Americana Archives

Janet Devlin

Janet Devlin is an Irish singer-songwriter whose music sits at the crossroads of modern country pop-rock, Americana and traditional Irish storytelling. Known and appreciated for her unfiltered lyricism and wicked sense of humour, Janet has built a career rooted in authenticity, total honesty and her ability to create a strong personal connection with her audience. After originally breaking through to an international fanbase at a young age, Janet has since evolved into a successful independent artist carving a unique space in the UK country scene. Her sound draws heavily from Nashville songwriting traditions while proudly retaining her Irish heritage; a combination that resonates strongly with country audiences seeking genuine voices and fresh perspectives.

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More Than Music: The Art of Storytelling at the Heart of Country

Exclusives / Editor

Country music has always been about stories. Long before streaming services, social media and viral trends shaped the way people discovered music, country songs were passing down experiences from one generation to the next. They gave a voice to ordinary people, capturing moments of joy, heartbreak, resilience and hope in ways that felt deeply personal. While the genre has evolved over the decades, its greatest strength has never changed. At its heart, country music remains the soundtrack to real life. Unlike some other genres that prioritise rhythm, production or spectacle, country begins with the narrative. Every song asks the listener to step into someone else’s world. It might be a tale of young love, the pain of saying goodbye, the pride of returning home, or the quiet comfort of family traditions. The setting may change, but the emotion remains universal. Songs that feel like real life The beauty of country music lies in its ability to make the ordinary feel extraordinary. A pickup truck, a front porch, a small town diner or an old family photograph become powerful symbols because they are tied to genuine emotion rather than empty nostalgia. The finest country songs do not simply tell listeners what happened. They invite them to experience it. Every verse builds another scene. It introduces characters, places and emotions that gradually unfold until the listener feels like part of the story. Much like a well written novel or a favourite film, the destination matters, but it is the journey that leaves a lasting impression. The stories that stay with us Some songs become more than music. They become part of our own story. A particular lyric can instantly transport us back to a first dance, a family holiday, a long drive with friends or a quiet evening spent reflecting on life. Country music has a remarkable ability to capture these moments because its songs are built around experiences that feel genuine and familiar. Rather than simply describing emotions, country music places listeners inside them. Every verse unfolds like another chapter, allowing characters, relationships and memories to develop naturally. By the final chorus, the song has become more than something to listen to. It has become something to feel. That emotional connection is one of the reasons country music remains so enduring. Listeners often return to the same songs at different stages of life, discovering new meaning in lyrics that seemed to say something entirely different years before. As experiences change, so too does the way those stories are understood. The most memorable country songs do not just tell someone else’s story. They create space for listeners to see pieces of their own lives reflected within them. Each song feels personal long after the final note has faded. Authenticity over perfection One of country music’s greatest strengths is its honesty. Even when a song tells a fictional story, it is usually rooted in emotions that feel believable. Love, loss, hope, regret, ambition and redemption are experiences everyone understands, regardless of where they live or what background they come from. That authenticity has become increasingly valuable in today’s fast paced world. While much of modern entertainment is designed for instant gratification, country music encourages listeners to slow down. The best songs reveal themselves gradually, rewarding those who pay attention to every lyric rather than simply waiting for the chorus. A tradition that will never fade Musical styles will continue to evolve, new influences will emerge and production techniques will change with every generation. Yet the heart of country music is unlikely to shift because the need for storytelling is timeless. As long as people continue to fall in love, lose loved ones, chase dreams, build families and reflect on the moments that shape their lives, there will always be stories worth telling. Country music simply provides the soundtrack. That is why storytelling remains the genre’s defining characteristic. It is not just about writing songs. It is about preserving memories, sharing experiences and reminding listeners that no matter where they come from, someone, somewhere, has lived a story that feels remarkably like their own.

