Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is FolkAlley? Why Do I Have to Register to Listen? What Registration Information is Required? How Will Registration Information Be Used? Who Will Have Access to This Information? I’m Having Trouble Registering. Help! Why Does This Site Use Cookies? I Registered. Never Received a Confirmation. How Do I Listen to FolkAlley? How Can I Change My Password? How is FolkAlley Funded? Why Should I Support FolkAlley? How Do I Make a Donation to Support FolkAlley? How Can I Help Promote FolkAlley? Can You List Upcoming Songs? Do You Have an Archive of Already Played Songs? Where Do I Send a CD for “Airplay” Consideration? I Mailed a CD to You. Did You Receive It? How Do I Request a Song, Artist, Etc.? Why Don’t You Play [Artist Name]? Where Can I Buy the CDs of Artists that I’ve Heard? I’d Like to Suggest Some Links to Add to FolkAlley
What is FolkAlley?
FolkAlley.com is a 24-hour, online music service featuring folk, world, and acoustic music. It was launched in September 2003 and is programmed by Jim Blum, veteran folk music host at WKSU-FM in Kent, Ohio. The web site also offers a weblog with CD reviews, artist interviews, reflections on the folk music industry and more. WKSU, a service of Kent State University, hosts the Kent State Folk Festival, the nation’s longest folk music festival on a college campus.
Why Do I Have to Register to Listen?
We require all listeners to register in order to better serve those using the service by building direct lines of communication. There is no charge for registration.
What Registration Information is Required?
All registrants are required to provide an e-mail address and a password. We also request that you provide your name and location (i.e., city and country).
How Will Registration Information Be Used?
We are collecting e-mail addresses so that we can more easily and directly communicate with listeners. While we will be sending e-mail missives from time to time, we will not abuse this privilege.
Who Will Have Access to This Information?
Your e-mail address and any other personal information you provide will be used exclusively by FolkAlley.com. We will not sell or trade addresses without the prior consent of the registrants.
Why Does This Site Use Cookies?
FolkAlley.com employs cookies to recognize you and allows you automatic access to protected services, as well as site usage. Subscribers who have cookies disabled will need to log in each time they visit the site.
I’m Having Trouble Registering. Please Walk Me Through the Steps.
1. To register, visit our registration page.
2. Complete the registration page, creating a username and password. Click on “Register Me” at the bottom on the registration page. That’s all there is to it!
3. After you register, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link. Click on this link or cut and paste this link into your browser, then press “enter” on your keyboard to confirm your registration.
I Registered. Never received a confirmation.
It may be that your computer has a spam blocker or other type of filter that is filtering out the confirmation e-mail that we sent to you. You can either adjust the filter, or e-mail us and let us know that you have not received your confirmation e-mail.
How Do I Listen to FolkAlley?
Here are some step-by-step instructions, if you are having trouble listening:
1. The first thing that you need to do is register, creating a username and a password.
2. Then, you need to make sure you are logged into the site using your username and password. When you do this, a list of streaming links will appear at the top left corner of most of the pages. There are links for RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, and MP3. The MP3 stream requires a broadband cable modem or DSL connection, but the RealPlayer or Windows Media links will work on either a dial-up or broadband connection.
3. Depending upon what player software you have installed (and your connection speed), pick one of the links. If you have a relatively new Windows-based computer, you probably already have the Windows Media player on it. If not, take a look at the Windows Media Web site and/or RealPlayer Web site and decide which player you’d like to install. Then download and install one of the players following the directions found on each player’s download site.
If you’d like to try MP3, you can use Winamp or iTunes to play mp3s.
If you have any further problems, please e-mail us.
How Can I Change My Password?
Right now, we don’t offer a direct way for you to change your password. You can either re-register using the same e-mail address (and reconfirming via the e-mail link), or, you can send a note with your new and old passwords to and we can make the change for you.
How is FolkAlley Funded?
FolkAlley is funded by WKSU-FM and an ongoing grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. FolkAlley also relies on its listeners for support.
Why Should I Support FolkAlley?
It is our ambition that this music genre be available to as many people as possible. Through voluntary contributions, we will be able to maintain this web site as a free service.
How Do I Make a Donation to Support FolkAlley?
You may make a donation—online or by check—by visiting our support page.
I Love Folk Music! How Can I Help Promote FolkAlley?
FolkAlley has been established to protect a cherished art form and promote the future of folk music, one of the world’s fastest growing musical genres. Below are some ways in which you can help promote FolkAlley.
1. Place a link to FolkAlley on your web site. You will be spreading the word about folk music to everyone who visits your site. You may want to add a FolkAlley web banner as well. Please visit our web promotions page for more information.
2. Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that now there is a place online where you can enjoy folk music 24 hours a day! Encourage them to register, listen, and browse the site. Ask them to add links to their web sites. As the FolkAlley family grows bigger, we will be able to add additional features.
3. Send FolkAlley postcards to your friends! If you would like to receive a packet of postcards, please e-mail your request with your postal address.
4. Request a promotional fan kit, which includes lots of FolkAlley branded goodies!
5. FolkAlley is listener supported, and you may make a contribution on our secure donation page. Your donation will help us maintain this site.
6. Do you post to weblogs or chat groups? Mention FolkAlley, and encourage your fellow bloggers to check us out. Do you have other ideas on how you can help promote FolkAlley? You may send us your suggestions.
Can You List Upcoming Songs?
We are unable to do so as The Digital Copyright Millennium Act (DCMA) prevents us from listing upcoming songs.
Do You Have an Archive of Already-Played Songs?
FolkAlley doesn’t have a music archive of already-played songs. However, you might be interested in listening to Host Jim Blum’s over-the-air folk radio programs, which are broadcast and archived on WKSU-FM, 89.7 in Kent, Ohio; where FolkAlley.com originates. You may listen to this archive of shows by visiting the WKSU web site.
Where Do I Send a CD for “Airplay” Consideration on FolkAlley?
Please send your CD and any promotional materials to:
FolkAlley.com
c/o Promotions
1613 East Summit Street
Kent OH 44242
I Mailed a CD to You. Did You Receive It?
We receive hundreds of CDs each month—it may take as long as 6 months to review your CD. We regret that we are not able to return CDs sent to us for review.
How Do I Request a Song, Artist, Etc.?
We are proud of our playlist, but also realize that, especially with the breadth of the folk music genre, we could be missing out on some very good artists. We receive many more requests than we can accommodate, but keep listening! You may hear that favorite artist of yours! Please e-mail us requests and suggestions. We appreciate your input!
Why Don’t You Play [Artist Name]?
It may be that the artist’s music doesn’t fit our format. With the amount of quality material and number of excellent artists in the world of folk music, it may be that we just don’t know about a particular group or individual singer and/or songwriter. Suggestions are always appreciated!
Where Can I Buy the CDs of Artists that I’ve Heard?
Each song in the FolkAlley music playlist links to pages on Amazon.com and the Public Radio Music Source web site. We have found these to be excellent resources for folk music purchases.
I’d Like to Suggest Some Links to Add to FolkAlley.
We are always looking to expand the wealth of folk music-related information on FolkAlley, and you may send us your suggestions.
