This posted to us from the Media Centre at Auntie Beeb….

“Following last year’s award-winning 21st Century Folk, this ambitious and unique initiative returns later this month with five folk artists writing a song about five inspiring people from around the UK, as Radio 2 puts the spotlight on folk music across a week of programming from Monday 29 July to Sunday 4 August.

Once again, 21st Century Folk features five Radio 2 listeners from across the UK and, as the RNLI marks its 200th anniversary in 2024, this year’s theme is about people whose lives are intertwined with the sea. Each of the listeners have been paired with five folk singer-songwriters who will write original songs based on their lives and tales of the water.

Hear the songs, contributors and songwriters in 21st Century Folk 2024 on BBC Sounds from Monday 29 July and on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday 4 August, 8-10pm; and watch the five songs being performed in 21st Century Folk 2024 on BBC iPlayer from Monday 29 July.

The contributors and singer-songwriters will also be interviewed on The Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2 across the week (from Monday 29 July – Friday 2 August, 12-2pm) where each song will be played on air. Friday’s edition of the show will be an outside broadcast from one of the UK’s most loved music festivals, the Sidmouth Folk Festival, where Seth Lakeman and Fisherman’s Friends will perform their song live.

Radio 2’s Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe will also feature the songs and interviews with the artists (Wednesday 31 July, 9-10pm), and the following week it will feature music from some of the artists who performed live at Sidmouth Folk Festival (Wednesday 7 August, 9-10pm).”

Amongst those involved are Sam Lakeman, Cara Dillon, Seth Lakeman, Lady Nade, Boo Hewerdine,  Martyn Joseph, Fisherman’s Friends and Kris Drever.

More details including background on all the songs and explanation from the musicians at bbc.co.uk