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Danni Nicholls releases new album “Making Moves”

News / Editor

British Americana singer songwriter Danni Nicholls is continuing her musical journey following the release of her fourth studio album, “Making Moves”. Originally from Bedford and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Nicholls continues to grow her presence in the United States while writing and recording from the city she has long described as her spiritual home. The album features “The Wreckage”, a standout track that was considered by BBC Radio 2 for its ‘New to 2’ playlist ahead of its release. “Making Moves” sees Nicholls exploring themes of growth, courage and letting go. The record follows her previous studio album, “The Melted Morning”, released in 2019. It was produced by Jordan Brooke Hamlin, and it was widely praised for its vulnerability and originality. Nicholls’ career was shaped by a chance meeting with Nashville producer and bassist Chris Donohue. This led to the making of her critically acclaimed albums “A Little Redemption” and “Mockingbird Lane”. Both records featured musicians including Al Perkins, Will Kimbrough and Steve Fishell. Nicholls has also received support from Bob Harris, who described her music as having “elegance and beauty”. He featured her on his BBC Radio 2 Country show. A three time nominee at the UK Americana Music Association Awards, Nicholls has performed at festivals including Cambridge Folk Festival, Tønder Festival, AmericanaFest, Mile of Music and the 30A Songwriters Festival. She has also shared bills and tours with artists such as Lucinda Williams, The Secret Sisters and Sturgill Simpson. Her music has also featured on the television series “Sons of Anarchy”.

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Shooter Jennings unveils lost Waylon Jennings recordings

News / Editor

Four-time Grammy-Award winner Shooter Jennings has announced the release of “Diamonds”, a brand new album featuring previously unheard recordings by his legendary father, Waylon Jennings. The album marks the second instalment in a planned series of archival releases, following the critically acclaimed “Songbird”, and gives fans another opportunity to hear music that remained undiscovered for decades. “Diamonds” features a surprise appearance from Glen Campbell One of the album’s biggest revelations is the discovery of a recording featuring the late country music legend Glen Campbell. According to Shooter Jennings, the song surfaced while he was sorting through multiple recording sessions from his father’s archives. Initially puzzled by the distinctive guitar sound, he eventually realised Campbell had joined Waylon Jennings in the studio during a late-night recording session in December 1978. The recording also features members of Waylon’s long-time backing band, The Waylors, including Gordon Payne, Jerry Bridges, Carter Robertson, Barney Robertson and Rance Wasson. Reflecting on the discovery, Shooter said the track quickly became one of his favourite recordings his father ever made and inspired the creation of an entire album centred around it. “Diamonds” follows the success of “Songbird” The announcement comes after the release of “Songbird” last year, the first collection of newly unearthed Waylon Jennings recordings. The album received widespread praise from critics, earning positive reviews from various publications. The success of “Songbird” demonstrated the continued appetite for previously unreleased material from one of country music’s most influential artists. Waylon Jennings’ “Diamonds” release date Physical editions of Diamonds, including CD, vinyl, cassette and digital download formats, will be released on 13 November. The album will then become available to stream across all major digital platforms on 11 December via Son of Jessi and Thirty Tigers.

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Rachael Sage & The Sequins maverick-country.com

Rachael Sage & The Sequins released music video for “Nexus (Acoustic)”

