SCOTS TRAD MUSIC AWARDS 2005

RESULTS ANNOUNCED

With more than 60,000 votes cast by the public the Scots Trad Music Awards 2005 were announced at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on Saturday 3rd December. Culture Minister, Patricia Ferguson MSP, opened the awards and also made presentations to the 6 performers inducted into the newly created Hall of Fame. Ms Ferguson said: "Traditional Scottish music is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world - it is an export Scotland can be truly proud of and it’s influence stretches far and wide, across cultures and musical genres."

The third Trad Music Awards, sponsored by McEwan’s Sessions, received 20,000 more votes than last year for the 62 nominations in 17 categories. Organiser, Simon Thoumire noted that, “Courtesy of the internet we have received votes from all over the world including countries such as USA, New Zealand, Canada, Russia and Uruguay”.

Voting was conducted by postal ballot and online voting in conjunction with BBC Scotland’s Celtic Roots website (www.bbc.co.uk/celticroots) and media sponsors, The Scotsman.

Performers at the awards included Blazin' Fiddles, Maggie MacInnes Band, Jim Malcolm, Plockton National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, Kirkwall City Pipe Band, Stuart Cassells, TMSA Young Trad Musicians (featuring all the finalists of the 2005 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award), Anna Massie Band and The Occasionals.

The Trad Music Awards were presented by Mary Ann Kennedy and Iain Anderson and supported by the Scottish Arts Council. The Scottish Arts Council is the lead body for the funding development and advocacy of the arts in Scotland. Richard Holloway, Chairman, Scottish Arts Council – ‘The Trad Music Awards are a celebration of the vibrant talent which exists in the traditional music scene in Scotland today.’ For more information visit www.scottisharts.org.uk.

For further information contact:
Fiona Duff/Natalie Biggs
Duff Publicity
0131 558 1199/07710 4197

The Scots Trad Music Award 2005 Winners Are:

1. Album of the Year sponsored by Birnam CD

Magnificent Seven – Blazin’ Fiddles

2. Club of the Year sponsored by Living Tradition Magazine
An Award to recognise the club (folk club, accordion club etc) which guest musicians feel was best organised, most welcoming, had the best or most discerning audiences etc.

Glenfarg Folk Club

3. Composer of the Year sponsored by Distil
An Award for the best songwriter or tunesmith of 2005.

Charlie McKerron

4. Community Project of the Year sponsored by
Award for the traditional music project that best serves your community.

Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop

5. Event of the Year sponsored by VisitScotland
An Award to recognise the event/festival which guest musicians feel was best organised, most welcoming, had the best or most discerning audiences etc

Blazin’ in Beauly

6. Gaelic Singer of the Year sponsored by Macmeanmna
Award for artist singing in Gaelic.

Julie Fowlis

7. Instrumentalist of the Year sponsored by Temple Records
Award for outstanding instrumentalist. Can be any instrument.

Aaron Jones

8. Live Act of the Year sponsored by Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
This is open to any traditional music act touring in Scotland.

Peatbog Faeries

9. Media Award sponsored by Greentrax
An award for radio and TV programmes, magazines, and journalists who are getting the word out through the media.

Aig Cridhe Ar Ciuil (At the Heart of our Music is Song)

10. Scots Singer of the Year sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association
Award for artist singing in Scots.

Jim Reid

11. Scottish Dance Band of the Year sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs

Gordon Shand and his Scottish Dance Band

12. Scottish Folk Band of the Year sponsored by Foot Stompin' Records

Back of the Moon

13. Scottish Pipe Band of the Year sponsored by The National Piping Centre

House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band

14. Services to Industry Award sponsored by Scottish Arts Council
An award for the retailer, distribution company, PA/sound company, tour manager, agent etc whose services to the traditional music industry are indispensable.

MusicScotland

15. The McEwan’s Sessions Venue of the Year 2005

Hootananny, Inverness

16. Up and Coming Artist of the Year sponsored by Wellington Consultancy
This is open to individual artists that are emerging onto the scene. Nominations can be for people of any age as long as they are up and coming.

Jenna Reid

The Hall of Fame inductees are:

PM John D. Burgess MBE
Archie Fisher
Peerie Willie Johnson
Jim Johnstone
Flora MacNeil MBE
Paddy Moloney

Check out the dedicated website www.tradmusichall.com

Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award

Ian D Green

Read more about the Scots Trad Music Awards.