The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards celebrate outstanding achievement during the previous year within the field of folk music, with the aim of raising the profile of folk and acoustic music. The awards have been given annually since 2000 by British radio station BBC Radio 2. It takes place in April.
Award recipients have included Joan Baez, Cat Stevens, John Martyn, Steve Earle, The Dubliners, Martin Carthy, Billy Bragg, Shirley Collins, Kate Rusby, Cara Dillon, Eliza Carthy, Bellowhead, June Tabor, Aly Bain, Richard Thompson, Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands, Lau, Tom Paxton, Don McLean, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Nic Jones and Bella Hardy.
The event has been staged at The Brewery in London, The Lowry theatre in Salford, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and, in 2014 and 2016, the Royal Albert Hall. In 2015 the event was staged at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.
The Folk Awards was hosted by Mike Harding between 2000 and 2012, and broadcast on BBC Radio 2. Mark Radcliffe and Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis took over presenting the ceremony in 2013. In 2004 the awards were shown on television for the first time, on BBC Four. In 2011 the entire event was broadcast live on television via the BBC Red Button. It usually streams live in audio and video on the BBC Radio 2 website and the BBC iPlayer.
In 2016, Rhiannon Giddens became the first American (and first non-British) winner of the "Folk Singer of the Year" award.
The nominees in most categories are chosen by a panel of around 150 representatives from the British folk world, including broadcasters, journalists, record producers, festival organisers, venue bookers, record company directors, agents and promoters. The panelists can vary slightly from year to year, with new panelists being invited (or self-applying) each year. The final panel is selected by the Folk Awards committee, which includes staff from the BBC, the production company Smooth Operations, and representatives from outside those organisations.
The 'Best Original Track' and 'Best Traditional Track' categories are chosen by smaller specialist panels of judges, and the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award - presented as part of the Folk Awards - is decided by a standalone contest.
The 'Best Album' category is decided by a public vote, hosted on the BBC website.
Folk Singer of the Year: Rhiannon GiddensBest Duo: Kathryn Roberts and Sean LakemanBest Group: The Young'unsBest Album: Mount the Air – The UnthanksHorizon Award: Sam KellyMusician of the Year: Andy CuttingYoung Folk Award: Brighde ChaimbeulBest Original Song: Mackerel - The Rheingans SistersBest Traditional Track: Lovely Molly - Sam LeeLifetime Achievement Award: Joan Armatrading and Norma WatersonGood Tradition Award: John McCuskerHall Of Fame inductee: Sandy DennyFolk Singer of the Year: Nancy KerrBest Duo: Josienne Clarke & Ben WalkerBest Group: The Young'unsBest Album: Tincian – 9 BachHorizon Award: The RailsMusician of the Year: Sam SweeneyYoung Folk Award: TaliskBest Original Song: Swim To The Star - Peggy Seeger/Calum MacCollBest Traditional Track: Samhradh Samhradh - The GloamingLifetime Achievement Award: Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens and Loudon Wainwright IIIGood Tradition Award: Meredydd EvansHall Of Fame inductee: Ewan MacCollFolk Singer of the Year: Bella HardyBest Duo: Phillip Henry & Hannah MartinBest Group: The Full EnglishBest Album: The Full English – The Full EnglishHorizon Award: Greg Russell and Ciaran AlgarMusician of the Year: Aidan O'RourkeYoung Folk Award: The Mischa Macpherson TrioBest Original