Recently we’ve run a series of blog entries on the BBC Folk Awards. However, as many of you may know, they’re not the only folk music awards out there. For those that don’t, the Talkawhile website also runs a series of awards, known as the Hancocks, which have been previously mentioned on this blog.
While the BBC awards are decided by the industry great and the good (broadcasters, journalists, festival organisers, agents and promoters), the Hancocks are voted for by the Talkawhile forum members, i.e. by fans, the even greater and better!
As for the awards themselves, with the exception of the last one, which is all Talkawhile’s own, the Hancock award categories largely mirror the BBC ones, being:
* Folk Singer of the Year
* Musician of the Year
* Best Group or Ensemble
* Best Album
* Best Live Act
* Best Original Song
* Best Traditional Track
* Horizon Award - Best Newcomer
* All Round Good Egg Folkie
The starting point for nominations is the BBC list, but then further candidates are added from nominations proposed and seconded by Talkawhile members, allowing individuals to push the case for their favourite act or someone they think has been criminally overlooked by Mike Harding and the Beeb. And, getting to the point, now is nomination time.
Discussion on candidates will be continuing on the forum at talkawhile.co.uk until the end of December, when the final list of nominations is set. Then in the New Year the voting proper will begin. So, if you want the opportunity to influence the nominations, get over to the Talkawhile website now and argue your case.
