As much as I am pleased to see another folkie in the list, it does seem like they pick a "Token folkie" each year. Previous nominees have been Kate Rusby, Eliza Carthy, Norma Waterson, and I think Jim Moray. In fact, didn't Norma actually win her year, or did I imagine that?

It's worth pointing out that these are not 'nominees' in the true impartial sense of the word. Entrants (usually record companies) have to pay to enter their latest record - the award is for the record, not the artist. Then, from the list of entrants, a panel chooses the short-list of 'nominees', which is then voted on.

The entrance fee is pretty hefty I believe, so you wouldn't bother unless you thought you had a real chance of at least getting on the short list.

For my money, I reckon it goes to either my old mate Planty & the fab Alison, or maybe the obvious Radiohead. Although they DO have a history of picking the most unlikely - what about that Anthony & the Johnsons geezer a couple of years back?!

Rachel has an outside chance as she has a lot of industry heavyweights rooting for her - Phil Jupitus, Mark Radcliffe, Stuart Maconie et al.

Whatever you think, just being on the list raises the profile of folk in the meeja. Bellowhead should have been in there but maybe they didn't fork out the wonga, and their new discette isn't out until September.

G