Hi,

I'm writing an essay for college and just wanted to do a quick poll on how people "consume" folk and traditional musics.

Is there a folk music industry?

I've always thought of it as a largely "live" music, but wondered how much use people make of what's on the radio / tv / internet in finding and hearing new (and old) folk music.

How significant is the BBC? Does Mike Harding's programme (or any other) have a significant impact on the folk scene and what is popular or not?

Also, where do you tend to buy CD recordings? Direct from the artist or Amazon or the record shop? Do you buy on recommendation (whose?) or do you tend to have heard the artist perform before. Do you shop by artist / group or by region / style?

That's quite a lot of questions - sorry! Any answers or musings on any of those points would be very gratefully received.

Thank you,

Lucy

PS - sorry for sending this (in part) twice - no idea how that happened - it seemed to send before i'd finished writing...