Honored by BBC Radio 2 as Folk Singer of the Year, and a recipient of an MBE from Queen Elizabeth, Martin Carthy is one of the giants of contemporary British music. He is regarded as one of the finest singers and interpreters of traditional music of the British Isles, as well as a highly influential, innovative, intelligent and much imitated guitar player.

When Carthy married Norma Waterson, already an important solo singer as well as a key member of The Watersons, first family of English song, two major strands of British folk music were joined in creative synergy, as Waterson:Carthy. In time Norma too would receive an MBE.

In addition to recordings and concerts, their creativity was expressed in the birth of their daughter Eliza Carthy, now a brilliant vocalist and fiddler in her own right, as both soloist and member of Waterson:Carthy.

The group’s fourth member is master accordionist Tim Van Eyken, whom The Times of London has termed “One of Britains’s great young hopes.”  His honors include BBC Radio 2’s Young Folk Award and first place in the Fylde Folk Festival Young Performers Competition.

Martin Carthy’s career has included early work with the popular Steeleye Span and a long and fruitful collaboration with fiddler Dave Swarbrick.  The Carthy Chronicles is a boxed set that fully explores his musical journey. 

Norma Waterson was honored as Folk Singer of the Year 2000 at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.  Mojo magazine has called her "Possibly the finest English singer alive today."  Her beautiful and distinctive voice has always remained loyal to northern England's Yorkshire tradition, rarely heard in the United States.  1996 saw her solo album Norma Waterson honored as Folk Album of the Year by Folk Roots magazine and come in second for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, which covers a wide range of music.  The New York Times reviewed a 1997 appearance by noting, "Ms. Waterson's tone is scarred and resolute, as sturdy as an old stone wall.

Eliza Carthy has moved into mainstream stardom with her major label debut on Warner Brothers Records.  In addition to her work as a soloist and with Waterson:Carthy and its predecessor The Watersons, she has also been active in The Waterdaughters, along with mother and other women of the clan.  In 2003 she was honored at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards as Best Folk Singer of the Year and for Best Album - Anglicana.

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