Country Music Talk

Rising country music star Elizabeth Nichols talks to Ben Earle about writing her breakthrough viral hit 'I Got A New One' and her latest single 'Sweet Cigarette'. She also talks about dropping out of law school to follow her dream of being a country artist.

Baylen talks to Corey Kent ahead of his Royal Albert Hall debut at Highways Festival. They chat about his career so far, his new hit single with Koe Wetzel, and he teases his next album.

Baylen Leonard catches up with sister duo Kendra & Krista - Tigirlily Gold - backstage at the Royal Albert Hall. They talk about their next album and their latest song 'I Do Or Die'.

Baylen Leonard sits down with Highways Festival headliner Carly Pearce to talk about how it feels to be performing at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. She also reflects on performing with Luke Combs in London last year, and talks about what it was like filming THAT video with Riley Green...

Baylen sits down with the stars of 'Dutton Ranch', Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, to talk about the new series that's launching on Paramount Plus and the importance of country music in the soundtrack.

Baylen talks to Highways Festival Headliner Jon Pardi ahead of his performance at the Royal Albert Hall. They talk about 10 years of the album that launched his career, 'California Sunrise' and the success of his latest song 'Boots Off'...

Jack and Garrett from The Jack Wharff Band talk to Baylen Leonard about how their music has taken off around the world, what inspired their sound and how they launched their career by posting covers on social media.

Ashley McBryde talks to Baylen Leonard about her new album 'Wild'. She talks about how it feels to get so personal in her song writing, how tough it was to re-live difficult moments for the music videos, and how she hopes her music can help others. She also looks ahead to supporting Garth Brooks at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park next month...

Emily Ann Roberts talks to Baylen Leonard about coming back to the UK to support Cody Johnson this October, and shares the story behind her single 'Whipped'.

Carter Faith talks to Baylen Leonard about opening up for Tucker Wetmore at his UK shows, and how it feels to be supporting names like Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton and George Strait this summer. They also talk about their favourite musicals and their least favourite sauces...

Tyler Braden joins Baylen Leonard to talk about the viral success of his song 'God & Guns N' Roses', how he went from firefighter to country music star and his latest single 'Dry County'...

Tucker Wetmore stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio on his Brunette World Tour to talk to Baylen Leonard about the success of 'Brunette', his latest single 'Sunburn' and how work is going on his second album. They also talk about the pressures of fame and how authenticity is driving the global success of country music.

Grammy Award-winning country music icon Kacey Musgraves sits down with Baylen Leonard to talk about her new album 'Middle Of Nowhere'. She shares how it feels to be a leading light for country's next generation of female artists, how UK fans were there right from the start of her career and she talks about what she loves about London.

Jackson Dean sits down with Baylen Leonard to talk about his brand new album 'Magnolia Sage'. He also talks about how it feels to be supporting Garth Brooks in Hyde Park this summer.

Country music icon Billy Ray Cyrus stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to tell Baylen about his forthcoming album 'The Hill' and the new song he's recorded with his daughter Noah Cyrus. He also shares what it was like working with his son Braison, who produced the new project, and reflects on the enormous success of his 1992 hit 'Achy Breaky Heart'.

Mackenzie Carpenter talks to Baylen Leonard about how much she loves playing for her UK fans, her latest single 'Drunk Cigs' and how it felt when she found out that Ed Sheeran would be recording a song she co-wrote for Megan Moroney's new album...

The Shires sit down with Baylen to talk about their new single 'Getaway Car' and their forthcoming album 'Bonfire'. They also look ahead to their tour and share the story of how they found out they'd be supporting Garth Brooks in Hyde Park this summer.

Multi-platinum Grammy Award winning country music artist, singer-songwriter and producer Kristian Bush talks to Baylen Leonard about performing at the first ever C2C Festival, his success in Sugarland and how Megan Moroney went from intern at his studio to country music superstar...

Mae Estes talks to Baylen Leonard about how it feels performing to her fans in the UK and Europe, and looks ahead to supporting Garth Brooks in Hyde Park this summer. She also talks about the many, many jobs she took to pay the bills whilst trying to launch her country career in Music City.

