Bruce Cockburn, Dave Gunning up for folk music awards

Bruce Cockburn and Dave Gunning are leading the pack in the race for the Canadian Folk Music Awards.

As nominations for the 2011 awards were released Wednesday in Toronto, Cockburn was in the running in four categories, including contemporary album of the year and solo artist and songwriter of the year.

The folk veteran has been performing since the 1960s and had huge hits such as If I Had A Rocket Launcher and Wonderin’ Where the Lions Are. He is a multiple award-winner and followed up the release of this year's Small Source of Comfort with a national tour.

Gunning, of Pictou County, N.S., also has four nominations but in completely different catories. He is vying for traditional singer  and songwriter of the year and traditional album of the year with his recently released A Tribute to John Allan Cameron.

Cameron, dubbed the godfather of Celtic music in Canada, died in 2006, but continues to influence young musicians.

Winnipeg favourites The Wailin’ Jennys scored three nominations including vocal group and ensemble of the year for their album Bright Morning Stars. The trio, who blend their voices into beautiful harmony, mix pop and traditional folk in their fresh sound.  Francophone groups Genticorum and Maz also have three nominations apiece.

In the best traditional singer category, Gunning is competing with Scottish ex-pat Enoch Kent, Edmonton’s Lizzy Hoyt, Vancouver Island’s Eileen McGann and Saskatchewan-born Joel Fafard.

The contenders for best contemporary singer include Halifax-based David Myles, Saskatoon’s Suzie Vinnick, Winnipeg’s Cat Jahnke and Toronto’s Matthew Barber, as well as Cockburn.

The winners will be named Dec. 4 at an awards ceremony held in Toronto.