FOLK ALLEY ROLLS OVER 50,000
REGISTERED USERS REACH NEW HIGH
Wednesday February 8, 2006

Folk Alley has come a long way - from internet start-up to a recognized leader in streaming folk music content. In just over two years, FolkAlley.com now welcomes thousands of folk music lovers from all over the world to the web site every day. On Feb. 1 at precisely 8:12 a.m., Folk Alley said "hello" to Ludwik Stawowy from Warszawa, Poland, the music site's 50,000th registered user. Stawowy added his voice to thousands of others clamoring for good music and a quality acoustic mix. Along with the growing community who listen at FolkAlley.com, thousands more click to Folk Alley's stream from music services such as Live365, Windows Media, SHOUTcast, Real Player and iTunes. Registered users keep in touch with the Folk Alley Chat, an e-mail newsletter with timely information and playlist updates.

Sent out to the world on Sept. 8, 2003, Folk Alley brings together the best in singer/songwriter, acoustic instrumental, Celtic, Americana, bluegrass, world and traditional folk styles in a hosted format that allows listeners non-stop access to their favorite music 24 hours a day. FolkAlley.com is an online folk hub offering playlists, exclusive performances and interviews, a blog, folk music news, an extensive collection of links and more. In September, 2005, Folk Alley debuted "Live From Folk Alley" with a live online stream of singer/songwriter Eliza Gilkyson at Cleveland's Beachland Ballroom.

Says Director of Programming and Marketing Linda Fahey, "This is an exciting time for Folk Alley. More people than ever are able to access streaming media from their computers. When we began, our goal was to connect our music to the listeners who crave a superior sound - and, that's what is happening. Every day, the numbers go up and the letters come in; from China to Iraq to Germany; Australia, Canada and Great Britain; people across the street and around the world - it's truly inspiring."

Never content to sit still, Folk Alley has consistently improved the web station's product. Many exclusive interviews are now available as podcasts. This past fall - three new DJs, Elena See, Barb Heller, and Jeff St. Clair - joined founding host Jim Blum to add variety to the stream while maintaining Folk Alley's hallmark musical blend. FolkAlley.com continues the search for interactive, community-based features (including an "open mic" area expected to launch this spring) that will draw the folk world together and strengthen the genre for its long-term survival.

FolkAlley.com is a non-profit Internet venture produced by WKSU-FM, an award-winning public radio station with more than 55 years of broadcasting history. A service of Kent State University, the station also presents the Kent State Folk Festival and broadcasts 13 hours of original folk music programming throughout Northeast Ohio each week over WKSU 89.7, four repeater stations and a translator signal. Folk Alley is one of six music streams made available by National Public Radio to member stations as digital content.

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