Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)

Subject: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Smedley
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 04:19 AM

BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS 2010
WINNERS


FOLK SINGER OF THE YEAR
Jon Boden

BEST DUO
Show of Hands

BEST GROUP
Lau

BEST ALBUM
Hill of Thieves – Cara Dillon

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Arrogance Ignorance and Greed – Steve Knightley (performed by Show of Hands)

BEST TRADITIONAL TRACK
Sir Patrick Spens – Martin Simpson

HORIZON AWARD
Sam Carter

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
John Kirkpatrick

BEST LIVE ACT
Bellowhead

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Nanci Griffith

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dick Gaughan

GOOD TRADITION AWARD
The Transatlantic Sessions

FOLK CLUB OF THE YEAR
The Magpie's Nest


Let the squabbling commence!!!

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Paul Reade
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 04:57 AM

Before the arguments start about whether so-and-so should have got an award, am I alone in feeling that the whole "awards" culture should have no place in Folk Music?

The folk scene is a a grass-roots democratic movement, and the idea that someone is "the best" and the others are "also-rans" is an anathema to this. Everyone has something to offer, from the professional singer to the average floor singer at a singers night. Audiences just want to hear good music, performed well and with sincerity, and will make their minds up without any media-driven "awards" ceremony.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:16 AM

Interesting comment by Chris Evans on the radio this morning - He went to the ceremony and was stunned by the quality of entertainment. Maybe we will get more airtime on mainstream radio! He commented particularly on Cara Dillon who, in his words, would win hands down anything run by Simon Cowell - but does not want to! I think the same can be said of a lot of folk acts - coming back to Paul's point above. Most people in the 'folk industry' are more than happy to do what they do without the fame and glamour of pop music. So, indeed, why have an awards ceremony? Although I must say I am looking forward to seeing on iPlayer myself:-)

Cheers

DeG

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:25 AM

Delighted to see John Kirkpatrick there. He is still hugely under-rated for the massive contribution that he has made.

Having said that, can I heartily endorse "So, indeed, why have an awards ceremony?" It was seem to me to be a lot of self-congratulatory nonsense, copying the antics of the moribund industry-run mainstream music business and producing a minor version of it.

And that is not sour grapes.... I was once invited and turned the invitation down.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:25 AM

We have been through this before - in fact I think it comes up each year.

First of all it is a media-driven event and (I don't know about this year) but in the past has given folk music a much higher profile than it normally gets.

To many of the nominees and especially some of the winners it means more bookings.

To many of the nominees it means instead of flogging from one end of the country to the other, they can do more closely arranged tours with much less travelling.

It helps festival organisers to book artists with a lot more certainty that they are likely to sell tickets.

I am not sure about this "anti-competitive" attitude either.

The Scots have competitions and whatever we think of them it doesn't seem to have done the music much harm, and may have done it a lot of good.

The Irish have loads of competitions and again it doesn't seem to have hurt Irish traditional music much.

Finally take a look at the rapper dancing scene. Go to the annual competition at DERT and take a look at the dozens of young people brought into folk dance, music and festivals by that. Few would disagree that standards have risen remarkably as well.

Would that Morris Dancing was enjoying an identical revival.

But in the end - the audiences are the judge. The Folk Awards (I sincerely hope) just drive that forwards.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:28 AM

That one remark by Chris Evans will probably give the music a much higher profile. Good.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:33 AM

t David has in a way answered Paul's question!

If the radio 2 folk awards didn't exist, people like Chris Evans wouldn't be able to go along and get introduced to a type of music they might otherwise have dismissed.

Stop thinking about these kind of awards ceremonies as LITERALLY adjudicating who is BEST. I doubt the judges do, I doubt the musicians do, I doubt the majority of the public does. If they did, well, they really ought to get out more.

Think of them for what they are - a platform, a showcase, probably the closest thing the folk scene gets to exposure on an X Factor type level. An excuse for sneaking some folk stuff onto a bigger stage.

Personally, the recipients of those awards coincide in absolutely no way with my own listening. (With the exceptions of Kirkpatrick and Gaughan.)

But I'm happy the awards are there. It means both the winners and the nominees get a bit of much-needed and deserved exposure beyond their folk constituency. It means they're not just preaching to the converted.

It means people might wonder what the Magpie's Nest is, check out the website and go to some of their (usually excellent) gigs.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: theleveller
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:38 AM

Yes, I'd go along with Dave and Matt on that.

Now, what is the Magpie's Nest......

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:41 AM

Yes, there are many ways in which the mainstream music industry is a big old moribund behemoth that wastes an awful lot of money, time and energy on bullshit.

But one thing it's still very good at is hype. Awards ceremonies, "Ones To Watch Lists", Top Albums Of The Decade etc etc. The ubiquitousness of this can be depressing, but that's marketing for you: it sells albums, it sells tour tickets, it makes people aware of acts.

If I ran a folk record label, I'd be disappointed if things like the Radio 2 Awards were to cease altogether. And I'd be delighted if one of the artists I was trying to sell albums by was nominated. And I doubt I'd be too fussed whether they won or not, or who they lost out to: the fact that they'd got a bit of limelight they otherwise wouldn't have, would be enough. Effectively, it's bonus album sales.

Anyway, why shouldn't the folk community get a night out with a free bar once in a while?

(I take it there's a free bar, right? If not, I take it all back... scrap em now!!!)

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: SunrayFC
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:42 AM

The awards are an essential part of it. Increased exposure, credit where it's due (but not always) and we do need folk music to reach those that are frightened to try it or simply haven't bothered. And when they a comment like Mr Evans isn't uncommon.

IN all, a good mix of winners. Especially pleased a Kirkpatrick is in there!

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:48 AM

we do need folk music to reach those that are frightened to try it

Frightened??? I've never come across anyone who is frightened of music.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:51 AM

In response to Folkie Dave:-


Competitions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and Scottish (TMSA) festivals - I have entered those in the past - and DERT are an entirely different thing from the Folk Awards. There is something genuine and inspiring about young people developing their traditional music, song & dance and trying to display them in competition to the best of their ability and then being judged by those that are correctly regarded as experts in their fields.

The Folk Awards nominees are drawn from a very small pool of professional performers and they are there because they have "product" to sell.

The Lifetime Achievement awards are a joke. They are usually given to prominent Americans for publicity purposes. Usually these people have had a very minor role in the development of Folk Arts in this country.
How about recognition for what the likes of Stanley Robertson for what he contributed in a glorious life that ended last August?

Folk Club of the Year? The concept is a joke! I am a friend of Sam Lee and a great admirer of him but really The Magpie's Nest is just at the beginning of what it can achieve. How about, for example, Ted & Ivy Poole who have now been involved with the running of the weekly Swindon Folk Club for 50 years? No, Sam and The Magpie's Nest have a more "sexy" media-friendly appeal.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Captain Farrell
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:57 AM

I see nothing wrong with a good night out seeing your partners in folk music at a social gathering,and of course meeting old and new freinds

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: LesB
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 06:25 AM

"I see nothing wrong with a good night out seeing your partners in folk music at a social gathering,and of course meeting old and new freinds "
Yes so do I, it's called a Folk Club.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 06:34 AM

"Folk Club of the Year? The concept is a joke! I am a friend of Sam Lee and a great admirer of him but really The Magpie's Nest is just at the beginning of what it can achieve. How about, for example, Ted & Ivy Poole who have now been involved with the running of the weekly Swindon Folk Club for 50 years? No, Sam and The Magpie's Nest have a more "sexy" media-friendly appeal."

I don't disagree with you Vic, but I think you've got unrealistic expectations of what you're going to hear on Radio 2.

I think it's a fact that you simply couldn't HAVE a folk awards ceremony existing on Radio 2, with that kind of money behind it, with that kind of media profile, if it really did understand, acknowledge and reward the grassroots folk music scene. It's on Radio 2. It's always going to be a bit Mike Harding, a bit Smooth Operations.

There's certainly a place for an folk awards ceremony that has its ear to to the ground. But that place is never going to be Radio 2.

Would it make much difference to me if those awards ceased to exist, or had never existed? Probably not. But it'd be a shame if they were to vanish. Nancy Wallace was nominated for a Horizon award. Messrs Kirkpatrick and Gaughan won awards. That's good enough for me.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 06:37 AM

or, to put it another way, if you were to ask any of the winners listed above if they are glad the awards exist, they would almost certainly say yes.

so if you've ever liked any of their music, well, seems like an open and shut case to me...

