Having just got returned from Singapore and Taiwan on Christmas Day morning (5.30am!) Steve returned home to the news that 'Audacious' won the 4Barsrest.com award for Solo CD of the Year, and was over the moon with this news. Also great news was that his 'Brass and Wines' came in 3rd !!!! With goods mentions in the other categories too (Player of the Year, Conductor of the Year, Band CD ofthe Year, Performance of the Year) it was allround a result to celebrate, as Steve got to spend Christmas Day with son James and daughter Alicia and cooked Xmas lunch.

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art935.asp

Thanks to everyone who voted (11,000 in total, from 88 different countries!!). This is the biggest voted brass contest in the banding world.

This means the Audacious double CD BOCC110 has now won ALL THREE awards for solo CDs in the UK band world (The British Bandsman, Brass Band World, and now www.4barsrest.com). This is the first time in history that one solo brass CD has picked up all three awards in the same year.

Huge thanks must go to Tomoko Sawano, whose incredible piano accompaniment was mentioned in every competition as a decisive factor !!!! Bravo.  Also, again thanks to Richard Scott, Mark Bousie and Keith Farrington.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays.