2020 CFMA UNSUNG HERO AWARD RECIPIENT
Cape Breton Nova Scotia’s Donnie Campbell is the recipient of the Slaight Music Unsung Hero Award for the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMAs).
Donnie Campbell is a Canadian icon in every sense of the word. He has made major contributions as a performer, promoter and historian of Canadian Folk and Celtic music. He continues to capture the hearts of listeners world-wide with his radio show “Celtic Serenade”, now in its 46th year, wherein he shares his love of music while promoting established, new or young artists. His radio show features Celtic Music, homegrown Cape Breton and Atlantic Canadian artists, Folk and Bluegrass.
Listen to Donnie Campbell “Celtic Serenade” every Sunday night broadcasting LIVE from 5-8pm Atlantic time The Coast 89.7FM or online at coastalradio.ca You can also find the show on Bell FibreOp TV Channel 773 or join Celtic Serenade on facebook → https://www.facebook.com/CelticSerenade/about/?ref=page_internal
A true “Unsung Hero”, it’s his work behind the scenes that may be most notable. He tirelessly continues to use his remarkable abilities to the benefit of others, raising money for numerous children’s charities, volunteering to organize events throughout the community, and performing at the drop of a hat for worthwhile causes. A hero is someone who puts others first without a thought for himself, who contributes to the greater good and who never seeks credit for what he has done. This quiet, modest and unassuming man richly deserves the title.
“In every sector of our society and community—and in the music sector especially—there are countless volunteers that enable all of the infrastructure. Without them, much of the music scene as we know it wouldn’t exist. The Canadian Folk Music Awards long ago recognized this and created the Unsung Hero Award. Its goal is to bring at least some of these true ‘heroes’ into the spotlight. Slaight Music is delighted to support this initiative and looks forward to our long-term association with the CFMAs.” Derrick Ross, President of Slaight Music.
About the Unsung Hero Award
This is an annual award recognizing the exceptional contribution of an individual, group, or organization to any aspect of the Canadian folk music scene (performance, promotion, presentation, etc). It is meant to recognize those who work tirelessly behind the scenes for the love of the music who have not been recognized for their contributions.
- must be/have been active in the Canadian Folk Music scene
- must be perceived as having made an outstanding contribution
- must be perceived as “unsung” (not generally recognized as a high profile individual, group, or organization) and as having received little in the way of national, international and/or public recognition for their accomplishments.
Posthumous nominations for individuals are not accepted. All submissions will be adjudicated by a committee consisting of members of the CFMA Board of Directors, who will select a recipient from the eligible submitted candidates.
There is no fee for this nomination. Once submitted, you will receive an email confirming that your submission has been received. Please send any questions to info@folkawards.ca.
2021 Submission Info to be Announced.
Past Recipients
Previous recipients include Toronto Publicist Jane Harbury (2011); New Brunswick Journalist Gerry Taylor (2012); Winnipeg Folk Festival Founder Mitch Podolak (2013); Ottawa Impresario and Philanthropist Harvey Glatt (2014); Ottawa Folklore Centre Founder Arthur McGregor (2015); Vancouver’s Rogue Folk Club Founder Steve Edge (2016); Co-Founder of The Carbonear Folk Festival Gerry Strong (2017); and Edmonton Folk Music Festival Artistic Director and producer and event sponsor Terry Wickham (2018).
If you know someone who deserves this award, please fill out the nomination form below.
