resource
Update
event
FAI 2024
NEWS
Partner
Region
Announcing Nominees and Recipients for the 2026 International Folk Music Awards
November 12, 2025
resource
Update
event
FAI 2024
NEWS
Partner
Region
International Folk Music Awards 2026
The IFMAs celebrate the best and brightest of the folk industry. From legendary figures to forward-thinking community organizers.
Join us at the 38th Annual Folk Alliance International Conference on Wednesday, January 21 at the Sheraton New Orleans for performances and tributes to our amazing community members and industry leaders!
The following are the finalists for the 2025 Song, Album, Global Folk Album, and Artist of the Year. Final choices for Album, Song, and Artist of the Year at the International Folk Music Awards (IFMAs) are nominated by Folk Alliance members.
The nominees slate is finalized by a committee comprised of FAI staff and the Awards Committee of the FAI Board. Winners are determined by the voting membership of FAI and the results are announced during the International Folk Music Awards at the Folk Alliance International Conference.
Voting is now open! FAI members in good standing are invited to cast their ballots for the 2025 Song, Album, and Artist of the Year. Voting will close on Thursday, December 19th at 11:59pm CT.
2025 Best-of Nominees
Artist of the Year
sponsored by Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame
Song of the Year
“Ain't Afraid To Die” (Written and Performed by Woody Guthrie)
“Crying In The Night” (Written by Stevie Nicks, Performed by Andrew Bird & Madison Cunningham)
“I BOUGHT ME A PRESIDENT” (Written by Cathy Fink & Tom Paxton, Performed by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer)
“Room On The Porch” (Written by Ahmen Mahal, Henry St. Claire Fredericks, Jr., Kevin R. Moore, Ruby Amanfu; Performed by Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Rudy Amanfu)
“Sleeves Up” (Written and Performed by Crys Matthews)
“Sisters Of The Night Watch” (Written by Aoife O’Donovan, Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Performed by I'm With Her)
Album of the Year
Arcadia by Alison Krauss & Union Station
Room on the Porch by Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’
Wild and Clear and Blue by I’m With Her
Woody at Home: Volumes 1+2 by Woody Guthrie
Global Folk Album of the Year
sponsored by Songlines Magazine
At the Feet of the Beloved by Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali
Bagola by Trio Da Kali
Niepraudzivaya by Hajda Banda
Tales of Earth and Sun by Rastak
Värav / Vārti / Vartai by The Baltic Sisters
Vié Kaz by Votia
Clearwater Award: Edmonton Folk Festival
The Clearwater Award is presented to a festival that prioritizes environmental stewardship and demonstrates public leadership in sustainable event production.
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival is honored with the Clearwater Award for its decades-long commitment to environmental stewardship and leadership in sustainable event production. Since the early 1990s, the festival has worked in close partnership with the City of Edmonton and the Cloverdale community to protect Gallagher Park, implementing innovative green practices long before sustainability became standard. From its pioneering reusable plate program—diverting more than two million single-use items from landfills—to its composting, recycling, and bike lock-up initiatives, every aspect of the festival reflects a deep respect for people and place. Supported by a dedicated Green Team of volunteers, the festival continues to educate audiences and reduce its footprint through initiatives like compostable wares, PLA beer cups, and participation in Edmonton’s Corporate Climate Leadership Program. The Edmonton Folk Music Festival sets a powerful example of how large-scale cultural events can inspire collective environmental responsibility.
Rising Tide Award: Yasmin Williams
sponsored by the Levitt Foundation
The Rising Tide award celebrates emerging artists who inspire others by embodying the values and ideals of the folk community through their work.
Yasmin Williams is an acclaimed acoustic guitarist and composer from Northern Virginia, whose inventive finger-style approach—featuring lap-style placement, tapping, alternate tunings and percussive hits on the guitar body—has expanded the instrument’s expressive possibilities. She holds a degree in music theory and composition from New York University. Her three full-length studio albums — Unwind (2018) Urban Driftwood (2021) and Acadia (2024) have been praised for blending folk, ambient textures, jazz influences and West African-inspired instrumentation (including kalimba and kora). Beyond her musical innovation, Williams has emerged as a vocal advocate for diversity, equity and labor rights in the arts. Through her boundary-pushing artistry and principled activism, Yasmin Williams stands as one of contemporary music’s most visionary and courageous voices, fully embodying the values and ideals of the folk community.
People's Voice Award: Kyshona
The People’s Voice Award is presented to an individual who embraces social and political commentary in their creative work and public careers.
