Long-running festival announces award to support new and emerging musicians.
Moseley Folk and Arts Festival has announced a new bursary scheme in honour of renowned broadcaster, and friend, Janice Long.
Hello You! The Janice Long Bursary has been set up to support new and emerging artists. Janice, who tragically passed away in December 2021, was the regular compare at Moseley Folk and Arts Festival. Enthusiastically introducing artists to the stage, while also catching up with them behind the scenes, she insisted on attending the event every year.
Launching the bursary, Moseley Folk Manager, John Fell, said: “Our community was devastated to hear the news of the passing of the late great Janice Long. We’ll remember her, most importantly, as an irreplaceable friend, but also for her genuine love of supporting new musical ventures, helping them get off the ground without wanting anything in return.
“Since her passing, Moseley Folk HQ has wanted to pay tribute in a way that was Janice all over. Therefore, as we approach the 2022 edition the festival, we are announcing the launch of Hello You! The Janice Long Bursary.
“This will ensure Janice’s legacy continues with us – reflecting her insistence and determination to help and really support new musicians at the start of their career. For so many, Janice was the first to play a new demo, the encouraging smile in the front of the crowd at early gigs, and the key figure that got a new project going. She just loved and lived music, and that passion was completely infectious.
“Which is why this bursary will be there to support up-and-coming artists – with the passion and infectious support Janice gave so many, including us.”
Applications for Hello You! are now open, and close on 31 July 2022, and is open to unsigned artists in the Folk, Rock, Indie, Psychedelic and Alternative genres, who are based in England or Wales.
The winner of the award will receive professional recording studio time, an opening slot on Moseley Folk’s Second Stage in 2022 and a headline slot in 2023, along with a photo-shoot and biography.
Discussing the launch the bursary scheme Paul Berry, Janice’s husband, said: “What a great way to continue our Jan’s legacy, still giving new talent a leg up from the great beyond.”
Absolute Radio’s Danielle Perry, who is stepping in to compere at the Birmingham-based festival, added: “Janice Long was the epitome of warmth, passion, joy and an obvious art lover. She was a huge pioneer in the broadcasting world and her genuine love of music and grass root and early support played a vital role in many of the bands we still hear to this day. I sat next to her at lunch once at the Mercury Music Prize. She arrived, made sure she’d said hello to every person around the table, then proceeded to smile and cheer for every act who performed. I left uplifted, energised and inspired for the night as she went off to do her show at Radio 2 and I turned right to head to mine at XFM. One of a kind for sure.”
Born in 1955, in Liverpool, Janice’s broadcasting career stretched across five decades. The first woman to gain a daily music show on BBC Radio 1, she went on to host shows across BBC Radio 2, BBC 6Music, BBC Wales, Greatest Hits Radio and BBCWM – where she embraced Birmingham. A pioneer, she was also the first regular female presenter on BBC One chart show, Top Of The Pops.
You can find more information on Hello You! The Janice Long Bursary, and how to apply, here.