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The Folk Music Hour

Author: David Calder

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David Calder presents the music he loves in The Folk Music Hour, with the aim of rekindling listeners' interest in acoustic music in the Anglo-American tradition, including NZ folk song, and world folk music such as that heard at WOMAD in New Plymouth's beautiful Brookland's Park.

Almost all music has a folk origin: blues, jazz, rock and even so-called classical. As Big Bill Broonzy famously said - "all songs are folk songs; ain't never heard a horse sing!"

Arguably the first Kiwi to make a living with a mandolin, David spent some of his musical life playing bluegrass, but was performing in the folk boom as early as 1964. He was playing in Europe and the UK in the 70's, dabbling in folk rock and pop in California in the 80's, and creating a country garden in the 90's and teaching children to read.
These days, kind of retired, he is free to pursue any of the musical paths he loves: song-writing, tuition, and performance with guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin, autoharp, dulcimer, even bass; playing jazz, folk, blues and originals. Or to just kick back and listen to Bach or Grappelli ...
He is a long-standing performer of NZ folk, and maintains a love affair with US old-time music nurtured since Doc Watson's LPs first made it to these shores. A natural entertainer since his debut on radio aged six, David thinks radio is the perfect performance medium.
424 Episodes
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Trios, Too

Trios, Too

2025-08-0358:20

A second playlist of fine folk featuring three artists and some super singing.
Blues in 12 Bars

Blues in 12 Bars

2025-07-2058:13

We investigate the blues, folk music that led to a dozen genres played today.
Classical Folk

Classical Folk

2025-07-1255:491

We explore the connections and disconnections that needlessly divide folk and so-called classical music.
The Singing Word is a series created by Davey Calder, investigating what happens when poetry is set to music, becoming folk song. This is episode five.
The Singing Word is a series created by Davey Calder, investigating what happens when poetry is set to music, becoming folk song. This is episode four.
The Singing Word is a series created by Davey Calder, investigating what happens when poetry is set to music, becoming folk song. This is episode three.
The Singing Word is a series created by Davey Calder, investigating what happens when poetry is set to music, becoming folk song. This is episode two.
The Singing Word: Part 1

The Singing Word: Part 1

2025-06-0156:141

The Singing Word is a series created by Davey Calder, investigating what happens when poetry is set to music, becoming folk song. This is episode one.
Join Davey Calder for the final installment of his 2025 series on Aotearoa folk music, as a part of New Zealand Music Month.
Our all-Kiwi theme for NZ Music Month continues.
We continue our New Zealand music month with selections from all over the country.
Our 8th all-Kiwi New Zealand Music Month Folk Music Hours begins with a look at music awards.
Longing for Peace

Longing for Peace

2025-04-2056:59

For Anzac Day, Memorial Day, and Remembrance Day, a playlist of songs about the human longing to live in peace.
Join Davey as he shares some of his favourite folk covers.
We’ve put together another playlist of songs where the artists seek to amuse us, sometimes with a message implied.
Join Davey as he shares some of his favourite folk covers
Traditional songs get a new lease of life performed by contemporary artists.
The FMH companion to the film looks at the music from this turbulent time in history and contemporary folk song.
It's that time of year again, when we kick out the jams and the Folk Music Hour gets a bit loud as we preview some of the amazing sounds coming to Brooklands Park in New Plymouth, for the 22nd NZ WOMAD, World of Music, Art, and Dance. As always, the lineup gives us the chance to enjoy cultures not represented at other music festivals.
The sound of birds is a strong thread in the folk tradition
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