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BRUCE COCKBURN > Award Presentation

Award Presentation

‘Keep singing’: Bruce Cockburn calls on folk artists to push for free speech

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by David Friend, The Canadian Press

Folk singer Bruce Cockburn is encouraging U.S. musicians to keep pushing for free speech under the Donald Trump administration.

While accepting an honour at the Folk Alliance International awards show in Kansas City, Mo. on Wednesday night he took a moment to address the volatile political climate.

Bruce Bockburn & Kris Kristofferson - photo CANADIAN PRESS HO BrianHetherman
photo CANADIAN PRESS HO Brian Hetherman

“It seems evident that the current administration is not much interested in democracy,” he said in prepared remarks.

“They are trying to stifle opposition across the board by a range of means. Looks to me like they’re just getting started.”

The Canadian singer, who lives in San Francisco, then urged musicians to be a catalyst for dialogue and debate.

“We may get tired, but we have to keep singing,” he said.

Country singer Kris Kristofferson presented Cockburn with the People’s Voice Award in recognition of his role in social and political commentary. His 1984 track “If I Had a Rocket Launcher” is widely considered a staple of activist music.

Cockburn reflected on his experiences as a young performer during the Vietnam War, and on later years when he found his voice during the U.S. presidency of Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

He then turned to the current U.S. political climate and told songwriters to consider their music as more than just words, but a “focal point for collective energy” of the community.

“Doesn’t mean we can’t sing love songs,” Cockburn reasoned.

“But if you think you can keep your head down and ignore the political side of things, it’s liable to be waiting for you with a blackjack in the alley when you come out the stage door.

Credit: MontrealGazette.com
Photo: Bruce Cockburn, left, accepts his People’s Voice Award for his role in social and political commentary from country singer Kris Kristofferson at the Folk Alliance International awards show, in Kansas City, Mo., on February 15, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Brian Hetherman, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

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Bruce Cockburn to Receive People’s Voice Award

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Folk Alliance International to Launch People’s Voice and Clearwater Awards
Posted by: Jerod Rivers

11 January 2017 – As part of a permanent commitment to honoring the socially-conscious roots of folk music, Folk Alliance International (FAI) will launch two new awards during the 2016 International Folk Music Awards show.The People’s Voice Award will be presented annually to an individual who has unabashedly embraced and committed to social and political commentary in their creative work and folk music career. The Clearwater Award will be presented annually to a festival that prioritizes environmental stewardship and demonstrates public leadership in education and sustainable event production. Additional awards include Lifetime Achievement, Spirit of Folk, and Album, Song, and Artist of the Year presented on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Folk Alliance International Awards Show
Wednesday, February 15, 2017, 6 pm
Westin Crown Center Hotel, Century C Ballroom
Kansas City, Missouri USA
Open to FAI conference delegates and registered members of the press.

Bruce Cockburn

Bruce Cockburn to Receive People’s Voice Award

The inaugural People’s Voice award will be presented to multi-platinum recording artist Bruce Cockburn, whose 40-year career has consistently highlighted environmental, social, and indigenous issues globally.

Bruce Cockburn has been all over the world to Mozambique, Nepal, Vietnam, Baghdad, Nicaragua, and Guatemala to protest refugee camps, landmines, and Third World debt. He has been tirelessly vocal in support of native rights, the environment, the promotion of peace, and has highlighted the work of Oxfam, the UN Summit for Climate Control, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, and Friends of the Earth.

His songs “Mines of Mozambique” from album The Charity of Night, “Stolen Land” (Waiting For A Miracle), and “If a Tree Falls” (Big Circumstance) have traveled the globe providing context for some of the world’s biggest issues of the day, while exhorting to all who listen for engagement with our shared humanity.

