Nominations Announced For 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards

The nominations for this year's Scots Trad Music Awards have been announced by Hands Up for Trad today at a reception in the Queens Hall, Edinburgh.

There are 18 categories with four nominations in each. They will be voted on by the public during the month of November (closing on the 26th). Categories include Album of the Year (Blair Douglas (Angels from the Ashes), Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas (Fire and Grace), Martyn Bennett (Grit), and The Occasionals (Reel of Four)), Live Act of the Year (Blazin' Fiddles, Finlay MacDonald Band, Session A9 and The Unusual Suspects) and the BBC Radio Scotland Trad Music Personality of the Year (Fiona MacKenzie, Frank McArdle, Harris Playfair and Rita Hunter).

BBC Scotland's Celtic Roots website (www.bbc.co.uk/celticroots) will host the online voting and for those not online, voting forms are available from Hands Up for Trad (freephone 0800 8492317 or at the address below.)

Simon Thoumire of Hands Up for Trad said,

"It is amazing the depth and quality of the trad music scene in Scotland when you look at the range of performers nominated for these awards."

Ian Green of Greentrax Recordings spoke at the launch, which was attended by a number of nominees and musicians Sarah Hoy and Orna Gilchrist played live.

The Scots Trad Music Awards ceremony and concert, will take place at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall on the 4th December, 2004 at 7.30pm. The ceremony will be opened by Patricia Ferguson, the new Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and the winners of 18 Awards, voted for by the public, will be announced. Live performances from Battlefield Band (Best Live Band 2003), Cliar (Best Album 2003), James Graham (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2004), Hadhirgaan (23piece youth band from Orkney), Nicol McLaren Scottish Dance Band, Scottish Power Pipe Band (Best Pipe Band 2003), Sheena Wellington will also take place.

Tickets cost £15 and £12 and are on sale from the Queens Hall box office on 0131 668 2019.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Simon Thoumire on 07775854572, 01899220645, info@handsupfortrad.co.uk.

Read more about the nominees.