Martin Simpson - Masham Town Hall

Nominated for Musician of the Year and for Best Album with *Vagrant Stanzas* at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2014, Martin's shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving.

There is no doubt that after 35 years as a professional musician Martin is better than ever. Widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, his interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling.

Martin has been nominated an astounding 31 times in the 15 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards -- more than any other performer -- with 12 nominations for Musician of The Year, which he has won twice. 2008 saw an incredible five nominations for 'Prodigal Son' and two wins, whilst in 2010 he had an unprecedented six nominations for his CD, *True Stories* and a win for Best Traditional Track, 'Sir Patrick Spens'.

Whether playing American old-time music, blues, a Dylan song or his own material, Martin Simpson is unpredictable, individual and a guitarist of immense subtlety.