In over 300 songs on 30 albums that range from folk to jazz-influenced rock, he has sold more than seven million records worldwide and prolifically captured the story of the human experience through protest, romance, spiritual searching, and politics. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1985, after observing the horrors of refugee camps along the Guatemalan-Mexican border he shared that he went back to his hotel room, cried, and wrote in his notebook, “I understand now why people want to kill.” The experience led him to write “If I Had A Rocket Launcher” from the album Stealing Fire.

Cockburn is the recipient of 13 Juno Awards, the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, nine honorary doctorates, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. Pacing the Cage, a documentary film about his life, music, and politics was released in 2013. His memoir, Rumours of Glory, was published by Harper Collins in 2014.

“We can’t settle for things as they are,” Cockburn has warned. “If you don’t tackle the problems, they’re going to get worse.”

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Bruce Cockburn, Colin Linden play Canadian Folk Music Awards gala

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Bruce will be doing a couple of numbers at the Canadian Folk Music Awards in Toronto on December 3. ~ Bernie Finkelstein

Oct 27, 2016 – The Canadian Folk Music Awards, now in its 12th year, are coming to Toronto, Ontario from December 2-3, 2016. The 72 talented artist nominees for the 2016 CFMA were recently announced at Toronto City Hall and hail from Canadian provinces and territories from coast-to-coast-to-coast. This year’s gala event is taking place at the Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St West in downtown Toronto on Saturday, December 3, 2016.

The gala is hosted, in both official languages, by award-winning musicians Jean Hewson and Benoit Bourque (La Bottine Souriante) and is open to the public. Tickets for the gala are $45 (plus a $2 processing fee) and are available here.
http://uofttix.ca/view.php?id=1287
Doors open at 7 p.m. for the event.

The Canadian Folk Music Awards are pleased to announce the 2016 gala line-up, which includes prolific Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn. His achievements and decorations include being an Officer of the Order of Canada, an inductee of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, 13 Juno Awards, 24 Gold and Platinum records, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, numerous honorary doctorates, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Award-winning guitarist, producer and singer Colin Linden also graces the CFMA performer line-up. The founding member of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings has had an exceptional career, releasing numerous albums with the band, as well as several solo albums. He has also produced and shepherded many upcoming musical talents. Since 2012, the iconic man in the black hat has been the Music Director on the hit TV show Nashville.

Juno Award-winning trio and CCMA nominated sisters from Newfoundland, The Ennis Sisters, bring their beautiful vocal harmonies to the line-up. Past CFMA winners and 2016 nominees The Sultans of String join the gala line-up, adding a view of worldly folk; their music merges Celtic and Cuban, flamenco and Gypsy-jazz, Arabic and South Asian in one delirious musical swell. Winnipeg folk trio Red Moon Road return from a rigorous European tour to join the gala line-up, adding some forward-thinking folk live performance to the proceedings. Quebec folk multi-instrumentalist Klô Pelgag adds some quirky excitement to the gala line-up (and possibly large scale fruit costumes.)

Along with the gala awards event, the weekend features two open-to-the-public musical showcase concerts. On Friday, December 2, 2016 from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. at Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas Street West, Toronto) the evening features CFMA 2016 nominees Jocelyn Pettit, The Small Glories, Hillsburn, Beppe Gambetta & Tony McManus, Old Man Luedecke and Élage Diouf. A brunch showcase concert happens Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas Street West, Toronto) and features 2016 CFMA nominees Rosie & the Riveters, The Andrew Collins Trio, Keltie Monaghan, William Prince, Ten Strings and a Goat Skin. Both showcases at Hugh’s Room are $29 in advance via hughsroom.com and $32.50 at the door.

The CFMA will hand out twenty awards throughout the gala evening. Nominations for the CFMA were announced this September at Toronto City Hall during the second annual #NationalStrum, celebrating folk music across Canada. Born from a pool of volunteers deeply invested in the wealth and breadth of folk talent in Canada, the CFMA celebrate all genres of folk music from across Canada. Well known for having a vibrant culture of folk festivals, folk traditions and folk values, the country comes together for a weekend of celebration.

