BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
Name	BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
Description	Annual folk music awards
Presenter	BBC Radio 2
Country	United Kingdom

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards is an annual event that recognizes and celebrates the best of folk music in the United Kingdom, with winners chosen by a panel of experts including Bob Harris, Mark Radcliffe, and Mike Harding. The awards ceremony is broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and features live performances by nominated artists, such as Eliza Carthy, Billy Bragg, and June Tabor. The event is also attended by notable figures in the music industry, including Joan Baez, Richard Thompson, and Linda Thompson. The awards have been presented in various locations, including the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, with support from organizations like the English Folk Dance and Song Society and the Folk Arts Centre.

History

The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards were first presented in 2000 by BBC Radio 2 to promote and celebrate folk music in the United Kingdom. The awards were created by John Leonard, a producer at BBC Radio 2, in collaboration with Folk Roots magazine and the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Over the years, the awards have been hosted by various presenters, including Mike Harding, Mark Radcliffe, and Simon Mayo, with support from BBC Radio 2 and organizations like the Folk and Roots magazine and the Folk Music Society. The awards have also been associated with other events, such as the Cambridge Folk Festival and the Cropredy Festival, which feature performances by artists like Fairport Convention, Pentangle, and Steeleye Span.

Awards

The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards present several awards in different categories, including Best Album, Best Group, Best Singer, and Best Instrumentalist, with winners chosen from a pool of nominees that includes artists like Kate Rusby, Seth Lakeman, and Julie Fowlis. The awards also recognize the contributions of folk music legends, such as Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson, and Roy Harper, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, the awards feature the Horizon Award, which recognizes emerging talent in the folk music scene, with past winners including Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, and Noah and the Whale. The awards are sponsored by organizations like the Arts Council England and the Folk Arts Centre, with support from BBC Radio 2 and other music industry partners.

Winners

Past winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards include Eliza Carthy, who won the Best Album award for her album Angels & Cigarettes, and Billy Bragg, who won the Best Singer award for his album Mr. Love & Justice. Other winners include June Tabor, who won the Best Group award with her band The Oysterband, and Lindisfarne, who won the Best Instrumentalist award for their album Fog on the Tyne. The awards have also recognized the contributions of folk music legends, such as Joan Baez, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, and Richard Thompson, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Winners are chosen by a panel of experts, including Bob Harris, Mark Radcliffe, and Mike Harding, with support from organizations like the English Folk Dance and Song Society and the Folk Arts Centre.

Ceremony

The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ceremony is a live event that features performances by nominated artists, such as Seth Lakeman, Kate Rusby, and Julie Fowlis. The ceremony is hosted by Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie, with support from BBC Radio 2 and organizations like the Folk and Roots magazine and the Folk Music Society. The event is attended by notable figures in the music industry, including Joan Baez, Richard Thompson, and Linda Thompson, with past ceremonies held at locations like the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The ceremony is broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and features interviews with winners and nominees, as well as live performances by emerging talent in the folk music scene.

Nomination_process

The nomination process for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards involves a panel of experts, including Bob Harris, Mark Radcliffe, and Mike Harding, who select nominees from a pool of eligible artists, such as Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, and Noah and the Whale. The nominees are chosen based on their contributions to folk music in the United Kingdom, with support from organizations like the English Folk Dance and Song Society and the Folk Arts Centre. The public can also vote for their favorite artists in certain categories, such as the Best Album and Best Group awards, with winners chosen from a pool of nominees that includes artists like Fairport Convention, Pentangle, and Steeleye Span. The nomination process is supported by BBC Radio 2 and other music industry partners, with past nominees including Eliza Carthy, Billy Bragg, and June Tabor.

Impact

The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards have had a significant impact on the folk music scene in the United Kingdom, with winners and nominees experiencing increased exposure and recognition, including artists like Kate Rusby, Seth Lakeman, and Julie Fowlis. The awards have also helped to promote emerging talent in the folk music scene, with past winners of the Horizon Award including Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, and Noah and the Whale. The awards have also recognized the contributions of folk music legends, such as Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson, and Roy Harper, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards are supported by organizations like the Arts Council England and the Folk Arts Centre, with past ceremonies held at locations like the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The awards have also been associated with other events, such as the Cambridge Folk Festival and the Cropredy Festival, which feature performances by artists like Fairport Convention, Pentangle, and Steeleye Span.

Category:Music awards