World Folk Music Association

The World Folk Music Association is a non-profit organization^[1] formed in 1983 by folk singer/songwriter Tom Paxton and Dick Cerri, a radio host from Washington D. C.^[2] The first chairman of the board was Paxton^[3] and Cerri served as president.^[4]

Paxton and Cerri declared that the WFMA was "dedicated to promoting contemporary and traditional folk music, spreading the word to fans, and keeping the folk community informed and involved".^[2]

WFMA presents a monthly showcase in Bethesda, Maryland,^[5] and from 1984 to 2011 hosted an annual benefit concert. The WFMA presented its Lifetime Achievement Award, Kate Wolf Award, and John Denver award at its annual concert through 2006.^[6] The Washington Post described the 6th annual concert as "nostalgic and topical, competent and compelling".^[7]

To celebrate Woody Guthrie's 82d birthday, WFMA presented a Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert in 1994.^[8] A two-night concert in tribute of The Kingston Trio's 45th anniversary was held by WFMA in 2002.^[9] In 2013, WFMA hosted a benefit concert to support the Madison House Autism Foundation.^[10] WFMA also sponsored the final Chad Mitchell Trio concert in 2014.^[11]

WFMA Lifetime Achievement Award

The first recipient of the WFMA Lifetime Achievement Award was Odetta in 1994. Other winners include:^[2]

• Lou Gottlieb of the Limeliters, 1995
• Oscar Brand, 1996
• Bob Gibson, 1997 (posthumous award)
• John Denver, 1998 (posthumous award)
• Tommy Makem, 1999
• Rod Kennedy, 2000
• John Stewart, 2001
• Joe Glazer, 2002
• Carolyn Hester, 2003
• Dave Van Ronk, 2004 (posthumous award)
• Dick Cerri, 2005
• Tom Paxton, 2006

Kate Wolf Memorial Award

Established in 1987 to honor the memory of Kate Wolf, a singer/songwriter who died from leukemia, the Kate Wolf Memorial Award is presented "to the performer who best epitomizes the music and spirit of Kate Wolf." It has been awarded to:^[2]

• Utah Phillips, 1988
• Christine Lavin of Four Bitchin' Babes, 1989
• Rosalie Sorrels, 1990
• Robin Batteau, 1991
• Hugh Romney, also known as Wavy Gravy, 1992
• Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary, 1993
• Crow Johnson, 1994
• Nanci Griffith, 1995
• Jack Hardy, 1996
• Tom Chapin, 1997
• David Buskin, 1998
• Nina Gerber, 1999
• Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul, and Mary, 2000
• The Kennedys, 2001
• Anne Hills, 2002
• David Massengill, 2003
• Tom Rowe of Schooner Fare, 2004 (posthumous award)
• The Shaw Brothers, 2005

John Denver Award

Established in 1998, the John Denver Award was awarded in 1999 to Denver's original publisher and producer, Milt Okun. Other recipients include:^[2]

• Kenn Roberts, 2000
• Bill Danoff, 2001
• Tom Wisner, 2003
• Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino (Magpie), 2004
• Dawn Publications, 2006