2011 was the toughest ever year for choosing the winner of our Lifetime Achievement Award. Two great artists that have inspired me greatly over the years both died. Bert Jansch was one of the finest guitar players this country, nay the world, has produced. Jackie Leven was both a prolific and talented songwriter/raconteur who wrote fantastic tales and reflections on his life , that inspired so many people. Both artists would have been worthy winners of this award, this or any other year, but it is a Fatea preference to award the Lifetime Achievement award to a living artist.

Whilst the music industry has many hyphen junkies, singer-songwriter-producer-arranger, the winner of this year's award can also add stage and screen actor to his list. As a musician, he's performed solo, as a duo with Barry Coope, in bands such as The Albion Band and Home Service.

As an actor he's best known as Rifle Daniel Hagman from the Sharpe series, for which he also co-wrote the score. He was music consultant at the National Theatre for War Horse, having previously worked there as musical director back in the 70s and 80s, then a short spell at the turn of the millennium.

In addition to his own creative work, he has ensured that traditional music and musicians has been properly collected, making a highly regarded set of field recordings of County Clare concertina players in the mid seventies in conjunction with Neil Wayne.

To celebrate 40years of releases, starting with his performance on "No Roses" back in 1971, together with his numerous contributions to folk music, both live and through recorded mediums, including films, this year's Fatea Lifetime Achievement Award goes to John Tams.