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: mattkeen
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 07:06 AM

Seems ok

Good on John Boden I say

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Smedley
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 07:10 AM

"Everyone has something to offer."

Sorry, but that's nonsense. I'm all for not erecting unhelpful hierarchies, but is there no difference between (searches for non-contentious example, fails) Linda Thompson and someone whose voice is so poor they couldn't carry a tune in a bucket ?

That isn't, before the accusations fly, to say that only certain kind of voices work - one of my favourite singers in Chavela Vargas and she hardly possesses a squeaky-clean X-Factor voice.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: evansakes
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 07:14 AM

I don't have issues about any of the winners but I'm especially pleased at Sam Carter getting the Horizon Award.

He's as talented as anyone emerging on the folk scene at the moment.

http://www.myspace.com/samjohncarter

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 07:28 AM

Not a bad selection. Fine people awarded....
But.....Nancy Griffith? Lifetime achievement?
Well, she can sing a bit
Hasn't done a floor spot anywhere near me recently.
Must have missed her.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 07:37 AM

Normally I am quite sceptical regarding the Folk Awards, however this year since we have Jon Boden, along with Fay Hield, as our guests at Traditions at the Tiger, Long Eaton on Sunday night (7th Feb) for our 19th Birthday Party (and never once Folk Club of the Year!) I think that they are great!!!

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: evansakes
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 08:03 AM

One year ago somebody said....

"I don't get it. BBC awards, uniformly awarded to Brits, until you get to the "Lifetime Achievement" awards (to James Taylor and Judy Collins). What's that about??"

This year I see it's Nanci Griffith's turn to get a good kicking because she's American and not British.

Entirely predictable....I'm only amazed it took this many posts before the boot came out.

It's almost like Groundhog Day.....

Hang on a second.....it IS Groundhog Day :-)

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 08:07 AM

Its not a question of a kicking, but surley there is a point here. Good as nanci and for that matter James Taylor are, should this not really be about British Folk?

Still waiting for some acknowledgement of the part played by The Spinners in bringing Folk music to the british public.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 08:13 AM

I would have thought if the hierarchy of the BBC are there then they would be likely to look at the event as very much a minority interest. As John K and Sam Carter and Dick Guaghan climb the stage to accept their awards, the D-G or Controller of BBC Radio 2 is likely to say "Who?".

If Nanci Griffiths goes up on stage there is a name they know and it gives the whole proceedings more kudos.

I am not arguing for this, just trying to explain it.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,erbert
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 08:18 AM

Well I certainly don't begrudge the top award winners
the chance for wider public media exposure
and their well earned good fortune
to be able to cop off with a better class of groupies
like page 3 models and ex Big Brother contestants.

At least us lot at the bottom end of the folk fame feeding chain
can still enjoy the leftover saucy attentions of local old hippy folk club fan girls.

wah hey !!!

ps girls, I'm 5'3" blue eyed, medium fat build, still some of my own hair, shiny new dentures,
and enjoy a good pint of classy Lidles wine and a romantic fireside strum.
Private bookings available.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Smedley
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 08:29 AM

Don't all rush at once.......


And re. The Spinners (see Slias' post of 8.07), although I've read lots of appreciative things posted about them in Mudcat, and I can see why they were successful, the other side of the coin is that they also put off some audiences. When I was growing up, those who disdained folk often had The Spinners in mind.    Unfair, no doubt, but undeniable.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Morris-ey
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 08:48 AM

I don't think the Spinners put anyone off folk music.

What happended was that people saw the Spinnres, enjoyed what they did and then went to their local folk club. There, like as not, they heard such dire performances (from folk who derided the Spinners) that they gave up completely...

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Morris-ey
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 08:50 AM

Happened...Spinners (must change this keyboard)

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 08:50 AM

Well, with respect Smed, you could say that about almost anyone from Fred Jordan to Steeleye. The point is that for good or bad, they introduced many many people to folk music for the first time, some stayed with it, some didn't, buty their contribution was enormous and tghere has never been any real acknowledgement of this fact, its a bloody shame.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Marje
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 09:21 AM

The point about Nanci Griffith is not that she's American, it is that she has almost no influence on the UK folk scene. Other non-UK performers(Cara Dillon, James Taylor, Judy Collins) are appreciated and influential musicans here, and if you go back further you could also include Joan Baez and Bob Dylan as being seminal influences on the music scene in Britain. Performers such as Sara Grey make regular tours in the UK and are well known. In recent years, bands from Sweden, singers from Canada and music from France have all made their contribution.