Canadian artists and groups whose albums were released in Canada between June 15, 2015 to June 14, 2016 were eligible to submit their work. The CFMA currently boast 19 categories and one special achievement award. For the category awards, five nominees are chosen for each category. A two stage jury process by 95 jurors located across Canada, representing all official provinces, territories and languages determine the official winners in each category. Complete eligibility requirements are listed here: http://folkawards.ca/eligibility/

Credit: That Eric Alper

More: Canadian Folk Music Awards

At A Glance

About | Awards | Biography | Rumours Of Glory – a memoir | Guitars

BRUCE DOUGLAS COCKBURN

– Born May 27, 1945 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
– Has won 12 JUNO Awards and been nominated for 32
– Is an Officer of the Order of Canada
– Has released 35 albums across the past four decades
– Release of “Rumours Of Glory” Bruce’s autobiography

LIST OF AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS

1971 – Going Down The Road (Soundtrack) · B.M.I. Award
1971 – Canadian Folksinger Of The Year · JUNO Award
1972 – Canadian Folksinger Of The Year · JUNO Award
1973 – Canadian Folksinger Of The Year · JUNO Award
1975 – Best Album Graphics (Night Vision) · JUNO Award

Bruce Cockburn - Night Vision album cover - Horse and Train by Alex Colville
Night Vision album cover – Horse and Train by Alex Colville
Bruce Cockburn - Alex Colville gold record presentation - 1974
Gold record presentation (for Night Vision) to Alex Colville at the Windsor Arms in Toronto in 1974. This was also Bruce’s first gold record. Also in the picture Bernie Finkelstein, CBS Records president Terry Lynn and CBS marketing director Bill Bannon.

1976 – Best Album Graphics (Joy Will Find A Way) · JUNO Award
1979 – Top Single Recording Of The Year · RPM Award [Wondering Where The Lions Are]
1980 – Folk Artist Of The Year · JUNO Award
1980 – Best Male Vocalist · CFNY U-Know Award
1981 – Male Vocalist Of The Year · JUNO Award
1981 – Folk Artist Of The Year · JUNO Award
1981 – Wondering Where The Lions Are · P.R.O. Award
1981 – Wondering Where The Lions Are · B.M.I. Award
1981 – Best Album Of The Year (Inner City Front) · CFNY U-Know Award
1982 – The Coldest Night Of The Year · P.R.O. Award
1982 – Rumours Of Glory · P.R.O. Award
1982 – Inner City Front · Edison Award (Dutch)
1982 – Best Male Vocalist · JUNO Award
1982 – Best Folk Artist · JUNO Award
1985 – Top Male Vocalist · CASBY Award
1985 – “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” · P.R.O. Award
1985 – “Making Contact” · P.R.O. Award
1986 – Top Male Vocalist · CASBY Award
1986 – “Call It Democracy” Video Of The Year · CASBY Award
1986 – The William Moon Award · P.R.O. Award · 1986
1988 – Cdn. Organization of Campus Activities C.O.C.A. · Hall Of Fame Award
1988 – Berklee School of Music · Songwriter’s Award
1988 – “Wondering Where The Lions Are” · P.R.O. Crystal Award
1988 – Q-107 Toronto Music Awards · Two Awards
1988 – Waiting For A Miracle · P.R.O. Award
1989 – Q-107 Toronto Music Award · Folk Award
1990 – “If A Tree Falls” · SOCAN Award
1991 – Nothing But A Burning Light · Album Of The Year
1992 – Toronto Arts Awards · Musician’s Award
1993 – “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” · SOCAN Award
1993 – “Great Big Love” · SOCAN Award
1994 – Distinguished Alumni Award Berklee College of Music Boston
1994 – Dart To The Heart · Press & Critics Award (Germany)
1995 – Global Visions Festival · Artist Award
1995 – “Wondering Where The Lions Are” · SOCAN Classics Award
1995 – “Lovers In A Dangerous Times” · SOCAN Classics Award
1997 – Helen Verger Award · Ottawa Folk Festival
1998 – Governor General’s Performing Arts Award
1999 – TENCO Award (Italy) · Lifetime Achievement
1999 – Best Roots & Traditional Album-Solo (Breakfast) · JUNO Award
2000 – Native Heart Native American Music Awards
2000 – “The Coldest Night of the Year” · SOCAN Classics
2000 – Billboard International Achievement Award
2001 – Canadian Music Hall Of Fame Award

