The Porcupine Awards©

by/par Steve Fruitman
Copyright © Steve Fruitman, CIUT-FM 2008
The Porcupine Awards Categories

Introduction

The Porcupines were introduced in 1990 as a way to shine some light on those who deserve to be noted for their work at enshrining Canadian folklore into the sub-conscious realm, thereby empowering us all to continue that growth. They started out as a by-product of 'The Great North Wind' radio programme (1988-1999) hosted by me, Steve Fruitman, at CIUT-FM, The University of Toronto radio station.  They were awards for artists of folk oriented musics and those who help sustain them by giving them jobs or recording contracts when they could be making a lot more money elsewhere.

In 1999 I began broadcasting a new radio show called 'Back To The Sugar Camp' but continued giving out Porcupine Awards, albeit still in the Great North Wind whether vane. They strutted out of the folk genre, expanding horizons into other vistas of Canadian music that reflected the playlists of The Sugar Camp.

Winning a Porcupine does not imply that one is The Best.
But it does imply that they have given their best.

The emphasis is based strictly on personal observation and awarding those whom I feel truly deserve recognition for what they do. In the classical sense, these awards are totally flawed, unscientific but undeniably deserving. They have nothing to do with any official industry oriented organization or government affiliation. To be considered one has only to fall within the philosophical content of 'Back To The Sugar Camp' radio program.

While the Porcupines Awards have recognized the works of many people over the years, glaring omissions are obvious. However, I do try to get around to including as many artists as possible. As the Awards have grown over the years, it has come to my attention that certain individuals, or groups, have won them a few times. To get rid of these winners, and to make way for others deserving of due recognition, I have decided to retire any 3 time winners into the Porcupine Awards Hall of Fame. This is sort of like sending them to Porcupine heaven - they may not return to mortal status to be awarded any future Porcupine Awards.

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Why The Porcupines - Pourquoi les Porc-épics?

Coming from the Northern Ontario mining and lumbering community of Timmins, the heart of the Porcupine Region, it was only natural for me to name the awards after my spiritual home, thus incorporating the rugged awareness of Canadian being. The Porcupine was a place where peoples from various cultures came to work hard, live hard, and make decent lives for themselves. They came from Scandinavia, Europe, China and the British Isles; from Toronto, Quebec and the Maritimes. They blended naturally without governmental interference, retaining certain virtues of their cultural past while developing a new, vibrant soul that makes the Porcupine so distinct. I like to think of this as the true Canadian spiritual way. Besides, it's where Stompin' Tom Connors began his professional career. It all goes back to Stompin' Tom!

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The Awards Program

The Porcupine Awards are presented on-air at CIUT in early December. The awards are presented by categories with a short description of each one.
*        *        *
Steve Fruitman, Founder of the Porcupine Awards


Porcupine Awards
Categories

The Porcupines are an evolving thing. One read through the years of their history reveals just how much they have changed since their inception. Sometimes it gets rather confusing but by growing and changing, they remain healthy! Therefore the following categories are current as of 2006.

MAC BEATTIE AWARD
This is the Mac Beattie Award for musicians who are identifiably Canadian.

Mac Beattie began singing about his beloved Ottawa Valley with his group The Ottawa Valley Melodiers in 1929. He was widely known as Mr. Ottawa Valley. Indeed, he performed with the Gavans of Quebec, stepdancing great Donnie Gilchrist, as well as hosting radio and television programs, including 11 guest appearances on the Don Messer show. He died in 1982 leaving us a legacy of great identifiably Canadian songs. He was also a great washboard player, singer and bandleader. He was the recipient of the very first Golden Porcupine Award for lifetime achievement back in 1990.
Est. 1993.

