Hospital Radio: Country music fever has hit the UK

If there are any country music fans out there, you will already know that C2C returns to the O2 in London between Friday 14 and Sunday 16 March 2025. This is a huge event that has become a regular on the UK festival calendar and has brought country music to the UK and Ireland masses. It brings three days of the best in country music with performances from the world’s best country stars, as well as emerging talent from Nashville, the UK, and Europe. Having been there a couple of times, I can highly recommend it.

This year Grammy winner Lainey Wilson will be headlining the Friday evening. I was lucky enough to see her last year, and her show provides a high-energy spectacle, and her vocals are stunning. Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson headline Saturday and Sunday, both of whom are superb showmen with a catalogue of hits under their belts. Another name I spotted on the list is Shaboozey; two of his songs, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and "Good News, were both UK hits in 2024 and are played regularly on Torbay Hospital Radio.

But maybe you don’t fancy the trek up to London to get your fill of country music; well, there is good news. Because on Thursday, 27 February, you could take yourself to the Babbacombe Theatre, where Country Roads is playing. It promises One Night of Country Classics with a night of the very best country classics. Songs will include 9 to 5, The Gambler, and Rhinestone Cowboy, to name a few.

A few days earlier at the Exmouth Pavilion on 24 Feb, The Big Country Music Show rides into Exmouth, with what is billed as the UK’s biggest live classic country and western music show. It has a live band, award-winning singers, and has been receiving great reviews as it tours the country. They will be providing classics from the likes of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Shania Twain. Sounds like a fun evening to me.

If you fancy a trip of about ninety minutes, why not consider a weekend in Ilfracombe and take in the North Devon Country Music Fest! Taking place from 21st to 24th March. There’s lots going on, including Tribute Nights featuring a Garth Brooks Tribute and a Miranda Lambert Tribute.  The line up also includes some of the UK’s finest talents. What I am saying is that you do not have to travel too far to hear some great country music.

If you do not know if country is for you, why not listen to some of the winners in that genre from the recent Grammys? You could try Beyoncé, whose latest effort, ‘Cowboy Carter,’ was the album of the year. Although I am not sure how typical it is of what is going on in Nashville these days. Perhaps try Chris Stapleton, who won Best Country Solo Performance for “It Takes a Woman,” or Kacey Musgraves, who was recognised for her song writing with the Best Country Song award for “The Architect.” This is a beautiful song.

If you fancy something that’s a bit different, why not try Chappell Roan, who won the Best New Artist award, or Post Malone and Morgan Wallen, who received notable mentions? Or, of course, you could go for the most popular songs of the moment. Well, here are three that I recommend. “Texas” by Blake Shelton is a heartfelt track that is very popular. Closely followed by “Tough People” by Drew Baldridge, which is a song that celebrates resilience and determination. Finally, “I Ain’t Sayin” by Jordan Davis, a former No 1 on the airplay chart.

Some people remain convinced that they do not like country music. All I would say is the genre is wide-ranging with a huge amount of variety; you cannot really compare Dolly Parton and Beyoncé. So why not give it a go? You never know; you might find something you like.