To start with your best bet IMHO would be to see if you like the DJ'ing side of it using other peoples Equipment

I started doing folk radio shows at brunel university (B1000)the campus license and internet meant 10,000 students weren't listening to me, when we had a FM license for a month it meant 250,000 people weren't listening to me.

I did have a large cd collection (there was virtually nothing in the stations collection) but to vary it i did have live music and some guests who brought their own favourite tracks. After a while some groups sent cd's to get air play also i used to advertise local folk clubs by playing the guest CD's a week or so before.
one word of warning be vary careful that you know really well any track you play as inapropriate word could cost a hefty fine.

A big thank you to Folk Roots "FROOTS" who sent me some back issues of there compilation editions provided some very up to date and varied music.


Admittadly this isn't much help if you aren't taking any courses but doing an evening class in web design at bedford college a couple of years back meant i was able to do a show when they had an FM license. If you cant find a local college that has a station the otherway to get experiance is to go to local hospitals. Most used to provide a inhouse service and it used to be a common way to get unpaid experiance in radio not sure if it is still around much.

YOu can approach local radio stations but obviously check to see there not mainly phone in radio or whatever, and be prepared to work some very inhospitable hours prime time slots are unlikly to be available and dont forget as much as we all love folk in its many varied forms it is a relatively small genre. that can be used as a bonus because not many people can bring specialised knowlege which might make the approach more attractive,

Good Luck. and let us know how you get on.
Cllr