At a songwriters circle style press conference in downtown Calgary on September 26, the Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA) announced the nominees for this year’s awards. Overall, 70 artists and groups were announced as nominees in 19 categories who hailed from eight provinces and two territories in Canada.
“This year’s nominated artists are all marked by a startling enthusiasm. We’ve got Appalachian dulcimers, five stringed violins, punk-inspired folk, classical-inspired folk, Irish hand drums, Iraqi oud fusionists, world-renowned stepdancers and heart wrenching songwriters—all of whom are releasing and performing some of Canada’s best folkmusic,” said Grit Laskin, President, Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Two groups and one solo artist from Ontario lead the nominee field with four nominations each: the Lemon Bucket Orkestra received nominations for Instrumental Group of the Year, New/Emerging Artist of the Year, Traditional Album of the Year and World Group of the Year for their independently released instrumental album, Lume, Lume. Dubbed wild folk revolutionaries, the band has an impressive international tour schedule and delivers their joyous folk with raucous punk enthusiasm.
Described as “Tom Waits playing the fiddle, backed up by the Mahavishnu Orchestra” Jaron Freeman-Fox & The Opposite of Everything’s self-titled album also received nominations for Instrumental Group of the Year, Pushing the Boundaries, World Group of the Year and a Producer of the Year nomination for David Travers-Smith.
From the scenic hamlet of McDonalds Corners, Ontario, multiple Juno award-winning artist David Francey also received nominations for his album So Say We All released via Laker Music. The former carpenter turned much-lauded songwriter picks up nominations for Contemporary Album of the Year, English Songwriter of the Year, Solo Artist of the Year and Producer of the Year (you can catch him in Murillo on October 12).
With three nominations each, the CFMAs honours Lynn Miles for Downpour, Justin Rutledge for Valleyheart, John Wort Hannam for Brambles and Thorns and the Cape Breton duo Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy Isaac for Seinn.
The CFMA weekend begins on November 8 and runs through to November 10, culminating with the bilingual gala awards presentation at the University of Calgary’s University Theatre, hosted by the CBC’s Shelagh Rogers and musician Benoit Bourque.
For a complete list of nominees , click here.
