"...we nominate the Bloke with the Hat as Best Young Dancer...."
I knew that would get your attention....
Some forensic analysts of this column over the last few years, looking for clues, may have reached the misguided conclusion that The Hat is as old as Methuselah - or at least old enough to have danced with Your Mother. This is clearly untrue as, firstly, you can be sure that The Hat would deny even knowing your mother and secondly there would be a queue of witnesses from Hebden Bridge High Street to Brighton Promenade happy to testify that, as far as they were aware, he never grew up. However, (isn't there always a 'however') there is some evidence that he has danced, long ago, with both Helen Mirren and Marianne Faithful when they were young and not so famous - so make of that what you will - and feel free to enjoy these long-ago pictures....while I shall move on to much more Important Young Things....
So let me roll back your years and ask you once again to consider for a moment the fearlessness and potency of youth. For young musicians, singers and song-writers especially it is a time when you know you can do anything. Young people can reach for the stars and they believe they can fly. There is nothing you will not try and your idols have given you goals that you are desperate to aspire to, on the way overcoming nerves and crushing disappointments. The expression 'Paying your Dues' is never better applied than to young musicians setting out on that rocky hill climb and one of the particularly charming aspects of the blues world is how young talents attract fans and supporters who stick with them faithfully and share the joy as they watch their favourites blossom and grow.
The Hebden Bridge Blues Festival, as in previous years, has again made space available and given a platform to some prodigious young talent and it is certain that their loyal fans both young and old will flock in to support them. The festival has also developed an uncanny knack of booking artists who get nominated for the British Blues Awards. The 2013 nominations for the Young Artist reflect the standard of these young performers and it is always a pity that there is never room for them all on the short list. Artists like Lucy Zirins, Blues Boy Dan Owen, Andrew Pipe and Alex McKown, who are all playing at this year's festival, are worthy nominees in this fiercely fought category. 
Young - oh yes, but all of them started work years ago when they were just knee high to a Telecaster. These are all artists who, even though they are still young in years have the maturity of seasoned performers. In their long apprenticeship they have been listening, writing, playing, performing and always learning and growing, absorbing everything from everywhere.
Talk to any young person who is playing or singing at a gig and you are knocked sideways by their enthusiasm, the uncluttered ambition to succeed and that beaming unashamed delight at being appreciated. There is a raw relish for an audience that, with luck and good fortune, will probably never disappear. If it does, then so, probably, will they....
Of course they are having fun but don't be misled. This is hard work. This can be a tough furrow to plough, but every one of these young hard working nominees well deserves the plaudits that will surely come their way.
In her memoir Just Kids, that wonderful musician and poet Patti Smith writes eloquently about her early battle towards creative success and as you read you can only marvel at the determination that it takes to get there. All our young blues stars seem to have that grit in barrowloads and go on their way cheerfully to take on small gigs in back bars from Glasgow to Gloucester as they head towards a main stage at a festival and prime time appreciation. We wish them well and they should know that they can expect a warm welcome in Hebden when they shine on this year's festival stage.
As for The Young Hat..? Well, the poet Ogden Nash wrote this line especially for him.. “You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely...."
Pip Pip!
The Man in The Hat
P.S Don't worry if you are slightly older than young and are playing at Hebden this month - The Hat will be back shortly to put you in the well-deserved spotlight..