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# Folk Alliance Awards 2026 Winners Named [Full List]
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/folk-alliance-awards-2026-winners-named-full-list/
- Published: 2026-01-29T05:23:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-31T05:34:46.000Z
- Description: The 2026 International Folk Music Awards were announced by Folk Alliance International in New Orleans this week. Here is the complete list of the 2026 winners and honorees.
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Conventions & Awards, Folk Alliance International

The 2026 International Folk Music Awards were announced by Folk Alliance International in New Orleans this week. Top honors went to **I’m With Her** (Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan) and **Carsie Blanton** as joint **Artists of the Year.** Other key winners included **Crys Matthews** for **Song of the Year** (“Sleeves Up”) and **I’m With Her** for **Album of the Year** (Wild and Clear and Blue). Here is the complete list of the 2026 winners and honorees.

![International Folk Alliance Awards 2026](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_lossy,ret_img,w_1024,h_576/https://www.hypebot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Folk-Alliance-Awards-2026-1024x576.png)

### 2026 International Folk Music Awards Winners

### Best of 2025 (Voted Awards)

- **Artist of the Year:** (TIE) Carsie Blanton and I’m With Her
- **Album of the Year:** *Wild and Clear and Blue* – I’m With Her (Rounder Records)
- **Song of the Year:** “Sleeves Up” – Written and performed by Crys Matthews
- **Global Folk Album Award:** *Värav / Vārti / Vartai* – The Baltic Sisters (CPL-Music)

### Honor Awards

- **People’s Voice Award:** Kyshona
- **Rising Tide Award:** Yasmin Williams
- **Clearwater Award:** Edmonton Folk Music Festival

### Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Awards

- **Living:** Taj Mahal
- **Legacy:** Clifton Chenier
- **Business/Academic:** Louisiana Folk Roots

### Spirit of Folk Awards

- **Laura Thomas** (ComboPlate Booking)
- **Rachel Ornelas** (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival)
- **Alex Mallett** (Folk Alliance International)
- **Cindy Cogbill** (Overton Park Shell)

### Folk Radio Hall of Fame Inductees

- **Susan Forbes Hansen** (WHUS)
- **Kieran Hanrahan** (RTE Radio 1)
- **Ron Olesko** (Folk Music Notebook)
- **Michael Stock** (WLRN)

The 2026 conference also featured keynote speeches from local legends **Big Freedia** and **Tank and the Bangas**.