Ben R. Atkinson

Ben Atkinson sitting a bench playing guitar

Welcome

Welcome to the website of Ben R. Atkinson. Ben is a writer, academic, broadcaster and musician. He is known for his radio programme, Ben’s Country Music Show, which airs on stations around the world. In addition, Ben has written two novels, released an album and EP of original music, and worked extensively in the media industry and higher education sector in the UK. Ben is an ethnomusicologist and Americanist currently in the final year of his PhD studies at University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium.

As a broadcaster, Ben is a familiar voice on independent radio across the UK and internationally, having hosted his syndicated radio programme, Ben’s Country Music Show, internationally since 2008. Ben learnt his craft at the Lincoln School of Film and Media and later trained with the BBC.

Ben’s love of music emerged at an early age, and he was encouraged to pick up the guitar by his primary school music teacher. A self-taught musician, Ben plays the guitar and mandolin and has a passion for American roots music, including country, roots, and Americana. He has released one album and an EP of original music. His second album, Country Folk, is due for release in October 2024.

As a writer, Ben is the author of two novels which were both published independently. The Kraken’s Curse (2008) is a YA story of fantasy and intrigue set on the beautiful Devon coast while Walking on Cinders (2010) is a dystopian tale of a bitter global conflict and those who are fighting in the closing days of war in London and France. Walking on Cinders is notable as being one of the first novels by a British author to be promoted widely on social media, selling 1000 copies as part of the ‘1000 Books to Sell Project’ in 2010/11. Ben continues to work on a third novel alongside other writing projects.

In March 2020, Ben combined all his interests to embark on a new challenge, a PhD study in music. His thesis examines the experiences of women in the American country music community of Nashville, Tennessee, during the period 1993-2023 and considers the impact of cultural change, new technology and campaign movements on the success and opportunities for women in the genre. The study is ethnographic, and to that end, Ben spent 12 weeks in 2022-3 living and working in Nashville to support his research. In addition to his PhD study, Ben is a Learning Technology Consultant at the University of Nottingham and the Digital Communications Manager for the British Association for American Studies (BAAS).

Pre-order the New Album Country Folk

Ben sitting under a tree at Wollaton Hall image used for the cover of the album Country Folk

Ben’s new album Country Folk, will be released in January 2025. You can stream the title track now on Spotify, Apple Music and all streaming platforms. Along with the new single, the album features the previously released track ‘Heading Back To Nashville’.

Talking about the new album, Ben said, “a lot has happened in the past five years, in the world and in all of our lives. I’ve been travelling back and forth to Nashville completing research for my PhD, making new friends in the process and getting to peek behind the scenes of how the music business really works. Back home I’ve watched my son grow and adapted to new challenges, while many of us have lost people close to us…. and of course it seems like the world in a constant state of flux. politically, socially and environmentally.” He added, “too much these days I feel like I’m constantly on the run and that life never slows down. Our anxiety is heightened by every new notification and the 24/7 news cycle. This record is about all of those things, but it’s also about getting back to the basics of what really matters and the importance of music as a tool which brings us together. It looks back on the past five years, and it looks ahead.”

The full album in digital, CD and vinyl formats can be pre-ordered now on Bandcamp. The pre-save on Spotify will land in the coming weeks, so be sure to add that to your account to listen first in January.

Bluebird Cafe Performance

On June 13th 2022, Ben performed at the historic Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN. The Monday open mic night provides a platform for songwriters and performers to share their music with a select room of music fans at the venue which has been renowned in Nashville for decades. Stars like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift performed there in their early careers, and on the night of June 13th Ben was number 13 in the running order, which also just happens to be Taylor’s lucky number… as a big fan, that was pretty cool!

Ben's Country Music Show

Ben’s Country Music Show is a two-hour weekly country music radio show featuring the best in country music, roots, Americana and bluegrass. The show is broadcast on stations around the world, having first taken to the airwaves in 2008. Each week Ben presents the show from a studio in the beautiful cathedral city of Lincoln in the East Midlands.

The show features the latest music from the USA and UK, mixed in with country classics and live sessions. Ben brings you the News from Nashville, This Week in Country Music and the UK country albums and radio charts.

The show began life on 103 The Eye, the first community radio station to be licenced in the UK. Since then, the show has gone on to be syndicated on stations around the world, including elsewhere in the UK, in Ireland, Australia and the US.

You can find out more about Ben’s Country Music Show here.

Ben Atkinson Discusses Shania Twain at Glastonbury – BBC Radio Berkshire

Ben has made a number of media appearances in recent months to discuss the current popularity of country music in the UK and Taylor Swift’s ongoing Eras Tour. Most recently he joined Sarah Walker on BBC Radio Berkshire to discuss Shania Twain’s appearance in the ‘Legends’ slot at Glastonbury.

I could not have anticipated how much of a fantastic utility Ben has been to my studies this year and couldn’t have asked for a better person to have been mentored by. He suggested things I could do to enhance my portfolio and I would really recommend him for any student.

Jake Dungworth, 3rd Year Media Production Student, 2019

Ben was utterly dedicated to his role as brand director. He did work far beyond his role dictated and showed incredible passion for the work he did. His website design skills and back-end technical knowledge proved invaluable. A true professional.

Michael Passingham, Station Manager Brayford Radio, 2013

Ben is a strong all-rounder, from video and audio production, social media engagement, to creative writing and design. He is technically skilled using AV recording equipment, and editing software on both Mac and PC. Ben would make a superb addition to any team.

Ross Ironfield, Marketing and Communications Manager, Lincoln University Students’ Union, 2013

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