Song: Two Ravens – Lisa KnappBest Traditional Track: Willie of Winsbury – Anaïs Mitchell and Jefferson HamerLifetime Achievement Award: Clannad and Martin CarthyGood Tradition Award: Cambridge Folk FestivalHall of Fame: Cecil SharpFolk singer of the year: Nic JonesBest Duo: Kathryn Roberts and Sean LakemanBest Group: LauBest Album: Broadside – BellowheadHorizon Award: Blair DunlopMusician of the year: Kathryn TickellYoung Folk Award: Greg Russell and Ciaran AlgarBest Original Song: Hatchlings – Emily PortmanBest Traditional Track: Lord Douglas – Jim MorayLifetime achievement award: Aly Bain and Roy HarperLifetime achievement award for contribution to songwriting: Dougie MacLeanRoots Award: Billy BraggBest Duo: Tim Edey & Brendan PowerBest Traditional Track: Bonny Bunch of Roses – June Tabor & OysterbandBest Group: June Tabor & OysterbandYoung Folk Award: IoscaidMusician of the year: Tim EdeyBest Original Song: The Herring Girl – Bella Hardy and The Reckoning – Steve TilstonHorizon Award: Lucy WardBest Album: Ragged Kingdom – June Tabor & OysterbandLifetime achievement award: The Dubliners and Don McLeanBest Live Act: The Home ServiceGood Tradition Award: Ian Campbell and Bill LeaderRoots Award: Malcolm TaylorFolk Singer of the year: June TaborBest Duo: Nancy Kerr & James FaganBest Traditional Track: Poor Wayfaring Stranger – Eliza Carthy & Norma WatersonBest Group: BellowheadYoung Folk Award: Moore Moss RutterMusician of the year: Andy CuttingBest Original Song: Hollow Point – Chris WoodHorizon Award: Ewan McLennanBest Album: Gift – Eliza Carthy & Norma WatersonLifetime achievement award: DonovanBest Live Act: BellowheadGood Tradition Award: Fisherman's FriendsRoots Award: LevellersFolk Singer of the year: Chris WoodFolk Singer of the Year: Jon BodenBest Duo: Show of HandsBest Group: LauBest Album: Hill of Thieves by Cara DillonBest Original Song: Arrogance Ignorance and Greed by Steve Knightley (performed by Show of Hands)Best Traditional Track: Sir Patrick Spens by Martin SimpsonHorizon Award: Sam CarterMusician of the Year: John KirkpatrickBest Live Act: BellowheadLifetime Achievement Award: Nanci GriffithLifetime Achievement Award: Dick GaughanFolk Club Award: The Magpies NestGood Tradition Award: Transatlantic SessionsFolk Singer of the Year: Chris WoodBest Duo: Chris While and Julie MatthewsBest Group: LauBest Album: Trespasser by Chris WoodBest Original Song: All You Pretty Girls by Andy Partridge (performed by Jim Moray)Young Folk Award: Megan and Joe HenwoodBest Traditional Track: The Lark in the Morning by Jackie OatesHorizon Award: Jackie OatesMusician of the Year: Tom McConvilleBest Live Act: The Demon BarbersLifetime Achievement Award: James TaylorLifetime Achievement Award: Judy CollinsFolk Club Award: Black Swan Folk Club, YorkFolk Singer of the Year: Julie FowlisBest Duo: John Tams and Barry CoopeBest Group: LauBest Album: Prodigal Son by Martin SimpsonBest Original Song: Never Any Good by Martin SimpsonBest Traditional Track: Cold Haily Rainy Night by The Imagined VillageHorizon Award: Rachel Unthank and the WintersetMusician of the Year: Andy CuttingBest Live Act: BellowheadLifetime Achievement Award: John MartynGood Tradition Award: Shirley CollinsFolk Club Award: Dartford Folk ClubFolk Singer of the Year: Seth LakemanBest Duo: Martin Carthy and Dave SwarbrickBest Group: BellowheadBest Album: Freedom Fields by Seth LakemanBest Original Song: Daisy by Karine PolwartBest Traditional Track: Barleycorn (performed by Tim van Eyken)Musician of the Year: Chris ThileHorizon Award: Kris DreverBest Live Act: BellowheadLifetime Achievement Award: PentangleLifetime Achievement Award: Danny ThompsonGood Tradition Award: Nic JonesFolk Club Award: The Ram ClubFavourite