1993 ANGUS, CHUCK
1994 CONNORS, TOM
1995 EAGLESMITH, FRED
1996 REID, GLEN
1997 GAIL GAVAN
1998 FERGUSON, BETH
1999 TANGLEFOOT
2000 TAYLOR, KAREN
2001 RHEOSTATICS
2002 PICKELL, BRIAN
2003 DAVID FRANCEY
2004 TIM HUS
2005 BRENT QUADE
2006 MICHAEL LADEROUTE
2007 KATE WEEKES
LENNIE BREAU AWARD
only virtuosos need apply!

The ultimate musicianship award named after the ultimate musician! Lenny Breau was a jazz guitarist that reached the highest pinicle of musicianship in this country. Having started out as a child protege in his father's Hal Lone Pine Band in the 1950s, he drifted into orbit as a jazz master who's work will probably never be copied. Like Jimi Hendrix, he was a true original. This award is for the aspiration of musical greatness.
Est. 1995.

1995 COX, DOUG
1996 CORMIER, J.P.
1997 DAVID WOODHEAD
1998 MacISAAC, DAVE
1999 BRISCO, AL
2000 DEL JUNCO, CARLOS
2001 SCHROER, OLIVER
2002 DEBOLT, DAISY
2003 HARY MANX
2004 MICHAEL KAESHAMMER
2005 KEVIN BREIT
2006 STEVE DAWSON
2007 OCTOBER BROWNE
THE CEC McEACHERN AWARD
for an outstanding musical accompanist
Cec was always a sideman - but what a sideman he was! He was basically second in command of Don Messer & His Islanders. A second fiddler, electric guitarist, multi-instrumentalist who couldn't read a note but could figure out how to play almost anything. Used extensively in recording sessions, Cec went mostly un-noticed, as do most other session players, or 'second fiddlers'. This Awards is to recognize some of the session artists like Cec who should be better known for making others sound so good.
Est. 1997.
1997 TONY QUARRINGTON
1998 MAYBELLE CHISHOLM McQUEEN
1999 ZEKE MAZUREK
2000 MICKEY ANDREWS
2001 TOM LEIGHTON
2002 KOLLER, GEORGE
2003 JASON FOWLER
2004 CHRISTOPHER McKHOOL
2005 PETER JELLARD
2006 BURKE CARROLL
2007 TREASA LAVASSEUR

THE CLASSIC CANADIAN ALBUM AWARD
must be at least 25 years old

This is dedicated to the recognition of a truly Canadian classic that should be included in every record collection, from Cape Spear to Tofino, Pelee Isle to Alert. To be considered, an album has to be at least 25 years old, which means at best, 1979 now.
Est. 1995

1995 McKENNA MENDLESON MAINLINE  - STINK
1996 WARD ALLEN  - COUNTRY HOEDOWN VOLS 1-3
1997 GORDON LIGHTFOOT -  DON QUIXOTE
1998 NED LANDRY - BOWING THE STRINGS
1999 STOMPIN TOM CONNORS - BUD THE SPUD
2000 PERTH COUNTY CONSPIRACY - ALIVE!
2001 STAN ROGERS - FOGERTY'S COVE
2002 THE PAUPERS - MAGIC PEOPLE
2003 KING BISCIUT BOY WITH CROWBAR - OFFICIAL MUSIC
2004 WILLIE P BENNETT - TRYIN' TO START OUT CLEAN
2005 VARIOUS ARTISTS: LA VEILLÉE DES VEILLÉES
2006 THE ESQUIRES - THE ESQUIRES
2007 THE HALIFAX THREE

THE GEM OF CANADA AWARD
the album that struck me the most over the past year

The album of the year award that should also be considered for every record collection in the land. Simply the album that I have the most respect for in the past 12 months of moons. It is an album that I am sure will endure as a great legacy recording in years to come.
Est. 1990.

