91Èȱ¬

• Lifetime Achievement Award for Donovan
• Double Award for Bellowhead
• Folk Singer of the Year for Chris Wood
• Good Tradition Award for Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends
• Broadcast live for the first time

The hugely influential career of Donovan, an artist who has inspired generations of musicians and music fans alike, was celebrated last night at the 12th 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 Folk Awards where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Awards – broadcast live on Radio 2 – are an annual highlight of the folk music scene and celebrate the folk world's achievements of the past 12 months.

Mark Radcliffe presented Donovan with the award, after which he performed his debut single, the 1965 hit, Catch The Wind.

Donovan said: "I'm honoured to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio 2 Folk Awards. I was fired with the mission to bring Celtic music back to popular culture and I'm so glad the new generations have taken up the torch."

And this year, the Good Tradition Award, presented by the "first lady of young folkies" Kate Rusby, went to the singing group, Port Issac's Fisherman's Friends, in recognition of their contribution to the continuation of traditional folk music.

In 2010, they became a folk world phenomenon when their eponymous album debuted in the Top 10 in the UK Album Charts.

Performances from big winners of the night, Bellowhead and Chris Wood, were among the many highlights of the event which was co-hosted by Radio 2 folk show presenter Mike Harding, and singer Barbara Dickson.

And, for the first time, the celebration was broadcast live on the network. It was also streamed live at and on the 91Èȱ¬ Red Button – and on both highlights can now be seen.

Bob Shennan, Controller, Radio 2 and 6 Music, says: "The Folk Awards are a highlight of the Radio 2 music calendar and perfectly exemplify the network's commitment to a rich and diverse range of music. As the folk scene goes from strength to strength I'm really proud of Radio 2's involvement in the genre."

Last night, double award winners Bellowhead opened the night with their track, New York Girls. For the second year running, the eleven-piece band won Best Live Act Award which was presented to them by comedian Frank Skinner.

Bellowhead's brace of awards – they were up for four in total – was completed with them winning Best Group, presented to them by Tamsin Grieg.

The Who's legendary front man, Roger Daltrey, presented the much coveted Musician of the Year Award to Andy Cutting. Andy is no stranger to the panels' praise having picked up the same award in 2008.

And conductor Charles Hazlewood presented the Best Duo Award to married couple Nancy Kerr and James Fagan.

Brighton stalwarts the Levellers were the recipients of The Roots Award presented to them by Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine.

Chris Wood had a busy night with his performance of Hollow Point before that very track was named Best Original Song. Grammy Award nominee Joan Armatrading rounded off a successful night for him, announcing him as Folk Singer of the Year, an award he also won in 2009.

Mother and daughter Eliza Carthy and Norma Waterson scooped the Album of the Year Award for Gift – their first joint album – which was presented to them by writer Joanne Trollope, who included a reference to the Radio 2 Folk Awards in one of her most recent books.

And folk singer Maddy Prior presented their award for Best Traditional Track for Poor Wayfaring Stranger.

Laura Marling entranced the audience singing a brand new song Flicker And Fall and Andy Irvine of Planxty fame presented guitarist and singer Ewan McLennan with the Horizon Award for folk's best emerging artist.

This year for the first time, the ceremony combined the Radio 2 Folk Awards with the Radio 2 Young Folk Award, to create an event that truly celebrated folk music and gave burgeoning young musicians a unique opportunity to mix with their musical heroes and influences.

The Radio 2 Young Folk Award is the network's annual search for the most promising young folk artist in the UK. The initiative is open to anyone aged 15 to 20 who performs folk, roots or acoustic music with roots in any culture as a band, duo or soloist.

Of the four nominees in the running for the 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 Young Folk Award, trio Moore/Moss/Rutter scooped the prize which was presented to them by the first winner of this Award, Tim Van Eyken.

Full details on the 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 Folk Awards 2011 and the history of the 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 Folk Awards can be found at bbc.co.uk/radio2.

91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 Folk Awards 2011

Winners and Award Presenters

Lifetime Achievement Award
Donovan – presented by Mark Radcliffe

The Good Tradition Award
Port Issac's Fisherman's Friends – presented by Kate Rusby

Best Group
Bellowhead – presented by Tamsin Grieg

Folk Singer Of The Year
Chris Wood – presented by Joan Armatrading

Musician Of The Year
Andy Cutting – presented by Roger Daltrey

The Roots Award
Levellers – presented by Jeremy Vine

Best Duo
Nancy Kerr & James Fagan – presented by Charles Hazlewood

Best Traditional Track
Poor Wayfaring Stranger, by Eliza Carthy & Norma Waterson – presented by Maddy Prior

Best Original Song
Hollow Point by Chris Wood – presented by Chris Difford

Horizon Award
Ewan McLennan – presented by Andy Irvine

Album Of The Year
Gift by Eliza Carthy & Norma Waterson – presented by Joanna Trolloppe

Best Live Act
Bellowhead – presented by Frank Skinner

91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 Young Folk Award
Moore/Ross/Rutter – presented by Tim Van Eyken

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