The Small Glories won three awards. (Photo: Aaron Ives)
Originally slated to take place during two Awards Weekend Concerts at the PEI Convention Centre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, April 3-4, Canada’s leading folk music event took place virtually in light of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Observing social distancing protocols, Benoit Bourque and Jean Hewson co-hosted the bilingual broadcast from 1,600 miles apart.
A two-stage jury process featuring 100 jurors based across Canada and representing all official provinces, territories and languages determined the official recipients in each of 19 categories. In an effort to recognize more outstanding albums and performers in higher-subscribed categories, the number of nominees in the Contemporary Album of the Year, New/Emerging Artist of the Year, Solo Artist of the Year, and English Songwriter(s) of the Year categories were expanded this year. Donnie Campbell of Nova Scotia was named as the recipient of the Slaight unsung Hero Award.
The Canadian Folk Music Awards were established in 2005 to bring greater exposure to the breadth and depth of Canadian folk music, celebrating and promoting it in all its forms.
A complete list of 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards nominees follows, while more information may be found online at https://folkawards.ca.
Traditional Album of the Year
Queen City Jubilee by The Slocan Ramblers
Contemporary Album of the Year
Assiniboine & the Red by The Small Glories
Children’s Album of the Year
Lullabies For Big Eyes by The Kerplunks
Traditional Singer of the Year
Rachel Davis for Ashlar (Còig)
Contemporary Singer of the Year
Matt Andersen for Halfway Home By Morning
Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year
Sabin Jacques for Grandes Rencontres (Sabin Jacques & Rachel Aucoin)
Instrumental Group of the Year
Mairi Rankin & Eric Wright for The Cabin Sessions
Vocal Group of the Year
The Small Glories for Assiniboine & The Red
Ensemble of the Year
The Small Glories for Assiniboine & The Red
Solo Artist of the Year
Irish Mythen for Little Bones
English Songwriter(s) of the Year
Abigail Lapell for Getaway
French Songwriter(s) of the Year
Bernard Adamus for C’qui nous reste du Texas
Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year
Diyet van Lieshout for Diyet & the Love Soldiers
World Solo Artist of the Year
Wesli for Rapadou Kreyol
World Group of the Year
Ayrad for Zoubida
New/Emerging Artist(s) of the Year
Geneviève Racette for No Water, No Flowers
Producer(s) of the Year
Daniel Ledwell for Time Travel (Lennie Gallant)
Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries Award
Elisapie for The Ballad of the Runaway Girl
Young Performer(s) of the Year
Joshua Haulli for AQQUT
During the online awards broadcast, Rob Oakie, executive director of Music PEI, announced that the 2021 CFMAs would take place in Charlottetown, PEI next April.
Like/Follow Us!