1990 AUBREY, ROGER / PROULX, GAETAN - UNE VIELLEE AVEC...
1991 BRUNEAU, PHILIPPE - PHILIPPE BRUNEAU
1991 TAMARACK - FIELDS OF ROCK AND SNOW
1992 BEST, ANITA / MORGAN, PAMELA - THE COLOUR OF AMBER
1993 MacNEIL, BILL - VOICE OF THE PIONEERS
1994 LES FRERES LABRI - QUAND L'VENT VIRE DE COTE
1995 FIGGY DUFF - A RETROSPECTIVE 1974 - 1993
1996 LOYER, JEAN-PAUL - OJNAB
1997 LA BOTTINE SOURIANTE - EN SPECTACLE
1998 LEBLANC, TESS - TESS & WASHINGTON, JACKIE MIDNIGHT - CHOO CHOO (TIE)
1999 BLACKIE & RODEO KINGS - KINGS OF LOVE
2000 LAMEY, BILL - FULL CIRCLE
2001 OCCHIPINTI, MICHAEL - CREATION DREAM
2002 SCARLETT, MOSE - PRECIOUS SECONDS
2003 GLENN GOULD - A STATE OF WONDER
2004 MARIA DUNN - WE WERE GOOD PEOPLE
2005 ERYNN MARSHALL - CALICO
2006 AL CHERNY - LIVE: THE LOST RECORDINGS
2007 NORTH TO ONTARIO 2007 COMPILATION

AWARD FOR MUSIQUE DE LA MONDE
that which was brought here to enrich us all

The effects of on-going immigration on Canadian culture has left multitudes of remarkable twists and turns. Bringing with them here their varied states of folklore, these New Canadians open new worlds of music for us. This is musique that gets a little more 'Canadian' with time.
Est. 1998.

1998 DJELEM
1999 PUENTE, MARCELO
2000 BOTH ENDS OF THE EARTH
2001 ORCHID ENSEMBLE
2002 BUNNETT, JANE
2003 GALITCHA
2004 REMBETIKA HIPSTERS
2005 ALAN MEROVITZ
2006 POMEGRANATE
2007 THE SULTANS OF STRING
OFF-BEAT
something or someone that's way out there and not stopping
While we're all intrigued by space exploration, there are those who explore inner space and by recording their experiences they take us way the hell out there. It's like being out on a limb before it gets snapped off. Einstein did it. Lord Buckley did it. Marshall McLughan did it. And people continue to do it: exploring new territory. This might not result in a highly saleable product. It may produce shaken heads and runny noses. But it is the art-form of the enlightened forces; without these people we would remain in our caves, fed by the establishment and pretend to be at peace.
Est. 1990.
1990 POLKA DOGS
1991 TREMBLAY, DOMINQUE/ GAGNON, PHILIPPE
1992 FRERES BROTHERS
1993 McCAFFEREY, BARNEY
1994 SCHROER, OLIVER
1995 FINNIGAN'S TONGUE
1996 FAUBERT, MICHEL
1998 SADIES
1999 WOODHEAD, DAVID
2000 DEBOLT, DAISY
2001 MAGOO
2002 WOODCHOPPERS ASSOCIATION
2003 WASHBOARD HANK FISHER
2004 AL MADER a.k.a. MINIMALIST JUG BAND
2005 DAVE CLARK
2006 LEWIS MELVILLE
2007 ANDREW NEVILLE & THE POOR CHOICES
NEW DRAGON MINE
The find of the year Award!

Stompin' Tom once wrote a song called 'The Birth of the New Dragon Mine' about the Texas Gulf Sulpher Co.'s find just north of The Porcupine in 1965. Just when things were looking down, as mines were running out of high grade ore, this new find brought a brighter future for the people of The Porcupine. So this is for this year's big find.
Est. 2005.

2005 CORIN RAYMOND
2006 KIM BEGGS
2007 TONY ALLEN

PORCUPINE SONG OF THE YEAR
one that keeps coming back

Sometimes we put too much stock in entire albums of work while a certain song worms through our consciousness because it's just so good. Just one song that answers to no-one, that takes on a life of it's own, that is singable, hum-able, and easy to play. By the way: looking at the list so far, it seems like the song better be about drugs and booze to qualify!!
Est. 2001.

