​The first time a recipient has come from outside the United States of America.

2017 Folk Alliance International Special Edition Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dónal Lunny.

​This award shall be  presented at FAI's ExChange event on September 19, 2017 in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland.

The Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented each year during the annual Folk Alliance International conference to honor the cultural impact of legendary folk music figures, one Living, one Legacy, and one Organizational/Academic. As a part of the award process, FAI produces a short-documentary to commemorate these great artists and to provide a resource to the community sharing the rich history and lasting cultural influence of folk music. We hope that you enjoy and share this video. Visit folk.org/LAA to access the full archive of short documentary films featuring past honourees.

Past Winners of the Folk Alliance International Lifetime Achievement Award. 
​2010  Bob Dylan;   2011  Joan Baez;   2012  Harry Belafonte;   2013  The Weavers;  2014  Buddy MacMaster;  2015  Peggy Seeger;  2016  Ramblin' Jack Elliott;  2017  David Amram;