On the air since 1979, Simply Folk brings you songs for the season, meaningful music, live interviews, podcasts, and concerts recorded in Wisconsin . . . all shared by a considerable community of kindred spirits. The program is broadcast on two networks, 32 radio stations and online every Sunday evening from 5 pm until 8 pm.
Host Stephanie Elkins plays a great variety of music, including Americana, traditional folk, roots, bluegrass, Celtic and Nordic, traditional blues, singer-songwriter, Wisconsin-based and new releases.
Listen to Simply Folk Live Online!
Recent Playlists and upcoming features and guests are at the bottom of this page.
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Now you can listen to previous Simply Folk programs!
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This archive is available for only two weeks after a show due to copyright restrictions by the DMCA.
5pm-10pm Sunday, May 12, 2013 - Simply Folk (followed by 'From the Top')
5pm-10pm Sunday, May 05, 2013 - Simply Folk (followed by 'From the Top')
Stephanie Elkins has been the Simply Folk host and producer since January 2011. She is an amateur folk guitarist and sings both folk and classical music. Stephanie welcomes regional and nationally known performers for live interviews and concerts, and she maintains an active Simply Folk Facebook page where listeners and musicians are warmly invited to post photos, songs, events and comments. SIMPLY FOLK ON FACEBOOK
Stephanie works with a team that includes Sile Shigley, folk music librarian; Jeff Durkee, WPR underwriting rep; Tom Blain, WPR engineer; Kathy Miner, volunteer; and Joanna Gellerman and Marlee Leebrick-Stryker, interns. Current projects include a formal inventory of Simply Folk field recordings, expanding its online presence and digitizing 9,000+ CDs.
Stephanie Elkins interviews banjo player and scholar Stephen Wade about his new book, "The Beautiful Music All Around us." The book tells the stories behind 13 Library of Congress folk music field recordings made in the 1930s and 40s.
Joe Pug and his band stopped by WPR's Buck studio for some music and conversation with Stephanie - the session airs on Sunday 3/24/13 in the 7 p.m. hour.
Stephanie Elkins is joined in Buck Studio for a live performance from The Pines. Benson Ramsey, David Huckfelt, Michael Rossetto, J.T. Bates, James Buckley and Alex Ramsey make up the indie Americana group. The group talks about their origins, their musical influences and their recent tour.
Stephanie Elkins had an opportunity to interview British songwriter, performer and activist Billy Bragg before his performance at the Barrymore Theater on July 10th in Madison. Elkins and Bragg discussed the music of Woody Guthrie, and the impact Guthrie has had on Bragg.
Wisconsin's own Cory Chisel and his longtime keyboard player and singing partner Adriel Denae recently stopped by WPR's Buck studio to talk with Stephanie Elkins and play some of the songs from his new CD: Old Believers .
Stephanie interviews folk musician Ken Lonnquist. He talks about his career and latest projects. He's written hundreds of songs and released over a dozen albums. Lonnquist and musicians Dave Adler, Jon Vriesacker and Jon Penner perform several of his songs in our studio. His music is available on CD Baby and Amazon
Stephanie Elkins interviews grammy-award winning artist Amy Ray and several members of her band. The group is touring the Midwest promoting their new album "Lung of Love".
The second Sunday of every month is Listener Request Night. Send your request, comment or question for Simply Folk using the Requests & Comments page. (Earlier is better, as the request show fills up quickly! Requests received at least one week ahead have the best chance of making it on the air.)
For information about area folk performances and festivals, see The Folk Music Calendar. You are welcome to submit calendar items at no charge and/or to post calendar items on the Simply Folk Facebook Page. (The calendar is not announced every week and not all concert calendar items can be mentioned on-air.)
Businesses, venues, individuals and organizations: Your underwriting announcement during Simply Folk can be heard statewide for $50 or regionally for less. Email simplyfolk@wpr.org.
To have music considered for airplay on Simply Folk, please mail a hard copy CD to Simply Folk, 821 University Avenue, Madison WI 53706. (Please be patient and persistent - we now receive between 100 and 300 songs per week and over 100 emails per day.)
Stephanie works with a team that includes Sile Shigley, folk music librarian; Jeff Durkee, WPR underwriting rep; Tom Blain, WPR engineer; Kathy Miner, volunteer; and Joanna Gellerman and Marlee Leebrick-Stryker, interns. Current projects include a formal inventory of Simply Folk field recordings, expanding its online presence and digitizing 9,000+ CDs.
