The Folk Alliance International Lifetime Achievement Award has been given to Cape Breton's Buddy MacMaster. Congratulations Buddy!
(Copied from The Inverness Oran):
Cape Breton master fiddler Buddy MacMaster has joined a long and distinguished list of musicians to be honoured with a Folk Alliance International Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Folk Alliance International awards are slated to be given at its annual conference and winter music camp which takes place this year in February in Kansas City, Missouri.
Born in Timmons, Ontario to Cape Breton parents, MacMaster moved back to Cape Breton with his family at an early age, and he took an interest in playing the fiddle not long after, playing his first public performance before becoming a teenager and playing regularly at square dances from the age of 14 onward. He spent much of his working career as a CN stationmaster and has recorded several acclaimed albums and a video.
MacMaster has in the past been honoured with numerous awards for his lifetime contribution to Cape Breton fiddle music and culture including an honourary doctorate from St. F.X. University, an honourary doctorate from Cape Breton University, an Order of Nova Scotia (2003) and an Order of Canada (2002).
The Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented as part of the Wednesday evening conference and camp opening activities.
Past Recipients (1995-2014): 2014: Buddy MacMaster, Dock Boggs, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings; 2013: The Weavers, Mike Seeger, Augusta Heritage Center; 2012: Robert Johnson, Harry Belafonte, The Highlander Center; 2011: Jimmy Rodgers, Joan Baez, Les Blank; 2010: Elizabeth Cotten, Bob Dylan, National Council for Traditional Arts; 2009: Phil Ochs, Guy and Candie Carawan, Old Town School of Folk Music; 2008: Mavis Staples, Tommy Jarrell, Rounder Records; 2007: Earl Scruggs, Dave Van Ronk, Manny Greenhill; 2006: Tom Paxton, Clifton Chenier, Kenneth Goldstein; 2005: Odetta, Stan Rogers, the Newport Folk Festival; 2004: New Lost City Ramblers, Mississippi John Hurt, Bess Lomax Hawes; 2003: Ralph Stanley, Reverend Gary Davis, SingOut!; 2002: Hazel Dickens, Bill Monroe, Harold Leventhal; 2001: Lydia Mendoza, Paul Robeson, Ralph Rinzler, Smithsonian Folklife Festival; 2000: Doc Watson, Dewey Balfa, Edith Fowke; 1999: Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, The Carter Family, Anne and Frank Warner; 1998: Jean Ritchie, Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter, American Folklife; 1997: Bruce "Utah" Phillips, Chris Strachwitz, Arhoolie Records; 1996: Woody Guthrie, Moe Asch/Folkways Records; 1995: Pete Seeger, Alan Lomax.
The following is how Folk Alliance describes its mission and its work:
"Since 1989, Folk Alliance has served as the headquarters for Folk Music and Dance. With over 2800 members worldwide and an annual conference that is one of the five largest music conferences in North America, Folk Alliance continues to grow and mature while providing a unique range of member services to our community.
Over the years, our community has grown to include record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, music support services, manufacturers and artists that work in the folk world. Folk Alliance has five regional affiliates that provide the grass roots efforts in their respective markets.
Folk Alliance International exists to foster and promote traditional, contemporary, and multicultural folk music and dance and related performing arts. The Folk Alliance seeks to strengthen and advance organizational and individual initiatives in folk music and dance through education, networking, advocacy, and professional and field development."