UK Falls In Love With Country Music But Homegrown Acts Need To Be Embraced Too – Enter The UK-CMA
UK
FALLS IN LOVE WITH COUNTRY MUSIC BUT HOMEGROWN ACTS NEED TO BE
EMBRACED TOO – ENTER
THE UK-CMA
·The
UK-CMA launches on 10th March 2025
·Membership
organisation for UK artists, musicians, and industry professionals
·Founded
to ‘Unite, Promote and Develop’ UK Country Music
“We
are fighting the cause for the UK country music industry,” says John
Finch, Chair of the newly founded UK Country Music Association (UK-CMA)
which launches on 10th March 2025.
The
UK-CMA was founded to support the 2,000+ artists, musicians and industry
professionals who strive to make a living from writing and performing country
music. The timing is right. According to IQ Live Music Intelligence, in the
last five years there has been an increase in the consumption of country music
by 380%, while, in 2024, The Economist reported that country overtook easy
listening to become one of the five most popular genres of music in the UK.
When
it comes to the UK country scene, it is artists from the US that dominate the
limelight. John Finch says, “American artists get all the plaudits! The
UK Country Radio Airplay Chart is packed with Nashville artists but rarely
includes any UK-based acts. This is perhaps unsurprising, given the comparative
size of UK and US markets. However, UK acts are as good as, and in some cases
better than, many of their US counterparts.
“We
believe that greater awareness of the UK scene, especially in other markets
like the US, Canada and Australia, will propel more tracks by UK artists into
key playlists, which will increase streaming consumption and ticket sales.’”
There
are four key elements that underpin the plans of UK-CMA:
1.Promote UK artists and their music with information on the scale
and quality of the scene to the media, both in the UK and around the world.
2.Help these artists form alliances with the wider country
music community, including those in Scandinavia, mainland Europe, Canada and
Australasia, to improve awareness of the undeniable quality within UK country
music.
3.Develop existing talent, from grassroots up, and foster
collaboration among artists to equip them with industry knowledge, write even
better songs and improve concert performances.
4.Unite the UK Country Music community, from north to south
and east to west.
No
matter your age, background or experience, it has never been a better time to
catch country music live across the UK:
·At revue shows and club nights like Buck N Bull Saloon, the
new Lil’ Nashville venue and ‘London’s first and only honky-tonk and country
music bar’, the Dukes Head.
·At listening rooms like York’s FortyFive Vinyl Café and regular
songwriters’ nights, such as Nashville Sounds in the Round at Birmingham
Symphony Hall.
·At festivals across the UK, with the inaugural
Roadhouse Weekender in July set to complement Country2Country in March,
Highways in May, and The Long Road in August. There are also wonderful boutique
festivals like Country on the Coast, Buckle & Boots and The British Country
Music Festival.
The
UK Country Music Association (UK-CMA) is led by a team of professionals with
experience across music, business, education, and communications.
Each
board member plays a key role in supporting and developing UK country music.
Meet the UK-CMA Board:
John Finch – Chair
With
over 50 years in the industry as a musician, promoter, and producer, John also
has a 40-year background in investment. He leads UK-CMA and oversees outreach
and sponsorship.
Morag Finch – Finance & Operations
A
finance and operations expert, Morag ensures UK-CMA’s policies and expenditure
align with its mission. She is a passionate supporter of live music.
Geoff Meads – Technology
An
artist, musician, studio engineer, and industry instructor, Geoff manages
UK-CMA’s website, IT, and technical training for the Academy.
Hannah Roper – Education
An
artist, radio presenter, festival director and coach, Hannah oversees the
UK-CMA Academy, curating educational resources and organising industry-focused
events.
Together,
they are working to promote, support, and develop UK country music.
MEMBERSHIP
The
annual fee for ARTISTS is £25 per person, per year.
The
annual fee for INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS is £50 per
person, per year.
As
a FAN (non-voting) member, the annual fee is £15. (Fan
Members will receive access to the UK-CMA blog, regular news releases and
playlist of UK country artists updated with their latest releases on a regular
basis. You will also have the knowledge that you are helping us to
promote UK country music, develop existing and up-and-coming talent and grow
the UK country music scene to its full potential).
UK
Country Music Association (UK-CMA) have a SPOTIFY playlist with over 7
hours of UK Country Music. In future UK-CMA members will be able to submit
their tracks for inclusion. Volunteer and CMA Nashville’s British Country Music
Show presenter Mark Dare (See PROFILE | FACEBOOK) curated the
playlist. “A rolling playlist of Country, Americana and related genres....all
UK artists, and those who now call the UK home”. - Mark Dare
129
songs, about 7 hr 30 min Listen to it HEREor below:
**** USE the Playlist play control2nd
left from top of the screen to see the playlisted..tracks and select
one to play from the drop down menu *** 👇
The
UK Country Music Association The Olde Barn, Broad Oak Lane, Bury UK
The
UK Country Music Association (UK-CMA) is a membership organisation that, as a
collective, seeks to promote, develop, and build community within UK Country
Music. The UK-CMA is a registered Community Interest Company no. 16054122.
CONNECT with UK-CMA – The
Voice of UK Country:
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