Again thanks for all the feedback and support guys. And it hasn't even started yet, I'm getting a bit nervous!

Ooh I knew the old British thing would set some debate off! Me and Robin Morton sent a few emails back and forth on this matter. At the time I didn't know who he was and assumed he was just some guy who did the Temple Records PR! Feel a bit intimidated now I know he runs the whole thing and was is Boys of the Lough and worked on Dick Gaughan's Handful of Earth etc. Although I'm proud I stuck up for myself!

I'm hoping to get involved with the folk music industry in PR or suchlike 'when I grow up' so it's all good contacts, as long as I don't piss them all off! :)

As for the English/British malarkey I did consider doing an English only show, but there are a few Scottish/Welsh acts that I couldn't consider excluding (Martyn Bennett for example, I adore!). So onwards I go with my admittedly Anglocentric view of Britian, but with the hope that I'll be introduced to more Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish acts through the kind charity of record companies (hint hint :)) or more likely angry emails from irate Welsh/Scots/Irishmen!

I certainly agree that folk exposure in mainstream media is still almost totally devoted to the 'celtic' music of Ireland and Scotland (although a few Scots may take exception to their culture being a 'fringe'!). In the interests of showing both sides of the coin, I did get the impression from Robin Morton though, that the folk press has reacted so strongly against this mainstream misrepresentation that they are in danger of cutting off the Scots. Think of the folk heroes that have been strongly championed of late and it's the Waterson Carthy's, Kate Rusby, Spiers & Boden and Jim Moray, all English. These are the people being presented as the acceptable face of folk and there's not a Scot (or Welsh person) amongst them. But then again maybe there are similar Scots stars but we're just not hearing about them down here. I dunno, it's 5.30am, I don't known anything much except that I can't sleep!!

So to answer some of you individually again:

Artbrooks – Yeah I'll definitely put a new post up after the show, probably with the playlist. Gotta keep boosting the post up to the top! As for the 'Cara CD' is that Cara Dillon? In which case it might have be a polite no thanks, not a big fan (that girly voice and all the keyboards and poppy new songs, get some grit girl!). Plus she's Irish isn't she, or is she Northern Irish? This could prove a tricky matter!

GUEST – Well I am a new massive fan of Julie Murphy and Fernhill (much of which is sung in Welsh) so that should get some Welsh input into the show. Also I was thinking the other day, not an obvious candidate, but Cerys Matthews does a rather good folk song in Welsh on her solo album amongst all the alt. country stuff. I remember the track she did with Eliza Carthy at one of the BBC Folk Awards as being rather good, but I don't think they ever recorded it properly. Any other suggestions of Welsh acts?

Gamelon –Thanks! What a lovely analogy!

Treewind – Look forward to your email. I'll check out Wild Goose, thanks for the tip. I've already contacted a fair few companies, some of which are due a friendly boot up the arse to get back to me, but plenty more still to accost!

Noddy – Thanks for the list of names, I'll keep an eye out for them. I used to be into Runrig but I've kind of dismissed them as over-earnest mainstream folk-lite of late. I'll give them another listen and see if I'm being unfair. Got Capercallie's Delirium, it's okay, might play some off it but never majorly grabbed me, too many 80s keyboard I suspect. Never thought that Mull Historical Society were a folk band, thought they were more indie? Think I've got some Tartan Amoebas on a compilation I rather like of cutting edge Scottish folk fusion so they may well get a play, also have a feeling I have a Tannahill Weavers track, bizaarely, on a compilation of English Folk! I don't think I've got anything by the rest. But feel free to email in a request for any of the above (folkontheradio@hotmail.com) and that'll all but guarentee it gets in there!

The first show is set to be a bit of a Sidmouth special, with tracks by artists I've especially enjoyed in concert there. The Floor Spot (the little section where I highlight 4 tracks from throughout an artists career) will be on Kate Rusby. Hope you enjoy it!

Cor, that's another long post, well at least hopefully I'll be able to sleep now! Thanks for all the emails, keep em coming in,

Chris