I’m With Her’s sophomore album, Wild and Clear and Blue, won album of the year at the 2026 International Folk Music Awards, which were presented on Wednesday (Jan. 21) in New Orleans. The awards were held on opening night of the Folk Alliance International’s 38th annual conference.
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I’m With Her’s album, produced by Josh Kaufman, is also nominated for best folk album at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, which will be presented on Feb. 1. “Ancient Light,” a track from the album, is also Grammy-nominated for best American roots performance and best American roots song.
I’m With Her, a trio consisting of Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan, also won artist of the year at the International Folk Music Awards, in a tie with Carsie Blanton. I’m With Her previously won in that category in 2018. They are the first repeat winners in the history of the category.
Jarosz won album of the year as a solo artist in 2016 with Undercurrent. She’s the first person to win in that category both as a member of a group and on his or her own.
Crys Matthews, who won artist of the year last year, won song of the year this year for “Sleeves Up.” She previously won song of the year in 2021 with “Changemakers.” She’s the first repeat winner in the history of the category.
The Baltic Sisters’ Värav / Vārti / Vartai was the inaugural winner of global folk album of the year. The Baltic Sisters are a cross-border group that sings Lithuanian multipart songs, as well as music from Estonia and Latvia.
Performers on the night included Taj Mahal, The Rumble, Kyshona, Yasmin Williams, CJ Chenier, Leyla McCalla and Louis Michot.
New recordings released between Oct. 1, 2024 and Sept. 30, 2025 were eligible in the best-of-the-year categories (artist, album and song of the year).
In addition, Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to five-time Grammy-winner Taj Mahal; zydeco originator Clifton Chenier; and Louisiana Folk Roots, which celebrates the joie de vivre of Cajun and Creole cultures.
Spirit of Folk Awards went to Laura Thomas, whose ComboPlate Booking has spanned a quarter century; Rachel Ornelas, cultural heritage manager for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; FAI’s Alex Mallett, who has served the Folk Alliance International community for the past decade; and Cindy Cogbill, who has served in leadership roles with FAI and Memphis’ Overton Park Shell.
Yasmin Williams received The Rising Tide Award, which celebrates artists who inspire others by embodying the values and ideals of the folk community.
Kyshona received The People’s Voice Award, which is presented to an individual who unabashedly embraces social and political commentary in their creative work and public careers.
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival received the Clearwater Award, which is presented to a festival that prioritizes environmental stewardship and demonstrates public leadership in sustainable event production.
Four DJs were inducted into the Folk Radio Hall of Fame – Susan Forbes Hansen (WHUS), Kieran Hanrahan (RTE Radio 1), Ron Olesko (Folk Music Notebook), Michael Stock (WLRN).
Hip-hop artist and TV personality Big Freedia and 2025 Grammy winner Tank (of Tank and the Bangas), both of New Orleans, are the conference’s 2026 keynote speakers. The conference’s theme is Rise Up.
The awards were livestreamed via Folk Alliance International’s YouTube channel.
Here’s a complete list of nominees for the Best of 2025 awards at the 2026 International Folk Music Awards, with winners marked:
Artist of the year
Abbie Gardner
CO-WINNER: Carsie Blanton
Crys Matthews
CO-WINNER: I’m With Her (Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan)
Ordinary Elephant
Sam Robbins
Album of the year
Arcadia, Alison Krauss & Union Station (Down the Road Records)
CHURCH, Flamy Grant (Shamus Records/Palm Valley Music)
Room on the Porch, Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ (Concord Records)
Reclamation, Crys Matthews (self-released)
WINNER: Wild and Clear and Blue, I’m With Her (Rounder Records)
Woody at Home: Volumes 1 + 2, Woody Guthrie (Shamus Records)
Song of the year
“Ain’t Afraid To Die” (written and performed by Woody Guthrie)
“Crying in the Night” (written by Stevie Nicks, performed by Andrew Bird & Madison Cunningham)
“I BOUGHT ME A PRESIDENT” (written by Cathy Fink & Tom Paxton, performed by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer)
“Room on the Porch” (written by Henry St. Claire Fredericks, Jr., Kevin R. Moore, Ruby Amanfu & Ahmen Mahal; performed by Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Ruby Amanfu)
WINNER: “Sleeves Up” (written and performed by Crys Matthews)
“Sisters of the Night Watch” (written by Aoife O’Donovan, Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, performed by I’m With Her)
Global folk album award
At the Feet of the Beloved, Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali
Bagola, Malian trio Da Kali
Niepraudzivaya, Hajda Banda
Tales of Earth and Sun, Rastak
WINNER: Värav / Vārti / Vartai, The Baltic Sisters
Vié Kaz, Votia