Country Music Talk

Viral country music sensation Gareth pops into the studio to tell Baylen how he began a career by posting covers on the internet, and now finds himself living in music city writing songs for a living. Gareth shares stories from his adventures in Nashville, and looks ahead to performing at The Long Road Festival in August.

Alexandra Kay stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to tell Baylen Leonard about her brand new song 'The Last'. She talks about how she built her fanbase in the UK, what it was like supporting Morgan Wallen at BST last summer and she shares the story of how she went from being an independent artist to being signed by a major record label.

Baylen Leonard talks to Lainey Wilson backstage before one of her shows. They discuss how her success in country music has changed her life, she reflects on becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry and gives a few clues about what her wedding dress may look like...

Max McNown stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to talk to Baylen about the inspiration behind his songs 'Better Me For You' and 'A Lot More Free'. He also talks about his recent album 'Night Diving'.

Niko Moon brings the sunshine to Absolute Radio Country as he tells Baylen how he aims to take his fans on vacation with his music... He shares his favourite kind of holiday, how ice baths keep him thriving and looks ahead to his brand-new album which is coming out this summer.

Kip Moore chats to Baylen Leonard about how it feels to be back in the UK for his tour. He talks about how he's built a special relationship with his UK fans, shares his approach to song writing, and explains why saying 'no' to opportunities can be really important.

Baylen Leonard sits down with Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry, Dan Rogers, to talk about Grand Ole Opry Live In London, which is coming to the Royal Albert Hall this September. Dan explains what the Opry is, why it's such a special part of a country artist's career, and how they're celebrating 100 years of the world's longest running radio show.

Eric Paslay talks to Baylen backstage at the Royal Albert Hall to talk about performing the songwriters round at Highways Festival. He also shares some secrets of being a hit songwriter in music city.

Ashley Campbell chats to Baylen Leonard backstage at Highways Festival to talk about her forthcoming single and album, and she reflects on performing with her legendary father, Glen Campbell, at London's Royal Festival Hall.

Baylen Leonard hangs out with Charles Wesley Godwin backstage at the Royal Albert Hall for the Highways Festival. They talk about his latest EP, what the Grand Ole Opry means to him, and he shares how it feels to be on the same lineup as country music icon Willie Nelson.

Baylen Leonard talks to Katie Pruitt backstage at the Highways Festival at the Royal Albert Hall.

Join Baylen Leonard backstage at the Royal Albert Hall as he catches up with Bella White just before she makes her Highways Festival debut.

Baylen Leonard talks to Molly Tuttle backstage at the Highways Festival at the Royal Albert Hall. They discuss what bluegrass music really is, Molly shares how it felt to win a Grammy Award for her last album, and talks about collaborating with Hailey Whitters.

Caylee Hammack talks to Baylen Leonard about how it feels to be performing at the iconic Royal Albert Hall for Highways Festival 2025. She talks about escaping to the highlands of Scotland to find inspiration for her music, her recent album 'Bed of Roses' and how it feels to play shows at some of country music's most prestigious venues.

Eric Church talks to Baylen about how it feels to be headlining 2 x nights at the iconic Royal Albert Hall at Highways Festival, and what fans can expect from these very special, unique shows...

Mickey Guyton talks to Baylen Leonard about her incredible cover of Ringo Starr's 'You Don't Know Me At All'. She also talks about writing with Tyler Hubbard, reflects on her Grand Ole Opry debut and discusses her favourite British snack - the humble pork scratching.

Kassi Ashton stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to tell Baylen Leonard all about her duet with Parker McCollum, how performing music has been in her blood since she was a baby, and she reflects on the highs and lows of making it in country music.

Jackson Dean stops by the Absolute Radio Country during his UK tour to talk to Baylen about his new songs 'Real Real' and 'Be Your Man'. He talks about why UK country audiences will always be special to him, and reflects on the UK show that was possibly 'the best 30 minutes of his life'...

