Double joy for Kris at BBC folk awards

THERE was double success for Shetland based musician Kris Drever at this year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

The Orcadian won the coveted folk singer of the year prize, as well as best track for his 2016 song If Wishes Were Horses.

The prestigious ceremony was held at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday and it was broadcast live on TV and online.

Drever has previously tasted success at the event with his adventurous folk trio Lau, who have won the best group prize multiple times.

Speaking to Shetland News, the singer-songwriter said it was a “great honour” to win the prizes.

“Songwriting in recent years has been extremely close to my heart and these sorts of happenings will very likely encourage more,” Drever said.

“I’ve been singing since I realised I could voluntarily make noise I think – I certainly can’t recall a time when I didn’t sing. I love it and it’s a part of me.

“These awards are of course subjective but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t proud to have been in the Royal Albert Hall to accept mine.”

At this year’s ceremony Drever actually beat his Lau bandmate Martin Green – who also has links to Shetland – in the original track category.

On Friday the Orcadian will build on his awards success by appearing on the BBC Breakfast TV show.

The musician released his third solo album If Wishes Were Horses last year to critical acclaim, with some of its content inspired by his move to Shetland.