yes of course Dick you are right you always are

I just find the negative attitude to the musicians shortlisted for the awards musicians tiresome - it is as if by being short listed in some people's minds it immediately makes them less relevant to folk music.

Why not applaud their success and recognise that the event increases the awareness of folk music which has to be a good thing surely? I have in the past been involved in a Yorkshire based music awards and we have always said it is about awareness raising and recognition of talent in the county, giving a chance for people to come together and celebrate the wealth of live music we have here. I see the folk awards as a similar celebration. I only know a small number of this year's finalists but I look forward to discovering those who I have not come across previously