FAI Hands Out International Folk Music Awards To Bruce Cockburn, Sarah Jarosz, Michael Kiwanuka

Folk Alliance International

FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL (FAI) kicked off its 29th annual conference last night with the INTERNATIONAL FOLK MUSIC AWARDS SHOW, held in the CENTURY BALLROOM at the WESTIN CROWN CENTER in KANSAS CITY, MO..

The show presented six SPIRIT OF FOLK AWARDS, three LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS and the "BEST of 2016" AWARDS, including ALBUM OF THE YEAR, SONG OF THE YEAR and ARTIST OF THE YEAR. 

In a permanent commitment to honor the socially conscious roots of folk music, FAI launched two new awards this year — THE PEOPLE'S VOICE and THE CLEARWATER AWARDS.  
 
To be presented annually to an individual who has committed to social and political commentary in their creative work and folk music career, the inaugural PEOPLE'S VOICE AWARD was presented to multi-platinum selling recording artist BRUCE COCKBURN.
 
The second new award will be presented annually to a festival that prioritizes environmental stewardship and demonstrates public leadership in sustainable event production. Presented to its namesake organization, the inaugural CLEARWATER AWARD was bestowed to the CLEARWATER FESTIVAL.

Hosted by GRAMMY winner PAULA COLE, the show featured guest appearances by KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, MEGAN MULLALLY and ELIZA GILKYSON, with performances by ANDREW RAMIREZ, AMADO ESPINOZA, ARELIS FLORES, KRISTOFFERSON, JEAN RHOE and GILKYSON.

INTERNATIONAL FOLK MUSIC AWARD 2017 Winners:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SARAH JAROSZ, "Undercurrent"
SONG OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL KIWANUKA & INFLO, “Black Man In A  White World,” 
ARTIST OF THE YEAR:  PARKER MILLSAP
SPIRIT OF FOLK AWARDS: BARBARA DANE, CHLOE GOODYEAR, MICHELLE CONCEISON, RAMY ESSAM, SI KAHN and SONIA DIAPPEAR FEAR.  
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS: Iconic composer DAVID AMRAM (living), activist songwriter MALVIN REYNOLDS (legacy), and prolific CANADIAN folklorist HELEN CREIGHTON (business/academic)

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