Beginning on January 3, XM Radio’s “The Village” will begin weekly broadcasts of the “WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour“.

Hosted by folksinger Michael Jonathan, the “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour”, the radio program began several years ago after Michael recorded a CD and wrote a book called “Woodsongs”. Recorded before a live audience, “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour” features live performances from traditional and contemporary acoustic artists. The guest list has included notables such as Odetta, Roger McGuinn, Janis Ian, Rodney Crowell, Michelle Shocked, Mike Seeger and many others. The show has also become an important showcase opportunity for up and coming performers who are not yet household names.

While some critics have compared it to “A Prairie Home Companion”, I believe that is unfair. Both shows are throwbacks to the radio variety programs of radio’s golden years, but “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour” has developed it’s own personality that does not rely on the draw of the host – the artists are given an opportunity to shine and show the world how truly diverse and exciting the music really is.

Even though the program might remind listeners of simpler times when radio variety programs were the norm, “Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour” has made use of emerging technology. The show is archived and available as MP3 downloads for podcasts. The program is syndicated on 460 radio stations around the country and in places like Australia – reaching an estimated 1 million listeners each week. There are also plans for a PBS television version as well. As previously mentioned, the radio show will also be heard on satellite radio – available to the 8 million subscribers of XM Satellite Radio.

If you have not heard the show, check out their website (www.woodsongs.com) to find a station near you, download a show from the archives, or listen in on XM. The WoodSongs broadcast schedule on XM-15 The village is: Wednesday 4PM; Saturday 4AM; Saturday 10PM, and Tuesday at 4PM (all times EST).