Chorleybob, I'm not a performer. Neither is anyone else I know who has contributed to this thread. I have no axe to grind.

We do care about traditional music, though, and care about the value of the folk awards. While the number of artists who benefit will always remain small, I'd like to at least believe that the musicians "inside the tent" have arrived there fairly. At the moment, it feels a bit like a closed shop. Seth Lakeman's nomination has deprived someone else (who presumably performed an eligible song) of a nomination. I don't know or care who they are. I'd like to see them on the list.

I reiterate that the term "folk" has come to mean so many things to so many people. The "traditional track" award is one tiny corner of the folk industry that acknowledges the more traditional end of the market, and in fact of the culture. To have a song nominated for the award which isn't traditional undermines even that little bit of acknowledgement. That's why it's important.