Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:28 AM

That one remark by Chris Evans will probably give the music a much higher profile. Good.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:25 AM

We have been through this before - in fact I think it comes up each year.

First of all it is a media-driven event and (I don't know about this year) but in the past has given folk music a much higher profile than it normally gets.

To many of the nominees and especially some of the winners it means more bookings.

To many of the nominees it means instead of flogging from one end of the country to the other, they can do more closely arranged tours with much less travelling.

It helps festival organisers to book artists with a lot more certainty that they are likely to sell tickets.

I am not sure about this "anti-competitive" attitude either.

The Scots have competitions and whatever we think of them it doesn't seem to have done the music much harm, and may have done it a lot of good.

The Irish have loads of competitions and again it doesn't seem to have hurt Irish traditional music much.

Finally take a look at the rapper dancing scene. Go to the annual competition at DERT and take a look at the dozens of young people brought into folk dance, music and festivals by that. Few would disagree that standards have risen remarkably as well.

Would that Morris Dancing was enjoying an identical revival.

But in the end - the audiences are the judge. The Folk Awards (I sincerely hope) just drive that forwards.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:25 AM

Delighted to see John Kirkpatrick there. He is still hugely under-rated for the massive contribution that he has made.

Having said that, can I heartily endorse "So, indeed, why have an awards ceremony?" It was seem to me to be a lot of self-congratulatory nonsense, copying the antics of the moribund industry-run mainstream music business and producing a minor version of it.

And that is not sour grapes.... I was once invited and turned the invitation down.

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:16 AM

Interesting comment by Chris Evans on the radio this morning - He went to the ceremony and was stunned by the quality of entertainment. Maybe we will get more airtime on mainstream radio! He commented particularly on Cara Dillon who, in his words, would win hands down anything run by Simon Cowell - but does not want to! I think the same can be said of a lot of folk acts - coming back to Paul's point above. Most people in the 'folk industry' are more than happy to do what they do without the fame and glamour of pop music. So, indeed, why have an awards ceremony? Although I must say I am looking forward to seeing on iPlayer myself:-)

Cheers

DeG

Subject: RE: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Paul Reade
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 04:57 AM

Before the arguments start about whether so-and-so should have got an award, am I alone in feeling that the whole "awards" culture should have no place in Folk Music?

The folk scene is a a grass-roots democratic movement, and the idea that someone is "the best" and the others are "also-rans" is an anathema to this. Everyone has something to offer, from the professional singer to the average floor singer at a singers night. Audiences just want to hear good music, performed well and with sincerity, and will make their minds up without any media-driven "awards" ceremony.

Subject: Radio 2 Folk Awards (UK)
From: Smedley
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 04:19 AM

BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS 2010
WINNERS


FOLK SINGER OF THE YEAR
Jon Boden

BEST DUO
Show of Hands

BEST GROUP
Lau

BEST ALBUM
Hill of Thieves – Cara Dillon

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Arrogance Ignorance and Greed – Steve Knightley (performed by Show of Hands)

BEST TRADITIONAL TRACK
Sir Patrick Spens – Martin Simpson

HORIZON AWARD
Sam Carter

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
John Kirkpatrick

BEST LIVE ACT
Bellowhead

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Nanci Griffith

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dick Gaughan

GOOD TRADITION AWARD
The Transatlantic Sessions

FOLK CLUB OF THE YEAR
The Magpie's Nest


Let the squabbling commence!!!