Best Of Awards

Finalists are compiled from "Best of 2018" radio and print media lists in the US, Canada, the UK, EU, and Australia in addition to the year-end Folk DJ chart.

The IFMAs are the premiere presentation of folk music industry awards. Awards and distinctions presented to honor leaders, legends, and rising talent include Album, Song, and Artist of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Spirit of Folk, and inductions into the folk DJ Hall of Fame. Additionally, the People’s Voice and Clearwater Awards were added in 2017 in a permanent commitment to honor the socially conscious roots of folk music.

The ballot for 2019 Best Of voting is open to FAI members until January 9, 2020.

Artist of the Year

Che Apalache

J.S. Ondara

Lula Wiles

Rising Appalachia

The Small Glories

Album of the Year

Even the Sparrow by Kelly Hunt

Soar by Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita

The Great Irish Songbook by Dervish

To Everyone In All The World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger by John McCutcheon

We Get By by Mavis Staples

Song of the Year

“All Some Kind of Dream” by Josh Ritter

“All That’s yet to Come” by Dave Gunning

“Black Myself” by Amythyst Kiah (performed by Our Native Daughters)

“Put a Woman in Charge” by Keb’ Mo’ (performed by Keb’ Mo’ and Rosanne Cash)

“Where I Come From” by Patty Griffin