Folk Track Award: Who Knows Where The Time Goes (performed by Sandy Denny / Fairport Convention (public vote))Folk Singer of the Year: John TamsBest Duo: John Spiers and Jon BodenBest Group: FlookBest Album: The Reckoning by John TamsBest Original Song: One In A Million by Chris Wood and Hugh LuptonBest Traditional Track: Bitter Withy (performed by John Tams)Horizon Award: Julie FowlisMusician of the Year: Michael McGoldrickLifetime Achievement Award: Paul BradyLifetime Achievement Award: Richard ThompsonBest Live Act: Kate RusbyGood Tradition Award: Ashley HutchingsFolk Club Award: Red Lion, BirminghamMost Influential Folk Album Of All Time: Liege and Lief by Fairport Convention (public vote)Folk Singer of the Year: Martin CarthyBest Duo: Aly Bain and Phil CunninghamBest Group: Oysterband The Big SessionBest Album: Faultlines by Karine PolwartBest Original Song: The Sun's Comin' Over The Hill by Karine PolwartBest Traditional Track: Famous Flower Of Serving Men (performed by Martin Carthy)Horizon Award: Karine PolwartMusician of the Year: Kathryn TickellLifetime Achievement Award: Ramblin' Jack ElliottLifetime Achievement Award (Songwriting): Tom PaxtonBest Live Act: BellowheadBest Dance Band: WhapweaselGood Tradition Award: Steeleye SpanFolk Club Award: Hitchin Folk ClubFolk Singer of the Year: June TaborBest Duo: John Spiers and Jon BodenBest Group: DanúBest Album: Sweet England by Jim MorayBest Original Song: Co. Down by Tommy Sands (performed by Danú)Best Traditional Track: Hughie Graeme (performed by June Tabor)Horizon Award: Jim MorayMusician of the Year: Martin SimpsonLifetime Achievement Award: Dave SwarbrickLifetime Achievement Award (Songwriting): Steve EarleBest Live Act: Show of HandsGood Tradition Award: Celtic ConnectionsFolk Club Award: Rockingham Arms, WentworthFolk Singer of the Year: Eliza CarthyBest Duo: Nancy Kerr and James FaganBest Group: AltanBest Album: Anglicana by Eliza CarthyBest Original Song: No Telling performed by Linda ThompsonBest Traditional Track: Worcester City performed by Eliza CarthyHorizon Award: John Spiers and Jon BodenInstrumentalist of the Year: John McCuskerLifetime Achievement Award: Christy MooreLifetime Achievement Award (Songwriting): John PrineBest Live Act: Roy Bailey and Tony BennGood Tradition Award: OysterbandFolk Club Award: EdinburghFolk Singer of the Year: Martin CarthyBest Album: The Bramble Briar by Martin SimpsonBest Original Song: Lullabye by Kate RusbyBest Traditional Track: Black is the Colour performed by Cara DillonBest Group: Cherish the LadiesHorizon Award: Cara DillonInstrumentalist of the Year: Martin SimpsonLifetime Achievement Award: The ChieftainsLifetime Achievement Award (Songwriting): Ralph McTellLifetime Achievement Award: Fairport ConventionFolk Club Award: NettlebedBest Live Act: Rory McLeodFolk Singer of the Year: Norma WatersonBest Album: Unity by John TamsBest Original Song: Harry Stone (Hearts of Coal) by John TamsBest Group: DanúHorizon Award: Bill JonesInstrumentalist of the Year: Michael McGoldrickLifetime Achievement Award: Bert JanschRadio 2 Special Roots Award: Taj MahalGood Tradition Award: Bob CopperFolk Club Award: The Davy LampBest Live Act: Vin GarbuttFolk Singer of the Year: Kate RusbyBest Album: Sleepless by Kate RusbyBest Original Song: A Place Called England by Maggie HollandBest Traditional Track: Raggle Taggle Gypsy performed by Waterson–CarthyBest Group: Waterson–CarthyHorizon Award: Nancy Kerr and James FaganInstrumentalist of the Year: Martin HayesRadio 2 Special Award: Joan BaezRadio 2 Special Roots Award: Youssou N'DourAndy Kershaw Roots Award: Joe Boyd and Lucy DuránGood Tradition Award: Topic RecordsFolk Club Award: WesthoughtonBest Live Act: La Bottine Souriante
