As individuals they are too numerous to list but the real heroes are the people who hav promoted folk music over the years, running folk clubs, festivals & the like. without these people many performers wolud not have had the chance to show thier talents. I think it`s a real shame that the folk clubs have greately deminished over the years. I & many others served our aprenticeship in these places. Nowadays young hopefuls have to go on X factor & look what that produces. No substitute for the folk background.