Birnam CD Limited are sponsors of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024 and are sponsoring Album of the Year. We asked them some questions about their experience of sponsoring the Trad Awards. If you would like to come to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards you can buy tickets here or watch on BBC ALBA from 9pm on Saturday 30th November.
Thanks to Martin Hadden from Birnam CD Limited for answering these questions.
Why have you chosen to sponsor Na Trads, and what importance does the event hold for your sector?
We have been sponsoring the Album of the Year award at the Trads since the very first year and we intend to continue to do so!
The event provides an invaluable shop window for all types of Scottish-made music and it is an annual opportunity for us to meet face to face with clients and friends as well a chance to hear some great music.
What makes your organisation tick?
That’s a tough question to answer. We’ve been around since the mid-1980s and have produced music for artists on cassette, video tape, CD, DVD, vinyl. Nowadays, we also offer digital delivery via the main streaming and download platforms.
We also offer graphic design, PR services, merchandise, leaflets, posters and more.
I suppose what makes us tick is trying to keep abreast of what our clients need and responding to this as and when required!
What are you most looking forward to about the Trad Awards or do you have a favourite moment from over the years?
One of the highlights of the Trads every year is the performance by young musicians, usually part of a Trad Music project local to the city where the event is being held. It’s great that these youngsters are offered the platform every year and their performances are always a joyous and memorable part of the evening.
A favourite memory is of the late Jim Reid at (I think) the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh in one of the early years. Iain Anderson presented Jim with the award for Scots Singer of the Year. Jim shook his hand, accepted the award and turned to the microphone to deliver the shortest (and possibly most truest) acceptance speech on record: “It’s no afore time”.
Musically, my favourite performance is Karine Polwart and David Milligan’s breathtaking version of Michael Marra’s song “Heaven’s Hound” which they gave us at last year’s event at the Caird Hall in Dundee.
What would you say to anyone who is considering entering, voting in, watching or attending the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards?</strong)
Do it and enjoy!
Visit BirnamCD’s website: https://www.birnamcd.com
Performing at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are Skipinnish, Julie Fowlis, An Dannsa Dub, Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, Young Highland Musicians and much more! Buy your tickets here.
