Folk lovers everywhere get ready for an exciting new release ahead of the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards as a new two-disc compilation CD featuring some of the nominees will hit shelves later this month - and we're betting it will be one of the best yet.

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015 compilationThe BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015 compilation is out soon

Stand out appearances on the album include Folk Singer of the Year nominee Jez Lowe with his song 'The Pitmen Poets' (also up for Best Original Song), Nancy Kerr whose latest release 'Sweet Visitor' has been nominated for 'Best Album' and Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker who are up for both Best Duo and Best Album. Keeping things old school are Best Group nominees The Furrow Collective with their Best Traditional Track offering 'Handsome Molly' and Horizon Award favourites Stick In the Wheel with 'Bedlam'. 

More can be found from the likes of Folk Singer of the Year nominees Cara Dillon and Julie Fowlis, while live versions of tracks from the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award nominations will feature as bonus tracks: they are Cup O'Joe, Roseanne Reid, Talisk and Wildwood Kin. The album is set to be released on April 20th 2015.

More: Hear Yusuf's newest song 'Cat And The Dog Trap'

Yusuf (aka Cat Stevens) will also be making an appearance at the awards ceremony to collect his Lifetime Achievement Award, and he will be joined by Grammy winner Loudon Wainwright III who admitted he was 'happy and gratified, not to mention a bit smug' to be landing the accolade. The career of the late Welsh musician Meredydd Evans will also be celebrated with a posthumous award following his death earlier this year.

The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015 will be broadcast on April 22nd 2015, live on Radio 2.

Next Page: See the full list of nominations