ReFolkUs: Presented by Folk Music Ontario
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LISTEN NOW: ReFolkUs Episode 18: Pitch Craft w/ Valerie Denn

ReFolkUs is back with a special pre-conference drop, where we will be releasing four episodes prior to the Folk Music Ontario Conference being held in London, Ontario on October 12th-15th.

One-on-one meetings, also known as pitch meetings or speed meetings, are a dedicated time for two people to meet - at Folk Music Ontario, we call them ‘Lightning Talks’. They take place online pre-conference and participants are given the chance to connect with industry experts and other conference attendees before the event begins.

In this week’s episode, we chat to Valerie Denn about her workshop ‘Pitch Craft’ and how to get the most out of these lightning talks. Valerie explains how folks can best represent themselves in these meetings, what materials to bring, how to be memorable and stand out from the crowd, and guides listeners through some do’s and don'ts.

About Valerie Denn

Valerie is very active in the World Music/Roots/Americana/ community as an agent and a manager. She is passionate about her artists and especially adept at helping her clients with export development and building global careers. Val served for four years on the Board of Directors for Folk Alliance International where she also served a term as President. Val teaches and partners with other industry events to lead workshops/panels for the enrichment of the creative/artistic process.

She has been a mentor at SXSW, Mundial Montreal, WOMEX, Folk Music Canada, ECMA’s and participated on numerous panels at industry events. She currently is on the board as interim President of Folk Music Canada and a board member of the Live Music Society- which gives grants to small venues in the US.  Val is the Canadian Ambassador for The House of Songs based in Austin, Texas. This organization matches songwriters globally for co-writing experiences and has residencies in Austin, Bentonville, AR,  New York City, and opening new “houses” in Nordic countries.

In her spare time, she is an organic farmer and potter with her husband of 41 years in Nova Scotia Canada.

Freightliner: County Fair Queen

Freightliner, the americana rock and roll trio are heading to the local county fair this fall in their latest single. This new song “County Fair Queen” proclaims their love of the small-town county fair and the girl that left it all behind. The band says “This song is really telling the journey of all small-town people who have their sights set on the big city, ready to follow their dreams and get the heck out of small-town life.” County Fair Queen is one of a handful of their newest songs that Freightliner has been rocking out on the road this past year and is truly a crowd favourite. Recorded and engineered by Rich Gregor and mastered by Heather Kirby at Dreamlands Mastering.

The band Freightliner (Innes Wilson’s Freightliner) started as the support band for front man Innes Wilson after R.P. McMurphy and Joshua Osmond approached him to be his back up band in 2019. Since then Freightliner released “Innes Wilson’s Freightliner” Self titled EP in 2022 and “II” EP released April of 2023. Both EP’s received support from college/community radio across Canada with “II” EP reaching #5 on the !earshot national folk charts. And previously their single "To the Letter," was featured on CBC Radio 1's “The Key of C.”

Brampton Folk Club: Friday Folk Night Concert Series
September 29, 2023 - May 25, 2024 

The Brampton Folk Club is pleased to announce this year’s Friday Folk Night Concert Series, starting September 29th with the fiddle and step dancing group Ariko.

“We’re really stoked about this year’s line-up” said Folk Club President and Artistic Director Glenn McFarlane. “We’ve got some artists we’ve been wanting to present for quite a while, along with a few favourites and some new ones we’re really excited about.”

The concert series continues to present a diverse line-up of folk styles, including fiddle music, a seasonal bluegrass show, blues, and flamenco. New this year is a special Gordon Lightfoot Tribute concert featuring some of the finest performers in the Brampton Folk Club.

Our popular desserts and drinks will be back this year, which will be served before the show and during the intermission. Season Tickets (which come with reserved seating) are also available this year.

