In this episode, we sit down with Chris White, recipient of the 2026 Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award. Chris takes us through his lifelong journey in folk music, from growing up in a musical family and discovering the power of community singing to co-founding the Ottawa Folk Festival and helping create opportunities for artists through Home Routes. We talk about his work in radio with Canadian Spaces, the importance of festivals as spaces for connection and participation, and his ongoing work bringing people together through music. On behalf of Folk Canada, congratulations to Chris White on this well deserved award! Connect with Chris on Facebook and find his music on Bandcamp. About Chris White Based in Ottawa, Chris White was born in Toronto into a musical family with Nova Scotian roots that combine Black, White and Indigenous heritage. As a child, he sang in a sibling vocal quartet and participated in a neighbourhood choir led by his father. His mother played the piano and was a major fan of Canadian folk songs. A songwriter and guitar player, Chris has released three albums of original songs that are sometimes humorous and sometimes touching. He is known for his engaging stage presence and his ability to get audiences to sing along enthusiastically! He is a member of a musical collective called the Afro-Métis Nation, and also performs with his banjo-playing wife, Mary Gick. Chris's contributions to the folk music community extend to musical event planning and organizing. He revived the Writer's Bloc songwriting group in 1989, and brought Karen Leslie Hall's Song-Along songwriting challenge to the Ottawa area in 1994. He co-founded the Ottawa Folk Festival in 1993 and served as its artistic director for 16 years, placing an ever-increasing emphasis on participatory experiences such as weekend choirs, ukulele-building workshops, dance tents and collaborative murals. Chris has helped to create many other community-oriented festivals and events over the years, including the Ottawa Grassroots Festival, Gil's Hootenanny, Folkbooth, Tree Songs, and a live national video show called Canadian Faces. Chris is a founding member of the Home Routes national house concert network and has also served on the board of CKCU and OCFF (now Folk Canada). He has designed large-scale musical events for the National Arts Centre, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and Public Services International, as well as smaller-scale singing, songwriting and performance workshops in schools, colleges and camps. Following in his father's footsteps, Chris has created community singing groups for people of all ages and abilities, including children, seniors, newcomers, and people with dementia. Since 2013, Chris has been involved in producing and hosting 'Canadian Spaces' on CKCU FM, Canada's longest-running folk/roots radio show. He also helps high school students develop radio and video skills during co-op placements. ______________ Tune in to the latest episodes of Refolkus, featuring latest music releases from Folk Canada members and Refolkus guests, now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1 in Ottawa, CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg and CFBX 92.5 FM in Kamloops. Presented by Folk Canada Hosted by Rosalyn Dennett Produced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn Dennett Mixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod Cabin Theme music “Amsterdam” by King Cardiac Artwork by Jaymie Karn
