Ben R. Atkinson

Ben Atkinson sitting a bench playing guitar

Welcome

Welcome to the official website of Ben R. Atkinson—broadcaster, academic, and musician. Known for his internationally syndicated radio show, Ben’s Country Music Show, Ben has also released multiple albums of original music and authored two novels. With over 15 years of experience in media and higher education, he is currently completing a PhD at KU Leuven, Belgium.

An acknowledged expert on American country and roots music, Ben has appeared on the BBC, spoken at international conferences, and served as a guest lecturer. His PhD research focuses on the experiences of women in Nashville’s country music industry from 1990 to 2024, examining the impact of cultural shifts, technology, and advocacy movements. As part of this ethnographic study, he spent 12 weeks living and working in Nashville. In addition to his academic work, Ben is a Learning Technology Consultant at the University of Nottingham and the Digital Communications Manager for the British Association for American Studies (BAAS).

As a broadcaster, Ben has been a familiar voice on independent and community radio since 2008. Training at the Lincoln School of Film and Media and later with the BBC, he has hosted drivetime, breakfast, and magazine shows, as well as written and produced notable radio dramas and documentaries.

A self-taught musician, Ben plays guitar and mandolin, with a deep passion for American roots music, including country, folk, and Americana. His second album, Country Folk, was released on January 17, 2025.

Ben is also the author of two novels: The Kraken’s Curse (2008), a YA fantasy set on the Devon coast, and Walking on Cinders (2010), a dystopian war novel that was one of the first British books to gain widespread promotion via social media, selling 1,000 copies through the 1000 Books to Sell Project. He continues to work on his third novel alongside other creative and academic projects.

New Album: Country Folk - Available Now

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

Ben’s new album, Country Folk, was released on January 17, 2025. Stream it now on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major platforms, or purchase it on CD or vinyl 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!

Ben's Country Music Show

Ben’s Country Music Show is a two-hour weekly radio program showcasing the best in country, roots, Americana, and bluegrass. First airing in 2008 on 103 The Eye— the UK’s first licensed community radio station—the syndicated show now reaches listeners on stations worldwide.

Broadcast from Ben’s studio in Lincoln, UK, the show features the latest music from the USA and UK, alongside country classics and live interviews. Regular segments include News from Nashville, Album of the Week, Songs from the Vault, and the UK country charts.

Find out more about Ben’s Country Music Show.

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.

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

Follow Ben On Instagram