ft Duke Redbird, Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn

Update of 2018 post 

Links: Sultans of String, More Sultans of String Stories, Video above courtesy of Sultans of String

Links: Neil Young, More Neil Young Stories, Video above courtesy of TheMusicExtener



Links: Bruce Cockburn, More Bruce Cockburn Stories, Video above courtesy of BruceCockburnVevo

More Earth Day Videos

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Sultans of String Bring Home Two 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards

Burlington's Chris McKhool of Sultans of String with his two awards
Picture courtesy of My Bodacious Blog

The winners for the 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards were announced during a weekend event on March 31 - April 2, 2023 in Vancouver. The Sultans of String, a band with members from Burlington, took home two of the awards.

View both ceremonies below

Video above courtesy of prixfolkawards

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories, Video above courtesy of prixfolkawards

Below is a complete list of winners. Local acts are bolded.

• Global Roots Album: Sanctuary by Sultans of String (some members from Burlington)
  
  
  
  Links: Sultans of String, More Sultans of String Stories, Duke Redbird, Video above courtesy of Sultans of String
  
  
• Producer(s): Chris McKhool (Burlington) & John 'Beetle' Bailey (New Hamberg) - Sanctuary by Sultans of String 
• Children’s Album: Folk For Little Folk Volume 1 by Gordie Crazylegs MacKeeman
• Contemporary Album: Long Haul by John Wort Hannam
• Contemporary Singer: Kyle McKearney
• English Songwriter(s): Abigail Lapell
• Ensemble: The Slocan Ramblers
• French Songwriter(s): Geneviève Roberge-Bouchard & Alain Barbeau 
• Indigenous Songwriter(s): Amanda Rheaume
• Instrumental Group: Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves 
• Instrumental Solo Artist: Waymzy
• New/Emerging Artist(s): RedFox
• Pushing the Boundaries Award: Oktoécho
• Single: Sing Me A Song by William Prince and Serena Ryder
  
  
  
  Links: William Prince, More William Prince Stories, Serena Ryder, More Serena Ryder Stories, Video above courtesy of William Prince
  
  
• Solo Artist: John Wort Hannam
• Traditional Album: Hurricane Clarice by Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves
• Traditional Singer: Lizzy Hoyt
• Unsung Hero Award: Ghislaine Cormier
• Vocal Group: The McDades 
• Young Performer(s): Fiddelium

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories

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GOOD LUCK! 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award Nominees including local artists

Highlights from the news release: 

(October 4, 2022 - SAINT JOHN) The Canadian Folk Music Awards celebrates its 18th edition, with a roster of nominations that celebrates the breadth and depth of Canadian folk music. This year’s nominees span the country from Leader, Saskatchewan, to Papineauville Québec, and from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia to Fredericton, New Brunswick  — celebrating the diversity and talent of artists and musicians across Canada.

Established by Canada’s vibrant and internationally-recognized folk music community, the awards currently boasts 19 categories. Nominees are chosen for each category through a two-stage jury process. More than 100 jurors, located across Canada, representing all official provinces, territories and languages, determine the official recipients in each category.

The CFMA 2023 Awards Weekend takes place March 31 - April 2, 2023, and we are looking forward to heading to Vancouver, BC! The weekend will capture the true heart of our folk community, while celebrating the 2023 nominees and the category recipients.

Here is the nominee announcement

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories, Video above courtesy of prixfolkawards

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

*Signed to Waterdown's True North Records

Children’s Album 

• Tuba Blues by My Friend Christopher (Hamilton)
  
  
  
  Links: My Friend Christopher, Video above courtesy of MyFriendChristopher
  
  
• The Full Circle by The Relative Minors (Cambridge)
  
  
  
  Links: Video above courtesy of The Relative Minors - Topic

• Ça suffit pour s'amuser by Hannah Shira Naiman
• Folk For Little Folk Volume 1 by Gordie Crazylegs MacKeeman
• Ponderosa Bunchgrass and the Golden Rule by The Oot n' Oots

Contemporary Album

• Sanctuary by Sultans of String (some members from Burlington)
• Cerulean by Ken Yates
• Down-Home by Kyle McKearney
• eleven by Madison Violet
• Hurricane Coming by Shawna Caspi
• Long Haul by John Wort Hannam
• Tongues by Tanya Tagaq
• Zhawenim by Digging Roots

Contemporary Singer

• Barney Bentall*
• Angelique Francis
• Boy Golden
• Ken Yates 
• Kyle McKearney

Global Roots Album 

• Sanctuary by Sultans of String (some members from Burlington)
  
  
  
  Links: Sultans of String, More Sultans of String Stories, Video above courtesy of Sultans of String
  
  
• III by Ayrad
• Thieves of Dreams / Zloději snů by Lenka Lichtenberg
• Tradisyon by Wesli Louissaint
• Until When by Jaffa Road

Instrumental Group 

• RanchWriters*
• Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves 
• Proulx-Demers
• Shannon Quinn & Tony Quinn
• The McDades

Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries Award 

• Sultans of String (some members from Burlington)
• Mélisande [électrotrad
• Lenka Lichtenberg
• Oktoécho
• Digging Roots

Producer(s) 

• Chris McKhool (Burlington) & John 'Beetle' Bailey (New Hamberg) - Sanctuary by Sultans of String 
• Brenley MacEachern & Lisa MacIsaac - eleven by Madison Violet
• Corwin Fox & Yael Wand - Saltwater Heartwood by Yael Wand
• Katia Makdissi-Warren - Transcestral by Oktoécho
• The Fretless & Joby Baker - Open House by The Fretless

Solo Artist 

• Barney Bentall *
• James Keelaghan 
• Jocelyn Pettit
• John Wort Hannam
• Suzie Ungerleider

