Canadian Folk Music Awards
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Folk Music Awards are an annual music awards ceremony, presenting awards in a variety of categories for achievements in both traditional and contemporary folk music
, and other roots music
genres, by Canadian musicians
. The awards program was created in 2005 by a group of independent label representatives, folk music presenters, artists and enthusiasts, to celebrate and promote Canadian folk music.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, and other roots music
Roots music
Roots music can refer to several styles or trends in music:* Americana * Folk music* Roots of hip hop, the conditions which led to creation of the hip hop genre* Roots reggae...
genres, by Canadian musicians
Music of Canada
The music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
. The awards program was created in 2005 by a group of independent label representatives, folk music presenters, artists and enthusiasts, to celebrate and promote Canadian folk music.
2005
- Best Album – Traditional: Le Vent du NordLe Vent du NordLe Vent du Nord is a folk music group from Quebec, Canada. The band, formed in 2002, performs traditional Québécois music in French...
, Les Amants du Saint-Laurent - Best Album – Contemporary: NathanNathan (band)Nathan are an alt-country band from Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada.After their debut independent album Stranger won a Prairie Music Award for Outstanding Independent Album, the band signed to Nettwerk Records...
, Jimson Weed - Best Singer – Traditional: Ian RobbIan RobbIan Robb is a well-known English-born folk singer, currently based in Ottawa, Ontario. He was a founding member of Friends of Fiddler's Green, and a columnist for Sing Out!. He is also a member of the Canadian folk trio Finest Kind....
, Jiig - Best Singer – Contemporary: Lynn MilesLynn MilesLynn Miles is a Canadian singer-songwriter and winner of the 2003 Juno Award.-Early life and education:Miles was born outside Montreal in the town of Sweetsburg, Quebec. Her father was a harmonica player and jazz fan while her mother listened to both opera and country music. Miles learned to...
, Love Sweet Love - Best Instrumental Solo: J. P. CormierJ. P. CormierJ.P. Cormier is a Canadian bluegrass/Folk/Celtic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was born in London, Ontario in 1969 and began playing guitar around age five. As a child he displayed an unusual ability to play a variety of instruments by ear and won a guitar contest at age nine.Mr...
, X8: A Mandolin Collection - Best Instrumental Group: Beyond the PaleBeyond the Pale (band)Beyond the Pale is a Toronto-based Canadian world/roots fusion band. Their style is rooted in klezmer, Balkan and Romanian music but heavily accented with contemporary and North American styles including bluegrass, jazz, reggae, funk and classical chamber music. The band has toured across North...
, Consensus - Best Songwriter – English: Lynn MilesLynn MilesLynn Miles is a Canadian singer-songwriter and winner of the 2003 Juno Award.-Early life and education:Miles was born outside Montreal in the town of Sweetsburg, Quebec. Her father was a harmonica player and jazz fan while her mother listened to both opera and country music. Miles learned to...
, Love Sweet Love - Best Vocal Group: NathanNathan (band)Nathan are an alt-country band from Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada.After their debut independent album Stranger won a Prairie Music Award for Outstanding Independent Album, the band signed to Nettwerk Records...
, Jimson Weed - Best Solo Artist: Harry ManxHarry ManxHarry Manx is a musician who blends blues, folk music, and Hindustani classical music. He was born in the Isle of Man where he spent his childhood and now lives on Saltspring Island, British Columbia, Canada....
, West Eats Meet - Best World Artist Solo: Alpha Yaya DialloAlpha Yaya DialloAlpha Yaya Diallo is a guitarist and composer who is based in Vancouver, Canada. Alpha hails from Guinea and incorporates its rich musical tradition into his original compositions.-Discography:* 1993 Néné - nominated for a Juno Award...
, Djama - Best New/Emerging Artist: Karla Anderson, The Embassy Sessions
- Producer of the Year: Steve Dawson (Jenny WhiteleyJenny WhiteleyJenny Whiteley is a two-time Juno Award winning Canadian country and folk singer-songwriter.The daughter of blues musician Chris Whiteley and niece of folk musician Ken Whiteley, she began her musical career as one of the kids on Raffi albums, and her name notably appears on "Baby Beluga". She...
