The Chieftains are recognized for bringing traditional Irish music to the world's attention. They have uncovered the wealth of traditional Irish music that has accumulated over the centuries, including the compositions of the legendary harpist Carolan, making the music their own with a style that is as exhilarating as it is definitive. The nature of their playing and their extensive use of improvisation ensure that no two performances are the same. Although their early following was purely a folk audience, the range and variation of their music very quickly captured a much broader public, resulting in their present worldwide fame. The band have won six Grammys, and they were given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2002. In 2012, they celebrated their 50th anniversary with the release of their most recent record, Voice of Ages. The Chieftains continue to perform all over the world.