Just five days after receiving 2026 Grammy nominations for their latest albums, Alison Krauss & Union Station and I’m With Her are nominated for album of the year at the 2026 International Folk Music Awards. Krauss’ group is nominated for Arcadia, which received a Grammy nod for best bluegrass album. I’m With Her is nominated for Wild and Clear and Blue, which is Grammy-nominated for best folk album.
The 2026 International Folk Music Awards will be presented on the first night of Folk Alliance International (FAI)’s 38th annual conference, set for Jan. 21-25 in New Orleans.
Sarah Jarosz, one of the members of I’m With Her, won album of the year at the International Folk Music Awards in 2016 with Undercurrent.
This year’s other nominees for album of the year are CHURCH by Flamy Grant, Room on the Porch by Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’, Reclamation by Crys Matthews and Woody at Home: Volumes 1 + 2 by legendary folk singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie, who died in 1967.
Crys Matthews, who won artist of the year at the International Folk Music Awards earlier this year, is back to defend his title. His competition includes I’m With Her, which won in this category in 2018, as well as Abbie Gardner, Carsie Blanton, Ordinary Elephant and Sam Robbins.
New recordings released between Oct. 1, 2024 and Sept. 30, 2025 were eligible in the best-of-the-year categories (artist, album and song of the year).
In addition, Lifetime Achievement Awards will be granted to five-time Grammy-winner Taj Mahal; zydeco originator Clifton Chenier; and Louisiana Folk Roots, which celebrates the joie de vivre of Cajun and Creole cultures.
Spirit of Folk Awards will go to Laura Thomas, whose ComboPlate Booking has spanned a quarter century; Rachel Ornelas, cultural heritage manager for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; FAI’s Alex Mallett, who has served the Folk Alliance International community for the past decade; and Cindy Cogbill, who has served in leadership roles with FAI and Memphis’ Overton Park Shell.
Yasmin Williams will be receive The Rising Tide Award, which celebrates artists who inspire others by embodying the values and ideals of the folk community.
Kyshona will receive The People’s Voice Award, which is presented to an individual who unabashedly embraces social and political commentary in their creative work and public careers.
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival will receive the Clearwater Award, which is presented to a festival that prioritizes environmental stewardship and demonstrates public leadership in sustainable event production.
Four DJs will be inducted into the Folk Radio Hall of Fame – Susan Forbes Hansen (WHUS), Kieran Hanrahan (RTE Radio 1), Ron Olesko (Folk Music Notebook), Michael Stock (WLRN).
Hip-hop artist and TV personality Big Freedia and 2025 Grammy winner Tank (of Tank and the Bangas), both of New Orleans, are the conference’s 2026 keynote speakers. The conference’s theme is Rise Up. All conference attendees will have access to attend the IFMAs.
Here’s a complete list of nominees for the Best of 2025 awards at the 2026 International Folk Music Awards.
Artist of the year
Abbie Gardner
Carsie Blanton
Crys Matthews
I’m With Her (Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan)
Ordinary Elephant
Sam Robbins
Album of the year
Arcadia, Alison Krauss & Union Station (Down the Road Records) best bluegrass album
CHURCH, Flamy Grant (Shamus Records/Palm Valley Music)
Room on the Porch, Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ (Concord Records)
Reclamation, Crys Matthews (self-released)
Wild and Clear and Blue, I’m With Her (Rounder Records) best folk album
Woody at Home: Volumes 1 + 2, Woody Guthrie (Shamus Records)
Song of the year
“Ain’t Afraid To Die” (written and performed by Woody Guthrie)
“Crying in the Night” (written by Stevie Nicks, performed by Andrew Bird & Madison Cunningham)
“I BOUGHT ME A PRESIDENT” (written by Cathy Fink & Tom Paxton, performed by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer)
“Room on the Porch” (written by Henry St. Claire Fredericks, Jr., Kevin R. Moore, Ruby Amanfu & Ahmen Mahal; performed by Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Ruby Amanfu)
“Sleeves Up” (written and performed by Crys Matthews)
“Sisters of the Night Watch” (written by Aoife O’Donovan, Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, performed by I’m With Her)
Global folk album award
At the Feet of the Beloved, Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali
Bagola, Malian trio Da Kali
Niepraudzivaya, Hajda Banda
Tales of Earth and Sun, Rastak
Värav / Vārti / Vartai, The Baltic Sisters
Vié Kaz, Votia
