SALUTING FOLK'S FINEST

Tracy Chapman and McCabe’s Guitar Shop received Lifetime Achievement Awards and Billy Strings was named Artist of the Year at the International Folk Music Awards in Kansas City.

Presented by Folk Alliance International, which held its annual confab in mid-February, named Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway’s City Of Gold (Nonesuch) album of the year and Iris Dement’s "Workin' On A World" song of the year.

Alynda Segarra of Hurray For the Riff Raff received The People’s Voice Award for embracing social and political commentary in their creative work.

“I started writing songs as a way to have power in this world,” Segarra said. “I started a band to create a family. Since my first days playing music on the street in New Orleans, I’ve turned to the mysteries of songwriting to document, honor, and defend the people on the outskirts of society. Folk music drew me in because it tells the truth, it disgraces the warmongers, and it defends the innocent. It’s been enlivening to watch folk music become more visibly queer and radical.”

Joy Clark (pictured) paid tribute to Chapman with a performance of “Give Me One Reason.”

Check out the entire ceremony below.