Bruce Cockburn - 2001 Canadian Music Hall of Fame - CBC
Bruce Cockburn talks to CBC, backstage at the 2001 JUNO awards, where he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame after a career spanning four decades. Bruce’s long-time manager and friend, Bernie Finkelstein, looks on.

2002 – Inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame · JUNO Award
2005 – Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the Winnipeg Folk Festival
2006 – Receives the first Humanitarian JUNO in Halifax · JUNO Award
2006 – Canadian Folk Award for Best Instrumentalist
2006 – SOCAN Award for Franklin The Turtle Theme · Int’lTelevision Series Award
2011 – SOCAN Classic Award for “Waiting For A Miracle”
2011 – Crowned Juno Awards Sustainability Ambassador, tasked with helping the Junos raise awareness about actions being taken to reduce their carbon footprint
2011 – Contemporary Singer of the Year – Small Source of Comfort · Canadian Folk Music Awards
2011 – Contemporary Album of the Year – Small Source of Comfort · Canadian Folk Music Awards
2012 – Roots & Traditional Album of the Year Solo · Small Source of Comfort · Juno Award
2012 – SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award for songwriting success
2017 – Receives People’s Voice Award (inaugural) · International Folk Music Awards Show · Kansas City
2017 – Inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame · September 23
2018 – Top Contemporary Folk (Roots) Album of the Year · Bone On Bone · JUNO Award
2018 – Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize for Stealing Fire 1976-1985
2018 – Solo Artist of the Year for Bone On Bone · Canadian Folk Music Award · December 1
2021 – Inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame December 4

DISCOGRAPHY/SALES HIGHLIGHTS

1970 – Bruce Cockburn · Debut Album Released
1971 – High Winds, White Sky · Released
1972 – Sunwheel Dance · Released
1973 – Night Vision · Released
1974 – Salt, Sun and Time · Released
1975 – Joy Will Find a Way · Released
1976 – In the Falling Dark · Released
1977 – Circles in the Stream · Released
1978 – Further Adventures Of Bruce Cockburn · Released
1979 – Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws · Released
1979 – Night Vision · Certified Gold
1979 – Dancing In The Dragons Jaws · Certified Gold
1980 – Humans · Released and Certified Gold
1981 – Inner City Front · Released
1981 – Resume · US only Release
1981 – Mummy Dust · Canada only Release
1983 – Dancing In The Dragons Jaws · Certified Platinum
1983 – The Trouble with Normal · Released
1984 – Stealing Fire · Released and Certified Gold
1984 – Stealing Fire enters Billboard chart for 31 consecutive weeks
1985 – Joy Will Find A Way · Certified Gold
1985 – In The Falling Dark · Certified Gold
1985 – Rumours of Glory · Released in Germany only
1986 – Stealing Fire · Certified Platinum
1986 – World Of Wonders · Released and Certified Gold
1986 – High Winds White Sky · Certified Gold
1986 – World Of Wonders enters Top 30 in Germany
1987 – Waiting for a Miracle: (Singles 1970-1987) · Released
1988 – Waiting For A Miracle (Singles 1970 – 1987) · Certified Gold
1988 – Sunwheel Dance · Certified Gold
1989 – Big Circumstance · Released and Certified Gold
1989 – “If A Tree Falls” · Australian Top 30 Hit
1990 – Bruce Cockburn Live · Released
1990 – If a Tree Falls · Released in Australia only
1991 – Columbia releases 12 catalogue records
1991 – Nothing but a Burning Light · Released
1992 – Nothing But A Burning Light · Certified Gold
1993 – Waiting For A Miracle · Certified Platinum
1993 – Trouble With Normal · Certified Gold
1993 – Christmas · Released
1994 – Dart To The Heart released
1994 – Inner City Front · Certified Gold
1994 – “Listen For The Laugh” · NO. 1 AAA Radio U.S.A
1995 – Bruce Cockburn · Certified Gold
1997 – Christmas · Certified Gold
1997 – The Charity Of Night released
1997 – The Charity Of Night · Certified Gold
1998 – You Pay Your Money & You Take Your Chance – Live · released
1999 – Breakfast In New Orleans Dinner In Timbuktu · released
2003 – “You’ve Never Seen Everything” · released
2005 – Speechless: The Instrumental Bruce Cockburn · released
2006 – “Wondering Where the Lions Are” · recorded by Jimmy Buffett for the movie “Hoot”
2006 – Life Short Call Now · released
2009 – Release of Slice O Life (Bruce’s 30th Album and first Live Solo CD) · released
2011 – Release of 31st Album Small Source of Comfort · March 8
2013 – Donates Archives to McMaster University · Hamilton
2014 – Rumours Of Glory · a memoir published
2014 – Rumours Of Glory · 9 disc box set released · includes disc of rare tracks and live performance DVD
2015 – Christmas · certified 6x Platinum in Canada

