Arts / Venue and fiddler nominated for traditional music awards
A LERWICK venue and a well-known Shetland fiddler have been nominated for this year’s MG Alba Scots Trad For Music Awards.
Lerwick establishment The String is up for the venue of the year prize after only opening last year.
Director Neil Riddell said the team were “pleasantly surprised and, of course, delighted to be nominated”.
“Thanks to all the brilliant musicians – both local and visiting – who have performed in the venue over the past year,” he said.
“An extra special thanks to Lisa Johnson for organising an amazing programme of youth music over the summer, to Shetland Folk Festival for giving us three terrific gigs in May, and to Jenny Sturgeon for the brilliant job she did putting together the first ever Shetland Songwriting Festival in September.
“If anyone would like to vote for us that’d be lovely.”
Fiddler Jenna Reid, originally from Shetland, is also nominated for the awards.
She is up for the composer of the year prize, while her group Blazin’ Fiddles are also nominated in the Scottish folk band of the year section.
In 2005 Jenna won best up and coming artist and two years later she was nominated for best instrumentalist.
“I’m delighted to be nominated as composer of the year,” the musician said.
“It’s a category I’ve never been nominated for before so I’m really pleased.
“Blazin’ Fiddles are nominated for best folk band and our winter school, Blazin’ in Beauly is nominated for best community event. So it’ll be a great night I’m sure.”
The public are invited to vote online for their favourites.
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