Cleveland folk musician Charlie Mosbrook is one of the local music scene’s real treasures. In addition to a lengthy discography (including his newly released album What Are We Waiting For? It’s Time) and a full schedule of shows, he’s long been an advocate for the local music scene and supporter of other musicians with the open mic nights he’s hosted over the years, booking stages at events and shows, and activism with Cleveland’s long-running acoustic music nonprofit Folknet, of which he’s now the president.
He also serves on the Folk Alliance board of directors as vice president and was president of its Midwest region in 2022-23. He’s a teaching artist with northeast Ohio education nonprofit Roots of American Music and recently took on the job of its Education and Program Director. And he’s an advocate for justice and human and civil rights, performing at events such as Musicians Against Dictators and No Kings. He does all this from a wheelchair due to a spinal condition.
Now he’s about to receive the Folk Alliance Region Midwest Lantern Bearer Award at the group’s annual conference in Lisle, Illinois (outside Chicago). They say “The FARM Lantern Bearer Award is given annually to recognize an individual, group or organization in the Midwest region who has made significant contributions to the folk performance arts in our community locally and/or regionally. This award recognizes outstanding members of our community in areas of excellence such as Activism, Community, Cultural/Diversity Inclusion, Folk DJ, Emerging Artists, etc., as a benchmark of their success.”
There’s no question that Mosbrook has earned this award. Learn more here.
2 Responses to “NEWS: Cleveland Folksinger/Educator/Activist Charlie Mosbrook Gets Folk Alliance Award for His Work”
John Kinslow McGrail
Most deserving!
Andy Cohen
Charlie and I both serve FARM, FAI, Folknet, and traditional music in general, in a variety of ways. I’ve know Charlie since the early 70s when he blew an amp and I just happened to have one in my car. There is no finer soul on earth than Charlie Mosbrook. He’s a oner.