Here is the full Friday Folk Night season:

• September 29th - Fiddle and Step Dancing Group Ariko
• October 27th - A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot
• December 1st - “Carols from the Barrel”, a Bluegrass Seasonal Celebration with The Barrel Boys
• January 26th - Blues Night! Rick Fines with Roly Platt and Alec Fraser
• February 23rd - Uplifting Songstress Mimi O'Bonsawin
• March 22nd - Flamenco Music and Song with Jorge Miguel
• April 26th - “Songs of Renewal”, A Spring themed concert by the popular vocal group Boreal
• Saturday, May 25th - Brampton Folk Club Annual Showcase Concert

The concerts will be held at Sanderson Hall, in the upper level of St. Paul’s United Church, 30 Main St. South, Brampton. The concerts run from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Kicking off our season is the fiddle and step dancing group Ariko. Whether at a festival or in a kitchen, the party ignites when Ariko takes the stage. Homegrown in Lafontaine, Ontario, Ariko features the rich vocal harmonies and dynamic fiddle stylings of the Lefaive sisters along with a driving and energetic rhythm section delivered by their parents Laura and Louis. Ariko’s performances engage audiences of all ages with interactive rhythm, song and dance activities. Rooted in traditional music, their dynamic repertoire is coloured by zydeco, jazz and popular genres. Let yourself be recharged by the positive energy of this family group! Opening act: Harpin’ Norm Lucien

Click here for more info

Weave and Spin: Musical Threads from Cambridge To Newfoundland
Livestreamed Concert - September 19

I am very excited to be traveling to beautiful St. John's for a concert in Bannerman's Brewery with Newfoundland folk royalty Matthew Byrne, Jean Hewson, Christina Smith, Gerry Strong, Billy Sutton, Jason Whelan and special guest Charla Woodford.  The night will feature stories and songs from home and away including the Newfoundland debut of "Step Up Molly"- a song about the young women who were recruited from Newfoundland to work in Cambridge, Ontario's Dominion Woollens Mill during WWII. Heartfelt thanks to the generous support of the Newfoundland Folk Arts Society team. The concert will be live-streamed.

Weave and Spin- Musical Threads from Cambridge To Newfoundland
Presented by The Newfoundland Folk Arts Society
w/ Matthew Byrne, Jean Hewson and Christina Smith, Allison Lupton, Gerry Strong, Billy Sutton, 
Jason Whelan
Tuesday, September 19th, 5:30 pm EDT (or 7:00 pm Newfoundland Daylight Time)
Bannerman Brewing - St. John’s, Newfoundland

Tickets are $10 Canadian

Click here for more info

Steve Raiken: Live Radio Show
Tune in: September 7, 7:00PM EST

I will be performing live and interviewed on Canoe FM radio, 100.9, in Haliburton, Ontario, on Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The radio show is called "Paddling Beyond The Main Stream" and is hosted by Kris Kadwell. I've appeared annually on this terrific show for years. You can listen to the show live on your computer or cell phone by going to the Canoe FM website and click on "Listen Live" on the home page at the above date and time. I hope you can listen to the show!

Sarah Segal-Lazar: Valleys
 
The Femme Fatale of Folk is back with her new album VALLEYS. Produced by Matthew Barber, the album is a soulful Americana tapestry of life's highs and lows. With nods to nostalgic country and riffs that will have you coming back again and again, VALLEYS is bound to soon be a contemporary folk-country favourite. Stream VALLEYS wherever you get your music.

Braden Lam & Mia Kelly: On Tour

Halifax-based Indie-Folk artist, Braden Lam teams up with Bilingual Folk/blues singer-songwriter, Mia Kelly (Gatineau, QC) for their first West Coast Tour! Taking their brand new collaborative single "Smoking Gun" on the road, Braden & Mia even have some special guests planned along the way! Performing in intimate cafes, breweries, house concerts, and speakeasy clubs throughout BC, Alberta as well as one Toronto show, the 'You & I" tour is not one to miss out on.

Stan Simon w/ Monet & Christian
Saturday, Sept.2 2023
The Dakota Tavern, Toronto
 
Check out FMO Member Stan Simon LIVE at the Dakota Tavern on September 2nd, 2023!

Doors at 6:30pm
Music at 7pm
Advance Tickets - $7 (+HST and fees) through Eventbrite
Tickets at the door - $10
19+

Tara Shannon: How To Thrive (Not Just Survive) In The Music Business

Music Industry Veteran And Award-Winning Singer Songwriter Tara Shannon Launches Book To Empower Independent Artists!

Tara Shannon wears many hats and has achieved more success than most independent music artists ever have. Her journey has defied the odds as she re-entered the music industry as a woman in her forties and quickly gained an audience locally, nationally, and internationally. Dividing her time between Ottawa and Nashville, she seeks to encourage and empower other artists on the label she founded, Willow Sound Records. In her music business education with The Syndicut, another entity she founded to help educate music creators and encourage them to see themselves as entrepreneurs. Her experiences in teaching workshops and classes, inspired her to write a book called, You and the Music Business, A Self-Care Guide to Finding Balance and Joy in Today’s Music Industry, to empower other independent artists who find themselves on a similar path.