Bruce Cockburn receives 6X Platinum award for Christmas album from True North Records – 18 February 2016 - Brad Machry
Bruce Cockburn receives 6X Platinum award for Christmas album from True North Records – 18 February 2016 – Brad Machry
Bruce Cockburn awarded 6X Platinum - Christmas album - True North Records 18 Feb 2016
Bruce Cockburn receives 6X Platinum award for Christmas album from True North Records – 18 February 2016

2017 – Releases 33rd Album “Bone On Bone” · September 15
2019 – Releases 34th album “Crowing Ignites” · September 20
2021 – Released 35th Album “Greatest Hits” (1970-2020)
2022 – Releases Digitally Only “Rarities” – November 25
2023 – Releases “O Sun O Moon” – May 12

PERFORMANCE/TOURING HIGHLIGHTS

1980 – Performance on Saturday Night Live (May 10)
1983 – Tour of Central America
1983 – Tour of Australia and New Zealand
1983 – Concert performances in Santiago, Chile
1986 – European Tour
1988 – U.S. Solo Tour
1991 – Nothing But A Burning Light World Tour begins
1994 – Live performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
2009 – Pete Seeger 90th Birthday Celebration Madison Square Gardens
2010 – Luminato Festival 40th Anniversary Tribute Concert in Toronto
2016 – KALW 75th Anniversary Show San Francisco
2017 – Hosts JUNO Songwriters Circle · Ottawa
2018 – Japan Tour

HUMANITARIAN/ACTIVISM HIGHLIGHTS

1987 – Tour to Nepal for the U.S.C.
1988 – Tour of Mozambique for COCAMO
1995 – Second Tour of Mozambique for COCAMO
1995 – Cross-Canada speaking tour on Landmines
1999 – Fact-Finding trip/Cambodia & Vietnam
2004 – Fact finding trip to Baghdad
2005 – Performs at Live 8 in Barrie, Canada
2005 – Performs “If A Tree Falls” at the UN Summit for Climate Control in Montreal
2007 – Fact Finding Trip to Nepal for USC

