Today, Bo Dollis of the Wild Magnolias was awarded an NEA National Heritage Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. He is joined by Texas quilter Laverne Brackens, Arizona folklorist Jim Griffith, California Taiko drum leaders Roy and PJ Hirabayashi, Hawaiian ukulele and slack key guitarist Ledward Kaapana, Virginia Old Regular Baptist singer Frank Newsome, California pandeiro player and percussionist Carlinhos Pandeiro de Ouro, Maryland Piedmont blues singer Warner Williams, and New Jersey saxophone player Yuri Yunakov.

Each will receive a one-time award of $25,000 and will honored with an awards presentation and banquet, and a concert scheduled for Friday, September 23 at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.

“These artists represent the highest level of artistic mastery and we are proud to recognize their achievements,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “Through their contributions, we have been challenged, enlightened, and charmed, and we thank them for devoting their careers to expanding and supporting their art forms.”