Five Festive Country Tunes for 2025

Christmas has crept up on me this year. So much so that I’ve already missed a fair few singles with an undeniably festive feel. To put that right, I thought I’d do a quick rundown of five tunes with which to fill your musical stocking. Four from the UK, plus a bonus track from oneContinue reading “Five Festive Country Tunes for 2025”

Samantha Ebert – No One Knows

I don’t often stray from UK shores to write about songs from across the pond. So it shows how much I value the music of Samantha Ebert to do so on this occasion. Her latest track, ‘No One Knows’, is just as striking as the first time I came across her. ‘Overthinking‘ was a songContinue reading “Samantha Ebert – No One Knows”

Annie Dressner – For the Thrill of It

Annie Dressner is not a new name to me. But her music is. And as with Demi Marriner, I wonder why it’s taken so long for her songs to land in my ear. For her latest release led me straight to her back catalogue. To a fabulously folky 2024 album which new single ‘For theContinue reading “Annie Dressner – For the Thrill of It”

My Relationship with ‘My Church’

Everyone has a song that means something to them. And for me, ‘My Church’ by Maren Morris is one of those songs. It has followed me for the best part of almost ten years, and recently I have had cause to reflect on how its informed my relationship with faith, religion, spirituality, and music. IContinue reading “My Relationship with ‘My Church’”

Nashville: A Reflection on Anxiety and Faith on a Trip to Music City

It has been almost a month since I returned from my first trip to Nashville. My first solo trip abroad at that. I had only ever been outside of the UK and Ireland once in my life before this point, and that was with other people. Many have commented since my return on “how brave”Continue reading “Nashville: A Reflection on Anxiety and Faith on a Trip to Music City”

2022: A Personal Review in 10 Songs

In this personal review of 2022, I select ten songs by ten artists that have made a particular impression on him over the last twelve months. “I realise that there are some striking omissions, like Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, and Elles Bailey, to name but three, but the songs and artists that I’ve chosen (andContinue reading “2022: A Personal Review in 10 Songs”

Jess and the Bandits – Emotional Baggage

Beneath the light exterior of Jess and the Bandits’ latest single is a serious message about life as a working mum. ‘Emotional Baggage’ comes from lead singer Jessica Clemmons’ own experience of trying to manage a career with two sons in tow. The result is a song that contains many scenes from the typical parent’sContinue reading “Jess and the Bandits – Emotional Baggage”

Beth Nielsen Chapman – CrazyTown

It’s the sound of Beth Nielsen Chapman but not quite as we know it on her latest album ‘CrazyTown’. The acclaimed singer-songwriter has, in her own words, “let go more on this record than I ever have before”. The result sees a merry band of musicians accompanying her throughout, given the freedom to flesh outContinue reading “Beth Nielsen Chapman – CrazyTown”

Absolute Radio Country’s 1st Anniversary

Absolute Radio Country has been celebrating its first birthday this month, with presenters coming together to share some of their favourite songs and highlights in a special show to mark the occasion. Since its evolution from Country Hits Radio to become part of the Absolute family twelve months ago, the station seems to have goneContinue reading “Absolute Radio Country’s 1st Anniversary”

Anne Wilson – My Jesus

Anne Wilson is a name that may not have reached the ears of most country music fans thus far. Yet her southern upbringing and admiration for the genre runs through the core of her debut album ‘My Jesus’. The title track has already proved to be somewhat of a breakthrough hit for Wilson, recording overContinue reading “Anne Wilson – My Jesus”