British country music has reached a new milestone, with five home-grown artists appearing simultaneously in the UK Country Radio Airplay Top 40 for the first time since records began.
This week’s chart features Gareth, The Shires, Ward Thomas, Chanel Yates and First Time Flyers, marking a significant moment for a British country scene that is increasingly finding its place alongside some of the biggest names in country music.
Leading the way is Gareth, whose One That Got Away has made a remarkable leap from No. 14 to No. 2. The Northern Irish singer-songwriter was sitting at No. 34 just two weeks ago, making his rapid rise into the Top 3 one of the standout performances by a British artist on the chart.
And Gareth is far from alone.
Two former Top 20 hits also add to the strong British presence, with The Shires’ Watching You Watching Me — which peaked at No. 9 — at No. 28 this week, while Ward Thomas’ Hold It All Together, a No. 17 peak, sits at No. 31.
Chanel Yates continues an impressive early run with Char(lie), climbing another ten places to No. 33 in only its third week on the chart. After entering at No. 50 and moving to No. 43 last week, the track has now gained 17 places in two weeks.
Completing the record-breaking five are First Time Flyers, who enter the Top 40 at No. 36 with Do It All Over Again, their collaboration with Nashville duo Striking Matches.
UK Country Radio Chart
Stations and programmes included:
- Absolute Radio Country
- CountryLine Radio
- Downtown Country Radio (Northern Ireland)
- Smooth Country Radio
How it works: The chart measures airplay and audience reach across these dedicated country stations and programmes.
What isn’t counted: Country songs played elsewhere on mainstream radio – including other BBC Radio 2 programmes and stations such as Heart – do not contribute to the chart.
Why it matters: The chart provides a weekly snapshot of the country music receiving the strongest support from dedicated UK country radio.
A landmark moment for British country
British representation on the UK Country Radio Airplay Chart has grown steadily since the chart began, with Twinnie and Kezia Gill among the home-grown artists to have charted alongside The Shires and Ward Thomas.
Earlier this year, The Shires delivered a major breakthrough when Getaway Car became the first song by a British country artist to reach No. 1. Now, for the first time, five British artists are inside the Top 40 together.
It is another sign of how far the UK scene has come. Years of growth through festivals, grassroots venues, radio and streaming have helped establish an audience for British artists with their own identity and sound.
Five British artists in the Top 40 at the same time is a milestone worth celebrating — and a strong indication that home-grown country music is claiming a bigger place on British radio.
At CountryMusic.co.uk, supporting British country has always been an important part of what we do. From live music and interviews to gigs, festivals and emerging artists, we’ll continue to champion the musicians building the UK scene, and celebrate moments like this when British country makes its mark.
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