FAR-West's "Best of the West" Awards

The Board of Directors of FAR-West created the "Best of the West" Awards in 2005 to honor musicians and others within the folk community whose talents and efforts on behalf of the community over a period of time have established them as true leaders in our communities. These awards, one to a performer and one to a non-performer, will be given annually at the FAR-West conference. The criteria used in selecting the award recipients are:

1. Excellence in one's craft

2. Enduring presence in the western Folk community for a decade or more

3. Embodies or builds upon Folk values and traditions

4. (Non-performer): Promotes, nurtures, fosters, expands the audience and opportunities for folk music and musicians

The recipients of the 2007 Best of the West Awards are:

PERFORMER: Rosalie Sorrels

NON-PERFORMER: Elaine & Clark Weissman, founders of Folk Alliance, California Traditional Music Society, and FAR-West

The 2007 awards were presented at the luncheon on the second day of our annual conference, Saturday, November 3rd. Among the presenters were Roz Larman, Terry Garthwaite, Cloud Moss, Nick Smith and Dan McIlhenny. Russ Paris also gave a special presentation in memory of 2005 recipient Howard Larman of FolkScene.

The recipients of the 2006 Best of the West Awards are:

PERFORMER: U. Utah Phillips

NON-PERFORMER: Steve Baker, of Freight & Salvage Coffee House

The 2006 awards were presented at the luncheon on the second day of our annual conference, Saturday, November 18th. Among the presenters were Eric Lowen, Wendy Waldman, Steve Seskin and Cloud Moss.

Award sponsors for the 2006 awards were Russ & Julie's House Concerts, Concerts at the Bodie House, Caltech Folk Music Society, and Q-Note Productions.

The recipients of the 2005 Best of the West Awards are:

PERFORMER: Lowen & Navarro

NON-PERFORMER: Howard & Roz Larman, for their long-running radio program FOLKSCENE

The 2005 awards were presented by Wendy Waldman, Jennifer Warnes, Bob Stane and others at the luncheon on the second day of our annual conference. Photos of the awards presentation are available on the Conference Photos Page.

Award sponsors for the 2005 awards were Russ & Julie's House Concerts, Concerts at the Bodie House, Mary Katherine Aldin, Steve & Michele Dulson, and Caltech Folk Music Society.