| After settling in the Ozarks, Flynn realized the everything about his
surroundings was right for a recreation of "The Folk Sampler."
"I looked around," he says, "and saw the perfect combination -- the Ozarks, an academic setting, and broadcast facilities." He resurrected his program, expanding it to 60 minutes, and selling it to an increasing number of public radio stations through the American Public Radio network. Now the Ozarks-based "Folk Sampler" is welcomed on radios far and wide as Mike Flynn's gentle voice introduces music that so many listeners can relate to. His programs are often built around a single theme. Those tuning in enjoy being surprised when they hear an entire program of music based on an ordinary subject -- like doing the washing, for example. "Folk music," Flynn says, "isn't complex. It's simple, poetic, and talks
about life in a way that most everyone can understand. It's something that
sounds real to us,
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whether or not we have ever been part of the kind of thing a song happens
to be about. How many of us have ever been cowboys, yet we love cowboy
songs. Folk music speaks to the heart."
Flynn now has a music library of over 3,000 compact discs, 6,000 record albums, and 2,000 cassettes to choose from when he's preparing each week's program. This collection grows daily as individual musicians and big recording companies send him record ngs they hope he will feature. And the unknown musician is about as likely to be featured on "The Folk
Sampler" as some big name star. Flynn listens to music almost constantly
at home and in his car, setting aside anything that he feels will fit into
his program. He enjoys bringing unknowns into the spotlight when their
music warrants it.
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