Exclusive Insights from the Founder
In a poignant turn of events, CountryRadio.uk, a beloved homegrown station dedicated to country music, has broadcast its final show as we recently reported. The closure marks the end of a vibrant era that began with much enthusiasm and produced a rich tapestry of music and memories, which have been shared exclusively with CountryMusic.co.uk by it’s founder Matt.
The Birth of CountryRadio.uk
Founded by Matt of Sawtry Media Limited, better known to listeners as “Producer Matt,” the station first hit the airwaves in 2018, with its inaugural live show, ‘The Ali Clark Show,’ launching on 1st August 2019. Over its run, CountryRadio.uk delivered over 1700 live and exclusive shows, thanks to the dedication of presenters like Ali, Brian O’Reilly, Jess T, Mark Dare, the late Geoff Betsworth, Linda Eriksen (Boots of Norway), singer Biddy Ronelle, among others. These shows remain accessible on their Mixcloud page, a nostalgic archive for the station’s loyal listeners.
Matt’s Journey into Country Music
Matt’s passion for country music was ignited relatively late, after experiencing the magic of local band The Shires and Hampshire-based sisters Ward Thomas live at The Stables in Milton Keynes in 2012. Since that seminal moment, his journey through the world of country music has been nothing short of extraordinary, attending over 100 live gigs featuring artists such as Little Big Town, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Luke Combes, Kacey Musgraves, and Kelsea Ballerini. A standout moment for the station was the CountryRadio.uk LIVE concert in May 2019 at The Stables, featuring performances from Katy Hurt, Holloway Road, and Laura Oakes.
Challenges Leading to Closure
Matt says that the decision to shut down CountryRadio.uk was driven by unavoidable challenges, including changes in terms and conditions with a third-party supplier, rising costs of licensing, royalties, and hosting. These obstacles made it increasingly unsustainable for the small operation to maintain its high standard of personal and organic shows.
Heartfelt Farewell from Matt
In his heartfelt farewell, Matt expressed profound gratitude to the presenters who poured their passion into creating a unique and lasting catalogue of shows. He also extended his thanks to the country artists worldwide who supported the station by liking and sharing posts, and most importantly, to the listeners who tuned in regularly, forging friendships with Matt and the presenters along the way.
Legacy and Continued Access to Shows
While the airwaves may have fallen silent, the legacy of CountryRadio.uk lives on in the hearts of its listeners and the shows archived on Mixcloud. It’s an end of an era, but also a celebration of the music, memories, and connections that will endure.
For those who wish to relive the magic, you can find the shows at: Mixcloud – CountryRadio.uk.