Tara describes the book as “life coaching for music makers” and one of her favourite mantras is “to be successful in the business of music, you first need to be successful in the business of YOU”. Her first published book is part self-help guide and part blueprint for all the challenges facing artists in today’s ever-changing music world. It covers everything from handling frustrations, money, common traps, and the business side of artistry.

Magic Machine w/ Almyr Jules
Saturday, Sept.2, 2023
Irene’s Pub - Ottawa
   
RISING FROM THE ASHES after a strange few years indoors, The Magic Machine returns to the stage for a wild night of acoustic harmonious antics! 

Surprisingly hummable, temptingly strummable, the Magic Machine can't wait to show you A BUNCH OF BRAND NEW SONGS that we'll record sometime probably.  

Joining the crew will be local sing-songer Almyr Jules! A whole night of sweet sounds and harmonies!  Don’t miss it!
 

Coraline James: In the River

Coraline James' debut EP "In The River" combines classical and world influences with a pop sensibility. The EP was produced by Juno award winner Michael Wojewoda and includes contributions from Sammy Duke, Tom Moffet, Drew Jurecka, and Paul Brogee and Jay Foster of Long Range Hustle.

The opening track, "Giddy Heart" is an endearing love song expressing the hesitant excitement of a new relationship. "Every Word" explores the dismay and desperation that occurs when communication breaks down in a relationship and features a lovely fugal section with beautiful, and surprising melodies. The absolute banger that is the title track, takes an optimistic look at emotional and spiritual journeys and asks ""when you've reached the end, will you have faced your fear?""

Equal parts quirky and poignantly touching, "In The River" is a must listen.

Jabbour: On Tour

Jabbour's Carling Lake tour continues with a series of concerts in the Maritimes at the end of August. Released May 2021, Jabbour's third album Carling Lake features roots music with lyrics in french and english with accents from the regional communities where the band members live - from the Laurentians to Montérégie. This whirlwind tour includes concerts at the Coopérative de développement culturel et patrimonial de Mont-Carmel, Victoria Playhouse, The Shoebox Cantina, Charlotte Street Arts Centre and the PEI/NS Ferries Music on Deck series. We thank the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for their support.

UPCOMING SHOWS:

• August 27 - Caribou Ferry, NS - PEI Ferry
• August 27 - Mont-Carmel, PE - Mont-Carmel Parish Hall
• August 28 - Victoria, PE - Victoria Playhouse Inc.
• August 30 - New Glasgow, NS - Shoebox Cantina
• August 31 - Fredericton, NB - Charlotte Street Arts Centre

VANCAMP: Camper Van

Peterborough singer/songwriter VANCAMP (aka Calvin Bakelaar) is releasing his second EP, Camper Van, on August 11th. The EP comprises 5 nostalgic mid-summer folk/pop tracks, including the singles "Freaking Me Out" and "Over My Head."

To celebrate the release, VANCAMP will be performing live:
August 11 - Peterborough, ON - Jethro’s Bar & Stage
August 19 - Peterborough Folk Festival
August 26 - Toronto, ON - Dakota Tavern

Stephen Fearing: The Empathist

FMO member Sebastian Cook (The BEAT Network) has recently had the pleasure of working with one of Canada's true master songwriters, Stephen Fearing of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, on an innovative crowdfunding campaign for Stephen's upcoming recording project "The Empathist". This record will be a collaboration with Nashville-based producer and drummer Ken Coomer, who is well-known as a founding member of Wilco. So far, the Indiegogo campaign has raised almost $21,000 in just one week! 

André Bisson: Reformed Deceiver
 
Hamilton's André Bisson releases 'Reformed Deceiver' single and video.

Leading up to his 10th album the multi-award-winning bluesman brings us his third single. The 'Reformed Deceiver' is not about someone who has tricked others in the past but instead about how we can often deceive ourselves into a fixed mindset. In our lives, there are many things that we hold onto emotionally. The stress of our job, finances, what others think of us, the list goes on. With the many pressures of the world around us, we deceive ourselves into thinking this is our only option. "This is the way it has always been therefore it's the way it must always be". The reformed deceiver breaks free of this mythology. He comes to the conclusion that the life we live is the one we choose to create. When this idea is realized, the world opens up and everything around him is clear. His past life is now a distant memory and his mind is excited and focused on a future of possibilities. All of life's experiences, both good and bad, lead us down the path of the person we wish to be.