, Hopetown) and Jordy Sharp (Harry ManxHarry ManxHarry Manx is a musician who blends blues, folk music, and Hindustani classical music. He was born in the Isle of Man where he spent his childhood and now lives on Saltspring Island, British Columbia, Canada....
, West Eats Meet) - Pushing the Boundaries: Creaking Tree String Quartet, Side Two
2006
- Best album – Traditional: Nicolas Boulerice et Olivier Demers, Un peu d’ci, Un peu d’ça
- Best album – Contemporary: Penny Lang, Stone & Sand & Sea & Sky
- Best childrens’ album: Ken Whiteley, Join the Band
- Best singer – Contemporary: Jim ByrnesJim Byrnes (actor)James Thomas Kevin "Jim" Byrnes is a blues musician, guitarist, and actor.-Life and career:Byrnes was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to a homemaker mother and a municipal accountant father. He has lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, since the mid-1970s...
, House of Refuge - Best instrumentalist – Solo: Bruce CockburnBruce CockburnBruce Douglas Cockburn OC is a Canadian folk/rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. His most recent album was released in March 2011. He has written songs in styles ranging from folk to jazz-influenced rock to rock and roll.-Biography:...
, Speechless - Best instrumentalist – Group: The McDadesThe McDadesThe McDades are a Canadian band made up of siblings Shannon Johnson , Solon McDade , Jeremiah McDade and their musical friends....
, Bloom - Best songwriter – English: Stephen FearingStephen FearingStephen Fearing is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter.Fearing was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and raised in Dublin, Ireland. He returned to Canada in 1981 and began pursuing a career in music. In addition to his solo career, Fearing was one of the founding members of Blackie and the Rodeo...
- Best songwriter – Aboriginal: Wayne Lavallee, Green Dress
- Best vocal group: Madrigaia
- Best ensemble: Mauvais Sort, Koru
- Best solo artist: Penny Lang, Stone & Sand & Sea & Sky
- Best group – World Music: The McDadesThe McDadesThe McDades are a Canadian band made up of siblings Shannon Johnson , Solon McDade , Jeremiah McDade and their musical friends....
, Bloom - Best new/emerging artist: T. Nile, At My Table
- Producer of the Year: Steve Dawson (Jim ByrnesJim Byrnes (actor)James Thomas Kevin "Jim" Byrnes is a blues musician, guitarist, and actor.-Life and career:Byrnes was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to a homemaker mother and a municipal accountant father. He has lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, since the mid-1970s...
, House of Refuge) and Mike Roth (DalaDala (band)Dala is a Canadian acoustic-folk two-piece musical group, made up by Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther, both of Scarborough, Ontario.-Early history :...
, Angels & Thieves) - Pushing the boundaries: Andrew Collins, Little Widgets
- Young performer of the year: Sarah Burnell, Sarah’ndipity
2007
- Best Album-Traditional: La Part du Quêteux, Paye la Traite
- Best Album-Contemporary: The DuhksThe DuhksThe Duhks is a band from Winnipeg, Canada.The members play a blend of Canadian soul, gospel, North American folk, Brazilian samba, old time country string band, zydeco, and Irish dance music. Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, their music draws heavily on all of the North American musical traditions,...
, Migrations - Best Childrens’ Album: Pied Pumkin, Pumkids: Tuneful Tales for Kids & Kin
- Best Singer-Contemporary: David FranceyDavid FranceyDavid Francey is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter. Born in 1954 in Ayrshire, Scotland, Francey immigrated to Canada with his family at age 12. After spending much of his life doing labour such as carpentry, he began a career in folk music, quickly making a name for himself on the folk festival...
, Right of Passage - Best Instrumentalist-Solo: Anne Lindsay, News From Up the Street
- Best Instrumentalist-Group: Creaking Tree String Quartet, The Soundtrack
- Best Songwriter-English: Suzie UngerleiderSuzie UngerleiderSuzie Ungerleider, who writes and performs under the name Oh Susanna, is an American-Canadian alternative country singer-songwriter. Born in the United States, she was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia and is currently based in Toronto.-Bio:...
