Hi folks,

I know how tired most of you are of the "what is" and "what isn't" folk music question.   But I have a practical concern.

I'm part of the programming committee for Peach City Radio, and also have my own show---Larry Saidman's Top 200 Albums of All Time.

Since at some point we are applying to be a broadcast station (right now we're online ((peachcityradio.org)) ), but we want to follow the guidelines for the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) which requires a certain percentage of music that is not pop or country. In those other Specialty categories you also don't have to play as high a proportion of Canadian music.

One specialty category is called "Folk or Folk Oriented". They define it this ways.

        "Subscategory 32: Folk and folk-oriented
        This genre includes authentic, traditional folk music, as well as contemporary folk-oriented music, that draw substantially on traditional folk music in style and performance. It includes old-time country music recorded before the 1950s, and traditional bluegrass."

I'm fairly clear as to what is meant by old time country, bluegrass, and traditional folk.   But the "contemporary folk oriented music" is confusing.

I've searched the CRTC website for more clarification, but there is none. Apparently though much of their policing of this is complaint driven.

So, in a sense, people who are interested in 'folk oriented' music are the experts.   That's some of you.

So here is my question.   

What do you consider to be 'folk oriented' and what would, in your mine, be clearly bleeding into the 'pop' or contemporary country categories.   It's ok to give me examples.

And, of course, if you've had experience with the CRTC, that would be nice to hear your experience.

But I also want to hear from any of you with an opinion.   

What recordings would you call "Contemporary Folk Oriented" music...from that very vague definition given by the CRTC.

I'