YYC Music Awards 2025 Shines a Spotlight on Calgary Folk Club Favourites
We’re raising a toast—to the local folk artists nominated for Folk Recording of the Year at the 2025 YYC Music Awards, all of whom have graced the Calgary Folk Club stage! Huge congratulations to Backyard Betties for their foot-stomping anthem “Blame It on the Red Wine,” featuring Nancy Laberge and Pip Hazel of the WriteOn! Project.
Applause as well for the soul-stirring “Sail Away” by Joanna Drummond (also a valued Calgary Folk Club board member), the heartfelt “My Alberta Home” by Carolyn Harley, and the beautifully crafted “New Walk Home” by Kate Stevens.
But the folk vibes don’t stop there! Backyard Betties are also in the running for Group of the Year, and Nancy Laberge is being recognized (a nod to her leadership with WriteOn!) for Industry Person of the Year along with Kerry Clarke (Calgary Folk Festival). In addition, kudos to the nominees for Venue/Presenter of the Year including Festival Hall, The Canmore Folk Festival, and The Ironwood Stage and Grill!
We’re also thrilled to see “Harmony”, nominated in the Single of the Year category.
This song was written, recorded and debuted at the April 2024 CFC concert by the entire 2024 WriteOn! Alumni.
WriteOn! grads are making waves beyond folk: Eden Taylor (“Jealousy”) and Maclayne (“Off the Deep End”) are both up for Pop Recording of the Year, with Maclayne also spotlighted as an Emerging Artist of the Year.
Let’s cheer all the nominees on at the awards show on September 28—tickets at https://yycmusicawards.com/
Our Calgary folk music family is shining bright!