News / Editor

NYC-based folk-pop artist and activist Rachael Sage, alongside her long-time band The Sequins have released the deeply moving and visually powerful music video for “Nexus (Acoustic)”. This is a newly reimagined, stripped-down version of the fan-beloved track from the critically acclaimed studio album “Canopy”, released last October via MPress Records. Featuring additional acoustic instrumentation and an intimate new arrangement, “Nexus (Acoustic)” is taken from Sage’s forthcoming acoustic album “Under My Canopy”. The original “Nexus” was released as a single ahead of “Canopy”. All proceeds were donated to The Trevor Project, the leading LGBTQ+ mental health and suicide prevention organisation. Written as a tribute to Nex Benedict, the nonbinary student who passed away after being beaten by school peers, “Nexus” is both a sobering and ultimately hopeful anthem for inclusivity, empathy, and collective resilience. The music video, directed with extraordinary intimacy and warmth by award-winning documentary filmmaker Nick Clark, breathes fresh life into that same powerful message. The music video The video opens on three flickering candles, a moment of stillness before the music begins. Rachael then walks out onto a stage adorned with sweeping red curtains, acoustic guitar in hand, joined by her band. As they begin to play, the atmosphere is tender and searching. One by one, a group of people enter the frame, each sitting down in silence. Between shots of Rachael and the band playing, we watch these individuals, visibly carrying something heavy, take long, anxious sighs before beginning to write on pieces of card. It is a quietly devastating sequence, capturing the inner world of people who have felt unseen, unsafe, or unworthy. The tone of the video begins to transform. One man starts applying drag make-up, his reflection a quiet act of reclamation. Others emerge in drag and more flamboyant, joyful clothing, an unfolding of identity that feels defiant. And the cards begin to change too. Picking up their pens again, people write new messages: “You are beautiful, never broken, I love you”, “You are the answer”, “Dream bigger, it’s more than you are”. As the music swells, Rachael steps down from the stage and joins the people around her, everyone smiling, glowing, finding themselves. It is a celebration of authentic identity, of community, and of the transformative power of being truly seen. Rachael Sage speaks out about the songs message Sage discusses the song, saying, “I wrote “Nexus” almost immediately after reading about nonbinary student Nex Benedict and the tragic story of their death. The horror of learning about the cruelty and violence to which they were subjected, and how the local community and their school did nothing to stop it from happening even when they had the opportunity, struck a very deep and personal chord as my first bandmate took his own life rather than come out to his parents. “All I could think of when this song fell out was the unimaginable suffering of Nex’s family, long after the headlines faded. The song recounts something very tragic, but I also felt it was crucial to draw some hope out of how we can come together. Fear and silence are best combatted by standing together and doing our best to show solidarity. By raising our voices collectively against hate, we can shift the cultural tide for the better. This song is about mourning, survival and transformation. It is about how in dark times we need and must be there to lift each other up, all the more.” “Nexus (Acoustic)” is taken from “Under My Canopy”, Rachael Sage’s forthcoming acoustic album, to be released later this year on MPress/Universal. The album promises a more intimate and elemental revisiting of Sage’s songwriting, with additional acoustic instrumentation throughout. Further details on the release will be announced soon. Advocating for safety and inclusivity Fusing her creative flair with a continued mission to uplift and advocate for LGBTQIA+ individuals, Sage has teamed up with Rainbow Mind, a pioneering charity that provides safe, community-led and radically inclusive mental health support for LGBTQIA+ people, to launch a self-designed, limited-edition collection of T-shirts, jumpers, and tote bags as part of the new ‘Take In The Good’ campaign. The initiative aims to raise vital funds while celebrating queer joy during an especially challenging time for the community. She has also recently become the first official ambassador for Rainbow Mind. Sage has performed thousands of shows across the world and shared stages with artists including Imelda May, Rufus Wainwright, Jamie Cullum, Howard Jones, Judy Collins, and most recently supporting Wet Wet Wet on tour. Highlights have included London’s Union Chapel, New York City’s Town Hall, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Dublin’s Vicar Street. Inspired as a child by British icons such as The Beatles, David Bowie and Elton John, it seems only natural that Sage has come to embrace the UK as a second home. Since founding her own label MPress Records, Rachael Sage has steadily released a slew of vibrant, dynamic albums. In addition to being a six-time Independent Music Award-winning musician and producer, Sage is also a John Lennon Contest Grand Prize winner who has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, SXSW, and toured globally from Japan to Berlin. Sage is also a visual artist and former ballet dancer who performed with the New York City Ballet. A self-described “cancer thriver,” she is a philanthropic advocate who has raised money for a wide range of causes, including Foundation For Women’s Cancer, WHY Hunger, American Refugee Committee/Alight, National Network For Youth (NN4Y), The Trevor Project, and Rainbow Mind (UK). Watch the new music video here!

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Buffalo Traffic Jam album cover maverick-country.com

Buffalo Traffic Jam – “Too Young to Die”