Overall, André Bisson says this album is about “holding ourselves accountable for our own destiny” and that’s also a personal credo that continues to carry him to new heights in his artistry.

'Reformed Deceiver', 'Dusty Albums' and 'Shake' are available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other streaming services worldwide.

Click here for more info

Angela Saini: Say

Angela Saini’s new single SAY is empowering and catchy, giving you permission to express yourself without the fear of how the words will land. In a world where conformity reigns, Angela fearlessly defies expectations and defines herself on her own terms. Hailing from a rich cultural background as an Indian-Austrian Canadian, Angela's artistic journey is a testament to unyielding positivity and empowering ideals, a path she paved through both incredible success and her darkest moments. Her newest heartfelt creation, “SAY,” is a gentle reminder encouraging honesty and permission to express yourself without fear. “I was feeling really stifled and stuck and I realized that the fear was self-imposed. I had this imaginary dialogue about how my words were going to land with the other person, but really, I could only be free once I let go of the fear and just expressed my feelings. It’s like that saying that the “truth will set you free.” The memorable and courageous anthem is the third single to be released ahead of her sophomore album due early next year.

The prairie-raised artist uplifts and inspires audiences with songs about second chances and empowering others. With several Canadian tours under her belt as well as across Germany, England and The Netherlands, the positive and upbeat songstress has been called “massively talented” by BBC Radio. She is most known for her sunshine-soaked song “Living on the Bright Side,” and has performed for festivals in Canada such as Home County in London, and The Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Sandra Bouza: The Bottle 

Toronto musician Sandra Bouza leans into her blues-rock roots with her new single and video ‘The Bottle', out now on all digital streaming platforms.

'The Bottle’ is about Sandra's struggle with addiction and how alcohol and drugs were such a big part of her identity that she had a hard time separating those parts from the healthy parts that she wanted to keep in her sobriety.

"'The Bottle' is a song I wrote from the perspective of the person I used to be when I was using, and all the different personalities that came out of my 'partying' persona and the conflict between all of those characters," says Sandra. "The many different angles and reflections in the video represent all of those different personalities, and never really knowing which one is the real Sandra, just like you would see in a person struggling with addiction."

Known as a musical shapeshifter, playing R&B, Soul, Rock, and everything in between, Sandra has a lot to offer through her music and life experience. Having spent a large part of her life traveling, Sandra’s worldly vision is evident in her songwriting. Sandra lets her stories breathe in songs that are deeply personal. Everything came together for Sandra during an artist’s residence on Halls Island, where she wrote most of the material for her upcoming album, A Sound in the Dark.

Brian Tremblay: Roller Girl 

On July 21, Brian Tremblay releases an old song that he dug out of the archives dating back to 2009. Tremblay resurrected the tune Roller Girl, did a remix and some mastering and breathed new life into the fourteen-year-old composition. The song was born when he was a full-time photographer and was creating a portrait of a roller derby skater. Although Roller Girl is based on truth, creative writing was applied to fill out the character and transform it into a song with some depth. Done in a blues style with a simple arrangement of acoustic guitar and harmonica, it's a throwback to the blues tunes that tell the stories of encounters with characters that are easily imagined. 

Playing WaWa Music Festival!
July 21-23, 2023
Wawa, ON

City of London Concert Series
Thursday, July 20, 2023 - 7:00pm
The Good Foundation Theatre in Market Lane - London, ON

Folk Music Ontario is pleased to be presenting This concert with the City of London! Head down to Market Lane for an evening of great, free and fun live music! 

Featuring Performances from Broomsticks & Hammers, Mikal Shapiro, The Allen Family Reunion, and Fiker!

Click here for more info

Steph La Rochelle: Wildflower

With her breathtaking vocals and heart warming guitar playing, Steph La Rochelle is making her mark. She was a finalist in Bluesfest’s Emerging Artist Showcase and the coveted CCMA Discovery Program, which included a CCMA award nomination. Most recently, Steph starred in the Toronto, National Tour, and appeared in London UK’s West End productions of the Broadway hit, Dear Evan Hansen where she collaborated with Alex Lacamoire at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. An old soul with a powerful gift to share, this songstress will always leave you with a captivating performance. Her debut, self-penned, Factor-funded EP titled, Wildflower, is available now. Find her at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest!

