“Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.” That bit of cautionary advice comes from Robert Frost, and opens the door to Pandora’s Box, you might say, for musical reminders of what may happen if you don’t heed those wise words.

We're armed with musical protection, and sage advice this edition of Folktales, as we travel the Americas, Europe and Africa, and hopping a few islands along the way. Featured artists are The Jug Huffers, John Whelan & Friends, Bob Dylan, the Louisiana Swamp Cats, Mary Youngblood, the Robin Nolan Trio, Joe Euro and more.

So: Buyers—and listeners-- beware! You don’t know what’s around that next corner, so look both ways, watch your backs, and join us for this red-flagged Folktale of Caution!

Are relationships an art or a science? Carl Jung maintained that “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” That’s the theory we’re pondering in every corner of the musical folkworld, this edition, as we explore their ins and outs, be they romantic, familial, friend or foe.

Armed w/ wise words and a world of good music, we're traveling the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. Our featured artists include Ted Yoder, Rosaling & the Way, Bob Dylan, Calicante, KelsiCote, Anoushka Shankar & Norah Jones, Sultans of String, Coolangubra and more. It’s all about the bonding—and we’re hoping you’ll make the connection. 

How much of your life is spent going for the gold? Let’s face it—we all love to be #1 at times, and it’s those heights we’re reaching for on this stellar edition of Folktales. Armed with the wisest of word, and finest of musical offerings, we’re spanning the globe for accolades old and new.

Our featured artists include Roy Hall & His Blue Ridge Entertainers, Paul McCartney w/ Steve Martin & the Steep Caanyon Rangers, Bruce Springsteen, Lief Sorbye, Matteo Salvatore, Ray Kane, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Ravi & Anoushka Shankar, and more. According to H. Jackson Brown, “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” Hope you can make it to the top with us for this Folktale of Superlatives!

"Oh sleep! It is a gentle thing, beloved from pole to pole!" Samuel Taylor Coleridge said it, and that's the 'pillow talk' this Folktale chases around the musical globe, w/ sleep songs, cradle melodies, dream scapes and 'quotational' sleep aids from bedtimes far and near--including Ameican, European, Asian and African musical modes.

Featured artists include Kim Robertson, Liz Knowles, Elle/The Remnant, Lettstick Band, Liu Xing, Anindo, and of course, the Beatles. So say calm...and be ready to ease into our musically mesmerising folkworld of Golden Slumbers.

As 17th c. historian, Thomas Fuller observed: "Poor men's reasons are not heard"...but on this edition, their music will be--and it tells a most powerful tale. Our journey takes us through the Americas, Europe, Haiti and Africa this week, featuring varied words of wisdom on the topic, and musical reflections from Eric Bibb, Patty Griffin, Woodie Guthrie, Seth & May, Marlui Miranda, Babatundi Olatunji, New Revelation, and more. Sure hope you can join us.

Ciao and G’day, mate! According to author, Terry Mark, "When you greet people with joy, you'll have shared your joy with them.: But--how do you do those "How do you do's? Well, HELLO! That's what this week's Folktale is all about, and we're tracking the best of "best regards" around the musical globe.

It's one socially significant tour, with stops in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond. Our feature artists include Cindy Combs, Bob Dylan, The Carter Family, Dordán, Alphortrio Guldisberg, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ida Widawati & Lingkung Seni Malati, Hang Playing Hedge Monkeys, and more. So, Hey babe! You know you're welcome, and we hope you'll tune in and get acquainted!

“There's a story behind everything..but behind all your stories is always your mother's story..because hers is where yours begins.” (Mitch Albom) ...and that's the story we tell on this week's special Mothers Day edition, w/ a global tour of musical traditions, and wise words all in honor of motherhood. We're touring the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia & India, w/ heart felt tunes by Iris DeMent, Molly Brogan & the Distractions, Barry Phillips, Tenores Di Bitti, Keola Beamer & R. Carlos Nakai, Emeline Michele, Fortalesa and more. Enjoy your own day of celebration with--or as a mom, and be sure to catch this special tribute!

