Acclaimed singer/composer Bruce Cockburn has been named the recipient of the 2005 Winnipeg Folk Festival Artistic Achievement Award to be presented December 1, 2005 at the Folk Festival’s Winter Wassail. Cockburn will be in attendance to accept the award.

The Winnipeg Folk Festival Artistic Achievement Award was established to recognize outstanding accomplishment in the performance, composition and innovation of music in the folk genre, and to recognize a contribution to the retention and public awareness of folk music. A nominee must have performed at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. The presentation consists of $10,000 cash and a commemorative award.

Folk Festival Executive Director, Trudy Schroeder says, “The Winnipeg Folk Festival is pleased to have this opportunity to recognize the excellence and breadth of the contribution Bruce Cockburn has made to music in Canada and internationally. Cockburn performed the first two years of the Winnipeg Folk Festival (1974 and 1975) and again in 1978, 1984 and 1998. He is an eminent contributor to the history and significance of the Winnipeg Folk Festival. He has also found ways to bring attention to social issues of international scale, from landmines and famine to the preservation of the environment and indigenous cultures. We want to acknowledge Cockburn’s successes on his diverse musical journey and express our appreciation for his inspiring humanitarian efforts.”

As Bruce Cockburn once said, “The whole point of writing songs is to share experiences with people.” Looking back on his career, it includes 28 albums, including his latest Speechless, numerous international awards, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Tenco Award for Lifetime Achievement in Italy, 20 gold and platinum records in Canada, and countless concert performances since he released his first solo work in 1970. Cockburn’s collected work is a reflection of our times, from personal stories to the large issues facing the world.

The Winnipeg Folk Festival Winter Wassail will be held at The Winnipeg Convention Centre and is open to the public. Tickets are available by calling 204-231-0096.

Prior to Winnipeg Folk Festival, Cockburn will be touring Ontario in support of Speechless. For dates and venues, visit Cockburn’s YMZ artist page. There you will also find audio samples from this instrumental gem which showcases Cockburn’s brilliant acoustic guitar playing in an eclectic collection of originals, both new and previously recorded. Speechless is currently available at Canadian Christian retailers nationwide. To locate a store near you visit www.CMCStoreFinder.com.