DEVON musicians Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin have proved they are in a league of their own after clinching the coveted Best Duo title at the 15th BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards at the Royal Albert Hall.
One of the most inventive and captivating rising acts on the acoustic roots scene, the Exeter-based pair triumphed over talented fellow nominees Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker, Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Jenderson and Catrin Finch & Seckjou Keita, receiving their award from another West Country duo that over the last two decades has become one of acoustic music's most famous pairings – Steve Knightley and Phil Beer of Show of Hands.
It was Steve who "discovered" the duo busking on Sidmouth seafront during Sidmouth Folk Week and announcing the win he said: "This duo have brought something quite original to the genre with their haunting mixture of English, Irish, Indian and Celtic textures.
"It's taken them from busking on Sidmouth seafront to playing with us here at the Royal Albert Hall in two short years."
In turn Phillip Henry thanked Show of Hands for their "great support, advice and friendship" whilst Hannah thanked all the gig-goers and "all the folk clubs and festivals that have supported us over the years, creating such an amazing live music scene in this country – that's why we 're here."
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