Gordon Lightfoot, who died on May 1, and John Prine, who died in 2020, are among the artists in the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame’s (FARHOF) inaugural class of inductees. The first induction ceremony for recipients and their families will take place in April 2024. Living and deceased artists, songwriters, record executives, managers and concert promoters tied to elevating folk, Americana and roots music were all eligible.
The inaugural class of 29 was selected by a designated nomination committee that includes industry experts as well as FARHOF’s board of directors. The class consists of 10 solo living artists, 11 solo legacy artists (all of whom are deceased, though the rules don’t stipulate that), four groups or duos, three non-performers and one recipient of the Paul Robeson Artist/Activist Award.
“When we created the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame, identifying the inaugural class and those after was going to be a big part of our initiative with focus on preserving these important genres and the history they created,” Joe Spaulding, president and CEO of the Boch Center and founder of FARHOF, said in a statement. “The diverse inaugural class reflects activism and social justice that shaped our world today, and we look forward to inducting these national treasures into the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame.”
The Weavers were inducted, while two members of that legendary group were also honored on their own. Pete Seeger, who left the group in 1957 and died in 2014, was inducted as a solo legacy artist. Frank Hamilton, who joined the group after Seeger’s departure and remained with it until it disbanded in 1964, received the Paul Robeson Artist/Activist Award. Hamilton is still living at 89.
The Folk America Roots Hall of Fame, which launched in 2019, is a cultural and education initiative of the Boch Center, which is located inside the Wang Theatre in Boston. For updates, information about tours and upcoming events and exhibits, visit the website at FARHOF.org.
Here are the 29 inductees in the inaugural class, by category.
Solo Living Artist
A contemporary performer whose initial impact on the genre was at least 25 years prior to the year of induction.
- Joni Mitchell
- Bob Dylan
- Joan Baez
- Mavis Staples
- Willie Nelson
- Emmylou Harris
- James Taylor
- Taj Mahal
- Bonnie Raitt
- Ramblin’ Jack Elliot
Solo Legacy Artist
A performer whose initial impact on the genre was at least 45 years prior to the year of induction.
- Odetta
- Pete Seeger
- Woody Guthrie
- Lead Belly
- Richie Havens
- Josh White
- Oscar Brand
- Johnny Cash
- John Prine
- Jean Ritchie
- Gordon Lightfoot
Duo or Group of Musicians
Duos or groups whose initial impact on the genre was at least 25 years prior to the year of induction.
- Peter, Paul & Mary
- The Band
- The Byrds
- The Weavers
Non-Performer
This category includes supporting musicians, songwriters, managers, publishers, historians and producers.
- Albert Grossman (former manager to many musicians in the folk music scene)
- George Wein (jazz promoter, pianist and producer as well as founder of Newport Jazz Festival and co-founder of the Newport Folk Festival. Also instrumental in the founding of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.)
- Betsy Siggins (founding member of the Club 47 venue now Passin in Boston; assisted in creating the Festival of American Folklife and founder of the New England Folk Music Archives/Folk New England.)
Paul Robeson Artist/Activist Award
Non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the social justice that has impacted culture.
- Frank Hamilton – (American folk musician, member of The Weavers and co-founder of Old Town School of Folk Music)
