Nominees

SÉAMUS BEGLEY
Accordion player and singer Séamus Begley is one of the most popular Irish traditional musicians, coming as he does from one of the most musically acclaimed Irish families.  He is the quintessential Irish musician, an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and famous for pumping out tune after tune at all night sessions. He plays with an energy that is alarming, bringing a frisky spontaneity to his box-playing, belting out jigs, slides and polkas with rapid sprays of reckless ornamentation before making a sudden key change into a bitter-sweet air, sung or played on the accordion.  Seamus's style is unique and he is considered by many to be one of the finest players of the dance music of West Kerry.  He has toured extensively with Jim Murray, Altan, Steve Cooney and Mary Black to name but a few.

JIM MURRAY
Jim Murray is one of Ireland's finest guitarists and his formidable reputation has been established as a player of traditional music - both as a melody player and as an accompanist.  Throughout his childhood, Jim who hails from Macroom in West Cork performed with various groups including his father's celidh band.  In his late teens he formed a group with fellow local musicians which quickly lead him to be invited to play professionally with many of Ireland's renowned artists.  Over the last decade, Jim has combined a wide range of music and influences to create a unique and exciting modern sound in guitar accompaniment bringing it to the ‘now'.  Jim plays regularly as a member of Sharon Shannon's band and has also toured and recorded with Altan, Mary Black, Sinead O'Connor, Steve Earle, Donal Lunny and many other musicians.