SPECIAL FILM TELEVISION AND RADIO CREDITS—HIGHLIGHTS

1983 – Rumours Of Glory concert film released
1984 – Rumours Of Glory/Bruce Cockburn Live home video released
1991 – First annual Christmas With Cockburn · Radio Broadcast
1992 – Second annual Christmas With Cockburn · Radio Broadcast
1993 – Third annual Christmas With Cockburn · Radio Broadcast
1998 – River Of Sand Documentary (Mali West Africa)
2008 – Release of the film Return To Nepal
2012 – “Pacing The Cage” (DVD) is broadcast on Vision TV


CIVIC AWARDS AND CULTURAL HONOURS

1983 – The Order Of Canada
1989 – Honourary Doctorate/York University – Doctorate Of Letters
1993 – Performance at Presidential Inaugural Ball
1997 – Honorary Doctorate of Music Berklee College of Music Boston
1999 – Honorary Degree (Doctor Of Letters) St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)
2003 – Promotion to Officer of The Order of Canada
2007 – Honourary Doctorate Queen’s University Kingston Ontario
2007 – Honourary Doctorate Memorial University St. John’s Newfoundland
2007 – Honourary Doctorate University of Victoria, Victoria British Columbia
2009 – Honourary Doctorate McMaster University
2012 – Receives Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
2014 – Receives Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award
2014 – Honourary Doctorate of Letters · Laurentian University
2014 – Honourary Doctor of Music · Carleton University.
2015 – Receives Denise Levertov Literary Award

You may download this page as a word doc file – Cockburn AT A Glance – 2023

Awards

About | At A Glance | Biography | Rumours Of Glory – a memoir | Guitars

CIVIC AWARDS AND CULTURAL HONOURS

Order of Canada award
Order of Canada award

1983 – The Order Of Canada
1989 – Honourary Doctorate/York University – Doctorate Of Letters
1993 – Performance at Presidential Inaugural Ball
1997 – Honorary Doctorate of Music Berklee College of Music Boston
1999 – Honorary Degree (Doctor Of Letters) St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)
2003 – Promotion to Officer of The Order of Canada

Bruce Cockburn - Officer in the Order of Canada - 2003
Bruce Cockburn receiving promotion to the rank of Officer in the Order of Canada from Governor General Adrienne Clarkson – 2003


Bruce Cockburn - Doctorate Queen's University - 9 May 2007
Bruce Cockburn – Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Queen’s University – 2007

2007 – Honourary Doctorate Queen’s University Kingston Ontario

“In all the time I’ve spent thinking about God in my life, I never thought I’d be recognized for it.”


Bruce Cockburn - St. John's Memorial University - 2007
Bruce Cockburn – St. John’s Memorial University – 2007

May 24, 2007 – Bruce Cockburn to Receive Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Memorial University.

Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Cockburn will be honoured for his music and his commitment to the betterment of the world with an honorary doctor of letters degree during spring convocation. [ read an interview on Gavin’s Woodpile (scroll down 1/2 page) ] [ video of convocation speech (scroll to May 2007) ]


Bruce Cockburn - U of Victoria - 6June2007 - Photo: Debra Brash
Bruce Cockburn – U of Victoria – 2007

2007 – Honourary Doctorate University of Victoria, Victoria British Columbia

June 7, 2007 – “You do what you do and you hope it affects people,” he said. “I’d be doing this even if no one was listening.” [ read an article on Gavin’s Woodpile (scroll down 1/2 page) ]

 

2009 June 8 – Honourary Doctorate McMaster University – Doctor of Letters

Bruce Cockburn performing at the Diamond Jubilee Gala 2013
Bruce Cockburn performing at the Diamond Jubilee Gala – 2013

2012 – Receives Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal


Bruce Cockburn - Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award - 2014
Bruce Cockburn – Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award – 2014

2014 – Receives Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award

2014 – Acceptance Speech Video of Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award



Bruce Cockburn - Doctor of Letters - Laurentian University - 2014
Bruce Cockburn – Doctor of Letters – Laurentian University – 2014

6 June 2014 – June 2nd, 2014 – Canada’s 27th Governor-General, Michaëlle Jean, and renowned singer-songwriter and activist Bruce Cockburn are among the recipients of Honourary Doctorates at Spring Convocation ceremonies at Laurentian University this year.