Editor

Rising Montana folk duo Buffalo Traffic Jam share their powerful new single, “Too Young to Die,” an ode to facing loss head-on that builds from sonic sunshine to storm clouds over the course of four moving minutes. The song arrives alongside a lyric video featuring footage from the buzzing band’s recent tour. The new track hails from their highly anticipated debut album, Pictures of You, arriving July 31st via Arista Records. The new music arrives as Buffalo Traffic Jam wrap up the sold-out European leg of their debut headline tour. Last month, they completed the sold-out U.S. run of their Take Me Home Tour. According to the band, they logged “28,072 miles, 52 shows, 7 new tires, and an uncountable number of roller dogs.” But they’ve got even more dates ahead. That includes the just-announced Pictures of You Tour, which is also selling fast. Buffalo Traffic Jam’s renowned emotional heft and musical dynamism is on full display with “Too Young to Die.” Produced by Joe Becker, the song opens on easy acoustic strum, sighing electric notes, and Frankie Cassidy’s deeply expressive voice. But as the mandolin, piano, and rhythm section kick in, the music gets increasingly dark and urgent. Still, a glimmer of hope shines through, only by letting the past perish can he begin to move forward. “Too Young to Die” follows last month’s album announcement and release of the titular single, “Pictures of You”. Additionally, the tracklist will include January’s heartbreakingly reflective “I Don’t Care” and March’s ascendent “Hanging on Hope”. Dedicated to the memories that make you who you are Frankie shared his own notes on the upcoming album, “When I lost my grandma this past fall, I went back home to my parents’ farm for a couple of days. Together, we sat down and sifted through old photos to display at her funeral. It felt like living my whole life over again. Every image, old and recent, was a chapter in our family’s story. I began writing our first album shortly after, and slowly realized these songs were doing the same thing. Each one captures a short, specific moment that shaped who I am. They aren’t just songs. They’re polaroids; snapshots of exactly what I felt at that time. I hope you listen to this and laugh, cry, smile, and drift back to your own moments, the ones that made you who you are. This is Pictures of You.” Also on the album is Buffalo Traffic Jam’s massive breakout single “Fool’s Gold,” which has been streamed over 94 million times thus far and hit No. 3 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart. These achievments earned them Billboard’s March Chartbreaker title. That month, the duo also made their national televised debut on CBS Saturday Mornings, performing that song and others. Meanwhile, Buffalo Traffic Jam are forging ahead with a staggering lineup of shows on the horizon. They are supporting the likes of Dylan Gossett and Goose. Alongside this, includes a slew of festival appearances, Hinterland, Edmonton Folk, Born & Raised, Bourbon & Beyond, and Noah Kahan’s Out Of The Blue 2027. The Pictures of You Tour launches September 5th in Aspen, CO, and includes three already sold-out December homestate shows. In between Buffalo Traffic Jam embark on the Down Under 2026 tour. All this follows an incredible breakthrough year that culminated in Buffalo Traffic Jam landing on Amazon Music’s Best of 2025: Folk playlist. They also earned the #9 slot on Holler Country’s hotly tipped 20 New Artists for 2026 list. The duo’s vulnerability and realness has resonated with a growing community of fans who’ve pushed their monthly Spotify listeners past 4.3 million. Review Buffalo Traffic Jam deliver a stirring and deeply affecting performance on their latest single, “Too Young to Die”. The track explores grief with remarkable honesty and emotional depth. Across four beautifully constructed minutes, the Montana folk duo build from gentle acoustic warmth into a powerful, stormy climax, creating a musical journey that perfectly mirrors the song’s emotional weight. The arrangement is understated at first, opening with soft acoustic guitar, delicate electric accents and Frankie Cassidy’s expressive vocal taking centre stage. As the song progresses, layers of mandolin, piano and a full rhythm section gradually emerge, increasing both the intensity and the sense of urgency without ever overwhelming the intimacy at its core. The careful pacing allows every lyrical moment to land with genuine impact. Cassidy’s vocal performance is particularly compelling, carrying the vulnerability of the song with quiet conviction before rising to an impassioned release during its emotional peak. The lyrics confront mortality and loss directly, yet never feel melodramatic. Instead, they suggest that healing comes through accepting what has passed, leaving listeners with a subtle but meaningful sense of hope. Rather than relying on grand production or dramatic flourishes, “Too Young to Die” succeeds because of its sincerity. Buffalo Traffic Jam allow the emotion to unfold naturally, pairing thoughtful songwriting with an arrangement that grows organically from light to shadow. It is a moving piece of modern folk that showcases the duo’s ability to translate deeply personal experiences into something universally relatable, making for a memorable and emotionally rewarding listen.

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Liam St. John

Editor

Liam St. John, who performed at Country 2 Country earlier this year, has released his powerful new single, “Send for Me”. Accompanied by an evocative official music video, the release sees the Nashville based, Spokane native continue to evolve his signature blend of Americana, blues, and rock into bold new territory. Built around themes of longing, heartbreak, and emotional vulnerability, “Send for Me” finds St. John reflecting on lost love through soulful vocals and cinematic instrumentation. Liam St. John draws inspiration from Muscle Shoals recording session The song was written during a visit to the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, alongside collaborators Rob and Spencer. He said: “I wrote this song at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with my buddies Rob and Spencer. “I like to think the spirit of Etta James was there with me when I wrote this heart aching ballad of lost love.” The single captures the raw emotion that has become a hallmark of St. John’s songwriting, while embracing a richer and more expansive sonic landscape. Man Of The North success continues to fuel Liam St. John’s rise The release follows an exceptional year for the singer songwriter, whose debut album “Man Of The North” established him as one of Americana’s fastest rising talents. The album has amassed more than 100 million global streams and earned widespread critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone describing it as “a bluesy, powerful album that announces the Washington state songwriter as an artist you need to know.” Further recognition came from NPR’s Weekend Edition, People magazine, and a series of high profile live performances, including appearances at SXSW, Lollapalooza, CMA Fest, and his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Liam St. John prepares for Year of the Horse tour St. John will begin his Year of the Horse headline tour across the United States in July 2026 before joining Cameron Whitcomb for a selection of dates later this autumn.