2001 DUNN, MARIA - WHISKEY EVENING
2002 NOXON, JENNIFER - EVERYDAY
2003 RONNIE HAYWARD - WHISKEY FLAVOURED KISSES
2004 SHAWN SAGE - MARIJUANA & ALCOHOL
2005 THE D RANGERS - COUGHIN' UP BLOOD
2006 DIGGING ROOTS - 80 YEAR OLD MOOSHIM
2007 HARRY MANX & KEVIN BREIT - BOTTOM OF THE HILL
THE SPECIAL APPRECIATION AWARD
what can I say: it's special!

Things happen in unpredictable ways - we all know that! - so when arrays of various dimensions conspire to take advantage of cause and effect to produce ominous scenes that we as groups of individuals must learn to deal with, to adapt to. Storms part for unexpected wonders that are bound to happen. Like the disappearance of frogs, or death becoming closer to us, when we wonder if life is truly worth it - isn't there some good news to latch onto? Some things defy catagorization and yet need to be regarded in some special kind of way. With the hindsight of the past 12 months collected in our thoughts, each of us is tested by the unexpected twilight that beckons our gratitude. It is good acts by good human beings that go mostly unnoticed. So let's note some. We must give thanks, in a specia lvery  way to those like the following.
Est. 1991.

* Note - this award was given out only once until it became a regular feature in 1997.

1991 WINNIPEG FOLK FESTIVAL for its Wade Hemsworth tribute
1997 MICHELLE RUMBALL - Grievous Angels' vocalist on 'The Great North Wind', at that time, my radio theme song
1998 CELTIC COLOURS FESTIVAL - for a display more brilliant than the fall Cape Breton colours in the highlands
1999 MEMOIRE ET RACINE - a new festival in Joliette, done the right way
2001 McGOWAN, KELLY - I saw her perform last at Eaglewood - and then she was gone
2002 MASYK, JIM - for working through the hardest shit, culminating in a fantastic tribute CD to his late brother Ned
2003 BRAY, COLIN - dedication to the art form of traditional jazz
2003 BRYAN, HARRY - prison sentences are not usually that cruel! - for compiling his CanCon radio lists each week
2003 WILSON, ERIC - for years of service to truckers and Wilf Carter Fans everywhere
2004 NANCY SIMMONDS - labour of love: Postcards from California
2004 OSKAR GRAF & BLUE SKIES FESTIVAL PEOPLE - love to labour: utopia in action
2006 BARNDANCE HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM - for Canadian musical heritage

STEVE'S FAVOURITE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
just a good excuse to recognize another great CD

This is the album that I've most enjoyed listening to during the past 12 months. For whatever reason, it just hits me and I can't get enough of it. Unlike the Gem of Canada album of the year, this one is more of a personal choice - something that I really want to hear again and again.
Est. 2001.

2001 BELL, IAN - SIGNOR FARINI and other adventures
2002 SLIMMON, TANNIS - OAK LAKE
2003 CORB LUND BAND - FIVE DOLLAR BILL
2004 LES CHAUFFEUR A PIEDS - DEJEUNER CANADIEN
2005 CARLOS DEL JUNCO - BLUES MONGREL
2006 ROMI MAYES - SWEET SOMETHIN' STEADY
2007 THE UNDESIRABLES - DOG HOUSE DREAMS
THE PORCUPINE BOOK AWARD
relating to Canadian Music & Folklore

A fairly self evident title, recognizing books that should be on any Canadian bookshelf.
Est. 1991.

