35 years after their eponymous debut album earned them a Grammy for best contemporary folk recording, the Indigo Girls are set to be honored with a lifetime achievement award at The International Folk Music Awards. This prestigious event will take place in Montreal on Feb. 19, the opening night of the Folk Alliance International (FAI) Conference.

Indigo Girls' Musical Legacy to be Celebrated

Indigo Girls' Early Grammy Nod and Continued Success

The duo, composed of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, received their first Grammy nomination 35 years ago for best new artist. Though they lost to Milli Vanilli, whose award was later revoked due to performance issues, the Indigo Girls went on to receive five more nods for best contemporary folk recording. Their music has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with audiences.They have become an integral part of the folk music scene, influencing generations of musicians with their unique sound and heartfelt lyrics. Their songs often touch on themes of social justice and personal growth, making them more than just musicians but also cultural icons.

The International Folk Music Awards and Its Recipients

The awards ceremony will not only honor the Indigo Girls but also recognize the achievements of other notable figures in the folk music world. Lifetime achievement awards will be given to Lesley Riddle, who gathered songs for the Carter Family and taught Mother Maybelle Carter guitar techniques. Songlines magazine, which has been covering global roots music for 25 years, will also receive an award.Among the competing artists for artist of the year are Flamy Grant, Sarah Jarosz, Kaïa Kater, Nick Lowe, Crys Matthews, and Allison Russell. Kaïa Kater's album Strange Medicine features guest spots by Allison Russell, Aoife O’Donovan, and Taj Mahal.Two of the album of the year nominees, Aoife O’Donovan's All My Friends and Sierra Ferrell's Trail of Flowers, are current Grammy nominees. All My Friends was inspired by the 19th amendment and the evolution of women's rights in America.New recordings released between Oct. 1, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2024 were eligible for the best-of-the-year categories. The People's Voice Award will go to Gina Chavez for her social and political commentary in her work. OKAN will receive The Rising Tide Award, and the Clearwater Award will be presented to the River Roads Festival in Easthampton, MA, for its environmental stewardship.The Spirit of Folk Awards will be given to Tom Power, a Canadian musician and broadcaster, Alice Randall, a songwriter with a rich history, Annie Capps, a pillar of the Folk Alliance Region Midwest, and the Innu Nikamu festival, which has been dedicated to Indigenous culture for over 30 years.The Folk Radio DJ Hall of Fame will also induct Archie Fisher (BBC Scotland), Mary Sue Twohy (SIRIUS XM), Taylor Caffrey (WRKF-FM, Baton Rouge, La.), Matthew Finch (posthumous, KUNM-FM, Albuquerque, N.M.), and Chuck Wentworth (posthumous, WRIU-FM, Rhode Island).These recipients and nominees truly reflect the diversity and cultural impact of folk music, as Jennifer Roe, FAI executive director, stated. "After all, folk music is the music of the people." The Awards take place on the first night of FAI's 37th annual conference at Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel, a site with historical significance.