The awards were carefully thought about, discussed and voted n by our panel of experts - both of us!
Not everyone will always agree with awards when they are announced - so why not tell us who YOUR nominations would have been!
First announced on our Facebook page SilverballCountry, here is the full list of the Silver Balls 2018!
Best Event
We wanted this to reflect anything that wasn't a "gig", and we have both been to a range of events this year. Nashville Meets London was a great day out an a chance to meet up with lots of friends (the picnic blanket needs to be a more official meeting place next year!) Live in the Living Room was a fabulous day that Francesca really enjoyed - (although it would have been nice to see a bigger attendance)
But in terms of both of us having a fantastic time, meeting friends and making new ones, working long hours but going to bed each night smiling - the crown and first ever "Silver Ball" goes to.....
Buckle & Boots Country Festival - with our massive thanks to Laura, Jan and Karl Hancock making us feel so welcome and valued!
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| The Buckle & Boots Buckle! |
Best Video
We don't necessarily see a lot of videos as we are both big fans of live gigs - and we've been to a lot of those! There was an absolute stand out video this year though. Rik was delighted to meet this band at Buckle & Boots Country Festival and get an early copy of their EP, and Francesca has met the boys on a couple of occasions - including meeting up with Yannick at the NYE bash at Under The Bridge.
The Silver Ball for best video is awarded - without any argument at all - To Backwoods Creek for their incredible video to "When I Grow Up" A great song, a great message, a great story and a great sentiment
Album of the Year.
There have been a couple of stand out albums - The Lounge Recordings by Gary Quinn is worth a listen or three, and Revival by Jenn Bostic is a huge step in her career but for us the award goes to an album so good they released it twice -
The Wandering Hearts with "Wild Silence". We saw and met these guys this year, and they are fabulous live AND recorded!
Song of the Year
Between us we have had an amazing year hearing a huge number of artistes singing a huge number of amazing songs. Some of them make us dance, some fill our eyes with tears.
One in particular made us stop, listen again...and again and again. It is quite different from the rest of the band's catalogue, and that is why we have agreed that the song of the year 2018 is
Backwoods Creek with "When I Grow Up"
Beautifully written, so evocative with the lyrics and performed with so much feeling - it stands out even without the Silver Ball winning video
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| Backwoods Creek with Francesca and Rik of Silverball Country |
Best Newcomer
We were tempted to award this to ourselves, as 2018 was the year that Francesca and Rik really became immersed in the UK country scene - and that means that we have been able to watch some new artistes grow over the past 12 months
We met Danny McMahon at Buckle & Boots Country Festival 2018 when he camped next to us, and again when he performed on the Paddock Stage. An unassuming guy with floppy hair and bags of talent, Danny has discovered and grown his love of country music - and it shows in every performance. From Paddock stage to headline UK tour and appearances at songwriters events all over the country Danny McMahon is destined for big things and therefore he is the obvious choice for the Silver Ball for best Newcomer
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| Danny McMahon performing at the BCMAs |
One To Watch
We felt that we had to add an award at this stage. Both of us have seen - at different events - a new artiste who is doing an excellent job of establishing himself, although he is yet to release any music. With a very distinctive singing style, we are certain that we will be seeing an awful lot more of Stevie O'Connor in 2019 - and we are looking forward to catching up with him again, so a special "One To Watch" award goes to Stevie O'Connor
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| Stevie O'Connor at Live in The Living Room |
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