Musician Jim Payne will accept the Lifetime Achievement Award as the 2021 Folk Festival comes to a close at First Light Centre in St. John’s tonight.
Jim Payne & Fergus O’Byrne will be joined by Mark Manning & Aaron Collis of Rum Ragged this evening, as they cap this year’s extended folk festival.
Photo via nlfolk.com
O’Byrne says it’s great to see his colleague get the recognition, not only for his work as a touring musician.
He points to Payne’s contribution to the Newfoundland scene through his record label, SingSong Inc. which has over forty titles to date.
Memorial University has also taken an interest in Payne’s music, over the years. He has worked with the Folklore Department to preserve songs, that depict the province’s culture, for generations to come.
O’Byrne says Payne has always shown a deep respect for the artists that came before him.
O’Byrne tells how Payne toured with Rufus Ginchard for years and took him all over the world. He says his college is all about holding on to the music and sharing it on down the line.
The concert is happening at First Light Centre in St John’s.
More to Come
Meanwhile, for fans who can’t get enough of the Folk Fest, there’s more to come in the Fall.
Executive Director of the Folk Arts Society, Erin Whitely tells VOCM News that they are working on a virtual series that will be released in the coming months.
Whitley says organizers are compiling footage of musicians and performances for online audiences. She projects that the virtual shows will be polished and ready for release this October.)
