In every community, there are devoted people behind the scenes helping to make the folk music scene vibrant, thriving by keeping the wheels rolling. Whether it's a longtime volunteer at a folk club or house concert series, a festival or venue director, a local folk radio host, or a writer who reviews CDs or concerts - one common thread is that these people love the music. They are passionate about serving artists and fans and making sure the folk scene in their community is strong and active.

We chose the name Folk Spokes from listener submissions for Folk Alley's new feature because spokes support wheels while connecting an unbroken circle of the best of musical traditions. Folk Spokes is an opportunity for you to nominate the unsung individuals (or spokes) in your community and to give them a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

Cousin Jimmie Wilson

I nominate my buddy "Cousin" Jimmie from Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

Jim has been a radio presence on WRUW in Cleveland, Ohio (91.1 FM, and archived for a week at WRUW.org) with his Saturday morning show, "Roll Away the Dew" which focuses on new folk music releases, for many, many years, almost three decades. He's been out to shows, recording them live, for almost as long. He does high quality work, and he volunteers his time. He even provides his own equipment. When his wife, Dana, was involved with us (FolkNet) in Celtic Ceol, and we were producing concerts, they put up a number of artists in their own home. He does it out of a passion for the music.

If every town the size of Cleveland had someone who's as dedicated as he is... (the mind boggles...) yes, the world would be a much better place, with more folks exposed to the magic of traditional and original acoustic live music.

Nominated By: Larry Bruner of Cleveland, Ohio

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