As a voter on the BBC awards I'd like to make a small point here.
When your booking form arrives it comes with the list of categories but it also has a list of 'suggestions to jog your memory'. (Can't remember the exact wording) Now the trouble with this is that it acts to 'lead the witness'. I voted for acts that never saw the light of day on this and the last two years. My preferences, which included the likes of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Jim Causley, Witches of Elswick and the astonishing Crucible didn't feature in passing as far as I could see. The insidious 'memory list' is, to my mind, the root of the problem.I personally believe in an open playing field especially when we have reviewers and the like who decide that,and I quote, "If Martin Carthy says he's good then that's good enough for me". Just the sort of 'discerning punter' that needs a list cos he doesn't get out and actually see the really good acts.