2020 New Folk Award Winners
Friday, October 8, 2021
Louise Mosrie grew up in McEwen, TN on a cattle farm - riding horses and writing poetry. She began writing songs after college while working in TV/radio in Knoxville. She moved back to the Nashville area in 2004 and began co-writing with country, bluegrass and folk artists (Donna Ulisse, Mike Richardson) and writers.
Williamsburg, MA
Gobles, MI
Andy’s love for his day job and family life keep him deeply rooted in his tiny rural town of Gobles, Mi…but when he gets to hit the road he does so with a glint in his eye, a tap in his step, and a trunk full of instruments. A long time multi-instrumentalist, Andy’s live shows feature a mesmerizing rotation of songs played on guitar, bouzouki, dobro, and even bass.
Shanna in a Dress is your quirky best friend who refuses to wear pants. This witty wordsmith is known for making audiences laugh and cry, sometimes in the same song. Think Jason Mraz mixed with Ingrid Michaelson with a twist of Phoebe Buffay from Friends all wrapped up in a sweet voice accented by guitar, piano, and ukulele.
Boulder, CO
Call it prairie noir, or Canadiana desert rock: Abigail Lapell sings haunting, gorgeous modern folk songs, mapping epic natural landscapes and deeply intimate, personal territory. The Toronto vocalist, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist has released three acclaimed solo albums.
Toronto, Ontario, CA
No Depression calls John John Brown’s debut album The Road "a supple and suggestive blend of astute Americana accompanied by a quiet, reflective glow", while Americana Highways dubbed his newest release "A collection of well-crafted storytelling songs". Post to Wire noted that “John Prine is a clear influence in the way Brown rolls astute observations and a humorous slant into his lyrics”.
Pawling, NY
Dallas, TX
Michael Prysock is a singer-songwriter deeply affected by life in rural Arkansas, and through his music, tells achingly true tales of the influences of his family then and now. Prysock skips the clichéd heart songs of romance and moves purposefully to lyrics that convey the authenticity of living and raising sons of his own. Uniquely talented and masking a rare personal humility not often seen in today’s contemporary musical bravado, Prysock is a spirited one-man-band, providing vocals, guitar and harmonica to a raw soundtrack of small-town life.