Virtuoso guitar player Gordon Quinton is this year’s recipient of the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Born in Grand Falls-Windsor, Quinton is currently a member of the guitar supergroup Fretboard Journey, along with Duane Andrews, Craig Young, and Sandy Morris.

But his body of work and contributions to this province’s musical culture spans seven decades.

In the 1960s and ’70s he toured constantly, accompanying some of the province’s best-known performers including Rufus Guinchard, Ryan’s Fancy, John Lacey, Phyllis Noseworthy, Shirley Montague, Ron Hynes, Dick Nolan and Joan Morrissey.

In the 1980s, he turned his focus to composing and recording, releasing nine solo instrumental guitar albums, as well as other significant collaborations, influencing countless musicians in this province and beyond.

“There are a select few guitarists credited with the rare ability to capture the musical heritage of their cultures in their playing: Scotland has Tony McManus, England has Martin Carthy, and we have Gordon Quinton,” said Jean Hewson with the NL Folks Arts Society.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those deemed to have made outstanding contributions to the folk arts in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quinton is expected to receive this year’s award when Fretboard Journey takes the stage at the folk festival on Saturday night.