We sang English folk songs at school, all cleaned up of course: Barbara Allen, Blow the Man Down, Blow Away the Morning due etc. Horrible performances, of course, but I liked the songs. The more operatic singers like Peter Pears and Joan Sutherland rather detered me.
I liked the sound of Elton Hayes and Shirley Abacaire on the BBC, who sang, although not always folk songs, in a folk way, which I liked. Whatever that means, of course. Heard Burl Ives on Children's Favourites and popular singers - such as Michael Holiday - who sang what sounded like folk songs.
Then I heard Jean Ritchie on the BBC; now there was someone who sounded just about right.
The skiffle arrived - some wonderful, some really dreadful.
Like to think I heard Woody Guthrie in Children's Hour when I was 3; well, I may have done!