Phil Ochs, Guy and Candie Carawan, Old Town School of Folk Music Earn Lifetime Achievement Awards

Phil Ochs was one of the first folk artists whose work I really fell in love with. I went through a period where I just bought every record, read biographies, learned his songs on guitar. He was one of the most gifted topical songwriters of his time, and it's always been impressive to me how he was able to give equal complaint to both ends of the political spectrum for their sheer exploitation of extremes. So, it doesn't surprise me at all that he's now being honored by the International Folk Alliance for his life's work.

When the Folk Alliance convenes for their annual conference in February, Ochs, along with Guy and Candie Carawan and Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Both Ochs and the Carawans had an enormous influence on the social movements that ran in concert with the 1960s folk revival, while the Old Town School popped up around that time, and continues to provide an excellent education and forum for folk artists to this day.

There's still plenty of time to register for the 2009 International Folk Alliance Conference, or to purchase tickets for the corresponding awards ceremony. Registration and other information is available at the Folk Alliance Web site.

photo © Robert Corwin