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Gardner Winter Music Festival Heritage Award

Each year an individual or a group is selected to receive the Gardner Winter Music Festival Heritage Award. The criteria for this award are as follows:

  1. Person or organization with recognizable contribution to Appalachian music.
  2. Actions that go above and beyond to promote Appalachian Traditional Music.
  3. A weighted preference to person/organization who/which has, in the spirit of the Gardner Festival, participated fully and has demonstrated dedication to both the music and the festival by continued participation. (Does not have to be required but should merit a weighted preference.)

As of 2026 the Board has decided to open nominations to the public. These nominations are not necessarily for the current year, but will be more of a rolling list to be considered each year. We also ask that when making the nomination you tell us not just who you are nominating, but also why you feel they are deserving. The form to submit nominations may be found at this link external link icon

Past Heritage Award Winners

  • 2009

    • Charles “Blackie” Lemley

    • Elmer Rich

      Monica Andis presenting Elmer Rich with the 2009 Heritage Award
      Monica Andis presenting Elmer Rich with the 2009 Heritage Award
  • 2010

    • Patty Looman

      Jeff Fedan presenting Patty Looman with the 2010 Heritage Award
      Jeff Fedan presenting Patty Looman with the 2010 Heritage Award
  • 2011

    • Dwight Diller

    • Gerry Milnes

      Butch Neal presenting Gerry Milnes with the 2011 Heritage Award
      Butch Neal presenting Gerry Milnes with the 2011 Heritage Award
  • 2012

    • Kathy and Jeff Fedan

    • Margo and Butch Neal

      Judy Werner and Buck Owens presenting Margo and Butch Neal and Jeff and Kathy Fedan with the 2012 Heritage Award
      Judy Werner and Buck Owens presenting Margo and Butch Neal and Jeff and Kathy Fedan with the 2012 Heritage Award
  • 2013

    • Joe Coe

      Buck Owens presenting Joe Coe with the 2013 Heritage Award.
      Buck Owens presenting Joe Coe with the 2013 Heritage Award.
  • 2014

    • Ronnie Utt

      Buck Owens presenting Ron Utt with the 2014 Heritage Award
      Buck Owens presenting Ron Utt with the 2014 Heritage Award
  • 2015

    • Taylor Runner

      Buck Owens presenting Taylor Runner with the 2015 Heritage Award
      Buck Owens presenting Taylor Runner with the 2015 Heritage Award
  • 2016

    • Charlie Burton

      Buck Owens presenting Charlie Burton with the 2016 Heritage Award
      Buck Owens presenting Charlie Burton with the 2016 Heritage Award
  • 2017

    • Richard Eddy

      Buck Owens, Judy Werner and Libby Eddy presenting Richard Eddy with the 2017 Heritage Award
      Buck Owens, Judy Werner and Libby Eddy presenting Richard Eddy with the 2017 Heritage Award
  • 2018

    • Ray Hicks

      Tiffany Rice presenting Ray Hicks with the 2018 Heritage Award
      Tiffany Rice presenting Ray Hicks with the 2018 Heritage Award
  • 2019

    • Buck Owens

      Jean Howard presenting Buck Owens with the 2019 Heritage Award
      Jean Howard presenting Buck Owens with the 2019 Heritage Award

    • Eb and Judy Werner

      Jean Howard presenting Eb and Judy Werner with the 2019 Heritage Award
      Jean Howard presenting Eb and Judy Werner with the 2019 Heritage Award
  • 2020

    • Ed and Karen McDonald

      Bob Shank presenting Ed and Karen McDonald with the 2020 Heritage Award
      Bob Shank presenting Ed and Karen McDonald with the 2020 Heritage Award
  • 2024

    • Travis Stimeling

      Jean Howard presenting the 2024 Heritage Award to Chris Stimeling in memory of his father Travis Stimeling.
      Jean Howard presenting the 2024 Heritage Award to Chris Stimeling in memory of his father Travis Stimeling.
  • 2025

    • Chris Haddox

      Judy Werner presenting Chris Haddox with the 2025 Heritage Award.
      Judy Werner presenting Chris Haddox with the 2025 Heritage Award.