1991 POSEN, I. SHELDON - SINGING AND DANCING AND ALL SORTS OF FUN
1994 REMON, LINA - PAROLES ET MUSIQUES: MADAME BOLDUC
1995 WILBURN, GENE - Northern Journey: A Guide to Canadian Folk Music on CD
1996 CONNORS, STOMPIN TOM - BEFORE THE FAME
1997 ANGUS, CHUCK / GRIFFIN, BRIT - We Lived A Life And Then Some
1998 TAFT, MICHAEL - DISCOVERING SASK FOLKLORE
1999 MacINNIS, SHELDON - A JOURNEY THRU CELTIC MUSIC
2000 MILLER, MARK - SUCH MELODIOUS RACKET
2001 BARKLAY - JACK - SCHNEIDER - HAVE NOT BEEN THE SAME
2002 EINARSON, JOHN / BACKMAN, RANDY - TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS
2003 JACKSON, RICK - ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC
2006  HOGAN,  HOMER - LISTEN: SONGS AND POEMS OF CANADA
2007 SHAKIN' ALL OVER - The Rock n’ Roll Years in Canada, compiled and edited by Peter Goddard and Philip Kamin
THE RECORD PRODUCER AWARD
for those who make CDs sound so good

This one recognizes the excellence of the recording arts, a process which makes all musicians sound so good.
We all want great sound and these are the people who produce it.
Est. 1996.

1996 SWITZER, JOHN
1997 GARRETT, BILL
1998 MARCHAND, ANDRE
1999 DATL, EVELYN
2000 LINDEN, COLIN
2001 MERRITT, SCOTT
2002 STEPHENS, JAMES
2003 MILLS, PAUL
2004 IAN TAMBLYN
2005 GLEN MARSHALL
2006 ALEC FRASER
2007 STEVE DAWSON
JACK HAYES AWARD

This is awarded to players of Old Time Music. Jack Hayes was a Square Dance caller from Toronto, well loved, who died in the early 1990s.
EST 1993.


 


1993 HURONIA OLD TIME FIDDLERS
1995 TOMMY ANDERSON
1996 THE SCHRYER FAMILY
1997 THE LAHEY FAMILY
1998 BILL ELLIOT
1999 MURRAY SMITH
2000 CHRIS COOLE
2000 ARNIE NAIMAN
2007 RAGGED BUT RIGHT
 

THE GOLDEN QUILL
For Songwriting
Regardless of style or genre or the caliber of musicianship, there are certain qualities that sets the great ones apart. A great song leaves residue in the ears of a listener, evokes emotional triggers, expands the mind. While most songwriters would be content to compose one or two truly great songs, there are those who have produced hoards of them. Think of Paul Anka. This award is for that special kind of songwriter.
Est. 1991.
1991 HOOK, HOLMES / WATT, BOBBY
1992 REID, GLEN
1993 GAMBLE, KAREN
1994 HACKING, NORM
1994 HALL, JOE
1995 KEELAGHAN, JAMES
1996 FIELDING, RICK
1997 COCKBURN, BRUCE
1998 SWICK, GWEN
1999 BENNETT, WILLIE P
2000 BARLOW, KIM
2001 CUTLERY, MELLWOOD
2002 SNIDER, BOB
2003 STEPHEN FEARING
2004 DANNY BAKAN
2005 BRIAN BLAIN
2006 DAVID BRADSTREET
2007 DAVID FRANCEY

THE GOLDEN PORCUPINE
Lifetime Achievement award

The Lifetime Achievement Award winner is automatically inducted into the Porcupine Awards Hall of Fame.
Est. 1990.
1990 BEATTIE, MAC
1992 OSTENAK, WALTER
1993 BENOIT, EMILE
1994 GESSER, SAMUEL
1995 FOWKE, EDITH FULTON
1996 KLEIN, ESTELLE
1997 COCKBURN, BRUCE
1998 FOOTE, STEVE
1998 TOWNSEND, GRAHAM
1999 FLOHIL, RICHARD
2000 CONNORS, STOMPIN TOM
2000 LANDRY, NED
2001 HICKS, IVAN
2002 KENT, ENOCH
2003 FRANK WRIGHT
2003 JACKIE WASHINGTON
2004 DAISY DeBOLT
2005 ROY FORBES
2006 HOMER & DOROTHY HOGAN
2007 MARGARET CHRISTL