The Porcupines are probably the only annual awards presented for Folk-Oriented music in North America. While the Grammy's and Juno's lump all folk music together for one or two annual awards, the Porcupines are truly dedicated to those who preserve and enrich our collective heritage. They started off as a way of protesting the ridiculous way in which so called Folk Awards were being handled by self-interested music industry officials who were really only interested in patting themselves on the back at our expense. However, over the years the Porcupines have grown a little more sophisticated while still retaining the joy and fun of our music.

Winning a Porcupine does not imply that one is the best at something. But it does imply that they have given their best.

The emphasis is based strictly on personal observation and awarding those who 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 heard weekly on University of Toronto campus radio station CIUT-FM 89.5.

While the Porcupines Awards have recognized the works of many people over the years, glaring omissions are obvious. However, we do try to get around to including as many artists as possible. As the Awards have grown over the years, it has come to our attention that certain individuals or groups have won them a few times. To get rid of these winners to make way for others deserving of due recognition, we 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. Tune in to Steve Fruitman's program CIUT-FM 89.5 on Thursday's at 6:00 pm.

JACK HAYES AWARD
Bill Elliott, Orangeville Ont.

Bill works tirelessly to promote the rural music of Ontario. His association with the Shelburne Fiddle Contest and the Orangeville Fiddle and Step Dance Camp show his dedication and devotion to the fine arts of Ontario folklore. He thinks so much of the tradition that he decided NOT to pollute it by taking up the fiddle himself. (Will somebody give this man fiddle lessons to prove him wrong, please)