Fiddlers’ Bid album shorlisted for top traditional music award

Fiddlers’ Bid’s new album All Dressed in Yellow has been shortlisted for album of the year in the MG Alba Scottish Traditional Music Awards, it was announced on Monday.

A number of other Shetland musicians are also in line for the high-profile awards, which are to be presented at a televised ceremony in Dumfries on 28th November.

Young fiddler Maggie Adamson and her guitarist partner Brian Nicholson have been shortlisted in the up and coming artist of the year category; Unst fiddler and composer Steven Spence will vie with three others for the composer of the year award; and fiddler Kevin Henderson, who is in Fiddlers’ Bid, is a contender with his other band Session A9 for the live act of the year award, as is drummer Paul Jennings with Treacherous Orchestra.

Meanwhile Bodega, who feature Shetland fiddler Ross Couper, have been shortlisted in the Scottish folk band of the year category.

Fiddlers’ Bid and Bodega are managed by Atlantic Edge Music Services, which is run by Davie Gardner. Young gaelic singer Norrie MacIver from Lewis, Bodega’s frontman, who is also managed by Davie, has been shortlisted in the gaelic singer of the year category.

He said he was delighted to learn of the three nominations, as were all the artists. “The Trad Awards are increasingly being recognised as one of the pinnacle events of the Scottish music calendar.

“The international profile of the event continues to rise year upon year, especially now that it’s also being televised by BBC Alba. When you look at the list of names on this year’s shortlists, not to mention those artists, bands and other individuals who have picked up awards at this event in the past, it really does constitute a Who’s Who of the Scottish music scene, and as such it’s a real and genuine accolade for Fiddlers’ Bid, Bodega and Norrie MacIver to be included on that list.”

Bryan Peterson, Shetland Arts’ music development officer, said: “It’s great to see such a strong showing of Shetlanders amongst the nominations once again. The range of categories in which Shetland is represented demonstrates the breadth of talent emanating from the islands. I’m particularly pleased to see Brian Nicholson being nominated in the ‘up and coming’ section!”

The eventual winners of the various categories are decided by public vote. Votes can be registered through the “Hands Up For Trad” website or by downloading a voting form from the same site. To vote simply log-on at www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/tradmusicawards/ and click on the voting section of the site.

Davie added: “It would be great if everyone could spare just a few minutes to vote in this way. For all those involved, and especially those that eventually pick up awards at the ceremony itself, it makes it all the more special that its public opinion and support that ultimately decides the recipients of the awards.”

The MG Alba Scottish Traditional Music Awards are now in their seventh year and this year will be promoted as part of the final weekend of the Scottish Homecoming year of events.