Radio2 is a mainstream radio station, it tends to play the mainstream of any particular genre BUT don't forget that they also gave us the New Radio Ballads not long back.

The BBC has much more folk to offer via it's website, about 30 programs, including most of the local radio output so I've just litened to a Roy Bailey intervies from Radio Leeds and part of Johnny Coppins programne.

Even before Mike Harding I don't remember Folk on Two in it's various guises straying that far from the mainstream but I still remember the first time I heard Planxty playing Wraggle Taggle Gypsies and Give me your Hand. In it's time it was slick, commercially produced (Coulter/Quinn were top 20 producers)but as a teenager I thought 'WOW' and that started my love affair with Irish music. Who knows, as grizzled old folkies we may may consider MH's choice of music naff but it may spark something in another teenager. Without people hearing our music, even our mainstream music, we are a deadend.

All the best

oggie