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Tyler Sjöström

Editor

Tyler Sjöström has released his new single, Call Me Sweet. The new song, recorded at Dog Day Studios in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is underscored by an acoustic guitar and stripped back to showcase Tyler’s husky tones. Song meaning The song draws insipration from the early days of his relationship with his now wife. The song captures the fragile intensity of two people learning how to be fully honest with each other, even when that honesty brings fear, grief, and pain to the surface. Written from a place of vulnerability, it moves through the strange, tender uncertainty of early love, where honesty can feel both grounding and overwhelming. Tyler does not write toward perfection, but toward the messier truth of being bruised, flawed, afraid, and still hoping the other person stays He said: “Sometimes what we need most is simply another person who will stay, listen, and see us even in the parts that feel broken. “Call me sweet, call me anything. In the end, it does not matter what we go through, as long as we are together.” Tyler performed at C2C in both London and Berlin back in March. He has shared the stage with artists such as Tenille Townes, Judah and The Lion, Joseph, The Mighty Oaks, and The Secret Sisters

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Keb’ Mo’ announces new studio album and London show

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Keb’ Mo’ returns with his most stripped-down and intimate album to date. “On The Breakdown”, out August 21 via Concord Records, he does something he has never done before: strips back his recordings to just his guitar, voice and carefully selected vocal contributions from the Soweto Gospel Choir and the gospel sextet Take 6. The 10-song collection was recorded at his home studio outside Nashville. It was written in the wake of life-saving open heart surgery, the end of his nearly 20-year marriage, and a period of profound personal upheaval. “The Breakdown” is Keb’ at his most revealing, grappling with the passage of time and the inevitability of change while still holding on firmly to the hope, faith, and love that have always guided him. “It felt like everything in my life was breaking down,” Keb’ reflects. “My health, my relationship, my whole world. The only way I knew how to respond was to break the music down, too.” While the album is deeply rooted in Keb’s personal story, the tunes also stand as broader commentary on the state of the world. He released the album’s first single “Fussing and Fighting,” which could just as easily reflect a long-term relationship as a divided nation searching for common ground. He explains that “Fussing and Fighting” sprang from the way relationships can suddenly go south. That sometimes things just don’t work out, and you’re left wondering, “What happened?” Harmonies from heartbreak “The Breakdown” marks Keb’ Mo’s first solo album release since his Grammy-nominated 2021 album “Good To Be…”. It is also his first since his career nearly came to an abrupt end in 2024 when he began experiencing shortness of breath on tour with Slash. “I was struggling to breathe and thought there must be something wrong with my lungs,” Keb’ recalls. “When I finally got off the road, I went to the doctor, and they sent me straight to the emergency room.” The problem, it turned out, was not with his lungs but rather his heart. A leaking valve and an aortic aneurysm required intensive surgery, and the lengthy rehabilitation period forced the postponement of a slew of tour dates. “It felt like death was tapping me on the shoulder,” Keb’ explains. “I’d been going around feeling healthy and strong all these years. Suddenly, I had to face the possibility that I might not make it. I had to go through some difficult experiences to get these songs, but I learned a lot looking back on my life and my relationships and taking inventory of everything in a new light.” That newfound perspective is front and centre on “The Breakdown”, which manages to turn pain and uncertainty into hope and resilience at every turn. “I’m turning 75 this year,” Keb’ reflects, “and I know I won’t be around forever. All you can do is make the most of what you’ve got and be grateful for every step of the journey.”