Bruce Cockburn, Doctorate of Letters: Winner of a Governor-General’s Performing Arts Award and 13 Juno Awards, Bruce Cockburn has released more than 30 albums over a career spanning four decades. Mr. Cockburn is also renowned as a humanitarian and activist. In 2002, Mr. Cockburn was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame for his powerful lyrics and his immense contribution to Canadian music. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.


Bruce Cockburn Receives Doctor of Music - Carleton University - 2014
Bruce Cockburn Receives Doctor of Music – Carleton University – 2014

2014 – Honourary Doctor of Music · Carleton University


Bruce Cockburn - Fremont Abbey - Denise Levertov Award - April 2015 - Photo Daniel Keebler
Bruce Cockburn – Fremont Abbey – Denise Levertov Award – 2015 – Photo Daniel Keebler

2015 – Receives Denise Levertov Literary Award
Click through to the article for video of some of the interview and several song performances.


Bruce Cockburn - Peoples Voice Award FAI - photo Lynne Margolis
Bruce Cockburn receives FAI People’s’ Voice Award – photo Lynne Margolis

2017 – Folk Alliance International People’s Voice Award
Click through for the video and transcription of Bruce’s acceptance speech.


CSHF - Bruce Cockburn- speech
Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame – Bruce Cockburn’s speech

2017 – September 23 – Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame induction speech and article
Click through for speech, articles and photos.


Bruce Cockburn Canadian Walk of Fame award 2021
Bruce Cockburn Canadian Walk of Fame award 2021

2021 – December 4 – Walk of Fame
Click through for audio & video interviews

The Denise Levertov Award with Bruce Cockburn

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April 28, 2015: UPDATE: Photos from the event from Image Journal’s Facebook page

April 23 2015 Fremont Abbey, Seattle, WA
Bruce Cockburn: The Flow of Love – published by SeattleDailyPhotoVid

Bruce was the recipient of the 12th Annual Denise Levertov Award given by Image, a quarterly journal of the arts and faith, and Seattle Pacific University. Bruce performed a short and splendid set before a small, very appreciative audience. They were then treated to a question and answer segment that ranged from his art and life and his recent memoir to the state of the world and Canadian perceptions of the USA. This short clip is the first question from that session.

Bruce Cockburn - Fremont Abbey - Denise Levertov Award - April 2015 - Photo Daniel Keebler
Bruce Cockburn – Fremont Abbey – Denise Levertov Award – April 2015 – Photo Daniel Keebler

21 December 2014 – An evening of music and celebration.

For twenty-five years, the literary journal Image has been a showcase of contemporary art inspired by faith. Image and its suite of programs (including two annual seven-day workshops for artists, writing fellowships, and seminars) deepen the wisdom, compassion, and cultural engagement in our world by enabling communities to draw more fully on the virtues of art and imagination.

Image’s Denise Levertov Award is named for one of the twentieth century’s greatest poets. Levertov, who spent her last years in Seattle, embraced the landscape and culture of the Pacific Northwest. Her identity as a Christian believer–a pilgrim whose faith was inextricably entwined with doubt–became another important facet of her work, particularly in her later poetry. The Levertov Award is presented annually in the spring to an artist or creative writer whose work exemplifies a serious and sustained engagement with the Judeo-Christian tradition.

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Bruce Cockburn Receives Honorary Degree from Carleton University

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12 June 2014 – Carleton University today conferred a Doctor of Music, honoris causa, on Bruce Cockburn in recognition of an outstanding career in music, along with a commitment to voicing environmental, First Nations and social causes.

Bruce Cockburn - Carleton University - Honorary Doctor of Music - 14 June 2014
Bruce Cockburn – Carleton University – Honorary Doctor of Music – 14 June 2014

“Communication must become everybody’s thing,” said Cockburn. “It doesn’t matter whether you are a scientist, a journalist, a painter, a nurse, a cop or an accordion player–we have to be able to hear and see each other’s reality.”

