YELVERTON folk singer and former Tavistock College student Seth Lakeman (pictured left) this week hit the big time, with the announcement his latest CD had been nominated for a prestigious Mercury Music Award. Seth, 28, made the Kitty Jay album for just £300 at his brother Sean?s home in Horrabridge. This week, the album ? and Seth ? were rubbing shoulders with co-nominees Coldplay, KT Tunstall and the Kaiser Chiefs at the announcement party in London. Seth, surrounded by camera crews and journalists at the big event, said he was ?speechless? to receive the nomination. ?It?s the equivalent to winning the Lottery for me ? to be up there with Coldplay and the Kaiser Chiefs is just unbelievable,? he said. Seth?s dad Geoff Lakeman said the news was ?incredible?. ?He spent his last £177 on the entry fee for the award and never thought he had a hope in hell, out of the thousands of CDs produced every year. ?He didn?t have an inkling he would be put up for what is the biggest prize in music in Europe,? said Geoff. ?Just to be nominated is absolutely huge, I can?t tell you how major it is. ?He?s being mobbed by TV cameras ? yet he?s coming down to play in Jack Cham?s in Tavistock on Thursday ? it?s amazing.? Simon Frith, chairman of the Mercury judging panel, said a wealth of musical talent was emerging from Britain. ?It?s also significant the country?s musical excellence includes such contrasting releases as Coldplay?s worldwide number one hit album and Seth Lakeman?s self-released folk record,? he said. The overall winner will be announced on September 6.
