Profiles

There was a double cause for celebration for Exeter-based folk singer Jackie Oates, who picked up two of the top prizes at the prestigious 2009 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Jackie, 25, won the Horizon Award for Best Newcomer and the prize for Best Traditional Song, The Lark in the Morning.

She collected the awards at a ceremony in London on 2 February 2009. She told BBC Devon afterwards: "It was fantastic - I'm absolutely gobsmacked."

Jackie is a talented fiddle player

However, three other Devon performers who were nominated for awards came away empty-handed.

Seth Lakeman from Yelverton was a contender for Best Live Act, which was won by The Demon Barbers; Phil Beer from Exminster was up for Best Musician (winner Tom McConville), and Jim Causley from Whimple missed out on Best Group award with Essex-based Mawkin (winners Lau).

All of them were in the audience to cheer on Jackie, who said she was overwhelmed to win both awards.

"I thought I had a chance with the Horizon award, but I didn't think I had much chance for the Best Traditional Song because I was up against so many great acts," she said.

The Lark in the Morning came from her 2008 album, The Violet Hour, which was released on Phil Beer's label, Chudleigh Roots.

Jackie says she is indebted to producer Phil Beer

Jackie, who is a talented fiddle player, said: "I am so indebted to so many people, and especially Phil. He has been everything. He spotted me in a folk club and made a folk album for me. I owe him such a lot."

Jackie moved to Devon from Cheshire in 2001, and she believes living in the county has helped her career: "It has taken a while to get this far and it has been gruelling.

"But the folk scene in Devon is amazing, and everyone is so supportive."

There's no time for Jackie to rest on her laurels in 2009, with a series of projects lined up: "I've just finished an instrumental album which is out soon, and my third vocal album is out in March.

"Then I've got a tour in the summer and autumn and I'm forming a four-piece band - so it's going to be a busy year."

Jackie spoke to BBC Radio Devon's John Govier ahead of the awards and performed some of her songs. Click onto the audio links to listen.