Dave Gunning's "These Hands" chosen as song of celebration at Canadian Folk Music Awards

Canadian Folk Music Awards weekend November 6-8, 2015 in the city of Edmonton

Canadian Folk Music Awards announces first ever National Strum to usher in nominee announcement in the city of Edmonton on September 9, 2015

The Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA) is pleased to announce that the first ever National Strum will take place on Wednesday, September 9, 2015. Favouring a podium-free event and putting folk music front and centre like so many of Canada's storied folk festivals, the event kicks off at Edmonton City Hall at noon local time and will feature musical guests. The National Strum serves as a celebration of Canadian Folk music and ushers in the announcement of the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards' nominees. 19 categories of CFMA nominees will be announced.

East Coast songwriter Dave Gunning's song "These Hands" has been chosen as the National Strum song for 2015. Written by Dave Gunning & George Canyon "These Hands" is "a song which teaches us that every person has the ability to be a hero of the human kind. " With such a depth of Canadian folk talent, supporters, past nominees and honourees of the Canadian Folk Music Awards are encouraged to show their love of folk by learning "These Hands" and joining in the coast-to-coast celebration on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 as CFMA unveils this year's nominees. Follow @folkawards and join the CFMA Facebook page for ongoing announcements. 

To celebrate the first National Strum past CFMA nominees and recipients from coast to coast, including Dave Gunning, Connie Kaldor, Helen Austin, Sarah Burnell, Còig, Qristina & Quinn Bachand, Ken Whiteley, The Marrieds, Joel Plaskett, Rik Barron, Paul Mills, Trent Severn, Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy MacIsaac and a special appearance from the audience at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, came together through the power of technology to sing "These Hands" in a new grassroots video released by the CFMA. 

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