GIVEN the traditional nature of folk music it seems appropriate that for one of its biggest stars, Kate Rusby, it's something of a cottage industry.

Kate's husband and fellow musician, John McCusker, is also her producer.

"He is in constant producer mode and even tries to produce the cooking and other chores," she laughs.

"As regards the music, he produces my CDs and plays with me in the band and also the trio, so wherever music is going on in my life he is very, very involved."

What's more, her albums are released on her and John's own record label, Pure Records.

"We decided a long time ago that Pure Records would only put out the albums that me and John make," explains Kate.

"We are just a little family company and already we are pushed for time to cope with the CDs and tours that we do. If we worked for other musicians, not only would we be responsible for their livelihood but also we would have to take on other staff to do it.

"We have quite a relaxed way of working. We kind of amble along and do things at our own pace and that has always suited us. We're not out to conquer the world, just to make a living."

Kate isn't expecting folk music to make her super rich and famous, though she does admit that she's getting recognised more and more in her native Yorkshire.

"I've been at it for ten years now and making a good living from it. With each album the audience grows, outside the folk scene as well as in it, so we are going in the right direction," she says.

"The only thing that the 'commercial' market offers these days is the very slim chance to be famous for a year or so.

"There's not many artists in that scene who are still there year after year. Hopefully, because I've been steadily building up over the years, I can keep playing the music I love for years to come."

Kate Rusby is at the Theatre Royal Winchester tomorrow.(2nd Oct) Tickets: from £13. Box office: 01962 840440. She is also at Chichester Festival Theatre on October 15. Box office: 01243 781312.