Country music is by far the most popular genre in the United States, but in the UK it’s been given a boost by its popularity on social media – and it’s come a long way since Emmerdale’s Woolpackers

YEEHAW! Remember the last time country music was a UK craze, when Emmerdale ’s Woolpackers hit the charts almost 30 years ago?

Well, grab a Stetson hat and pull on some boots, because it is back – rustling up a new generation of fans and this time looking like it is here to stay. Famed for its good times, hard times philosophy, country’s light has always shone bright in America. But when Beyonce became the first Black woman to top its Billboard’s country chart it really was time to sit up and listen.

The single Texas Hold ’Em also gave Beyonce her first UK number one in 14 years. And she is not the only US superstar to wow fans here. Country legend Dolly Parton was a hit at Glasto in 2014 and contemporary country stars Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus rule the charts. Country is the biggest music genre in America and thanks to TikTok and crossovers with other styles, it is now hitting high notes here.

Streaming of country songs in the UK rose 50% between 2020 and 2022, the Country Music Association says, while club nights like Kickin’ It Country and Buck’ N Bull are cropping up all over. And each year, British country festivals attract thousands of fans from many generations – with young people increasingly as likely to go to a country night as to a pop, dance or rock night.

Preston D Barnes

Things have come a long way since the ITV stars in The Woolpackers got to number five with Hillbilly Rock in 1996. Simon Walker, boss of Britain’s biggest country station, Country-Line, says: “Country music has become cool. It’s no longer about old men in hats, it’s female-led, diverse and has a real appeal for young fans.”

He says the Country 2 Country festival draws 80,000 fans in London, Belfast and Glasgow, and points to the popularity of TV series Nashville – with “glam young people living their best country lives”. CountryLine’s biggest shareholder is Sir Elton John and asked why he was involved, he told Simon: “I love two things – stories and melodies. And country music has the best stories and the best melodies.”

This is echoed by britsinboots.com blogger Cher Richardson, who says: “You can find a country song for whatever emotion you’re feeling.” The TV producer, 43, adds: “Growing up in the 90s as a Black girl in the East End, country was not cool. Social media helped fans find each other.”

Ex-soldier Preston D Barnes, from Lancashire, who was on The Voice in 2016, has had five top-five singles in the UK country charts. He says: “Country stars wear their hearts on their sleeves with their lyrics. Every song tells a story someone can relate to. Country is only going to get bigger.”

Cher Richardson of the Brits in Boots blog, left
DJ Paul Taylor, of stations Cat Country and CMR Nashville, says: “Social media has driven the popularity of British country music. Young artists like Megan Rose have a huge following.” Influenced by her grandparents’ love of Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash, Megan, 28, from Essex, started singing in care homes at 14 to earn cash. She says: “A resident said I sounded like a young Dolly Parton, the biggest compliment. It spiralled from there.”

She realised how many fans there are when she started weekly gigs. Megan says: “TikTok’s changed the way people view country artists and helped them to go viral. I’m a huge fan of [US star] Luke Combs. When he did the cover of Fast Car, it really pushed country music out there.” One of the UK’s biggest artists is York-born Twinnie-Lee Moore, 36, who played Porsche McQueen in Hollyoaks until 2015 and now lives in Nashville.

Her tours sell out and she dreams of being the first UK artist to get a US country number one. She says: “In Nashville, country is all about who has the best lyrics. Country here has always been for everyone, no matter their age. The UK is finally catching on.”

UK country star Megan Rose

Beyonce (Image: Beyonce/Instagram)

CountryLine co-founder and DJ Nathalie Cox has also moved to Nashville. She says: “I grew up a fan. All my friends were into the Spice Girls and I was into Tammy Wynette. Now, fans are crossing over from pop to country because they like the new style. The fashion helps. The girls love to wear a cowboy hat. And for country fans, it’s more than just music, it’s a lifestyle.”

For Laura Hancock, organiser of the Buckle and Boots festival in Stockport, Gtr Manchester, the boom is linked to crossovers with other styles. She says: “This fusion has created a diverse variety in the genre, seen in collaborations such as Chris Stap-leton and Justin Timberlake, Keith Urban and Pink, Tim McGraw and Nelly, The Dixie Chicks and Beyonce, Dan and Shay with Justin Bieber.”

The festival is in its seventh year and Laura, 28, says: “Fans of Buckle & Boots plan their country festival outfits months beforehand.” Student Zoe Hodges, of Oldham, got into modern country when she heard a song Taylor Swift did with Tim McGraw. The 28-year-old began writing and performing, as well as hosting radio shows and editing country magazine Maverick.

Zoe says: “There’s been a growth in club nights, which are a great way to get together. My friends used to make fun of my love of country but now they listen to Luke Combs with me.”

Party time with DJ Paul

Double denim night delights

It was time pull on my double denim and mosey on down to the bar for some good ole country music – in St Helens, Merseyside. Forget pitchers of beer and sawdust on the floor, the Brickhouse Tavern was a swanky wine bar and restaurant, staging monthly country events.

Pals Julie Winstanley, 61, and Anita Critchley, 64, were sipping G&Ts and eager to see rising country stars Craig Gould and Lisa T perform at the gig hosted by Paul Taylor. Anita said: “I really got into country after watching Nashville. My daughters love it too. Country music is so good because they are all songs that tell a story.”

Manchester singer-songwriter Lisa T, 33, was inspired by lockdown to quit her nine-to-five and start writing and performing – and her tracks zoomed to the top two spots in the UK country charts. She said: “TikTok has really changed the way people view country music. Beyonce is my idol so for her to be doing country is amazing.” Craig Gould, 40, from Tamworth, Staffs, performs every week. He said: “There is a real community feel and people travel far and wide to see their favourite artists.”