Sam Lee and launch of the Radio 2 Young Folk Award

Mike opens the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award for entries and chats to Sam Lee, the London-based singer, teacher, song collector and promoter who picked up a Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Folk Club in 2010.

The Young Folk Award is Radio 2's annual search for the UK's most talented young performers of folk, roots or acoustic music from any culture.

Previous competitors and winners include Tim van Eyken, Jackie Oates, Megan & Joe Henwood, Bella Hardy, Moore Moss Rutter and Jarlath Henderson.

The competition is open to soloists, duos and groups. Entrants must be aged 15-20 and be resident in the UK.

To enter, download the entry form at bbc.co.uk/folk, complete it and return it to the given address, along with a demo recording.

The closing date for entries is Friday 7 September 2012. Ten successful entrants will be invited to attend the Young Folk Award Weekend in Kendal in October. There they will receive expert advice about making a career in music, and each act will perform in a public concert.

A panel of judges will attend the concert and select four nominees for the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. The eventual winner will be announced at the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ceremony early next year.