But Nanci Griffith?

Marje

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: JohnB
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 10:35 AM

Speaking as an ex-pat Brit living in Canada for the past 33 years.
It,(the award stuff) gives me some idea of what/who is considered good enough to give an award to. I can then look out for said people at festivals, folk clubs, CD's etc when I am over there. There again the only two I don't know or haven't heard from the list above are Lau and Sam Carter.
John Kirkpatrick, musician of the year? he was brilliant when I lived in the UK, HE should be getting a life time achievement award.
btw. are Martin and Norma having a year off or something :)

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: theleveller
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 10:46 AM

I do like Nanci Griffith but I've always thought of her as a country singer. In the circumstances, perhaps Kate Mcgarrigle would have been a better choice.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Smedley
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 11:13 AM

OK, I'll stop generalising, The Spinners put ME off folk music.

But then I heard 'Liege & Lief'.......

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 11:21 AM

Smedley, I can well see where you are coming from - a lot of their output was dross, I agree. But, and it's a big but, they were just about the only folk music that was avaliable to many of us in the 60s and early seventies and they were passionate about it and I think they did a lot of good. They seem to be sometying of an embarresment now, which is a real shame.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 01:14 PM

Significant quote from the official press release for The Folk Awards:-

Squeezebox player John Kirkpatrick was named Musician Of The Year. Eddie Upton, Director of Folk South West, accepted the award from actor Greg Wise on Kirkpatrick's behalf.

His website does not say that he had a gig last night.....

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Folknacious
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 01:51 PM

I don't think the Spinners put anyone off folk music.

They did me. Luckily I heard an alternative before it was too late.

I don't understand the "Lifetime Achievement" award for Nancy Griffiths either, no more than I did James Taylor, Steve Earle, Judy Collins or any other of the Americans - all just coincidentally (?) represented by the PR company who handle the Awards - who have won them in the past.

Surely if this type of irrelevant (to the UK folk scene) American artist was deserving of such acclaim you might have seen these kind of names coming up in nominations in the voted categories at some time, but they never have. So if all the experts who apparently vote year in, year out never think of nominating American AOR/ country singer/songwriters, how come the BBC impose them every year instead of far more deserving UK artists with some relevance to our folk scene.

Giving the "Good Tradition" award to a BBC TV programme is downright dodgy too. Good programmes, but the BBC connection ought to have ruled that out. There are many other people and organisations who have done tremendous service to the folk scene over the years who have never been recognised. Nepotism doesn't look good.

The rest is fine. Not always to my taste, but at least democratically arrived at.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: broadstairs-jen
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 02:21 PM

listened to radio 2 on my drive home from work today...nancy griffith was on. when asked why she considered this award special she said...well its the bbc...and its radio...and its folk...wow, that was an eye opener to me, lol

when i lived in texas she was definately considered country

i do agree with ralphie, folknacious, and marje above that it would have been better to see someone that had contributed to the uk folk scene

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Guessed
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 02:25 PM

Significant quote from the official press release for The Folk Awards:-

Squeezebox player John Kirkpatrick was named Musician Of The Year. Eddie Upton, Director of Folk South West, accepted the award from actor Greg Wise on Kirkpatrick's behalf.

His website does not say that he had a gig last night.....


John Kirkpatrick did however send a long and gracious thank you note which was read out at the awards by Mr Upton.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 02:33 PM

The Irish have loads of competitions and again it doesn't seem to have hurt Irish traditional music much
quote folkie dave.
it has certainly altered it,comhaltas set out to stop the music from dying and keeping it pure from undesirable cultural influences,what they have done,is alter it,it has become a music that is obsessed with ornmamentation, this is a direct result of their marking system for competitions.
since the most marks are given for ornamentation,many competitors think this means the music has to be over ornamented,unfortunately some judges encourage this nonsense.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 03:54 PM

I used to go to Ireland in the sixties when traditional music was a a rarity in many parts and the musicians that came over to England were Irish Show Bands.

Are you telling me it is still like that?