As they say in Ireland, "You'll never plant a field by turning it over in your mind." That's the rural wisdom this edition of Folktales is tending and tracking--through barnyards, pastures, fields & farmlonds across both Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond. Our featured musicians include Magpie, Woody Guthrie, Alison Krauss, Hakob Khalatian, Alphornquartett Dudingen, Inkuyo, Brazilian Cattle Ranchers, Taffetas, Keola Beamer and a bushel more. Hope you can join us--this week's Folktale of Agriculture is ripe--and ready to pick!

"He that has the luck leads the bride to church." That's an old Dutch proverb, and this week on Folktales, we're featuring a bridal bouqet of musical customs and sentiment fit for a royal wedding. The musical aisle we're walking takes us through the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and beyond, for timeless words of wisdom and marital advice.

Featured artists include Michael Schwarte, Cooper & Nelson, the Mysterioius Voices of Bulgaria, Keola Beamer, Leiko, the Klezmatics, Hot Club De Norvege and more. So while you're contemplating your I Do's, I did's or I'm Gonna's, get ready for this celebratory Folktale of Matrimony.

Time Whether or not it’s on your side, time is, well, a timely issue, world round, and this week’s episode of Folktales is crossing International Time Zones and Datelines by the minute, just to prove it. It’s a self-winding tour, full of music and wise words on the topic, that takes us through the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and beyond.

Our featured musicians include Joe Weed, The Goat's Beards, Eric Bibb, 2CELLOS, Finjan, Burning Sky and more.
So if you, like Dr. Seuss, tend to wonder “How did it get so late so soon?”—find out this week, on the Folktale of Time. 

According to our wise old Uncle Remus: "You can't run away from trouble. There ain't no place that far." So this week on Folktales, we're looking for alternate solutions--around the musical globe. We'll be tracking tunes, and wise words across the Americas, through Europe and into near eastern and African traditions, averting bad luck, loss and painful lumps as we go. Featured artists include Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers, Clifton Chenier, Itzhak Perlman, Rua Port'Alba, Oliver Mtukudzi and more. so be prepared to turn your karma around, with our Folktale of Misfortune.

According to our wise old Uncle Remus: "You can't run away from trouble. There ain't no place that far." So this week on Folktales, we're looking for alternate solutions--around the musical globe. We'll be tracking tunes, and wise words across the Americas, through Europe and into near eastern and African traditions, averting bad luck, loss and painful lumps as we go. Featured artists include Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers, Clifton Chenier, Itzhak Perlman, Rua Port'Alba, Oliver Mtukudzi and more. so be prepared to turn your karma around, with our Folktale of Misfortune.

"Sadness is but a wall between two gardens.: That's a wise and well-turned way to view life's difficulties, from Lebanese poet, Kahlil Gibran, and the musical path this week's edition of Folktales is following.
With a bittersweet assortment of sayings, and muscial traditions, we'll be traveling through the Americas, Europe, and Africa, and our featured artists include Aine Minogue, Joe Martyn Ricke, Addison Agen, Sarah McQuaid, the Tenores di Bitti, Carlos Reyes, James Bobchak, Habib Koite & Bamada, and more.
Its a compassionate journey, and we hope you'll join us for it, with all your heart and soul.

As the ancient Greek philosopher, Epicurus, explained int, "not what we have, but waht we enjoy, constitutes our abundance," and on this edition of Folktales, we're following that wise measure around the globe.
Armed with a bountiful supply of musical traditions, and words of wisdom, we'll be touring the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond, and our featured artists include Slavek Hanslik, Ella Jenkins, Bob Dylan, Joe Martyn Ricke, I Giullari di Piazza, Keola Beamer & George Winston, Daniel Paul,La India Canela and more.
"To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to share it with"--that's from Mark Twain--and with this Folktale of Abundance, there's plenty for everyone.

As they say in many a folkworld, "Most cherished moments happen when friends and family gather together, and that's what this episode of Folktales is all about. Armed w/ musical tradition and wise words, we're traveling through the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Far East in search of socials, shindigs, musters, meetings and more, that speak to the communal side of living, and celebrating life.