Ty Myers stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to talk to Baylen Leonard about his new album 'Heavy On The Soul' and how it feels to be supporting Luke Combs at his UK stadium shows this summer.

It's not just the salt that's gone missing, Nick has had an eggless scotch egg. Meanwhile, Kevin is the underground adventurer on ‘Tunnel Time.'

Fresh from the C2C main stage, Kameron Marlowe sits down with Ben Earle to talk about how he went from selling car parts to being a country music artist playing on some of the world's biggest stages... He also talks about getting a facetime call from Luke Combs and collaborating with Ella Langley.

Scotty McCreery stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to talk to Baylen Leonard about how it feels to be back in the UK for a second year in a row to play the main stage at C2C. He reflects on the moment that Garth Brooks invited him to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, tells us how the runaway hit 'Bottle Rockets' Feat. Hootie & The Blowfish happened and shares what's so special to him about his UK fans.

Ashley Cooke stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio ahead of her main stage performance at C2C Festival. She talks about new music, her acting debut in 'Marshalls' and why it's so special to return to the UK...

Charles Kelley sits down with Baylen to talk about his latest solo album 'Songs For A New Moon'. He also shares what it was like working with Maren Morris, how it feels to be mates with Darius Rucker and teases new music from Lady A...

Kezia Gill comes by the Absolute Radio Country studio to talk about her brand new album 'All On Red'. She shares what it was like recording her songs in Nashville and tells Baylen why her fans mean so much to her.

Megan Moroney's career is going from strength to strength and it's set to get even bigger with the release of her third studio album, 'Cloud 9'. She stops by the studio to tell Baylen what it was like collaborating with Ed Sheeran and Kacey Musgraves, and reflects on how she went from student accountant to country music superstar.

Ben Earle sits down with Zach Top to talk about how it feels to be in the UK to headline C2C Festival. Zach shares the valuable lessons he learned from being on the road with Dierks Bentley and Lainey Wilson, reflects on the song that made him fall in love with country music, and talks about why he thinks traditional country music is resonating with his fans.

Ben Earle sits down with the son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash - John Carter Cash - to find out all about the new musical that's heading out on tour in the UK: 'The Ballad Of Johnny And June.' He shares his experiences of growing up with two country music icons as his parents, and how their love story forms the basis of the new play.

Drew Baldridge sits down with Baylen in London to talk about how it's felt returning to the UK for the first time since his debut at C2C earlier this year. He talks about 'Tough People' and the inspiration behind his latest single, 'Rebel'. He also tells Baylen what it was like performing at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade with Mickey Guyton and how it felt to star in a movie.

Max McNown stops by on his UK tour to talk about how his career has taken off over the last 6 months. He discusses proposing to his wife while making the music video for 'Forever Ain't Long Enough,' how welcome he's felt in country music and in Nashville, and he looks ahead to his return to the UK to play the exciting new State Fayre Festival in 2026...

Josh Ross sits down with Baylen Leonard to talk about how his country music career has taken him from sleeping in his car to touring with Nickelback and Jelly Roll. He also talks about the success of his first Number 1 song, 'Single Again' and how performing in the UK is a long-term part of his plan.

Billy Bob Thornton talks to Ben Earle about reprising the role of Tommy Norris for Season 2 of Landman - the Taylor Sheridan drama with a soundtrack packed full of country music. He also talks about being friends with some of country music's legends; Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash, and shares the story of the day he and Johnny recorded a duet together... He also talks about collaborating with one of the most exciting new names in country, Carter Faith...

Brett Young joins Baylen Leonard in between dates on his UK tour. He talks about his loyal UK fanbase, working with George Birge and Lady A on his recent album 'Brett Young 2.0' and he shares his memories of headlining the Royal Albert Hall last year...

Kassi Ashton stops by to tell Baylen all about the new Deluxe edition of her album 'Made From The Dirt: The Blooms'. She also talks about how much she loves her UK fans, what it's like being on tour with Old Dominion and shares one of her favourite spots in London.

Old Dominion stop by on their UK tour to catch up with Baylen. They reminisce about being asleep moments before their C2C debut, reflect on their multiple CMA Award wins and talk about their latest album 'Barbara'.

