July 27, 2026: FAR-West Announces Best of the West 2026 Honorees 

Dave Alvin To Be Honored as Folk Artist and 
Portland Folk Music Society as Folk Ambassador

FAR-West Annual Conference Slated for October 15-18, 2026, in Portland, OR

Music Artists, Agents, Managers, Festival Promoters, Venues, House Concert Presenters, DJs, Educators, Hobbyists & Fans Welcome 

Folk Alliance Region-West, the western chapter of Folk Alliance International, announces its 2026 Best of the West recipients. The Folk Artist and Folk Ambassador honorees will be celebrated during the annual conference being held October 15-18 in Portland, OR.

This year, FAR-West has chosen Dave Alvin as Folk Artist and the Portland Folk Music Society as Folk Ambassador and will honor them on Saturday, October 17, at the Best of the West luncheon.

Best of the West was established in 2005 to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to the folk and acoustic music community in the western United States and Canada and continue to inspire others by embodying folk values and traditions.
www.far-west.org/best-of-the-west-history

About this year’s Best of the West recipients:

Folk Artist – Dave Alvin

Dave Alvin is a GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and one of the most influential figures in American roots music. From the kinetic fury of The Blasters, which he co-founded with his brother Phil Alvin, to a celebrated solo career spanning more than four decades, Alvin has built a body of work that seamlessly bridges the quiet and loud sides of folk, blues, country, rockabilly, and rock and roll. A fourth-generation Californian from Downey, Alvin helped shape the legendary West Coast roots and country scene of the 1980s and ‘90s, earning acclaim for songs including “Fourth of July,” “Long White Cadillac,” “King of California,” and “Marie Marie.” His GRAMMY-winning album Public Domain: Songs From the Wild Land and a catalog of recordings, collaborations, and productions cemented his reputation as a pioneering voice in Americana. A recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Arhoolie Foundation’s Chris Strachwitz Legacy Award, Alvin continues to record, write, and perform with the passion and authenticity that have made him one of the most respected voices in American music. 
www.davealvin.net 

Folk Ambassador – Portland Folk Music Society 

Since 1976, the Portland Folk Music Society has been actively preserving, presenting and promoting folk music and arts in the greater Portland Oregon area. It sponsors song circles, concerts, workshops and retreats – in person and virtual – and helps its members and the whole community pass the word around about folk music events. From old-time ballads to sea shanties, from 60’s protest folk to contemporary singer-songwriters, and all points in between, the Portland Folk Music Society has been an integral part of the regional scene for five decades.
www.portlandfolkmusic.org  

“FAR-West is thrilled to celebrate our Best of the West Artist and Ambassador honorees. Over his long and storied career, Dave Alvin's music has meant a great deal to the folk community, and to be able to recognize the excellent work of the Portland Folk Music Society in their 50th anniversary year is especially satisfying. The Pacific Northwest has a rich folk music history, to which both honorees have contributed greatly, so recognizing them at our Portland conference will have a special resonance.”
– Kevin Kelso, FAR-West President 

Over three days, the FAR-West conference brings together the folk community for performances, jam sessions, panels, and workshops that allow conference-goers to connect, learn, discover, and reflect. It promotes a diverse mix of traditional, contemporary, and multicultural folk music, storytelling, dance, and related performing arts. Full conference registration is currently available at regular rates until September 15th. Conference and registration information available at::
www.far-west.org/2026-conference

Members of the FAR-West board are available for in person, phone or zoom interviews upon request. To inquire about press coverage for the awards, conference or FAR-West itself please contact Adam Dawson with Broken Jukebox Media at brokenjukeboxmedia@gmail.com