, Short Stories - Best Songwriter-French: Hugo Fleury (Polémil Bazar), Avale ta montre
- Best Songwriter-Aboriginal: Sandy Scofield, Nikawiy Askiy
- Best Vocal Group: TanglefootTanglefoot (band)Tanglefoot was a folk band from Ontario, Canada. Formed in the early 1980s by schoolteachers Joe Grant, Bob Wagar, and Tim Rowat to play traditional music, they became a five-piece band playing largely original music...
, Dance Like Flames - Best Ensemble: Les Charbonniers de l'Enfer, À la grâce de Dieu
- Best Solo Artist: Sarah Noni Metzner, Daybreak Mourning
- Best World Solo: Rita ChiarelliRita ChiarelliRita Chiarelli is a Canadian blues singer. She has been dubbed "the goddess of Canadian blues" by CBC Radio One's Shelagh Rogers.-Biography:Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Chiarelli began performing in Ronnie Hawkins' band in the early 1980s. She subsequently spent several years in Italy...
, Cuore : The Italian Sessions - Best World Group: Mighty Popo, Muhazi
- Best New/Emerging Artist: Brigitte Saint-Aubin, Être
- Producer of the Year: Anne Lindsay and Oliver SchroerOliver SchroerOliver Schroer was a Canadian fiddler, composer, and music producer.-Early life:Oliver Schroer grew up in Vandeleur, Ontario, a small crossroads near Markdale in rural Grey County. He attended Grey Highlands Secondary School in Flesherton, where he played French horn in the school band. He also...
, News From Up the Street - Pushing the Boundaries: Creaking Tree String Quartet, The Soundtrack
- Young Performer of the Year: Kyrie KristmansonKyrie KristmansonKyrie Kristmanson is a Canadian singer/songwriter, guitarist and trumpeter. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, she has lived in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and in France. Since appearing at the 2006 Winnipeg Folk Festival at the age of fifteen, Kristmanson has performed widely in Canada and...
, The Kyrie K Groove
2008
- Classic Canadian Album: Gordon LightfootGordon LightfootGordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s...
, Lightfoot - Traditional Album of the Year: GenticorumGenticorumGenticorum is a popular traditional Québécois musical trio based in Montreal, Canada. Members are Pascal Gemme , Yann Falquet , and Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand...
, La Bibournoise - Contemporary Album of the Year: Luke Doucet and the White FalconLuke DoucetLuke Doucet is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He writes and performs both as a solo artist and as a member of the indie rock band Veal....
, Blood's Too RichBlood's Too RichBlood's Too Rich by "Luke Doucet & the White Falcon" is Luke Doucet's fourth album. The album was released in Canada on January 8, 2008 by Six Shooter Records... - Children’s Album of the Year: The KerplunksThe KerplunksThe Kerplunks are childrens entertainers. They originate from a Gabriola Island preschool program known as “Melody Makers”.The Kerplunks comprise of musicians Dinah D, Tina Jones, Phil Wipper and Aaron Cadwaladr. They are a four-piece live band who combine to play over 10 different instruments,...
, The Kerplunks - Traditional Singer of the Year: Enoch Kent, One More Round
- Contemporary Singer of the Year: Tannis Slimmon, Lucky Blue
- Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year: Oliver SchroerOliver SchroerOliver Schroer was a Canadian fiddler, composer, and music producer.-Early life:Oliver Schroer grew up in Vandeleur, Ontario, a small crossroads near Markdale in rural Grey County. He attended Grey Highlands Secondary School in Flesherton, where he played French horn in the school band. He also...
, Hymns and Hers - Instrumental Group of the Year: SagapoolSagapoolSagapool is a world music band from Montreal, Quebec. Formed in 1999, the band used to be called Manouche until 2008.The six band members are:* Luzio Altobelli * Guillaume Bourque...
, Episode Trois - English Songwriter of the Year: Corb Lund, Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier! is the fifth studio album by Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans. It was released on Stony Plain Records on November 13, 2007.-Track listing:All songs written by Corb Lund except where noted....
