Sunday 14th September 2003

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Glittering Trad Music Awards an astounding success.

Scots Trad Music Awards 2003

Hands up for Trad, in association with The Queen's Hall and BBC Scotland Interactive, hosted the inaugural 'Scots Trad Music Awards' on Saturday (13th September 2003) in Edinburgh's Queen's Hall. These awards, in celebration of Scotland's rich musical heritage, were opened by Frank McAveety MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. Mr McAveety extended the support of the Scottish Executive for this initiative, which will take place on an annual basis.

15 awards were presented in an evening that seen Scotland's traditional music industry come out in force to celebrate their cultural heritage past and present. In a glamourous and glittering occasion, awards were presented to Celtic Connections festival (Best Festival), presented by Philip Riddle, Chief Executive of Visit Scotland, Phil Cunningham MBE (Best Instrumentalist), Scottish Power Pipe Band (Best Pipe Band), Capercaillie (Best Band), and Living Tradition Magazine received the Media Award.

There was a special 'Services to the Traditional Music' award made to Scottish poet and folklorist Hamish Henderson who died March 2002. This was received by his daughter Christine Marshall with a beautiful eulogy delivered by fellow folklorist and singer Dr Margaret Bennett. The audience all celebrated his life and work with a rousing rendition of Hamish's song 'Freedom Come All Ye'. In future years the award will be renamed 'The Hamish Henderson Award for Services to Traditional Music'.

Alongside performances from Back of the Moon (winners of the Best Up and Coming Artist category) and the amazingly talented piper Gordon Duncan from Pitlochry, there was a cracking set from Deaf Shepherd, nominated for the Best Band award. Furthermore, Kelso High School Celtic Group - boasting 23 members - played two astounding sets of tunes which gained them a thoroughly deserved standing ovation from the capacity audience. Their music showed that Scotland's traditional music is in safe hands.

Hands Up for Trad would like to thank all who made this event successful, and special thanks go to Frank McAveety MSP and Philip Riddle (Visit Scotland) for taking time out of their busy diaries to attend this memorable evenings entertainment.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Simon Thoumire @ "Hands Up For Trad"
w: www.handsupfortrad.co.uk. e: info@handsupfortrad.co.uk t: 01899 850658 m: 07775854572

Notes to the Editor

For more details on winners check out www.handsupfortrad.co.uk
Sponsors are Queen's Hall, BBC Scotland Interactive, Traditional Music and Song Association, The National Piping Centre, The National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs, Visit Scotland, The Musicians Union, City of Edinburgh Council, Highlander Music, Birnam CD, Sheena Wellington, The Living Tradition magazine, Scottish Arts Council and Trad music labels Macmeanmna, Temple, Greentrax and Foot Stompin' Records.

Awards were presented to:
Best Album - sponsored by Birnam CD
Winner:
CLIAR

Best Scots Singer - sponsored by TMSA
Winner:
KARINE POLWART

Best Gaelic Singer - sponsored by Macmeanmna
Winner:
KAREN MATHESON

Best Instrumentalist - sponsored by Temple Records
Winner:
PHIL CUNNINGHAM

Best Scottish Dance Band - sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs
Winner:
ALASDAIR MACCUISH AND THE BLACK ROSE
CEILIDH BAND

Best Pipe Band - sponsored by The National Piping Centre
Winner:
SCOTTISH POWER PIPE BAND

Best Folk Band - sponsored by Living Tradition
Winner:
CAPERCAILLIE

Best Festival - sponsored by Visit Scotland
Winner:
CELTIC CONNECTIONS FESTIVAL

Best Club - sponsored by Foot Stompin' Celtic Music
Winner:
SHETLAND ACCORDION CLUB

Best Live Act - sponsored by Musicians Union
Winner:
BATTLEFIELD BAND

Best Up and Coming Artist/ Band - sponsored by Wellington Consultancy
Winner:
BACK OF THE MOON

Radio/TV Show of the Year - sponsored by Foot Stompin' Celtic Music
Winner:
TRAVELLING FOLK

Retailer of the Year - Sponsored by Highlander Music
Winner:
CODA MUSIC, THE MOUND, EDINBURGH

Media Award - Sponsored by Greentrax
Winner:
LIVING TRADITION MAGAZINE

Services to Traditional Music - Sponsored by Greentrax
Posthumously awarded to HAMISH HENDERSON

The Sheiling, Lamington, South Lanarkshire ML12 6HW, UK.
Tel. 01899 850 658 Fax. 0131 441 3189 Email info@handsupfortrad.co.uk Web www.handsupfortrad.co.uk

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