The annual Folk Alliance International conference got underway in Kansas City, MO yesterday with its International Folk Awards event.  The organization gives out prizes for Artist, Album and Song of the Year, along with a variety of lifetime achievement awards and awards for contributions to the genre and community.

That’s where Steve Edge comes in. Steve is the only Canadian on the winners list this year and a well-deserved recipient of the Spirit of Folk Award.  You can read more HERE about Steve’s long history with folk music in Vancouver.

Steve Edge of the Rogue Folk Club will receive a Spirit of Folk Award from Folk Alliance International

The full list of winners is below, and below that, you’ll find a video of Steve receiving his award.  Skip forward to about 2:19:00 to see Steve’s speech.

Here is the full list of winners:

Song of the Year (sponsored by Sound Royalties)

Tie:  “B61” by Aoife O’Donovan and “Bright Star” by Anais Mitchell

Album of the Year (sponsored by Rounder Records)

“Crooked Tree” by Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

Artist of the Year

Janis Ian

Clearwater Award (sponsored by Levitt Foundation)
Shambala Festival

Spirit of Folk Award
Steve Edge
Marcy Marxer
Pat Mitchell Worley
Amy Reitnouer Jacobs
Adrian Sabogal

Rising Tide Award
Alisa Amador

People’s Voice Award
Leyla McCalla

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
Living: Janis Ian
Legacy: Josh White (1914-1969)
Business/Academic: Oh Boy Records

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