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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 4, 2016

Loudon Wainwright III to Receive the Winnipeg Folk Festival's
Artistic Achievement Award


WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada – Loudon Wainwright III will be the 2016 recipient of Winnipeg Folk Festival’s Artistic Achievement Award. He will be presented with the award on the festival’s Main Stage Sunday, July 10 at 6:00 PM. Loudon Wainwright III will then play a concert to open the festival's final night of performances on Main Stage. 
 
With a musical career that spans fifty years and includes 26 studio albums, Wainwright has made significant contributions to the folk genre. His songs have captured the hearts and minds of people around the world and earned him multiple Grammy nominations and a win in 2010 (Best Traditional Folk Album for High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project).
 
Wainwright is known for lyrics that often include lines of self-effacing wit. His hilarious on-stage banter leaves lasting impressions on all who hear them and his comedic charm has taken him beyond the musical stage to the screen. He’s had acting roles in TV and movies, including M*A*S*H and more recently Knocked Up, 40-Year-Old Virgin and Parks and Recreation.
 
“We are pleased to be presenting Loudon Wainwright III with this year’s award,” says Winnipeg Folk Festival artistic director, Chris Frayer. “This is the sixth time he’ll be performing at the festival and there’s a very good reason for that. Our audiences love him and is part of our Folk Fest family.”
 
“It will be a pleasure to be back at the Winnipeg Folk Festival and to receive this prestigious award,” says Loudon Wainwright III. “Having my daughters Martha and Lucy at my side will make it even more special. They’re both exceptional musicians in their own right and I look forward to performing with them.”
 
Audiences can hear Wainwright and his daughters perform together at a workshop called Keep It In The Family at Shady Grove stage on Sunday, July 10, from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM. 

The Winnipeg Folk Festival's Artistic Achievement Award has been given out annually since 2004. Previous recipients include Arlo Guthrie, Ani DFranco, Billy Bragg and Odetta.

Tickets for the 2016 Winnipeg Folk Fest, July 7 - 10, are on sale at Gate prices

About the Winnipeg Folk Festival
With one of North America’s premier outdoor music festivals as its signature event, the Winnipeg Folk Festival is a year-round, not-for-profit arts organization that presents live music, arts events and community programs. The 43rd annual Winnipeg Folk Fest will run from July 7-10, 2016 in Birds Hill Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada on
Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis nation.

Winnipeg Folk Festival • 203-211 Bannatyne Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • R3B 3P2
tel 204-231-0096 • fax 204-231-0076
info@winnipegfolkfestival.cawww.winnipegfolkfestival.ca