- French Songwriter of the Year: Tomas Jensen, Quelqu’un d’autre
- Vocal Group of the Year: Sisters of Sheynville, Sheynville Express
- Ensemble of the Year: Yves Lambert et Le Bébert Orchestra, Le Monde à Lambert
- Solo Artist of the Year: Michael Jerome Browne, Double
- World Solo Artist of the Year: Celso MachadoCelso MachadoCelso Machado is a Brazilian world music guitarist, percussionist and multi-instrumentalist who lives in Vancouver, Canada. For over forty years he has performed on concert stages throughout Brazil, Western Europe and Canada, as well as in the United States...
, Jogo da Vida - World Group of the Year: David Buchbinder's Odessa/Havana, Odessa/Havana
- New / Emerging Artist of the Year: Chloe Albert, Dedicated State
- Producer of the Year: Mathieu Dandurand (David Jalbert, Des Histoires)
- Pushing the Boundaries: Oliver SchroerOliver SchroerOliver Schroer was a Canadian fiddler, composer, and music producer.-Early life:Oliver Schroer grew up in Vandeleur, Ontario, a small crossroads near Markdale in rural Grey County. He attended Grey Highlands Secondary School in Flesherton, where he played French horn in the school band. He also...
, Hymns and Hers - Young Performer of the Year: Emma Beaton, Pretty Fair Maid
2009
- Traditional Album of the Year: James Hill & Anne Davison, True Love Don't Weep
- Contemporary Album of the Year: Joel PlaskettJoel PlaskettJoel Plaskett is a Canadian rock musician originally from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and now resides across the harbour in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia...
, ThreeThree (Joel Plaskett album)-Disc two:-Disc three:-Three More:-Three to One:... - Children’s Album of the Year: Chris McKhoolChris McKhoolChris McKhool, born November 18, 1968 in Ottawa, Ontario, is a Canadian violinist, guitarist, composer, producer and singer-songwriter. He has received numerous awards for his work, including a Juno Award nomination for his 2008 children's album, Fiddlefire! - Background :Raised in a musical...
, FiddleFire! - Traditional Singer of the Year: Colette Cheverie, Hours Before Dawn
- Contemporary Singer of the Year: Jim ByrnesJim Byrnes (actor)James Thomas Kevin "Jim" Byrnes is a blues musician, guitarist, and actor.-Life and career:Byrnes was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to a homemaker mother and a municipal accountant father. He has lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, since the mid-1970s...
, My Walking Stick - Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year: Tony McManusTony McManusTony McManus is a Scottish Steel-string guitarist of Irish descent born in Paisley, Scotland. English guitarist John Renbourn described him as "the best Celtic guitarist in the world". His first self-titled album was released in 1996 on Greentrax Recordings...
, The Maker's Mark - Instrumental Group of the Year: Sultans of StringSultans of StringSultans of String are an instrumental music group based in Toronto, Ontario, combining elements of Spanish flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, and French Manouche Gypsy-jazz...
, Yalla Yalla! - English Songwriter of the Year: Susan CroweSusan CroweSusan Crowe is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She lived for many years in Toronto and Vancouver but now has returned to her birthplace Halifax....
, Greytown - French Songwriter of the Year: Catherine Durand, Coeurs migratoires
- Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year: Don Amero, Deepening
- Vocal Group of the Year: Madison VioletMadison VioletMadison Violet is a Canadian duo composed of singer-songwriters Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac. The group has been notable for various folk and pop award nominations and wins.- History :...
, No Fool for Trying - Ensemble of the Year: The Deep Dark WoodsThe Deep Dark WoodsThe Deep Dark Woods are a Canadian alternative country band from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, currently signed to Sugar Hill Records in the United States and Six Shooter Records in Canada...
, Winter Hours - Solo Artist of the Year: Catherine MacLellanCatherine MacLellanCatherine MacLellan is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter, currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The daughter of Canadian songwriter Gene MacLellan, she was born and raised in Summerside, Prince Edward Island....
