If you’re a regular ‘Vintage Favourites’ listener, you know I’m featuring a year-long series of spotlights on music genres. We’ve already explored swing and retro-swing, rhythm & blues, soul, and doo wop; in the past couple weeks it was country-pop crossovers and rockabilly.

There’s a lot more still to come in the weeks ahead, and our next feature this Sunday (April 29th) is ‘The Folk Music Edition’. More specifically, it’s the folk music revival of the 50s and 60s leading up to the arrival of Bob Dylan – who will be featured separately soon. This folk revival was spurred in part by Pete Seeger – a link between the traditional folk music of the past, the legendary Woody Guthrie, and the embrace of folk music by pop audiences in the late 50s and early 60s.

Pete Seeger was born 99 years ago (May 3rd, 1919) – so this is a good way to salute him. He also inspired the Canadian folk music scene – he played here often during his ‘forced exile’ during the dark days of the McCarthy ‘Red Scare’ in the early 50s. We’ll hear the pioneering Canadian folk group The Travellers, who in turn inspired Ian and Sylvia, Gordon Lightfoot, and many others. So, stay tuned after 3pm. for a great segment on the Canadian folk music giants.

One more note: Willie Nelson is about to turn 85 – so our ‘Triple Play’ salute will feature three of his best right after the 3pm. news.

With images of campfire sing-a-longs, union hall gatherings, and passionate protest marches all part of the folk music revival – I’m sure this ‘Folk Music Edition’ will make for great listening – please join me this Sunday at 2. Cheers. Gene