Hands up for Trad

Hands up for Trad and their panel of industry judges are once again on the lookout for the very best in traditional music for this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, a highlight of the Homecoming Scotland finale celebrations. The 2009 Awards Ceremony and Gala Concert will be held at DG One in Dumfries on Saturday 28th November as part of a big weekend celebration of Scots traditional music in Dumfries.

The nominations process for the 2009 Awards opens runs until 16th October. For further information and to see the sixteen categories open for your nomination visit www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/tradmusicawards.

Categories include Album of the year, Live Act of the Year, best venue, and two new awards Trad Music in the Media (sponsored by Hegri Music) and Music Tutor of the Year (sponsored by Scottish Arts Council’s Youth Music Initiative). Nominations will be shortlisted by the panel made up of our partners from record labels to event organisers and other industry representatives. From November 2nd, the vote goes back to the public who have the final say on who will sweep up at this year’s award ceremony.

Artists confirmed to perform at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards and Gala Concert include The Treacherous Orchestra, Skippinish, Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson, Barbara Dickson, The Scottish Power Pipe Band and Deaf Shepherd. Tickets can be purchased for the awards and for the MG ALBA festival club, (open Saturday til 3am) The weekend’s full line up of celebrations include Take The Floor with Robbie Shepherd on Friday 27th November and Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame Legends concert with tributes to The Corries, Hamish Imlach, Gordon Duncan, Martyn Bennett, Calum Kennedy and many more. There will also be a programme of outdoor concerts from top traditional music bands in Dumfries town centre as well as workshop sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

Simon Thoumire, Director of Hands up For Trad said “This is a great opportunity for the public to get involved and nominate their favourite acts, venues, and organisations of 2009”

Donald Campbell, Chief Executive MG ALBA said ‘The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are recognised as the premier awards for Traditional Music in Scotland and MG ALBA is delighted to again be involved in supporting the awards this year. We hope that as many people as possible will participate in the nominations process. After the success of the event at the Fruitmarket in Glasgow last year we look forward to seeing the awards take place in Dumfries helping to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Homecoming.’

Marie Christie, Homecoming Scotland Project Director, said: “We are delighted the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards is part of the national Homecoming celebrations. Dumfries played a key role in the launch of the Homecoming year and Scottish traditional music has provided the soundtrack for many of this year’s Homecoming celebrations. The Homecoming Finale Celebrations take place across Scotland from 26th – 30th November and Dumfries is again set to play a key role with this fantastic showcase and celebration of the very best of traditional Scottish music”.


Make your nominations at www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/tradmusicawards/ where you can find details on all the categories and criteria for each award

Tickets for all events are available from DG One box office | 01387 243 550
And from www.ticketweb.co.uk