Thank you so much Arnie, and Peace, and JohnB, and Beer, and Kat....
someone said to me during the reception that children's music could be quite easily divided into many categories. I agree with him. The final selections in the children's music category were diverse. The same happens in the other categories as well.

A word about judging. Last year I was one of the judges for the CFMAs. I gather that some people think that judges talk with one another and make their decisions in a group setting, full of politics and rumblings - let me tell you that in the case of the CFMAs it is certainly not the case. For the 2006 awards, I was judging for one category only, and I had no idea who the other judges were for that category or any other one. I listened carefully for skill, passion and for the core of the music - folk. I was sworn to secrecy about my role before the awards, and I didn't know until the night of the awards who had won in the category for which I was judging. The judges commit a lot of time and energy behind the scenes, and are drawn from the community across the country. I can't begin to even imagine organizing such a thing.

I was honestly thrilled to be nominated for a CFMA, but awards, thankfully, are not the only feedback we get. Last week my friend Bob and I did a concert for over 100 2 year olds and their grownups at a big library in North York. 2 year olds give the best feedback. It was a wonderful time!

~b.w.