The 2006 Canadian Folk Music Awards recognize veterans such as Penny Lang and Stephen Fearing while highlighting the richness and diversity of the Northern scene.
Those who follow the folk music scene know that Canada has an abundance of talented musicians who never will “go electric.” And this past Sunday was the day to honor all of their hard work with the 2006 Canadian Folk Music Awards from Edmonton.
Winners included such veterans as Penny Lang, who won the Best Album—Contemporary Best Solo Artist awards for her Stone & Sand & Sea & Sky, and Stephen Fearing who won the Best Songwriter award. Here at Folk101, we can think of no musicians more deserving and send a hearty congratulations their way.
Other notable winners included Bruce Cockburn, Nicolas Boulerice et Olivier Demers and Jim Byrnes. For the complete list, click here. We think the Wailin’ Jennys were robbed. But amongst this group of fantastic musicians, just being nominated really is an honor.
Besides folk musicians are completely non-aggressive… well, except for Bruce Cockburn and his songs about rocket launchers and such.
Press coverage of the event has been spotty at best. I suppose, as a disgruntled random reader rudely pointed out to me, “nobody even cares about folk music,” and the reading public is fairly limited. However, folk music remains widely listened to, and more importantly, widely played.
Any night of the week, in large cities and small towns, there is probably some bar or café hosting an open mic, providing people with a much needed opportunity to express themselves.
But I digress. If you are near the awards next year, I recommend that you check them out. And please don’t call them “The Folkies.” The organizers hate that.
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