Kyshona lends her voice and music to those who feel silenced, forgotten, or alone. She began her career as a music therapist, writing her first songs with patients—students and inmates under her care. She became compelled to find her own voice, leading her to the Nashville creative community. She now balances her music career with her passion to heal through her organization Your Song. She is a 3x-TEDx speaker, has delivered the keynote address for 2023 Fulbright Scholars, and is featured in the PBS television show Ear to the Common Ground gathering fans around a dining table to discuss voting rights in America. Audiences will find a common thread of empowerment, overcoming adversity, and hope in her work. Kyshona’s latest project LEGACY focuses on family. Through stories, photos, film, ancestry & genealogy research, and travels, she shares her story. The show doesn’t end when the last song is sung. After her powerful performances, concertgoers often ask, "What can I do?" Her response? “Listen.”
Lifetime Achievement Awards
The Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented each year to honor the cultural impact of legendary folk music figures: one Living, one Legacy, and one Business/Academic.
Living:
Taj Mahal
For more than 40 years, five-time Grammy-winning legend Taj Mahal has taken blues on a joyride through folk, reggae, funk, jazz, cajun, and more, leaving a trail of swinging hips and raised palms in his wake. He has earned a special merit Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and an Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award. A self-taught musician, Taj plays over 20 instruments including National Steel and Dobro guitars, and his remarkable voice ranges from gruff and gravelly to smooth and sultry. His music remains a well-seasoned gumbo, spiced with influences that originate in the Caribbean, West Africa, the Southern States, and the inner cities of America. “Music is like theater to a lot of people—they’re watching it,” he says. “Well, you can watch it, but you’re supposed to participate. The audience is just as much a part of the music as the musicians are.” Taj pauses, then adds with a warm laugh, “I do like it when they dance.”
Legacy:
Clifton Chenier
Clifton Chenier (1925–1987), hailed as the “King of Zydeco,” was one of Louisiana’s greatest musical innovators and cultural ambassadors. Born near Opelousas, he fused Creole folk traditions with blues, R&B, country, and Cajun styles to create a vibrant sound that brought zydeco to the world stage. With his trademark accordion and rubboard, Chenier turned dancehalls into joyous celebrations, insisting, “If you can’t dance to zydeco, you can’t dance—period!” His partnership with Arhoolie Records in the 1960s helped introduce his music to international audiences, earning him a Grammy Award in 1984 and a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. In 2025, on the centennial of his birth, Smithsonian Folkways honored his enduring influence with the release of Clifton Chenier: King of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco, a comprehensive retrospective celebrating the legacy of a true American original.
Business/Academic: Louisiana Folk Roots
For 25 years, Louisiana Folk Roots has been dedicated to preserving and passing down the rich musical and cultural traditions of South Louisiana. Founded by Christine Balfa, the organization began with Balfa Week, a Cajun and Creole heritage camp, and has since grown into a beloved institution offering year-round programming, including Kids Camps, French language initiatives, and the hands-on “Petting Zoo” of Cajun instruments. Thousands of participants from across Louisiana and around the world have learned to play fiddle, accordion, and guitar, to sing in French, and to celebrate the joie de vivre at the heart of Cajun and Creole culture. A grassroots nonprofit fueled by community support, Louisiana Folk Roots continues to nurture generations of musicians, teachers, and cultural stewards, ensuring that the sounds and spirit of South Louisiana remain vibrant for years to come.
Spirit of Folk Awards
These awards are presented to honor and celebrate people and organizations actively involved in the promotion and preservation of folk music through their creative work, community building, and demonstrated leadership.
Alex Mallett
For the past decade, Alex Mallett has served Folk Alliance International with unwavering dedication, currently as Deputy Director. A lifelong musician and community builder, Alex brings both heart and expertise to every facet of his work. He built FAI’s sponsorship program from the ground up and created a comprehensive development program that transformed fundraising from nearly nothing into a vital and sustaining part of the organization’s annual budget. Through his leadership, FAI has expanded its base of sponsors, partners, and donors while strengthening relationships across the folk ecosystem. Originally from Kansas City, Alex studied jazz bass at McGill University before moving to New York City, where he immersed himself in the vibrant folk scene as a performer, bandleader, and recording artist. In 2015, he returned home to Kansas City accepting a role with FAI that allowed him to combine his professional skills, musical passion, and deep sense of community at a pivotal moment in his life and career.
Cindy Cogbill
Cindy Cogbill has dedicated her career to building community through music, leadership, and collaboration. She began her journey with Folk Alliance International in 2007 when the organization relocated to Memphis under the leadership of Louis Meyers. When FAI moved to Kansas City in 2013, Cindy continued her connection as a contractor and rejoined the team as a full-time staff member in December 2023. Before returning, she served in various leadership roles at the historic Overton Park Shell (formerly Levitt Shell) in Memphis, where she produced countless performances celebrating cultural diversity and inclusion. For nearly two decades, Cindy has advanced the mission of connecting and uplifting artists, audiences, and industry leaders. Known for her creative problem-solving and relationship-building, she leads with empathy and vision—fostering partnerships, empowering teams, and ensuring that all voices feel valued and heard. Her work continues to shape a more inclusive and vibrant folk music community.
