Fiddlers’ Bid and Bodega triumph at traditional music awards

Shetland’s musical heritage was upheld at the weekend with local artists doing well at the MG Alba Scots Traditional Music Awards.

Among the winners at the event, held at the DG One complex in Dumfries, were Fiddlers’ Bid, who won best album for their recent release <i>All Dressed in Yellow</i>, and Bodega, which includes Shetland fiddler Ross Couper, who received the award for Scottish folk band of the year.

In all Shetland artists were represented in five categories. These also included composer of the year, with Steven Spence nominated; live act of the year, with Session A9 (including Shetland fiddler Kevin Henderson) nominated; and up and coming artist of the year, with Maggie Adamson and Brian Nicholson nominated.

Fiddlers’ Bid manager Davie Gardner was at the event and said he was “delighted” with the results.

Mr Gardner said: “It was a great night, it’s getting bigger and bigger and more prominent. I had quite a few artists up for awards with Fiddlers’ Bid, Bodega and Mary Ann Kennedy and Na Seòid all up for awards, and two artists in the same category which kept the competitive spirit up.”

For the award for best album Fiddlers’ Bid had to fight off competition from guitar player Tony McManus, Gaelic collaboration Julie Fowlis, Ross Martin, Muireann NicAmhlaoibh and Eamon Doorley and fiddle and clarsach duo Shona Donaldson and Katie McKenzie, who make up Pur.

Mr Gardner said: “We’re absolutely delighted as the album’s only been out about three months and it’s one of the big awards. It’s good to see Fiddlers’ Bid getting recognition again, I’m over the moon about it.”

For a full list of those nominated and the results, see www.handsupfortrad.co.uk