As Vic says, these are established artists who arguably don't really need the cash to get their careers of the ground, nor indeed are they all known for furthering the err 'cause' or public profile of traditional music.

Maybe either talented fledgling artists just getting their work 'out there', or indeed old hands who have contributed by researching traditional music and working the circuits 'for forty years' may have been more deserving recipients?

As for merit, I just found out what meretricious means. How odd that such a similar sounding word could mean something so different. Just as well I didn't try using it.