Tom,
    I wonder what the BBC Radio Two programmers` response would be to this suggestion, bearing in mind there are still many active "folk clubs" in these islands.
1) Advise, through the medium of the highest profile
   folk/roots/accoustic music programme they put out that there
   is to be the annual recognition of performers in the above
   genres with awards to be given.
2) Invite all interested parties to respond by e-mail giving the
   details, in their opinion, of who should be recognised as the
   preferred performers, that year, for the various categories as
   decided by the programmers.
3) Set the "Answers In By Date"
4) Monitor the results and present a programme based on those
   results.

I know, I know, of course there will be attempts to rig, just like many elections but it would not take rocket science and it would certainly not be beyond the wit of the programmers to filter out the dross. This is just for starters and I`m sure a deal of polishing would be necessary but I would love to see it tried.
I fear though if such a proposal or suggestion was put to Radio Two it would fall on stony ground.