IN a week that has seen the Scottish Folk Awards, Froots magazine’s top folk albums of the year and nominations to the Grammy Awards all announced, there was a deep discussion among the organisers of the long-established Birmingham Black Diamond folk club, after my gig there last weekend, as to whether any of these things were relevant to the average UK folk audience. For all the excitement they inevitably generate, there was a feeling of bewilderment as to how choices were made, how names were put forward, and why certain very popular acts were missed out. Were such award ceremonies meant to reflect audience tastes or guide them, was the question that I put forward. No conclusions were drawn, but then the very next evening in Bristol, unsolicited by me, a similar discussion broke out after the concert.

It seems that all across the folk world, head-scratching and heated argument is rife over this issue. I wonder if the readers of this column, up here in a region often overlooked in these matters, have any opinions that they care to share via jez@jezlowe.com as this exciting year draws to a close?

The excitement continues this week, starting tomorrow with Maddy Prior at Gateshead’s Sage and an all-star night at Sedgefield Cricket Club with the Happy Cats, John Weighill, The John Wrightson Band and The Billingham Silver Band. Choose on Saturday between The Bad Pennies and myself with Benny Graham at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, and Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy at Gateshead’s Sage. On Sunday, we have Trish MacLean and Judith Haswell at Guisborough Rugby Club and The Wilsons at Westoe Club in South Shields. On Monday, the fine Yorkshire duo Ruth and Sadie Price are at Newcastle’s Bridge and on Tuesday, John Wrightson’s band are at The Candlelight, in Newton Aycliffe. Exciting times indeed.