Honors (honours) for folk musicians

Subject: Honors (honours) for folk musicians: A proposal
From: johnross
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 01:05 AM

Over the last few years, a small number of folk musicians have been recognized in the UK on the Queen's Honours Lists. But there are many more who are deserving of these and similar recognition.

The Orders of Canada, Australia and New Zealand serve similar purposes in those countries.

So here's my suggestion:

Most of the government agencies who issue such honors accept and encourage nominations from members of the public. Why don't we organize ourselves to nominate appropriate folk musicians for recognition?

As we have discussed before, this might include Cyril Tawney and Bob Copper in Britain. Are there others in other countries who have not already been recognized?

Here are links to nomination information:

http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/ceremonial/index/nomination.htm

http://www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au/

http://www.gg.ca/honours/order_e.asp

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 03:25 AM

Ummm.... i'm not entirely sure that most folkies really wnat that sort of recognition, John? Howsomever, this is the site for

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 03:28 AM

New Zealand Nominations - pressed the wrong button.

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: johnross
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 01:14 PM

>i'm not entirely sure that most folkies really wnat that sort of recognition, John?

It's not as if it would be forced on them. Potential honorees are notified before the public announcement and given the opportunity to decline.

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 02:52 PM

What's wrong with a little recognition for a job well done?

What's wrong with making some good money at it also?

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 04:52 AM

It's tough finding some equivalents for Americans. These are the best I could find:

Kennedy Center Honors
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/history/

The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
http://www.grammy.com/awards/lifetime.html

Presidential Medal of Freedom
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/07/20020709-8.html
Latest news: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0719medaloffreedom19.html
(There are some deserving people here, but Irving Kristol? Nancy Reagan? Charlton Heston? Gimme a break!)

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 11:27 PM

G'day John,

The Australian Government has, in the past, used the various levels of the Order of Australia to recognise figures in the Australian folk scene. I'm fairly certain that the first such "folkie" recognition was to John Meredith - pioneer field recorder in the post WW II era, founder of the first "Bush Band" (at least, in the folk revival sense) - The Bushwhackers (1952 - 1957) ... not to be confused with the folk/rock band that took the name (less one 'h') - as The Bushwackers in the '70s and principal author or the authoratative Folk Songs of Australia and the men and women who sang them, volumes 1 and 2.

I'm most familiar with John's first award - as I found myself writing the citation for it, after the New South Wales Folk Federation nominated him - but did not submit a supporting citation. I was asked by the Prime Minister's Department to submit one ... delivered to their North Sydney offices by 5.00 PM the next day! (Well it got there ... John got the gong ... and I recycled the item as a tribute article ... and, a decade later as part of an obituary.)

I know that honours from the Order of Australia have also gone to Alan Scott - another pioneer field recordists and performer - as well as to a number of people who have both worked hard for the preservation of true heritage material and the publishing and performance of it. I haven't noticed any such awards to commercial singers, but I don't follow the field.

Anyway, with our present Prime Minister working hard to be the lapdog of the yanks, I think the only recognition likely to come to anyone promoting Australian traditions will be persecution and vilification.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From:
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 12:31 AM

Helen Creighton also was given the honour of the Order of Canada for her work collecting song, story and folklore from informants across Nova Scotia and also Southern New Brunswick.

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 02:45 AM

Well Martin Carthy was "honoured", BUT I sometimes wonder if certain people might have been "sounded out" for a reward, but gave negative feedback to the suggestion, and that was the end of it. If I were nominated for a reward(!), I wouldn't accept it because of the " Royal" connection.

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 07:12 AM

G'day Tunesmith,

I know there was a great degree of ambivalence in the Australian folkie ranks over "honours". Certainly, those I mentioned would not have accepted a "Queen's Birthday Honours" nomination ... but they were honoured to be recognised under the name of their own country.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: GUEST,Simon Cooper
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 09:35 AM

The late Hamish Henderson was offered and OBE but turned it down

Subject: RE: Honors (honours) for folk musicians
From: fretless
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 09:40 AM

U.S equivalent for the honours/honors johnross cited would be the National Heritage Fellows citations awarded annually by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts. Among recent winners, our own KYTRAD. For a list of all past winners, http://www.arts.gov/guide/allheritage.html. You can nominate folks here: http://arts.endow.gov/guide/Heritage03.html. The NEA sponsors a concert annually with performances/presentations by its current winners.