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Bob Harris steps down from Radio 2 shows

News / Editor

Legendary broadcaster Bob Harris has announced that he is stepping down from his BBC Radio 2 shows due to ill health. Nearly 56 years of broadcasting excellence Over a broadcasting career spanning almost 56 years, Bob Harris became one of the UK’s most respected and influential music broadcasters. His distinguished career included landmark roles on Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and television, most notably his celebrated tenure on the award-winning BBC music programme The Old Grey Whistle Test during the 1970s. However, the majority of his broadcasting career was spent at Radio 2, which Bob has described as the “Champions League” of radio, where he remained a key voice for three decades. Bob Harris’s legacy at Radio 2 Since joining Radio 2 in 1996, Bob has been a trusted companion for music lovers, presenting acclaimed programmes including Saturday evening shows, Bob Harris Country and Sounds of the 70s. Renowned for his warmth, encyclopaedic musical knowledge and commitment to championing new talent, Bob introduced generations of listeners to emerging artists alongside established stars. His influence helped shape Radio 2’s specialist music output and earned him the admiration of audiences and musicians alike. Championing country music in the UK A passionate advocate for country, folk, Americana and singer-songwriters, Bob has played a significant role in the growth of country music across the UK. From his time hosting his highly-popular Radio 2 show to being the Guest Editor Of Maverick Country, Bob helped bring country music to mainstream audiences, contributing to its rise as one of the UK’s fastest growing music genres. Bob has also been the host of Country to Country festival ever since its inaugural event in 2013. Throughout his career, Bob earned widespread respect from listeners, artists and colleagues, leaving an enduring legacy at Radio 2 and across the wider British music industry. Celebrating Bob Harris at 80 In April this year, Bob celebrated his 80th birthday. To mark the occasion, Radio 2 broadcast the special programme Bob Harris at 80: A Life in Music, which remains available on BBC Sounds. Joined by Zoe Ball, Bob reflected on the defining moments of his remarkable life and career, revisiting key musical milestones, memorable encounters and extraordinary achievements. From Radio 1 and Time Out to The Old Grey Whistle Test The programme explored Bob’s early accomplishments, including co-founding the listings magazine Time Out, launching his first Radio 1 programme in August 1970, touring with T. Rex and becoming the face of The Old Grey Whistle Test from 1972. During his time on the influential television series, Bob interviewed some of the era’s most iconic artists, including John Lennon and David Bowie. The documentary also revisited his return to Radio 1 during the 1990s, his work with BBC Greater London Radio, and the launch of Bob Harris Country on Radio 2 in 1999. Bob also discussed his health challenges and reflected on receiving an OBE in 2011. Final Radio 2 broadcasts The documentary concluded with Bob’s most recent chapter at Radio 2, including taking over as presenter of Sounds of the 70s in November 2024. Bob presented his final episode of Sounds of the 70s on Sunday, March 8 while his last edition of The Radio 2 Country Show aired on Thursday, April 2. Sounds of the 70s will be taken over by Shaun Keaveny and American singer Darius Rucker will continue to present The Radio 2 Country Show in the interim. Bob said: “It’s incredible to think that my broadcasting career has spanned almost 56 years. I am very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much. “I am a massive BBC loyalist, and I’m grateful that I have always been given the freedom to build my programmes in my own way. “Most of my time on air has been spent with my fabulous family at Radio 2 and it has been such a joy to broadcast on this world-class radio station. “I am so proud that The Radio 2 Country Show has played such a massive part in propelling Country to become the fastest growing music genre in the UK, and presenting Sounds of the 70s on Sunday afternoons has been a real pleasure and made my time here the most special of my entire life. “But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners. I have put everything I have into every show I’ve ever done, and it’s all been because of you. “Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say. I am so sorry that my health issues are forcing me to step down, but I realise that I must concentrate on getting myself well again. “This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I would never want to be doing programmes knowing that I am unable to give you 100%. “I am going to miss you, and I love you very much. Thank you for listening.” Radio 2 pays tribute to one of broadcasting’s most respected voices Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 said: “I would like to say a sincere thank you to Bob, a true radio legend, for many years of very special shows on Radio 2. “Bob has hosted The Radio 2 Country Show since 1999, becoming a trusted and respected tastemaker as the genre exploded in popularity. “Since taking the reins of Sounds of the 70s, he has filled the show with love, laughter and captivating stories of being at the heart of the music scene throughout the decade. “Bob is adored by the Radio 2 family and his listeners, and we are all going to miss him and his weekly shows very much. “Everyone at Radio 2 sends Bob and his family our love and support.”

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