The Alabama Folk Heritage Award was established to recognize master folk artists
who have made outstanding contributions to their particular artistic tradition.
The award is intended to honor long-term achievement within art forms that are rooted
in the traditional or ethnic culture of Alabama
- H. Japeth Jackson, Ozark (1988)
- Johnny Shines, Tuscaloosa (1989)
- Nora Ezell, Eutaw (1990)
- Noah Lacy, Ider (1991)
- Gail Thrower, Atmore (1992)
- Lomia Nunn, Graham (1993)
- Bettye Kimbrell, Mt. Olive (1995)
- Art Deason, Centreville (1997)
- Jubilee Singers, Bessemer (1999)
- Bo McGee, Eutaw (2001)
- Jerry Brown, Hamilton (2003)
- Margie and Enoch Sullivan, St. Stephens (2005)
- Jerry McCain, Gadsden (2007)
- Willie King, Old Memphis (2009)
- James Bryan, Mentone (2011)
- The Excelsior Marching Band, Mobile (2013)
- Herb Trotman, Birmingham (2015)
- Jake Landers, Tuscumbia (2017)