Ben R. Atkinson

Dolly Parton Tribute from Ben Atkinson

Ben appeared across BBC radio recently to pay tribute to his musical hero, Dolly Parton, after her death at the age of 80.

Listen to Ben’s Tribute

Country Folk (At Heart) Deluxe Album

The deluxe edition of Ben’s sophomore album Country Folk, is available everywhere now.

Purchase on Bandcamp or stream now on Spotify and other platforms.

Ben’s Country Music Show

Ben’s flagship radio programme has been broadcast since 2008; the longest running independent show of its kind in the UK, it currently airs on stations around the world.

Find out more

Ben Atkinson sitting a bench playing guitar

Welcome

Welcome to the official website of Ben R. Atkinson

Ben R. Atkinson is a broadcaster, ethnomusicologist, and musician whose work explores the intersections of music, culture and media.

He is currently completing a PhD at KU Leuven, Belgium, examining the experiences of women in Nashville’s country music industry between 1990 and 2024. Alongside his research, Ben works as a Learning Technology Consultant at the University of Nottingham and serves as Digital Communications Manager for the British Association for American Studies (BAAS), supporting innovation in higher education, digital scholarship, and academic communication.

A recognised specialist in American roots music, Ben has presented Ben’s Country Music Show, the UK’s longest-running independent country music radio programme, since 2008. He has delivered guest lectures in the UK and the United States, spoken at national and international conferences, and regularly appeared as a featured expert on BBC radio.

Beyond academia and broadcasting, Ben is an active creative practitioner. He has released two studio albums, Cold Hard Shoulder (2020) and Country Folk (2025), published two novels, and produced a range of radio documentaries, dramas, and digital media projects.

This website brings together Ben’s broadcasting, research, music, writing, and public engagement activities.

Country Folk (At Heart) - Deluxe Album Available Now

Ben standing under a tree at Wollaton Hall image used for the cover of the album Country Folk (At Heart) Deluxe album

The Deluxe edition of Ben’s second album, Country Folk (At Heart), is available now. Stream it on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and all major platforms, or purchase the album on CD via Bandcamp.

Reflecting on the album, Ben shared:

“The past five years have been a whirlwind—traveling to Nashville for my PhD, making new friends, and seeing the music industry up close. Back home, I’ve watched my son grow and faced new challenges, while the world around us seems in constant flux—politically, socially, and environmentally. Too often, life feels like a race that never slows down, with anxiety fueled by endless notifications and the 24/7 news cycle. This record is about all of that, but also about reconnecting with what truly matters—music’s power to bring people together. It’s a reflection on the past five years and a look toward the future.”

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!

https://youtu.be/4w1uk8T9IBE
https://youtu.be/Ju-Q0UkTpxY

Ben's Country Music Show

Ben’s Country Music Show is the UK’s longest running independent country music radio programme.

In 2025, the show celebrated its 17th anniversary—marking over 1,500 hours of radio written, recorded, and produced since its launch in 2008. Each week the show has delivered the very best in country, Americana, roots, and bluegrass to audiences around the world.

Each two-hour episode is packed with the latest news, exclusive interviews, album features, and occasional special documentaries. Recent highlights include documentaries on the history of CMA Fest, the life and career of Loretta Lynn, Ken Burns’ Country Music series, and the story behind Johnny Cash’s legendary performance at Folsom Prison.

Regular features include Album of the Week, Songs from the Vault — shining a light on classic and often forgotten tracks — and the weekly UK Country Albums and Radio Charts, keeping listeners up to date with the latest releases and No.1 songs and albums.

Find out more about Ben’s Country Music Show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gmF_UIMr2c&t=1s

Ben Atkinson Discusses Shania Twain at Glastonbury – BBC Radio Berkshire

Ben has made a number of media appearances to discuss the current popularity of country music in the UK and Taylor Swift’s UK Eras Tour. Most recently he joined Sarah Walker on BBC Radio Berkshire to discuss Shania Twain’s appearance in the ‘Legends’ slot at Glastonbury in the summer of 2024.

Further Media Appearances

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