In every community, there are devoted people behind the scenes helping to make the folk music scene vibrant, thriving by keeping the wheels rolling. Whether it's a longtime volunteer at a folk club or house concert series, a festival or venue director, a local folk radio host, or a writer who reviews CDs or concerts - one common thread is that these people love the music. They are passionate about serving artists and fans and making sure the folk scene in their community is strong and active.

We chose the name Folk Spokes from listener submissions for Folk Alley's new feature because spokes support wheels while connecting an unbroken circle of the best of musical traditions. Folk Spokes is an opportunity for you to nominate the unsung individuals (or spokes) in your community and to give them a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

Richard Ruane

I would like to nominate Richard Ruane of Ripton, Vermont. He is a talented singer and song writer but, he supports his fellow performers and local community unselfishly. He and his wife Andrea and a few friends started the Ripton Coffee House in 1995. In the town meeting house on the first Saturday of the month you can go to hear an hour of open mic followed by the main act. With local charities taking turns to provide homemade refreshments. He has volunteered to run sound for the Middlebury Festival on the Green as long as I can recall. On top of all that he is the information technology person at local elementary schools. His day job. Thanks, Rick Shappy (New Haven, Vermont)

Nominated By: Rick Shappy from New Haven, Vermont

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