Lunsford Award
L to R: Emma McDowell, Arvil Freeman, Brian Hunter, Mike Hunter, Laura Boosinger, Robert Reeves
Congratulations to Brian Hunter, recipient of the 2018 Lunsford Award! Co-founder of the influential traditional string band the Midnight Plowboys, Hunter is an esteemed member of the western North Carolina mountain music community – both for his musicianship and his support for other musicians.
The Bascom Lamar Lunsford Award has been given out since 1980 to individuals who have made significant contributions to the folk, musical, and/or dance traditions of the southern mountain region.
Past Winners
2017 Jeff Atkins
2016 Carol Rifkin
2015 Peter Gott
2014 Nick Hallman
2013 George Banks
2012 Boyd Black / Kathryn Parham (Lunsford Youth Award)
2011 Paul Crouch
2010 David Shelton
2009 Leonard Hollifield
2008 Laura Boosinger
2007 Vernon and Ruth Riddle
2007 Doug Phillips
2006 Jerry Sutton
2005 Joe Penland
2004 Bobby McMillon
2003 Marilyn McMinn-McCredie
2003 Mrs. Nelia Hyatt
2002 Terry Freeman
2002 Marvin Faulkner
2001 Ralph Lewis
2001 Vickie Hensley
2000 R. Kirk Randleman
2000 Buddy Davis
1999 Lena Jean Ray
1999 Roger Howell
1998 Bailey Mountain Cloggers
1998 Bailey Mountain “Square” Dancers
1998 Don Pedi
1998 Jerry Adams
1997 Sheila Kay Adams
1996 Gary Spence
1996 Hilary Dirlam
1995 Luke Smathers
1994 Johnny Rhymer
1993 Richard Dillingham
1993 Wayne Pressley
1992 Ralph Fox
1991 Danny Johnson
1990 Carroll Best
1989 Arvil Freeman
1988 Ernest “Red” Ivester
1988 Ray Hutchinson
1987 Dellie Norton
1987 Mack Snoderly
1986 Thelma Parham
1986 Chub Parham
1986 Lamar Lunsford
1986 Quay Smathers
1985 Gordon Freeman
1984 Obray Ramsey
1983 Ed Howard
1982 Carl Chandler
1981 Byard Ray
1982 Betty Smith
1980 Tommy Hunter