Andy had a highly popular show on BBC Radio 1 until June last year, when following some tension between him and the Radio 1 controller the programme was dropped. He continued to produce some special one-off features and appeared in other people's shows with his energetic brand of expert comment and music selections, but the killing of his own regular show caused an uproar in the folk and roots music world.
The BBC was inundated with protests from around the globe - the programme had a strong world-wide following through the internet as well as via the airwaves within the BBC's UK coverage area. The campaign for Andy's reinstatement even reached the British Parliament.
It was inevitable that such a popular and knowledgeable broadcaster would return, and a new weekly Andy Kershaw show was launched on April 20 on BBC Radio 3. It has, predictably, been warmly welcomed.
He plays a wide selection of music from folk cultures around the world - traditional and contemporary. He includes recorded music from established labels and from small independents and rare local recordings which he gathers himself on his extensive travels.
Every week there's also a special feature - either a live studio guest or a recording done specially for the programme at a recent concert by a world music performer or band visiting the UK.
What sets Andy Kershaw apart is the depth of knowledge he has, not only about the various musical traditions and their performers, but also about the communities and cultures which have produced them. His understanding and appreciation of the music is underpinned by a knowledge of the lives of the people playing and singing it - their domestic, social and political environments.
Compelling listening - Friday evenings at 10.15 pm gmt. Those outside the broadcast range of BBC Radio 3 can listen on the internet: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio. The website also has an area dedicated to Andy Kershaw himself, which includes music from his own collection: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/andyke...
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