A Tribute to the Folk Radio DJs

Maybe the best thing about releasing an album in the world of folk music is that there is a real chance people will get to hear it.  That is because of the amazing symbiotic relationship of musicians and folk radio DJs. It’s an astonishing thing, particularly for someone who spent most of his adult life creating and performing dance theater pieces (nicollandoreck.com) that are done a few times (usually no more than 3) remaining only in memory or videos. In the 1-4 hours a week that most DJs get on the air they have the ever-growing catalogue of amazing songs and artists that we never tire of to choose from. But most of them somehow find a way to blend in new singer-songwriters and unknown artists, in search of the next additions to that pantheon. Finances for musicians have become utterly unworkable. But to be able to get your work of art out to people who don’t know you is extremely satisfying and seems to me, very rare in the arts.

 The Folk DJs I have met and heard on the radio are generous, curious, enthusiastic about music new and old. Many (most?) are musicians themselves. They are curators or gatekeepers, to be sure, but they value and try to highlight people working at their craft, even if those artists are unlikely to headline at Town Hall or a big folk festival. Songs touch people in many different ways and the process of creating a show every week, blending the familiar and unfamiliar, is a highly creative process. Now that the gatekeepers of the record companies no longer rule the recording business anyone can make a record. I can’t imagine the immense amount of time DJs must spend to listen to and find new music to play on their shows. They become a connector and valued guide to the artists, songs, genres, and exciting new creations.

I’ve been writing songs since I was 7 years old and I’m sure I’ll go on writing them. But until 7 years ago I never had the idea that my songs could go out all across the country and the world. That possibility is deeply motivating to keep going, to get better, and to imagine that songs can actually touch people and make a difference. There is one degree of separation between me and Bob Dylan. To be heard by and appreciated by folk DJs and played in their communities and streamed all over the planet is a remarkable gift.

Special thanks to all the DJs who have and will play my records and especially to Ron Olesko, Joe Pszonek, Artie Martello, Jim Sereda, Rusty Crowell & Jan Alba, and Jeanne Holton who are featuring my new record Leap Year this month.