Country Pop

Over the weekend, UK country fans joined together at Country Calling in Chelmsford, Essex. As well as catching up with the artists, Maverick Country had the pleasure of spending the weekend soaking up the festival atmosphere at King’s Farm. A celebration of all things country In its sophomore year, the promoters wanted to emphasise how this is a festival built by and for country music fans, and as you walked around the arena, you could really feel the attention to detail that has gone in to planning it. The intentional way the festival had been laid out worked exceptionally well, with plenty of space to roam among the music lovers sporting cowboy hats and boots. Both could be picked up at the trading post which featured lots of exciting vendors including Ariat, Vera Black, UK Country, and The Cow Girl Club. Western fashion has really picked up this year and anyone who is into this scene would have been at home among the market stalls at Country Calling, and coming away a few pounds lighter for it! All things Americana were celebrated at this year’s Country Calling, with American food vendors, muscle cars, fairground rides, and a Nashville-style dive bar where punters could take part in line dancing classes or jam out to some of the acts performing on its stage. Country Calling is also a family friendly festival with free tickets for under 16s when accompanied by a paying adult and a dedicated area for arts and crafts and line dancing. A festival on the rise As for the music, there was ample opportunity to soak in a wealth of talent from artists from the UK, USA, Canada and Australia; whether on the Main Stage, Caffè Nero Stage, the dive bar, or sat on top of a hay bale at the Homstead stage, the festival proved to be a feast for country fans. Another key ingredient of the Country Calling formula is that every artist on the bill is an original recording artist which sets it apart from other country music events in the UK which rely heavily on tribute acts. What is particularly exciting about attending Country Calling is the prospect of discovering your new favourite artist or someone who may go on to top the charts. Overall, Country Calling feels like a festival which is quickly cementing itself into the UK country music scene. Between the carefully-curated way the festival was laid out to the exceptional selection of artists, there is no doubt this festival will soon become a fan favourite that will have many returning in 2027.

This past weekend, Maverick Country had the pleasure of attending Country Calling at King’s Farm in Chelmsford, Essex. As well as getting the chance to have a chat with Sunday night headliner, Randy Houser, we also caught up with many of the other talented performers who graced the Main Stage and the Homestead stage. Jack Browning The London-based singer-songwriter is set to release his second album, “Painted Skies” next month via Two Fine Records in Nashville. So, you’ve already performed this morning. How did it go? How was the atmosphere? It was great, it was really fun. Obviously, the first slot on the main stage can kind of go either way sometimes, but it was great. Everyone was super up for it. It filled up really nice. 
I think we got everyone two-stepping. So we got the job done, got everyone set up for Janet and Randy and all the folks playing today. What are your biggest inspirations behind your music? I love John Prine. I think he’s always like a bit of a yardstick for me. I love performers like Charlie Crockett and Tyler Childers and I’ve been lucky to see them from tiny rooms up to where they are now, so it’s been really cool following that along and it’s kind of given me a little bit of fire to hopefully do the same thing. Those guys are big ones for me. If you could work with any other musician, dead or alive, who would it be and why? I’m a sucker for Glen Campbell, I really am. I’d love to have seen what we could have written together. He’s a big influence. I’m probably not good enough to lace up his boots, but if he’d have heard me, I’d love to have written with Glen. 
That would have been very special. What do you like about performing at festivals like this one? I mean, this one kind of is particularly special. 
I played the first year which was the first year, and I was on one of the third stages. I was was raised around here in Chelmsford – that’s where I cut my teeth, playing in clubs in town. So it’s really nice to come back and open up the main stage in front of family, friends, and a bunch of people who are up for a weekend of country music. What can we expect from you next? What’s going down the line? I’ve got a new record coming out on September 16th, it’s called “Painted Skies”. It will be out via Too Fine Records in Nashville. It’s a whole new album of original music. I have started writing the next one already and it means a lot to get this one out. We started recording it two and a half years ago, so it’s nice to know it’s finally going to reach people’s ears in less than a month’s time. What’s a random fact that about you that not many people would know? I can do an amazing impression – even if I had to say so myself – of Phil Harding from Time Team. Kasey Tyndall Kasey Tyndall is known for blending rock and roll with country. The songwriter and guitarist is from North Carolina. She was named in CMT’s Next Women of Country class in 2023. How do you feel about performing at festivals like this? I love it. 
The energy’s always high. Everybody’s here to listen to music all day, and they’re drinking, having a good time, and so it’s usually some of the best shows. Who or what do you normally look towards when you’re looking to write a song or perform your music? When it comes to inspiration for shows and events and stuff…I mean, my family, I love my family so much, and so just knowing that I’m doing it for them and doing it for the fans as that’ve come so far to see us play, it’s just, that’s my inspiration for the day. As far as music goes and creating music, my influences are all the way from Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Heart, Avril Lavigne, Brantley Gilbert, Alison Krauss. I mean, it’s just a big hodgepoge.  If you could work with anyone, either dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration? Oh, that’s so tough. I mean, probably Joan Jett. What’s a random fact that nobody would know about you? 
 Oh, now that’s the toughest question…I fresh mill my own flour and make my own bread. Janet Devlin Janet Devlin is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter who released her debut album in 2013. A new chapter came in 2024 when she released “Emotional Rodeo”. What’s your favourite thing about performing at festivals like this? That it’s not my show!
Putting on your own tour and stuff like that is a lot of pressure. So, yeah that’s my favourite bit, which is ridiculous! When you’re writing songs, who or what do you look towards for the inspiration behind your music? 
 Honestly just my life, it’s always been my life. There’s some storytelling from time-to-time, but usually it’s all my stuff. For the silly songs, I’m normally like driving or something and a funny phrase will come in my head. If you could work with any other musician, dead or alive, who would your ideal collaboration be with? 
 Oh that’s so hard…Dolly Parton would obviously be swell, based on what she’s done for the country genre. You rose to prominence being on The X factor. What’s one thing about being on a reality show that not many people would know, like? Music TV shows, they are still a TV show, they still have to like make it entertaining. It can’t all just be about the music. What can we expect from you next? Is there any projects down the line? I’ve got a new album coming out early next year. So I’m just going to be releasing singles up till then. What’s a random fact that