Folk Alliance International Reveals 2025 Folk Music Award Recipients and Nominees

The Folk Alliance International (FAI) has revealed the 2025 nominees and recipients for the International Folk Music Award. The 37th annual FAI conference, which will occur from February 19-23, will coincide with the start of the award ceremony, slated for night one, Wednesday, February 19, in Montreal. 

Today’s announcement includes an array of international Folk Music Awards recipients and Best of 2024 nominees. Among the categories, the coveted Lifetime Achievement Awards will be bestowed to GRAMMY Award-winners and seven-time nominees Indigo Girls, the influential musical figure for the Carter Family as well as a pivotal figure in the development of country music, the late Lesley Riddle.

The 2025 Artist of the Year, sponsored by Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame, includes nominees such as Relix cover artist Allison Russell, Sarah Jarosz, Kaïa Kater, Nick Lowe, Crys Matthews, and Flamy Grant. Nominees for Album of the Year are Trail Of Flowers (Sierra Ferrell), The Space Between (The Heart Collectors), Strange Medicine (Kaïa Kater), All My Friends (Aoife O’Donovan), Ordinary Elephant (Ordinary Elephant), and Halfway to Houston (Susan Werner). 

The Song of the Year category features Tenzin Choegyal’s “Tenzin Sings with Nightingales,” Connie Kaldor’s “Woman Who Pays,” Rhiannon Giddens’ “How I Long for Peace,” Tom Paxton’s “Ukrainian Now,” and Dan Navarro’s “$20 Bill (for George Floyd).” Signing on to perform during the 2025 official showcase is a list of nominees and folk-leaning artists, such as Steve Poltz, Ron Sexsmith, Mimi O’bonsawin, Connie Kaldor, Tania Elizabeth, Mama’s Broke, Kaïa Kater, Vienna Teng, Amy Speace, and more. 

According to the official press release, “The Annual Folk Alliance International Conference is the largest gathering of folk musicians and music industry professionals in the world. ‍This is an experience like no other. Music is around every corner. Legends, rising stars, and industry innovators share career-boosting insights.”

For more information, visit www.folk.org.