, Water in the Ground - World Solo Artist of the Year: Karim Saada, La Danse de L'exilé
- World Group of the Year: Jayme StoneJayme StoneJayme Stone is a Canadian banjoist and composer who was formerly in the jazz and roots group Tricycle. His solo album The Utmost won the 2008 Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year...
& Mansa Sissoko, Africa to Appalachia - New/Emerging Artist of the Year: The Good LoveliesThe Good LoveliesThe Good Lovelies are a Canadian folk/country trio, consisting of Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore.The group's three members were all solo artists in the Toronto area when they came together in 2006 to perform at a Christmas concert at Toronto's Gladstone Hotel. They subsequently...
, The Good Lovelies - Producer of the Year: Joel PlaskettJoel PlaskettJoel Plaskett is a Canadian rock musician originally from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and now resides across the harbour in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia...
(Joel Plaskett, Three) - Pushing the Boundaries: Steve Dawson, Telescope
- Young Performer of the Year: Ariana GillisAriana GillisAriana Gillis is a Canadian singer-songwriter born in Hamilton, Ontario.-Career:Ariana Gillis independently released her debut album titled To Make it Make Sense in 2009...
, Ariana Gillis
2010
- Traditional Album of the Year: The OnceThe OnceThe Once is a folk trio based out of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. The group features Geraldine Hollett on lead vocals and vocalists/instrumentalists Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale playing a variety of instruments...
, The Once - Contemporary Album of the Year: John Wort HannamJohn Wort HannamJohn Wort Hannam is a Canadian Folk Music musician, from Fort Macleod, Alberta. He was born on the Isle of Jersey of the British Channel Islands. John Wort Hannam is known for his story telling through music. Themes which are central to his music include life in Western Canada, and the human...
, Queen's Hotel - Children's Album of the Year: Andrew Queen, Too Tall
- Traditional Singer of the Year: Yves Lambert, Bal à l'huile
- Contemporary Singer of the Year: Rose CousinsRose CousinsRose Cousins is a Canadian folk-pop singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Prince Edward Island, she is currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia....
, The Send Off - Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year: Wendell Ferguson, Ménage à moi
- Instrumental Group of the Year: Beyond the PaleBeyond the Pale (band)Beyond the Pale is a Toronto-based Canadian world/roots fusion band. Their style is rooted in klezmer, Balkan and Romanian music but heavily accented with contemporary and North American styles including bluegrass, jazz, reggae, funk and classical chamber music. The band has toured across North...
, Postcards - English Songwriter of the Year: Ian TamblynIan TamblynIan Tamblyn in is a Canadian folk music singer-songwriter and record producer, adventurer, and playwright.-Music career:...
, Gyre - French Songwriter of the Year: Francis d'Octobre, Ma bête fragile
- Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year: Asani, Listen
- Vocal Group of the Year: DalaDala (band)Dala is a Canadian acoustic-folk two-piece musical group, made up by Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther, both of Scarborough, Ontario.-Early history :...
, Girls from the North Country - Ensemble of the Year: Le Vent du NordLe Vent du NordLe Vent du Nord is a folk music group from Quebec, Canada. The band, formed in 2002, performs traditional Québécois music in French...
, La Part du Feu - Solo Artist of the Year: Amelia CurranAmelia Curran (musician)Amelia Curran is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador and currently lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia...
, Hunter, Hunter - World Artist of the Year - Solo: Dominic Mancuso, Comfortably Mine
- World Artist of the Year - Group: Sokoun Trio, Zanneh
- New/Emerging Artist of the Year: The OnceThe OnceThe Once is a folk trio based out of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. The group features Geraldine Hollett on lead vocals and vocalists/instrumentalists Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale playing a variety of instruments...
, The Once - Producer of the Year: Steve Dawson, Things About Comin' My Way
- Pushing the Boundaries: Beyond the PaleBeyond the Pale (band)Beyond the Pale is a Toronto-based Canadian world/roots fusion band. Their style is rooted in klezmer, Balkan and Romanian music but heavily accented with contemporary and North American styles including bluegrass, jazz, reggae, funk and classical chamber music. The band has toured across North...
, Postcards - Young Performer of the Year: Alexandre Boivin-Caron, La Tradition