Ben's Country Music Show

In May 2012 Ben Atkinson will celebrate four years of presenting Country Music on local radio in the UK. To mark this great milestone, he'll be joined in the studio by four fantastic Country and Folk artists (a different one each week) to play live and talk about their careers. Here, Strummin' Steve Jackson who grew up in Canada and the UK, talks about his musical career to date and a new musical era in which he's now found himself.

This week, Ben Atkinson caught up with Charlie Landsborough who's a well known British Country Music star and has just been inducted into the British Country Music Hall of Fame. Charlie is about to release his new album "Destination" and will tour across the UK throughout March and April. The new album features lots of great sounding, up tempo Country tracks along with the traditional ballads with which Charlie made his name. It's a CD not to miss and a tour you have to get tickets for!

It's CMA week in Nashville, TN, known around the world as Music City, USA. Ben Atkinson caught up with songwriter, performer and NSAI head Steve Bogard, at the NSAI offices on Music Row.

Steve has spent many years in the Music Business and he knows pretty much everything there is to know about good songwriting, having had hits recorded by some of Country's biggest names and others in so many different genres.

In this interview, Steve speaks openly about his career and the way in which he sees music progressing in the years to come, some of his favorite memories and his thoughts on the world of modern digital music.

It's CMA week in Nashville, TN, known around the world as Music City, USA. Ben Atkinson caught up with songwriter and performer Jack Sundrud in downtown Nashville.

Jack's been in Nashville a long time, making music, working with some of countries biggest artists and more recently promoting his own releases. Jack spent time as a session writer, and toured with some of Country's biggest names!

In this interview, Jack speaks to Ben about his career to date, where he's at right now with his music and gives some helpful tips for anyone looking to make it in the Nashville music scene.

It's CMA week in Nashville, TN, known around the world as Music City, USA. Ben Atkinson caught up with songwriter and performer Jerry Vandiver at the NSAI Offices on Music Row.

Jerry's had a fantastic career, with his songs recorded by the likes of Tim McGraw and Phil Vasser. Jerry's been working in Nashville for a long time, and that makes him the perfect person to talk about how the music business has changed in Music City and where Nashville might be going in the future.

In this interview, Jerry speaks to Ben about his career to date, how he goes about writing songs and reveals some interesting anecdotes about some of Nashville's biggest stars.

Ben Atkinson speaks to rising Country star, Marlee Scott in Nashville, TN. It's CMA Week in Nashville and Ben met up Marlee at the Hilton Hotel, just across from the Bridgestone Arena, on CMA Awards Day.

Marlee Scott is about to release her first album and has already had a number of with her song "Here to Heaven" in a number of countries, including the UK Hot Country chart. She's just released a Christmas Song "Someday at Christmas," and in this interview speaks with Ben about her career to date and the exciting plans she has for the future.

Ben Atkinson speaks to rising Country star, DeeAnn Dominy in Nashville, TN. It's CMA Week in Nashville and Ben met up DeeAnn on Music Row, where some of the worlds biggest hits have been recorded.

Here DeeAnn talks about her latest album "Based on a True Story," and her time working on Music Row. She's got many influences and a sound that at first isn't rooted in Country Music, but then again DeeAnn is from Texas so it's hard for her to escape the music that's so deep routed in the blood of both Texas and Tennessee.

Deborah Allen is one of those rare Nashville talents that really has worked her way up. Since arriving in Nashville, she's worked with many of the greats both inside and outside music. She was first discovered by Roy Orbison after working in the Music Row ihop (a haunt for musicians right up until it closed).

In this interview, Deborah speaks to Ben about her latest release, reflects back on her career and her views on the importance of story telling and tips for those trying to make it music today. She also recounts that fantastic story of her meeting with the late, great Roy Orbison.

Ben Atkinson speaks to Country Music legend, Charlie McCoy in Nashville, TN. It's CMA Week in Nashville and Ben met up with Charlie on Music Row, where some of the worlds biggest hits have been recorded.

In Nashville, there are lots of well known musicians, none more so than Charlie McCoy. He's worked with everyone from Elvis to Cliff Richard and has been "harpin" for over 50 years. In this interview, Charlie speaks to Ben about his career, his most recent tribute to legend Hank Williams and his touring overseas.

Ben Atkinson speaks to rising Country star, Teea Goans in Nashville, TN. It's CMA Week in Nashville and Ben met up with Teea Goans on Music Row, where some of the worlds biggest hits have been recorded.

After speaking with superstar Lynn Anderson, Ben was wondering how much traditional Country and Western music has a place today. Teea is recording a kind of sound unheard in Nashville for a number of years, it's new, it's exciting and Ben went to find out more.

Ben Atkinson speaks to songwriter and Country musician, Adam Fisher in Nashville, TN. It's CMA Week in Nashville and Ben met up with Adam on Music Row, where some of the worlds biggest hits have been recorded.

Adam Fisher is a self-confessed outlaw musician and a big fan of Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and what he calls "The good ole boys."

He's been writing for a number of years, his most recent cut being "Damn Baby" by Motgomery Gentry. And Adam has just realised his debut self-titled EP, with an album to follow in the near future.

Hear Adam talk about this and much, much more.

Ben Atkinson speaks to rising Country star, Barry Michael in Nashville, TN. It's CMA Week in Nashville and Ben met up with Barry Michael on Music Row, where some of the worlds biggest hits have been recorded.

Here Barry talks about his life in the city, introduction to Country Music and his views of music around the world. We find out about Barry's connection with the armed forces, his inspiration and plans for the future.

Ben Atkinson speaks to Country Music legend, Lynn Anderson in Nashville, TN. It's CMA Week in Nashville and Ben met up with Lynn Anderson on Music Row, where some of the worlds biggest hits have been recorded.

In this interesting and insightful interview, Lynn speaks about her career to date, her band and influences in Country Music today, what keeps her going after all these years and her love of horses and their involvement in charity work.