Levon Helm, Uncle Earl and singer-songwriter Tom Russell were among the winners Wednesday night (Feb. 20) in Memphis at the Folk Alliance's third annual awards presentation. The event kicked off the organization's 20th annual conference that continues through Saturday. Helm was named traditional artist of the year, Uncle Earl received album of the year honors for Waterloo, Tennessee and Russell's "Who's Gonna Build Your Wall" was selected song of the year. The contemporary artist award went to Susan Werner. One of the conference's keynote speakers is former U.S. attorney general Janet Reno, who recently served as executive producer of Songs of America, a CD featuring new versions of 50 classic songs that chronicle the history of America. ASCAP will honor Canadian music legend Ian Tyson during a Friday night tribute.