BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

We’re delighted to announce that this year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Award ceremony has been heralded a big success.

Held for the first time at the Lowry in Salford, the show, which took place on Wednesday 8th February, was presented by regular host BBC Radio 2’s Mike Harding and Scottish singer Julie Fowlis and was broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Red Button simultaneously.

Bob Shennan, Controller, Radio 2 and 6 Music said: "Folk music is enjoying a fantastic resurgence in popularity in the UK with a vibrant and varied scene. Tonight’s event proves once again how important it is for Radio 2 to schedule our annual Folk Awards as well as our weekly folk show, and I’d like to congratulate all of the winners."

Those winners included June Tabor who won Folk Singer of the Year and whose collaboration with Oysterband also won Best Group, Best Album and Best Traditional Track. Best Live Act went to Home Service whilst well-deserved and long-overdue Good Tradition Awards were presented to Ian Campbell and Bill Leader. For the first time in the history of the event, the Best Original Song Award was jointly received by Steve Tilston and Bella Hardy.

The audience, which for the first time included members of the general public, was treated to spectacular performances from The Unthanks with the Brighouse and Rastrick Band, the Martin Simpson Band, Christy Moore and Best Duo winners Tim Edey and Brendan Power.

Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Don McLean who commented: "I thank the BBC for thinking of me and honouring me with this award. The UK audience has been among the most loyal for over 40 years and without them certainly I wouldn’t be considered for this honour, so I thank the BBC and I thank the British public."

The Dubliners, who celebrate their 50th anniversary this year, were recognised when they received their Lifetime Achievement accolade from singer-songwriter Ralph McTell.

For full details of the Folk Awards and winners PLUS videos from the event visit the BBC Radio 2 website, www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/folk-awards-2012. You can view highlights of the event by pressing the Red Button on any BBC TV channel.

 

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