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. Since 2003, Hands up for Trad have been celebrating the best in Scottish traditional music from across the country and are proud to announce that in a new partnership for 2008, this year’s awards ceremony will be broadcast by BBC ALBA the new Gaelic television channel, a partnership between MG ALBA and BBC.

Between the first and 17 of October anyone can nominate via the website; www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/tradmusicawards/ The 16 categories include Best Gaelic Singer, Best Live Act, and Best Up and Coming Artist [see appendix for details of all categories]. Nominations will then be shortlisted by the panel made up of our partners from record labels to venue owners and other industry representatives. From November 3rd, the vote goes back to the public who have the final say on who will sweep up at this year’s award which is held on December 6th at The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow.

The 2007 event was held in Fort William and saw Julie Fowlis take 2 awards including Best album. Previous winners have included Karine Polwart and the Peatbog Faeries who won Best Live Act in 2005.

To celebrate the awards, Hands up for Trad will also be hosting the annual ‘Scots Trad Music Awards Spectacular Ceilidh’ which takes place on December 5th also at The Old Fruitmarket. In the perfect start to the Christmas calendar, The Occasionals will provide the soundtrack as you Strip the Willow in the beautiful venue at the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City.

Simon Thoumire, Director of Hands up For Trad said ‘ We’re looking forward to celebrating the Scottish traditional music scene again this year at what has become a real highlight of the music calendar and are very excited that for the first time the awards will be televised by our new partner MG ALBA. We’re proud to be able to give the public the opportunity to have their say in who deserves recognition for their work in the past year and look forward to celebrating Trad at the Ceilidh and the Awards on December 5th and 6th.’

Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA said "The Scottish traditional music scene is bursting with new and emerging talent and that is something that fits perfectly with our vision for Gaelic television. We know our audiences will greatly appreciate the opportunity to participate in and view the awards on BBC ALBA”

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