----------

English Songwriter(s) 

• Abigail Lapell
• Andrew McClelland aka Li'l Andy 
• John Wort Hannam
• Matt Patershuk
• Tim Buckley
• Yael Wand

Ensemble 

• Over The Moon 
• The Dead South
• The Fretless
• The McDades
• The Slocan Ramblers

French Songwriter(s) 

• Anik Bérubé & Natalie Byrns
• Geneviève Roberge-Bouchard & Alain Barbeau 
• Héra Ménard & Guylaine Saint-Pierre 
• Matt Stern 
• Sébastien Lacombe 

Indigenous Songwriter(s)

• Adrian Sutherland
• Amanda Rheaume
• Berk Jodoin
• Kyle McKearney
• ShoShona Kish & Raven Kanatakta Polson-Lahache (Digging Roots)

Instrumental Solo Artist 

• Ellen Gibling
• John Reischman
• Kerry Fitzgerald
• Mike Stevens
• Waymzy

New/Emerging Artist(s) 

• Alex Krawczyk 
• Andrew Waite
• Camie
• Cheval
• RedFox
• Tennyson King

Single 

• 100 Proof by Julian Taylor
• À travers mes yeux  by Geneviève et Alain)
• Familiar Feeling by Pretty Archie
• Heavy Heart by Fortunate Ones
• Hey Boys Sing Us A Song by The Irish Rovers
• Love you the Best by Quote the Raven
• Sing Me A Song by William Prince and Serena Ryder)
• Sweet Desperado by Madison Violet
• Teeth Agape by Tanya Tagaq

Traditional Album 

• 20 printemps by Le Vent Du Nord)
• 20 Summers by Shannon Quinn & Tony Quinn
• Hurricane Clarice  by Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves
• Long Time Travelling by Ken Whiteley
• Up the Hill and Through the Fog by The Slocan Ramblers

Traditional Singer 

• Kim Beggs
• Li'l Andy
• Lizzy Hoyt 
• Michael Darcy 
• Mike Bravener 

Vocal Group 

• Le Vent Du Nord
• Les Rats d'Swompe
• Mama’s Broke 
• Quote the Raven
• The McDades 

Young Performer(s)

• Fiddelium
• Paige Penney
• The Fiddlaires
• The Oot n' Oots
• The Receivers

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories

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CONGRATS! 2021 Canadian Folk Music Award Winners (including local artists)

Burlington's Chris McKhool with his award

On April 10-11th, the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards were handed out during a wonderful online ceremony. The only area winners were Burlington's Chris McKhool and New Hamburg's John 'Beetle' Bailey who won Producer of the Year for their work on the album, Refuge by the Sultans of String (Chris is the violinist in the band).

Links: Sultans of String, More Sultans of String Stories, Video above courtesy of Sultans of String

See both nights of the awards ceremony below.

Links: CFMA, More CFMA Stories, Videos above courtesy of Canadian Folk Music Awards

Here's a complete list of winners (local acts are bolded)

• Producer(s): Chris McKhool & John 'Beetle' Bailey for Refuge (Sultans of String)  
• Contemporary Album: Reliever by William Prince
• Contemporary Singer: Coco Love Alcorn
• Solo Artist: Julian Taylor
• Single: Some Kind of Hell by Burnstick
• Traditional Album: All Hands by Beòlach
• Indigenous Songwriter(s): Leela Gilday
• Instrumental Group: Beòlach
• Children’s Album: Broccoli Farm by Claire Ness
• English Songwriter(s): William Prince
• Ensemble: Pharis and Jason Romero
• French Songwriter(s): Marie-Ève Lapierre-Lemoyne
• Instrumental Solo Artist: Marc Atkinson
• New/Emerging Artist(s): Noah Derksen
• Pushing the Boundaries Award: Aerialists 
• Traditional Singer: Pharis Romero
• Vocal Group: Pharis and Jason Romero
• World Album: Kora flamenca by Zal Sissokho 
• Young Performer(s): The Gilberts

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Previous (Pioneer Profile Series: Harrison Kennedy) - -  Next (Country Music Association of Ontario Award Nominees)

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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Previous (News Roundup: Folk Sinners, James Anthony w Wendell Ferguson, The Band) - - - Next (New Local Christmas Compilation ft Ginger St. James, Neil MacNaughton, Leslie Hudson & More)

News Roundup (ISC Winners, Trebleclef Pics, Cartoons, Gord Downie)

Gord Downie from the Hip Diagnosed With Terminal Brain Cancer (Will Continue to Tour)
Click pic for video

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News

Local

• CHCH Video: Jen Lane
• New Recordings: Spencer MacKenzie, Paul Reddick (ft Colin Cripps)

International Songwriting Competition Winners 

Ontario Musicans

• Brock Zeman, Carleton Place (Americana - 2nd place)
• Sultans of String, Toronto  (members from Burlington & Oakville) (World - 2nd place)

Local Honourable Mentions

• Benjamin Dakota Rogers, Brantford (Americana)
• Micro, Hamilton (Electronic Dance Music)

Canada 

• Bill Henderson (Chilliwack) Inducted Into Order of Canada
• Colin James to be Inducted into Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame
• Kalle Mattson wins Prism Prize for Best Videdo

New Yorker Cartoons

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The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Trebleclef visited CFB Borden, thanks to his Uncle John

Click here for more pictures of the visit

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He was also invited to a wonderful BBQ and musical jam

Click here for more pictures of the event

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Our little monkey then checked out Dylan Wickens and the Grand Naturals, thanks to BluesSource Entertainment

Click here for more pictures of the event

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Lastly, he went to the Waterdown Streetfest to see the amazing Kyle Pacey Band

Click here for more pictures of the event

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Recently Added

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