World Folk Music Association
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The World Folk Music Association is a non-profit organization[1] formed in 1983 by folk singer/songwriter Tom Paxton and Dick Cerri, a radio host from Washington D. C.[2] The first chairman of the board was Paxton[3] and Cerri served as president.[4]
Paxton and Cerri declared that the WFMA was "dedicated to promoting contemporary and traditional folk music, spreading the word to fans, and keeping the folk community informed and involved".[2]
WFMA presents a monthly showcase in Bethesda, Maryland,[5] and from 1984 to 2011 hosted an annual benefit concert. The WFMA presented its Lifetime Achievement Award, Kate Wolf Award, and John Denver award at its annual concert through 2006.[6] The Washington Post described the 6th annual concert as "nostalgic and topical, competent and compelling".[7]
To celebrate Woody Guthrie's 82d birthday, WFMA presented a Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert in 1994.[8] A two-night concert in tribute of The Kingston Trio's 45th anniversary was held by WFMA in 2002.[9] In 2013, WFMA hosted a benefit concert to support the Madison House Autism Foundation.[10] WFMA also sponsored the final Chad Mitchell Trio concert in 2014.[11]
WFMA Lifetime Achievement Award
The first recipient of the WFMA Lifetime Achievement Award was Odetta in 1994. Other winners include:[2]
- Lou Gottlieb of the Limeliters, 1995
- Oscar Brand, 1996
- Bob Gibson, 1997 (posthumous award)
- John Denver, 1998 (posthumous award)
- Tommy Makem, 1999
- Rod Kennedy, 2000
- John Stewart, 2001
- Joe Glazer, 2002
- Carolyn Hester, 2003
- Dave Van Ronk, 2004 (posthumous award)
- Dick Cerri, 2005
- Tom Paxton, 2006
Kate Wolf Memorial Award
Established in 1987 to honor the memory of Kate Wolf, a singer/songwriter who died from leukemia, the Kate Wolf Memorial Award is presented "to the performer who best epitomizes the music and spirit of Kate Wolf." It has been awarded to:[2]
- Utah Phillips, 1988
- Christine Lavin of Four Bitchin' Babes, 1989
- Rosalie Sorrels, 1990
- Robin Batteau, 1991
- Hugh Romney, also known as Wavy Gravy, 1992
- Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary, 1993
- Crow Johnson, 1994
- Nanci Griffith, 1995
- Jack Hardy, 1996
- Tom Chapin, 1997
- David Buskin, 1998
- Nina Gerber, 1999
- Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul, and Mary, 2000
- The Kennedys, 2001
- Anne Hills, 2002
- David Massengill, 2003
- Tom Rowe of Schooner Fare, 2004 (posthumous award)
- The Shaw Brothers, 2005
John Denver Award
Established in 1998, the John Denver Award was awarded in 1999 to Denver's original publisher and producer, Milt Okun. Other recipients include:[2]
- Kenn Roberts, 2000
- Bill Danoff, 2001
- Tom Wisner, 2003
- Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino (Magpie), 2004
- Dawn Publications, 2006