Awards, Achievements & Honours
Ian Tyson is an internationally acclaimed western music singer and songwriter who has created some of Alberta’s and Canada’s most enduring standards.
His career has spanned five decades and his music has inspired such renowned artists as Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot.
Over the years, Ian Tyson has continued to create music that encapsulates life in the west.
Through vivid descriptions of Alberta and cowboy culture, Ian Tyson has become a leading spokesman for western pride and helped establish a unique soundtrack to capture the Alberta experience.
The Alberta Order of Excellence
“Ian Tyson has used his skill and passion for music to benefit the community. He has performed at fundraising concerts across Alberta, Canada and internationally to raise awareness of and support for many causes, including child safety and education. As a compassionate rancher and environmentalist, Tyson has also joined his fellow Southern Albertans in work to preserve the natural landscape of rural Alberta.”
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The Canadian music hall of fame
“They only recorded together for a decade, but the music of Ian & Sylvia made an immense impact on the Canadian folk, rock and country scenes.”
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The Order of Canada
Member of the order of canada
“From his early days in folk music, he has shifted to country and western music and continues to seek new ways of expressing his musical artistry. Fascinated by cowboy folklore, he turned his talent to capturing the imagery and mythology of cowboy life in a series of albums that have become popular in Canada and the United States. Authentic and enduring, he strikes a common chord with Canadians looking for the heroes of a simpler past.”
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Governor General’s Performing Arts Award
2003 Lifetime Artistic Achievement
“A consummate artist who shunned the glamour of the bright lights in favour of the call of the wild, Ian always believed in living life and making music on his own terms. He managed to balance a demanding life of composing, touring the continent and recording with the arduous life of a rancher, breeding and training his beloved cutting horses.”
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Canadian Songwriters hall of fame
“Ian Tyson, the widely respected composer of folk and country standards, was a pioneer of the singer-songwriter movement -- a genre firmly established today because of his leadership. The award-winning Tyson earned his place in music history as the composer of the beloved song Four Strong Winds.”
C.M. Russell Heritage award
The Heritage Award may be given in several areas, including history, literature, preservation, music and the arts. It is awarded by the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls. The 2010 inaugural award was presented to Ian Tyson, a singer-songwriter whose music captures and preserves the essence of Russell’s West.
Juno Award Best Country Male Artist
“Tyson began releasing music under the moniker ‘Ian & Sylvia’, and found breakthrough success in 1964 with their sophomore release, Four Strong Winds. The title track, penned by Tyson, would go on to be one of their biggest hits and declared the greatest Canadian song of all time by the CBC-Radio.”
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Calgary Stampede marshall 2012
The list of marshals includes politicians, Hollywood celebrities, sports heroes and royalty. The tradition actually predates the first Stampede of 1912, when parades were held as part of the Calgary Exhibition.
Inductions & Awards
Canadian Country Music Association
Male Vocalist of the Year - 1987
Single of the Year – Navajo Rug - 1987
Album of the Year – Cowboyography - 1987
Vocalist of the Year (Male) - 1988
Induction into Canadian Country Music Hall of Honor - 1989
Video of the Year – Springtime in Alberta - 1991
Alberta Recording Industry Association
Male Performer of the Year - 1987
Country Artist of the Year - 1987
Song of the Year – Navajo Rug - 1987
Album of the Year – Cowboyography - 1987
Single of the Year - 1988
Best Country Artist on Record - 1988
Male Recording Artist of the Year - 1988
Composer of the Year - 1989
Performer of the Year - 1989
Country Music Association of Calgary
Male Vocalist of the Year - 1989
Alberta Song of the Year – Fifty Years Ago - 1989
Top Alberta Single of the Year – Fifty Years Ago - 1989
Favorite Calgary and Area Country Entertainer - 1989
Recognition
BCCMA Hall of Fame - 2006
Mariposa Folk Festival Hall of Fame - 2006
Honorary Dr. of Letters – Thompson Rivers University - 2007
ASCAP Citation of Excellence - 2008
Western Music Hall of Fame - 2008
Western Horseman Magazine’s Horseman of the Year Award - 2009
Resonance Award – Canadian Museum of Civilization for a lifetime’s contribution to Canadian music - 2009
First Recipient of the Charles Russell Heritage Award (C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT) - 2010
The Diamond Jubilee Medal from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II - 2012
Honorary Dr. of Athabasca University 1993
Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) – University of Lethbridge - 2015
Fellowship, Glenbow Museum, Calgary, AB - 2015
Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA) – Hall Of Fame - 2017Finalist, World Championship Cutting Horse Futurity, Fort Worth, TX - 1989
More Awards
Song of the West Reader’s Poll for Best Album of the Year: “And Stood There Amazed” 1991
First Male Country Vocalist to Achieve Two Gold Albums in Canada 1992
ASCAP Country Award (Someday Soon) 1992
Prairie Music Awards – Outstanding Country Recording (Lost Herd) 1999
American Cowboy Culture Awards – Western Music Award 2000
Strong Winds voted Canada’s No. 1 song of the 20th Century 2000
Prairie Music Hall of Fame 2001
Western Heritage Wrangler Award – Outstanding Original Western Composition for “Bob Fudge” 2002