Kyle Kirkpatrick: St Clarens Ramble

Kyle's debut solo album "St Clarens Ramble" features a collection of original instrumental tunes and traditional songs for the Dobro and Weissenborn guitars. Produced by celebrated dobro master and recording engineer Ivan Rosenberg, the album includes stellar performances by guest artists Ray Legere (mandolin, guitar), Ron Girouard (mandolin) and Tim O'Rielly (bass). This album showcases Kyle's deeply felt vocals, front porch picking, and down home slide guitar. Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp

ALBUM RELEASE SHOW

Monday, July 10, 2023
Red Bird Live, Ottawa, Ontario 
Doors at 7pm, Show at 7:30pm
Tickets $10 at the door
Featuring Joey Wright (Mandolin) and Brent Weatherall (Guitar, Bass).

Kyle will be supported by a gang of excellent pickers for the night. So come out and enjoy this special event!

André Bisson: Dusty Albums

Hamilton's André Bisson releases new single and video for 'Dusty Albums'.

André Bisson certainly puts the ‘pro’ in prolific as he prepares to release his 10th album of original material since 2009, “Latchford”, later this year. That’s 10 albums over a span of just 14 years! Leading up to the full-length collection, he 'Shake' on May 12.

Now the multi-award-winning bluesman brings us his second single. A melancholy song, 'Dusty Albums' is a cautionary tale about the passing of time. Often we focus too much on the day-to-day without stopping to appreciate the overall journey of our lives.

The story follows a man who after years of absence returns home to bury a loved one. Through a series of observations and interactions, he realizes the full depth of the relationship he has missed. So much guidance, wisdom, and love was lost because he was always too busy. We must always remember that though the days are long, the years are short. If we get too caught up in the daily distractions of our lives, we run the risk of being left with only old photo albums and the memories of strangers.

Overall, André Bisson says this album is about “holding ourselves accountable for our own destiny” and that’s also a personal credo that continues to carry him to new heights in his artistry.

Both 'Dusty Albums' and 'Shake' are available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. 

Click here for more info

David Laronde: On Tour

Teme-Augama Anishnabai singer-songwriter DAVID LARONDE performs contemporary roots, folk, rock, and blues. Laronde, who lives in Temagami, ON, will embark on an Eastern Canada tour to promote his latest of three full albums, I KNOW I CAN FLY, out on all major platforms. Laronde begins touring June 21 in Northern Ontario on Bear Island, then hits Ottawa, Fredericton, New Brunswick and Hunter River and Charlelottetown, Prince Edward Island in July, and ends up in Toronto, ON, on October 12 at the Avenue Road Performance Academy. See davidlarondemusic.com/shows for a full list of tour dates. 

DAVID LARONDE is a Canadian award-nominated Indigenous singer-songwriter performing contemporary roots, folk, rock, and blues. He hails from the ancient Teme-Augama Anishnabai (Deep Water People) in beautiful Northern Ontario. His music is uplifting and refreshing, as he fuses an urban influence with the mystery and ancestral philosophy of his homeland. With award-nominated albums to his credit, Laronde writes songs that offer fresh takes on the human condition. They examine themes of personal strength, freedom, love, hope, and joy, with the ever-changing seasons in the background. With full band, duo, or solo he engages the audience with an entertaining, energetic and soulful performance
every time.

TOUR DATES

• July 12 - Maja’s Garden Gigs Concert Series, Mindemoya, ON
• July 15 - Private celebration, Temagami, ON
• July 19 - Art in the Park Concert Series, Haileybury waterfront, Haileybury, ON
• July 22 - Temagami Farmer’s Market, Temagami, ON
• July 27 - Avant Garde, Ottawa, ON
• July 29 - Broken Records Bar & Listening Room, Fredericton, NB
• Aug 8 - Harmony House, Hunter River, PEI
• Aug 9-11 - The Sound of the Waterfront Concert Series, Charlottetown, PEI
• Aug 26 - Block Party, North Bay, ON
• Sept 3 - Bluesfest – North Bay, ON
• Oct 3 - Jazz at the Junction, North Bay, ON
• Oct 12 - Avenue Road Performance Academy, Toronto, ON

Jessica Pearson and the East Wind: Row

Jessica’s latest single Row, which was born out of a viral video that has garnered millions of views across all social media and press outlets, is available as of June 30th. The track was produced by JUNO-Award winner Hill Kourkoutis and is accompanied by a stunning music video directed by Marcel Preston of Lone Oak Cinema that was filmed in Iceland and is a must see. Be sure to catch Jessica Pearson and the East Wind at a show this summer and follow along for the latest releases and performances.