Cockburn was honoured during Convocation for the Faculty of Engineering and Design, some of the 3,359 undergraduates and 782 graduate students receiving their degrees over four days of ceremonies.

“Being prepared has to include the notion of teamwork, of community and of mutual support,” said Cockburn. “And as valuable as this support may be in the event of a disaster, it is also vital in the day-to-day we currently move through.”

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BRUCE COCKBURN RECEIVES Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award – video

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29 May 2014 – Bruce Cockburn has been honoured with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award on May 7, 2014, at the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards gala in Toronto, during Canadian Music Week. Throughout his forty year-plus career, Bruce has expressed his core beliefs through his songs, philanthropy, social activism and support for humanitarian causes. This is evident in songs like “If I Had A Rocket Launcher“, “Call It Democracy” and “Lovers In A Dangerous Time“, his activism alongside The David Suzuki Foundation, Amnesty International, OXFAM, Friends of the Earth and others, along with his performances in aid of such groups as UNICEF, Bring Leonard Peltier Home, and Music Without Borders.

This honour, following a Canadian Music Hall of Fame induction, a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, an Order of Canada induction and 13 Juno Awards, including being named the Sustainability Ambassador for the 2013 JUNO Awards, Is an expression of the respect that Bruce has earned both nationally and internationally, as he continues to “kick at the darkness, till it bleeds daylight.”

Here is the video of Bruce receiving this award and his speech .. do give it a listen.
“There’s only one boat and we’re all in it together.”

[ direct link ]

Related Links:

Bruce Cockburn | Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award

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Canadian Music Week

May 2014 – Canadian Music Week is pleased to announce acclaimed Canadian music icon Bruce Cockburn as the 2014 recipient of the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award. The award – bestowed to the singer/songwriter in recognition of his social activism and benevolent support of humanitarian interests and causes – will be presented in Toronto on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards gala held during Canadian Music Week 2014.

“My Father Allan and I have both respected Bruce Cockburn as an artist and humanist since his early coffeehouse days,” said Gary Slaight. ”His philanthropy and compassion for charitable issues is commendable and something all of us should strive to emulate – even if on a personal level. Bruce has long been deserving of such an award and recognition, and we are thrilled to see his efforts honoured this year.as the recipient of the Allan Slaight humanitarian award.”

“It seems to me that if we accept that it’s appropriate to love our neighbour, whether as people of faith or as people just trying to live well, then we all need to do whatever we can to look out for that neighbour’s welfare,” said Bruce Cockburn. ”I’m very honoured to be chosen as the recipient of the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award. I hope the existence of the award will help to inspire ever greater numbers of people in the music community to throw their support behind the many ongoing efforts to make this world better.”

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Receives Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

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Bruce Cockburn Diamond Jubilee Gala 2013 - Photo LGOntario
Bruce Cockburn performing at the Diamond Jubilee Gala – 2013

1 February 2013 – TORONTO – The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Mrs. Ruth Ann Onley are pleased to host a DIAMOND JUBILEE GALA to present Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals to members of the Order of Canada residing in Ontario, members of the Order of Ontario and other deserving individuals. This will draw to a close Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Year, on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, the 61st anniversary of The Queen’s accession to the Throne.

In keeping with the tradition of honouring milestone years of service, the commemorative medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne. The medal serves to honour the contributions and achievements made by Canadians from all sectors of society.

Their Honours will be joined by a number of prominent Canadians who will also act as distinguished medal presenters to ensure that each of their peers receives his or her medal in a dignified and meaningful way.

Following the medal presentations, guests will enjoy a short performance by some of Canada’s best known performers, including Tafelmusik, and Michael Burgess, Liona Boyd, Bruce Cockburn and Tom Cochrane, themselves members of the Order of Canada.

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