Our featured musicians include Eric Brace & Karl Straub, Tony Ellis, the Swingbillies, Barry Phillips, Inkuyo, David Fanshawe, Mickey Hart, Bholoja, Kamal and more, so get ready to rally, because you are cordially invited to join us for the Folktale of Gathering.

“Every man can transform the world from one of monotony and drabness to one of excitement and adventure.” That’s what American author, Irving Wallace believed, and we’re embarking on our own journey to prove that very action-oriented theory this week on Folktales.

We're outfitting ourselves with wise words, and a most musical itinerary that includes the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. Our featured artists are Ken Kolodner, Edgar Meyer & Bela Fleck, Mary Youngblook, Light Rain Dark Fire, David Michael, the Justin Vallee Trio and more. It’s a wide and wonderful world of musical traditions we’re set to explore, and we hope you’ll join the exploration team--if you're game!

As American author, J. Earl explains, “Karma manifests Newton’s Third Law of Motion in the arena of Ethics.” That would be the one about there being an equal and opposite reaction for every action—and it’s the very calculated cause & effect we’ve chosen to track around the musical globe, this edition.

We'll be carrying wise thoughts on the destiny that lies ahead for the hour, as we travel across the Americas, though Europe and into Africa, Tibet & the South Pacific. And our playlist features February Sky, Dawkins & Titus, Ted Kines, Los Folkloristoas, Aine Minogue, Te Vaka, Oliver Mtukudzi, Mary Youngblood and more. So, with a brand new year on the horizon, be prepared to listen well to these ethically inspired observations, because, as you’ll be hearing, what goes around comes around.

Ever wonder about your lot in life? According to Martha Washington, “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.” We’re traveling the globe for musical variations on that theme this episode, armed with wise advice on the subject and ready to fulfill our every aspiration.

Our featured artists include Tah nagakm Kewus Ross, Joanne Shenandoah, KelsiCote, the Bulgarian Women's Choir, Anoushka Shankar & Norah Jones, Conrad Praetzel and more. Here’s hoping you’ll be able to share the satisfaction of this most compelling folktale.

Ever get tired of doing the right thing? Well, as 19th century English philosopher John Stuart Mill warned us, "Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men shoul look on and do nothing." And exploring that theory is our mission this episode of Folktales.
Armed with wise words, and a full task force of musical traditions we'll be traveling though the Americas, across Europe and into Africa and the middle East, and our featured musicians include Magpie, Bob Dylan, Portnoy, The Legendary Trainhoppers, Bidinte, Machanic Manyeruke, Ashkaru, Yungchen Lhamo, Cornell Kinderknecht and more. Hope you'll rise to the occasion, and get ready for this powerful journey.

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” That’s how America’s beloved football legend, Vince Lombardi, regarded a good challenge, and regularly dared his opponents to prove him wrong. This week on Folktales, we/re tackling that supposition as we travel the musical globe in search of solid support for this winning strategy.

Armed with more wise words on the subject, we'll be touring the Americas, Europe, Africa and India for a listen to musical traditions that speak to this thought. Featured musicians include Eric Brace & Karl Straub, Seth & May, Magpie, Marta Sebestyen, Keola Beamer & R. Carlos Nakai, the Safri Brothers and more. We're hopeing you're up for the challenge. Ready to play ball?

No one is perfect, and everyone has room to improve. with that in mind, we're entering this week's edition of Folktales with one of Ghandi's power points: "It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom.

It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and wisest might err." To that point, we'll be arming ourselves with wise words and timely music as we travel through the Americas, across Europe and then into Africa and India.

Our musical selections feature Trian, Bob Dylan, Ari Hest, John Minton, Muszikas, Mr. Peters and His Boom & Chime, the Klezmatics and more. Don't you think perhaps, you'd better join us?

As we look toward our own country’s Independence Day, these timeless words of Martin Luther King, Jr. are essential, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." That’s what we’re contemplating this episode, as we set out across the Americas, through Europe and into Africa, the near east and beyond. For the journey we’ll be armed with wise words and musical traditions that reflect this consideration, thankful for our freedoms, praying that justice will someday span the globe.

Featured musicians include, Tom Juravich, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bob Dylan, Chantan, The Mysterious Voices of Bulgaria, Inkuyo, Sweet Honey in the Rock, the Sultans of String, Jimmy Cliff and more. Here's to freedom! Hope you can join us.

