Corb Lund earned English songwriter of the year honours, while the equivalent French songwriting award went to Tomas Jensen, at the fourth annual Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA) ceremony, held Nov. 23, 2008, at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's, Nfld.

Fiddler Oliver Schroer was honoured posthumously in two categories. His sister Martina accepted his awards, one for instrumental solo artist of the year and one for "pushing the boundaries" – both garnered by his album Hymns and Hers. Schroer died of leukemia this past July

Luke Doucet and the White Falcon earned the contemporary album of the year award for Blood's Too Rich, while the contemporary singer recognition went to Tannis Slimmon. Acoustic bluesman Michael Jerome Browne was named solo artist of the year.

The ceremony marked the debut of the CFMA classic Canadian album award, offered to seminal folk recordings that are more than 25 years old. The inaugural prize went to Lightfoot! by Gordon Lightfoot.

Finalists were selected by the CFMA board of directors, with the winner chosen by fans who voted on the CFMA website. For a complete list of winners, visit the website.