Thanks for posting the winners list, Ann! I was hoping to see David Francey win his Contemporary Album category, but had to check out Nathan when that didn't pan out. From the samples on its Web site, Nathan is more than intriguing. The woman who sings "Discarded Debris" has a soft voice, but a delivery that reminds of Iris Dement. People who like Iris Dement -- but wish she'd reel it in a little -- should definitely check out Nathan. And the lyrics are amazing. The CBC reviewer got it right when he said, "If David Lynch had directed 'O Brother Where Art Thou,' Nathan's music would be the soundtrack."

Joan, I am with you on that. I discovered david Francey here on Folk Alley and I love his songs. They are so simple and honest, yet tell such great stories!

I have not listened to Nathan, so I will have to keep my ears open for that.

I saw Lynn Miles and Harry Manx at Mariposa this year. They were excellent. I really enjoyed many artists, but David Francey, Murray McLauchlan, and Gordon Lightfoot stood out as favorites of the festival for me. Being from the US, and relatively young (27) I had not been exposed to these Canadian icons of folk music much before.

I'm a big fan of the wonderful Rita MacNeil, what a pity she wasn't a recipient of an award.....come back to Australia Rita.