Tucker Wetmore joins Baylen to talk about his new album What Not To… He shares how personal his song writing is, how his exes must know which songs are about them and reflects on the success he's experienced over the last year…

Maggie Antone tells Baylen Leonard how a Tyler Childers cover she posted on TikTok helped to launch her career in country music. She also talks about her album 'Rhinestoned' and how growing up in Virginia means country has always been in her blood...

Baylen Leonard sits down with Drew Baldridge to hear the fascinating story behind his number 1 songs 'She's Somebody's Daughter' and 'Tough People'. He also reflects on his C2C Spotlight Stage performance and looks ahead to new music that's coming before the end of 2025.

Lou Nash talks to Avery Anna about her recent main stage performance at C2C and how it compared to her UK debut on the spotlight stage just 3 years ago. Avery also shares details of her exciting new album 'Let Go Letters' which comes out in May.

Chase and Isaac from 49 Winchester join Baylen Leonard in the studio to talk about their UK tour that's been announced for October. They share how it feels watching their UK fan base grow, and how important it is to support up-and-coming artists.

Wyatt Flores joins Baylen in the studio to talk about what's special about bringing his music to the UK. They also talk about his move from Nashville back home to Oklahoma, Wyatt shares his favourite meal to cook for friends and family and he teases some very special new music that's coming soon...

Baylen Leonard catches up with Tanner Adell to talk about her latest single 'Going Blonde'. As well as sharing the deeply personal story behind her new music, Tanner talks about her love of London and her UK fans, and what it's like working with Beyonce...

Kashus Culpepper catches up with Baylen Leonard and shares the story of how picking up a guitar for the first time while on deployment with the US Navy changed his life... He reflects on how he's built an unexpected career in country music, and talks about what it's like travelling to the UK for the first time.

Warren Zeiders sits down with Baylen Leonard to talk about his new album 'Relapse, Lies and Betrayal'. He also discusses how a Lacrosse injury led to him to pursue a path in country music and shares his healthy-living approach to ordering fast food...

Ryan Hurd sits down with Baylen Leonard to talk about his new album 'Midwest Rock & Roll'. He tells the amazing story behind his song 'Paul' and shares the inspiration behind the rest of the album.

Baylen Leonard sits down with Shaboozey just after his main-stage performance at C2C 2025. He talks about how his life has been a whirlwind since 'A Bar Song', looks ahead to his performance at Glastonbury this summer, and reflects on bringing a wide range of influences to his music.

Baylen Leonard sits down with Dierks Bentley backstage just before his headline performance at C2C. They talk about his latest song with Stephen Wilson Jr., how the country music scene has changed since his last visit to the UK, and how he's been making the most of his time in London...

Tyler Hubbard stops by the Absolute Radio Country studio to say hi to Baylen Leonard before hitting the main stage at C2C 2025. They talk about how it feels to be back in the UK as a solo artist, his album 'Strong' and the latest single 'Turn'. He also shares what it's like writing songs with Ed Sheeran.

Ben Earle catches up with Willow Avalon ahead of her C2C debut. They talk about her new album, who she is LOVING in country music right now, and she shares the story of how she went from living in her car in Los Angeles to landing a record deal....

Corey Kent chats to Baylen about his latest live EP, how it felt to do his first UK headline tour, and how he plans to make his UK fans a priority in his country music career.

Baylen catches up with his buddy Nate Smith who is on the line-up for the main stage at C2C 2025. He talks about his whirlwind career over the last 2 years, how excited he is to be returning to the UK, and shares the story behind his new collaboration with Hardy - 'Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend'.

Ben Earle sits down with country music superstar Kane Brown to talk about his latest album 'The High Road'. They discuss fatherhood and songwriting, what Jelly Roll brought to the song 'Haunted' and how it feels sharing the stage with his wife Katelyn...Kane also looks ahead to his HUGE UK tour later on this year.

