BEST OF THE WEST AWARDS
Established in 2005 and presented at the Best Of The West luncheon at FAR-West’s annual conference, the Best Of The West Awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have made a significant contribution to the FAR-West folk and acoustic music community in the North American West and:
- Maintained an enduring presence for at least a decade
- Inspire others by embodying folk values and traditions
- Promote, nurture, foster, and expand the audience and opportunities for folk music and musicians in our region
SELECTION PROCESS
There are two Best of the West Awards, one for an Artist and one for an Ambassador.
Artist Criteria (for an individual or group):
- Demonstrate excellence in one’s craft
- Enduring presence in the geographic FAR-West folk community for at least a decade
- Embody or build upon folk values and traditions
- Promote, nurture, foster, and expand the audience and opportunities for folk music and musicians in the FAR-West geographic region.
Ambassador Criteria (for an individual or group):
- Enduring presence in the geographic FAR-West folk community for at least a decade
- Embody or build upon folk values and traditions
- Promote, nurture, foster, and expand the audience and opportunities for folk music and musicians in the FAR-West geographic region.
The selection process for the Best of the West awards includes seeking community input. Be on the FAR-West mailing this to be a part of this process.
The 2026 Selection process begins in March. Watch for an email soon.
We look forward to your suggestions.
Honorees are chosen by the FAR-West Board of Directors and will be announced in May of 2026.
PAST RECIPIENTS
2005
Lowen & Navarro
Howard & Roz Larman – Folkscene
2006
U. Utah Phillips
Steve Baker – Freight & Salvage
2007
Rosalie Sorrels
Clark & Elaine Weissman – California Traditional Music Society and Folk Alliance International Founders
2008
The Kingston Trio
Mike McCormick – Whistling Swan Productions
2009
Joe Craven
Bob Stane – Ice House / Coffee Gallery Backstage
Faith Petric (Lifetime Achievement Award)
2010
John McEuen
Cloud Moss – Kate Wolf Memorial Festival
2011
Laurie Lewis
Phil and Vivian Williams
2012
Barry McGuire
Chris Strachwitz – Arhoolie Records
2013
Chris Hillman
Ed Pearl – The Ash Grove Foundation
2014
Barbara Dane
Cassandra Flipper – Bread & Roses
2015
Cris Williamson
Russ & Julie Paris
Penny Nichols (Lifetime Achievement Award)
2016
Danny O’Keefe
Peter McCracken & the Centrum Foundation
Seattle Folklore Society (Organizational Achievement Award)
2017
Alice Stuart
Peter Langston & Janet Peterson (Puget Sound Guitar Workshop)
Sisters Folk Festival (Organizational Achievement Award)
2018
Wendy Waldman
Bob & Espie Riskin (McCabes)
The Guacamole Fund (Lifetime Achievement in Community Service Award)
2019
Kate MacLeod
Art Podell
2021
Nina Gerber
Mickie Zekley/The Lark Camp
Dan Navarro (Humanitarian Award)
2023
The Chambers Brothers
Ellen Harper and The Folk Music Center Museum and Store
2024
Laurence Juber
FolkWorks: Steve & Leda Shapiro
2025
Mary Flower
Artichoke Community Music (Portland OR)
Support BOTW
If you would like to support the continuance of this program, donations to the Best of the West Fund are accepted and greatly appreciated at any level. Donate and indicate Best Of The West Fund in the Special Instructions box.
For questions about making a charitable gift to Folk Alliance Region-West (FAR-West), contact Gaby Castro, Development Committee Chair, at gcastromusic@gmail.com.
Folk Alliance Region-West is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID # 46-050-8137 Donations to FAR-West are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
To donate by mail, please make your check payable to: Folk Alliance Region-West. Mail to: FAR-West, c/o Gaby Castro 35457 Monterra Circle, Union City, CA 94587