Working class hero, folk punker and people's poet Billy Bragg recently was named the 2007 Classic Songwriter at the Q awards, an honor that's previously been bestowed upon the likes of Elton John (makes sense) and Noel Gallagher (Oh, dear lord). "I wish he was my history teacher, I wish he was my big brother, I wish I could vote for him," said KT Tunstall in her introduction. Me, too, KT. Me, too.

The eloquent agitator has a new record in the works that's due next spring on Anti- and still keeps busy with Jail Guitar Doors, which provides musical equipment for those incarcerated in the U.K., and with Love Music, Hate Racism, a campaign created to combat racist incidents in British schools. Talk about keeping it real.