Carly Pearce sits down with Baylen Leonard during her UK tour. They talk about the inspiration behind her hit song 'Truck On Fire,' how she loves being a member of the Grand Ole Opry in its 100th year, and what she gets up in the UK when she's not on stage performing...

Baylen Leonard catches up with Mark Wystrach from Midland to talk about the announcement that they'll be headlining The Long Road Festival this summer. Mark also shares what he loves about UK country fans and looks ahead to new music that's coming soon...

Darius Rucker stops by to tell Baylen Leonard all about his recent move to London, how he's loving life in the UK and writing with some of our homegrown songwriters... He also shares what it was like performing with Morgan Wallen in front of 70,000 fans, and looks ahead to his brand new series of shows on Absolute Radio Country.

Baylen catches up with Max McNown to talk about his viral hit 'A Lot More Free,' his brand-new album 'Night Diving' and his trip to the UK to play the C2C Festival in March.

Ben Earle catches up with Ashley Cooke to find out how it felt when her song 'Your Place' when to Number 1 last year, and what it's like travelling in her fancy new tour bus. They also talk about the Grand Ole Opry, her love for her UK fans and her brand new single 'I Almost Do'.

Baylen Leonard sits down with TJ and John Osborne to talk about the time they've spent touring the UK, their multiple award wins and nominations and the highlights of their illustrious career. They also share how they almost ended up being plumbers...

Ben Earle catches up with an act from Absolute Radio Country's Class of 2025... The Castellows talk about the whirlwind year they've experienced, from supporting Little Big Town in arenas to being announced for the main stage at C2C. They also share the inspiration behind their new EP 'Alabama Stone'.

Baylen Leonard catches up with rising star Laney Gardner - one of Absolute Radio County's Class of 2025. She talks about touring with Jelly Roll, gaining the attention of Morgan Wallen and Ernest, and shares the inspiration behind her debut album 'A Songwriter's Diary'.

Baylen sits down with Twinnie to find out all about her brand new EP 'Something We Used To Say'. She also talks about living in Nashville but flying back to the UK to star in Emmerdale, how it felt to make her Grand Ole Opry debut and picks the UK food that she misses the most when she's over in Tennessee.

Baylen meets up-and-coming country star Madeline Merlo to talk about her new collaboration with Dustin Lynch, what it was like moving to Nashville, and how it felt to play her Grand Ole Opry debut.

Baylen Leonard catches up with Kelsea Ballerini to find out all about her brand-new album 'Patterns'. She tells him about working with Noah Kahan, why she LOVES performing in the UK and much more.

Baylen Leonard catches up with Riley Green to talk about his new album 'Don't Mind If I Do'. Riley discusses working with Ella Langley, the rising popularity of 'traditional' country music and reflects on his UK debut supporting Morgan Wallen in Hyde Park in front of 50,000 fans,,,

Baylen Leonard catches up with Matthew Ramsey from the multi-CMA and ACM Award-Winning band, Old Dominion. He talks about what it was like headlining C2C 2024, teases a new album and return to the UK, and talks about their fan-favourites compilation collection 'Oldies But Goodies'.

Ben Earle catches up with Sam Williams, son of Hank Jr. and grandson of Hank Williams, who is now carving his own path in country music. He talks about collaborating with Dolly Parton, his latest release 'Act I: Scarlet Lonesome' and reflects on the day he made his Grand Ole Opry debut in his Grandfather's iconic cowboy hat.

Baylen Leonard sits down with country music legend Keith Urban to find out all about his brand-new album 'High'. Keith tells the story of why it was 4 years in the making, reflects on being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame by Dolly Parton, and shares what it was like collaborating with Lainey Wilson.

Baylen Leonard talks to country music legend of 'Long Black Train' fame, Josh Turner, about his Grand Ole Opry debut, the TikTok revival of 'Your Man' and his brand new album 'This Country Music Thing'.