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 Best Of voting is now closed.

2018 Best Of Nominees

Album of the Year

Dust Dance by Tri-Continental

El Mal Querer by Rosalía

Rifles & Rosary Beads by Mary Gauthier

Secularia by Eliza Gilkyson

TÌR: Highland Life & Lore by Brian Ó hEadhra & Fiona MacKenzie 

Song of the Year

"I See Gold" by Good Lovelies

"Oom Sha La La" by Haley Heynderickx

"People Get Old" by Lori McKenna

"Sunshiner" by The Mammals

"The President Sang Amazing Grace" by Zoe Mulford, recorded by Joan Baez

Artist of the Year

Dom Flemons

I'm With Her

Jeremy Dutcher

Wallis Bird

William Prince