Since 2000, The Estelle Klein Award (EKA) has been presented to folks who have had a lasting impact on the community, nominated and voted on by their peers at FMO. Following the call for nominations for the 2022 Ontario Folk Music Awards, FMO heard directly from members regarding serious concerns about the Estelle Klein Award process. 

The main concern was that the current system of direct member voting effectively turns the award into a “Popularity contest”, which isn’t congruous with the spirit of this recognition. Of particular concern was that those who lived/worked in less populated areas of Ontario would be underrepresented. 

For 2022, it was decided to use the EKA to honour all those who were nominated, with a promise to change the format for 2023. Following the 2022 conference, FMO sent out a survey to the membership to garner their thoughts and ensure that the EKA properly represented the wider community.  

We received a healthy amount of engagement, and based on the responses from the community, FMO is implementing the following recommendations for the 2023 award:

• Create another category for mid-career or up-and-coming music industry workers, to encourage and celebrate those that are currently active in building and supporting the community. We are excited to introduce the Community Builder award for community members that are actively enriching and supporting folk music in their local communities and throughout the province.
• Hire a publicist to promote the winner. FMO has secured a publicist that will be publishing a dedicated campaign to promote the winners of the EKA.
• Keep nominations for the award to FMO Members-only. This will remain the process for nomination. Only active FMO members will be able to nominate candidates. Please note that candidates themselves do not need to be active FMO members.
• Continue the EKA Career Retrospective Videos. In 2023 we will create a video for each EKA winner to be aired at the Ontario Folk Music Awards. 
• The FMO Board should select the winner from the slate of nominees. Our Board of Directors proudly represents each region of Ontario in all of its diversity. The Board has committed to selecting the EKA winners from the slate of nominees. 
• Do not publish the list of nominees, just open nominations, and then announce the winners. The list of nominees will not be published, our process will be to accept nominations until the deadline, and then announce the EKA winners to our community and in a dedicated publicity campaign.
• Bring back the Estelle Klein Interview. This year we will Invite both of the EKA winners to each do a live taping of the Re:Folk:Us podcast as the EKA Interview, which will be released at the time of, or before, the 2023 FMO Conference.

About the Award:

The Estelle Klein Award honours the work of an individual or group that has made significant contributions to Ontario’s folk music community. The award is named after Estelle Klein, a long-time advocate of Canadian folk music and one of the early founders of the folk festival scene in this country.         

This year, we are seeking nominations for two award categories: Lifetime Achievement and Community Builder. The new Community Builder category shines a light on mid-career or up-and-coming community members that are actively enriching and supporting folk music in their local communities and throughout the province. 

Lifetime Achievement Nomination Form

Community Builder Nomination Form

Winners are recognized with a registration for that year’s Folk Music Ontario conference for themselves and a partner as well as a lifetime FMO membership. Each winner will also be featured in an interview for the ReFolkUs Podcast, filmed and recorded before the conference, and a video honoring each recipient that will be aired at the Ontario Folk Music Awards.

Nominations are now open to all active Folk Music Ontario members, and we encourage folks to nominate their candidates before the deadline, Friday, July 21st, at 11:59PM EST.

NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS         

• Any FMO member may submit a nomination         
• Nominee must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident         
• Nominee must have made a significant contribution to Ontario's folk music community         
• Nominator Statement - why the nominator believes this individual or group should be considered (1000 words max)         
• Bio of achievements (250 words max)         
• Links to support material - press, recordings, etc. (2 max)         
• Website link         
• Nominee contact info 

We thank you for your trust and engagement as we continue to find new and meaningful ways to uplift, celebrate, and support our beautiful folk community.

Thanks for your nominations! If you have any questions, please contact us directly at office@folkmusicontario.ca