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 03:59 PM

I am not telling you anything,other than that which I have written.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: le cheffie
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 06:24 PM

Did I miss JK not getting his award tonight on the Radio 2 show, maybe i was away from the radio for a split second

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Mark Sevens
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 09:31 PM

Too many announcers spouting off their thinly veiled Left-wing Political bias, I switched my radio off after two and a half songs ..

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 02:58 AM

"Too many announcers spouting off their thinly veiled Left-wing Political bias"
Great - that's the folk scene that I used to know and love!!

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 03:09 AM

Anbd hurrah for Martin Green!

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 03:43 AM

I think the way the folk club is chosen is a difficult one. As far as I know, is it done on a poll of artists so it benefits those clubs which have a headliner each week. It does not take any account of those clubs that foster young, local or new performers. If you consider the stirling work the Cambridge folk club do - with open club nights - some of the contributors being asked to do slightly longer sets on future nights- and the use of some of these again to act as support to guest nights - then they are contributing mightily to the development of folk. However, because guest night is not each week they are less likely to be chosen as club of the year.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: theleveller
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 03:54 AM

""Too many announcers spouting off their thinly veiled Left-wing Political bias"
Great - that's the folk scene that I used to know and love!! "

Me too! Folk music has always had a left-wing political bias - and, hopefully, always will.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 04:04 AM

Was there a Public Vote Award?

No?

Oh, well perhaps someone should start a group called 'Folk Against Elitism'

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Mad Spaniel
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 04:19 AM

"Significant quote from the official press release for The Folk Awards:-

Squeezebox player John Kirkpatrick was named Musician Of The Year. Eddie Upton, Director of Folk South West, accepted the award from actor Greg Wise on Kirkpatrick's behalf.

His website does not say that he had a gig last night.....


John Kirkpatrick did however send a long and gracious thank you note which was read out at the awards by Mr Upton. "

But why no mention of this on the Radio 2 programme last night very poor-or did i miss it?

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Dizzie Devonish
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 07:30 AM

Oh, well perhaps someone should start a group called 'Folk Against Elitism'

Why don't you do it Lizzie? You have plenty of time to spend on here. Get out and do it instead of yattering on here. You could do a lot of people a favour. Those who agree could join you and those who disagree would be let in peace.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 08:23 AM

There is already a mighty movement against elitism in folk. It is called the folk club. Runs every night in most places in the UK and has hundreds of thousands of supporters. Some have been called better than others but I think that, in principle, they are all pretty much the same. They will let most people do most things and anyone who believes that folk music is in any way elitist ought to get to more live music clubs.

If we are talking about show cases though, such as national radio and TV presentations than I am afraid that not everyone gets on. First reason - There is no time. Second, and main, reason is that they are accountable. Either to the public, in the case of the BBC, or, in the case of commercial media, their sponsors. Thay can, and should, only put on what is either good, popular or, hopefuly, both. If that is elitism then I am afraid that I am all for it!

A public vote would not change anything in this instance. The people interested in this type of music will only vote for what is either good, popular or, hopefuly, both. The results will be exactly the same as before exept people will be whigning about how other people voted instead of how the judges decided.

Unless we make everything like the X-Factor of course. In which case we will get just what we deserve...

Cheers

DeG

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,John
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 03:26 PM

No signs of Pete Coe, The Wilsons, Steve Turner, etc, etc, do they not meet the criteria? These were by far the Best acts we saw at any of the clubs or festivals we visited during 2009. Do the judges actually go to clubs or festivals? Or do they just keep looking in their box of favourites each year?

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 05:10 PM

Lizzie...Considering your "boyzies" got two awards, what's the problem?
A public vote would just mean that you would flood the internet with your own votes...John Jones probably ending up with best female vocalist!!

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Mark Stevens
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 09:13 PM

It's the same old big names from 20years ago that got most of the awards..
No great changes. Folk Music is of minority appeal to the masses and the Media. Folk on 2 is still only allowed 1 hour of airplay per week ~ it's the same as way back in 1982..
Isn't Jim Lloyd now on Radio 4 in The Archers ?

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Ripov
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 09:39 PM

Classical music only appeals to a minority, but there is radio 3 and classic fm. so why doesn't folk music have its own radio station? More Elitism?

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: GUEST,Mark Stevens
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 10:18 PM

Indeed. Why doesn't folk music have it's own radio station ?
Btw; there is Planet Rock radio ..