Looe musician Sam Kelly has won one of folk music’s Oscars, a BBC Folk Award.

Multi-instrumentalist, award-winning vocalist, songwriter and producer; Sam’s second EP Spokes brought him to the attention of an international audience after receiving huge airplay support.

But it was Sam’s debut album The Lost Boys, released in November 2015, that led him to the Horizon Award nomination at this year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Described as ‘outstanding.’ by Bright Young Folk, the self-produced album includes both traditional and original songs. 

The Horizon Award recognizes the best emerging talent on the UK folk scene. The awards ceremony took place at the Royal Albert Hall and included live performances from Joan Armatrading, Mark Knopfler, Rufus Wainwright and Norma Waterson. Other award winners included Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman for Best Duo, and The Young Uns for Best Band for the second year running. 

Sam said: ’It was just amazing to spend the evening surrounded by all my favourite musicians and to get this level of recognition for an album recorded partly in my mate’s shed, and partly in my mum’s lounge.’

He tours constantly with his full band Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys, the Sam Kelly Trio and Looe-based The Changing Room.