Country music sensation Gareth stops by the studio to tell Baylen about his Grand Ole Opry debut which is happening next week and what it was like working with Joss Stone on his new EP 'Bluebird'.

Baylen Leonard meets one of the most exciting new names in country music - C2C Headliner, Zach Top. He talks about the moment he realised that he was making it, why he thinks traditional country is so popular right now and looks ahead to his UK debut as a headliner at C2C in 2026.

Kane Brown stops by on his UK tour to catch up with Baylen Leonard. Kane talks about how his UK tour has been the most fun he's ever had here, and he looks ahead to new music. They also talk about dogs, vlogs and playing golf in a named storm...

Baylen Leonard catches up with Myles Smith to find out all about his country music journey... From his first trip to Nashville to find inspiration as a songwriter to his collaborations with Lainey Wilson and Shaboozey, Myles shares his story and talks about how making good relatable music is more important than genre labels.

Baylen Leonard catches up with Grand Ole Opry Host and presenter of The Nashville Show on Absolute Radio Country, Kelly Sutton. They talk about what makes the Opry so special and look ahead to The Grand Ole Opry Live In London at the Royal Albert Hall.

Country music icon Marty Stuart talks to Baylen Leonard about The Grand Ole Opry Live In London. He shares his memory of his Opry debut when he was a teenager and talks about his first ever trip to the UK when he played in Johnny Cash's band.

Ben Earle sits down with Grammy winner Carly Pearce to talk about The Grand Ole Opry Live In London. She shares the moment Dolly Parton invited her to become an Opry member, explains what the Opry is and why it's so special to country music, and talks about her life as a songwriter and artist in music city...

Grammy Award Winner Ashley McBryde stops by to talk to Baylen about the Grand Ole Opry Live In London which is happening this week... She tells him how hard it was to keep it a secret and why the Opry is so important to her. She also talks about the yodelling on 'Ain't Enough Cowboy Songs' and shares the story behind her latest single, 'Rattlesnake Preacher'.

Riley Green stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to show Baylen Leonard how you REALLY use a duck call... He also talks about the personal song writing on his album 'Don't Mind If I Do' and he tells us how he warned Ella Langley that rumours might start as a result of their hit song 'you look like you love me'...

Baylen Leonard catches up with A Thousand Horses on their first trip to the UK in 6 years. They talk about their latest music, how their lives have changed over the last decade since 'Smoke' was a Number 1 song AND they share the life advice that Chris Stapleton gave them...

Country music superstar Jordan Davis sits down with Baylen Leonard. They talk about his brand new album 'Learn The Hard Way', the 'Ain't Enough Road Tour' that he's bringing to the UK in 2026 AND he talks about working with his old friend Carly Pearce. He also shares the story of getting pulled over by a cop on the way to a festival and talks about the end-of-tour gift he received from Luke Combs...

Jennie Longdon, Baylen Leonard and Ben Earle take you backstage at The Long Road Festival 2025 as they talk to the biggest artists on the line-up00:36 – Drake Milligan10:32 – Larry Fleet21:57 – First Time Flyers28:36 – Halle Kearns34:21 -Gareth41:30 – Ashley Monroe46:25 – Midland55:05 – Mackenzie Carpenter1:00:00 – Janet Devlin1:06:00 – Kezia Gill1:11:00 – Alana Springsteen1:20:00 – Erin Kinsey1:26:00 – Fancy Hagood1:37:00 – Evan Bartels

Stephen Wilson Jr. stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to tell Baylen about his latest song 'Dig A Hole'. He also tells the story of leaving his secure and stable corporate job to write songs in music city...

Waylon Wyatt stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to tell Baylen how it felt performing to thousands of fans when he supported Zach Bryan at Hyde Park. He also tells the story of his rise to fame on social media, and how he'd love to release a full length album now that he's graduated High School.

Baylen Leonard catches up with Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Cam to talk all about her brand new album, All Things Light.It's been a big year for Cam, and there's plenty to catch up on. She shares what it was like writing for Beyoncé's Grammy-winning album Cowboy Carter, opens up about her own songwriting process, and talks through how this new project came together.They also chat about her love for the UK, what keeps bringing her back, and how she ended up stepping in last-minute to headline The Long Road Festival last year.