Airing time: 12pm Sunday, Replays 7:30pm Thursday
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 70s, dabbling in folk rock and pop in California in the 80s, and creating a country garden in the 90s 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 ...
A long-standing performer of NZ folk, Davey also 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.
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Podcasts
To download an episode: Click on the kiwifruit to go to The Folk Music Hour page on the AIR website:
Click on the title of an episode to listen
Tamburlaine
The then-Wellington trio's seminal albums have been remastered onto CD, but they were recorded before the term psych-folk had even been thought of.
Duration: 00:58:10 | Date: 23 June, 2019
Martha Louise
The American-born musician and songwriter has made NZ her home, and can be seen at many venues around greater Auckland singing with her mates.
Duration: 00:58:34 | Date: 16 June, 2019
Gumboot Tango
The Taranaki Kiwiana exponents' two albums from the 90s are still not past their amuse-by date.
Duration: 00:57:53 | Date: 9 June, 2019
Kath Tait
Kiwi singer Kath Tait is more well known in the UK than in NZ, but her wry sense of humour and idiosyncratic songwriting deserve a wide following here.
Duration: 00:55:59 | Date: 2 June, 2019
Mike Harding
Duration: 00:55:58 | Date: 26 May, 2019
Victoria Vigenser
Victoria Vigenser is an extraordinary talent and we predict a global future for her beautifully sung and thoughtful songs. A FMH NZMM special.
Duration: 00:00:00 | Date: 19 May, 2019
Folk Blokes
A programme of songs by Kiwi bloke artists, part of our NZ Music Month series.
Duration: 00:59:20 | Date: 12 May, 2019
NZ Women Folk
A programme of songs by Kiwi women artists, part of our NZ Music Month series.
Duration: 00:57:41 | Date: 5 May, 2019
NZMM Come All Ye
We launch into NZ Music Month with a programme of Kiwi singers and songs. Thanks to those who generously shared their music, we have enough for over two months!
Duration: 00:57:18 | Date: 28 April, 2019
ANZAC Special
As we honour the fallen, we play songs, both rock and folk, which touch on many wars, and ask why so many died to create our two nations and our legends.
Duration: 00:49:57 | Date: 21 April, 2019
Four Women of English Folk
Shirley Collins, Maddy Prior, June Tabor and Norma Waterson have all enriched the repertoire of Anglo-American Folk Music.
Duration: 00:57:49 | Date: 14 April, 2019
Robert Burns
Of the hundreds of recorded hours of Robert Burns' poems and songs, the Folk Music Hour plays some gems, and reveals the importance and enduring charm of this world famous Scot.
Duration: 00:54:01 | Date: 7 April, 2019
Siblings 2
A second programme of folk artists who happen to be sisters, or brothers, or both, from both sides of the Atlantic. Who would you nominate for a third such show? [email protected]
Duration: 00:58:27 | Date: 31 March, 2019
Sona Jobarteh
Sona Jobarteh's Kora music from The Gambia wowed WOMAD 2019, bringing light into NZ's darkest days. The festival was a triumph of shared cultures, kindness and peaceful coexistence.
Duration: 00:54:28 | Date: 24 March, 2019