Laura Thomas
A lifelong Austinite, Laura Thomas embodies the heart of the folk community through her unwavering commitment to artists, service, and connection. As the founder of ComboPlate Booking, Laura has spent over twenty-five years representing singer-songwriters and building a thriving network of venues, presenters, and musicians. Her passion for community extends far beyond the stage—since 2001, she has organized monthly concerts and annual South By Soup Fest fundraisers benefiting Caritas of Austin, raising over $80,000 for food services. A former social worker, Laura continues to uplift others through her advocacy for mental health and artist well-being. Her six years of service on the Folk Alliance International Board of Directors, including two years in executive leadership, reflect her ongoing dedication to the organization she calls her “folk family.” Laura’s generosity, authenticity, and deep community spirit truly capture the essence of the Spirit of Folk Award.
Rachel Ornelas
Rachel Ornelas, Cultural Heritage Manager for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, embodies the spirit of folk through her tireless dedication to preserving and presenting Louisiana’s diverse cultural traditions. Since 2003, she has curated the Louisiana Folklife Village, Native American Village, and other festival areas, while also co-founding its Sustainability Department. A Texas native of Mexican descent, Rachel’s deep connection to music and community stems from her upbringing in a family of Tejano musicians. Her work extends beyond Jazz Fest—consulting on cultural projects for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Americana Music Triangle, and NALAC, where she also serves as a grant reviewer. A Fellow of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Leadership Institute, she has championed social activism through Latino arts initiatives in New Orleans. Through her vision, leadership, and advocacy, Rachel has amplified countless cultural voices, ensuring that folk traditions remain vibrant and visible for generations to come.
Folk Radio Hall of Fame
These awards are presented to honor and celebrate people and organizations actively involved in the promotion and preservation of folk music through their creative work, community building, and demonstrated leadership. Read more about each recipient!
Ron Olesko
For 50 years, Ron Olesko has presented folk music on radio, concert stages, magazines, and the Internet. Since 1980, Ron has been the folk music radio host at WFDU-FM in Teaneck, New Jersey and in 2019 Ron launched FOLK MUSIC NOTEBOOK, a 24/7 Internet radio channel devoted to folk music. His programs are a sampler of the folk world – a mix of contemporary and classic folk songs and over the years he has interviewed a Who’s Who of artists who create our folk community. Ron was the President of the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club in Fair Lawn, New Jersey and was a writer for Sing Out!.
Susan Forbes Hansen
Susan Forbes Hansen has been a devoted and influential voice in folk radio for more than four decades. She began her broadcasting career in 1979 at WHUS at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, where she launched The Sunday Night Folk Festival, a beloved mainstay for traditional and contemporary folk music. She later hosted Valley Folk on WFCR in Amherst, Massachusetts for 22 years, In Town on WNPR in Hartford for two years, and since 2001, FM on Toast on WWUH at the University of Hartford in West Hartford. Her programming—spanning Seeger to Swift, Ritchie to Rogers, Altan to Arbo—reflects her belief that songs tell the true stories of our time. Known for her humor, curiosity, and discerning ear, Susan has elevated countless artists and recordings. Beyond the airwaves, her photography has appeared on album covers and in Sing Out! and Black Sheep Review.
Kieran Hanrahan
Kieran Hanrahan presented the flagship Irish traditional music programme Céilí House on RTE Radio 1(Ireland’s National Radio Station) for thirty years. A highly accomplished tenor banjo player he is considered one of the pioneers of the instrument in Irish traditional music. He’s a founding member of the acclaimed folk band Stockton’s Wing. Kieran is a lecturer on the Irish traditional music programme at the Conservatoire in TU Dublin. He’s the Artistic Director at TradFest, director of the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland and director of the annual traditional music summer school, Scoil Éigse.
Michael Stock
Michael Stock’s first album purchase was The Best of Peter, Paul and Mary, inspired after hearing “Leaving on a Jet Plane” sung by Suzie Jacobs at a junior high school assembly. A few years later, during a humanities class at Miami Beach High, a teacher played Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” and Michael soon became the school’s most dedicated Dylan fan—this was in 1974. At the University of South Florida, Michael was given the opportunity to become a folk DJ when WMNF in Tampa first went on the air. WMNF opened the door to the world of both contemporary and classic folk music, and Michael credits the station with launching his career. After returning to Miami, he volunteered at WDNA until— in a distinctly Florida twist—he was accused of being a communist and dismissed. Michael then began producing concerts, bringing acts he encountered through WMNF down to Miami. During this work, he learned that the folk DJ at WLRN was stepping down. He didn’t hesitate, and took over the show in 1982. Michael Stock has hosted the program ever since, having missed only one broadcast in 45 years due to COVID. Over those four decades, he has remained deeply committed to building and sustaining a folk music community in South Florida.
Congratulations, community!
If you recognize someone on the list, go tell them congrats!
