Gibson lodges motion to celebrate young musicians

News release
Immediate release

29/01/08

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in Parliament congratulating Carrbridge's Ewan Robertson on winning the title Young Traditional Musician of the year 2008.

Mr Robertson was presented the prize from Culture Minister Linda Fabiaini after he was judged to be the best of a short list of six at the awards ceremony during Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow.

Mr Gibson, who attended the event, said:

"It was a fantastic evening. The performances from all nominees were outstanding and shows that the future of traditional music is in safe hands."

Rob, who ran a traditional music festival in Dingwall for 25 years and is a musician himself also said.....

"The panel had one of the hardest decisions to make in the 10 years of the competition but I agree that they made the right choice. Ewan is the first guitarist/singer to win the prize and he delivered a mature set that belied his 24 years. "

"Ewan Robertson attended the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton High School and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. It shows the importance that these institutions play in the nurturing and development of traditional musicians. Therefore that is why they should continue to be supported and why they should promote tradition music so that they can give young people a stage to learn and a spring board to excel."

He ended...

"It is clear from this awards night that Traditional music is in rude health throughout the Nation. I wish to all those of the night the best for the future. Each and every one of them were a credit to themselves, their locality and the country. I especially hope that Ewan will take on this accolade to help put his name on the musical map."

ENDS

Note to editor:

Copy of motion:
Short Title: Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2008
S3M-01234 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): That the Parliament congratulates Ewan Robertson from Carrbridge on winning the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2008 award, decided during the Celtic Connections festival at the City Halls, Glasgow on Sunday 27 January 2008, the first singer-guitarist to do so; commends all those who took part in what was a fantastic show-piece of young Scottish talent; recognises the quality of contestants fielded which made this year’s decision one of the most difficult for a decade; acknowledges the contribution that institutions such as the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton High School and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama can make in the development of young musicians, both of which Ewan Robertson attended as a student, and wishes Ewan the greatest of success in his musical career.