If this crazy world we live in has you overwhelmed, here’s a tip from American behavioral scientist & author, Steve Maraboli: “Forget yesterday - it has already forgotten you. Don't sweat tomorrow - you haven't even met. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift - today.” That’s what we’ll be doing this episode of Folktales—with mood music gathered from every corner of the world.
We've also gathered wise words for the journey, and we'll be traveling through the America's, Europe, Africa & the East. Featured musicians include Michael Jonathan, the Lucky Sisters, Armik, Joanne Shenandoah, Tenores di Bitti, Nawang Khechog & more. Thanks for being you--hope you can join us.

Have you ever felt cut off from everything? I mean... "Alone! Alone! No beacon, far or near. No chart, no compass, and no anchor stay?" That's how 19th century Australian born British novelist Ada Cambridge pictured that dilemma, and it's a universal nightmare we hope ot shine some light on this episode, with a musical tour of guideposts and illuminants through the Americas, across Europe and all the way to mideastern and suth pacific networks.
We'll be featuring John McCutcheon, Lee Murdock, Oscar Reynols, William Eaton & R. Carlos Nakai, Chuck Jonky, Ottmar Liebert and more.

Our way will be clearly defined i assure you, and there's plenty of room on the lightship--hope you'll see your way clear to join us.

“We must always try to be polite to the other person even if they have upset us. Politeness is the grease that keeps the gears of all relationships turning.”  That’s not only a great idea from American philosopher & author Zachariah Renfro, it’s actually what’s guiding this edition of Folktales all around the musical world of good manners and kindly considerations.

Armed with nothing but the most thoughtful words on the subject, we'll be traveling through the Americas, across Europe and all the way to African, India & the South Pacific and our musical features include the Shady Grove Band, Helen O'Hara, Klezmer Juice, Uzume Taiko & Takeo Yamashiro, S.E. Rogie and more.

With all due respect, we’d be very pleased to have you join us for the Folktale of Courtesy, and would like to thank you kindly for your consideration!

According to W.B. Yeats, "The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper"--so it's sensory honing we're applying on this especially fright-full edition!

We're traveling the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and a few 'otherworldly realms', w/ music from February Sky, Kiva, Donovan, the Neville Brothers, Cordilleras, Angelique Kidjo, Ken Field, Tenko & Ikue Mori and more-Shazam!

“How could you ever feel comfortable if no matter where you went you felt like you belonged someplace else?”  That’s a valid question posed by English-born American author Mark Peter Hughes, and we’re hoping that this week’s audio adventure puts you at ease and in tune with yourself, your surroundings and the world of agreeable music we’ll be tracking.

Armed with wise words & a world of musical traditions,we'll do our best to make our listeners feel as snug as a bug in a rug (but not too complacent!) as we travel the Americas, Europe, the South Pacific, Afrrica and beyond.

Music by Ken Kolodner, Bob Dylan, Dave Swarbrick, Inkuyo, OK! Ryos, Habib Koite & many others will guide our way, and we’re saving you the very sweetest of spot of all—do hope you can join us!

If you’re feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, take this devilish bit of advice from that iconic horror writer, Stephen King: “If you can't laugh when things go bad--laugh and put on a little carnival--then you're either dead or wishing you were.”  That’s the premise we’re adapting to in this week’s edition, with a world of music and wise words for the occasion.

Our musical offerings include Cornell Kinderknecht, The Main Stree Porch Band, Colin Linden, Kyle Riabko, The Incredible String Band, Outback, Jake Shimabukuro & more. So let’s take a deep breath, and get ready to make the most of our journey.

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.” Nelson Mandela’s incredible gift of vision has set the scene for this edition of Folktales, and we’re traveling the musical globe to hear exactly what that sounds like—through the Americas, across Europe and into Africa & points East.

Our featured artists include The Legendary Trainhoppers, Brian Bowers, Helicon, the Mysterious Voices of Bulgaria, Nawang Khechog, Steven Cragg and more. It's your gateway to adventure, you might say so please be ready to enjoy the scenic wonder!