Ben R. Atkinson

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Home > Archives for 21st January 2026

21 Jan 2026

Welcome to Country on the Eye

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Country on the Eye is a brand-new festival celebrating the best in original country music, launching in June 2026 at Play Close Park, Melton Mowbray.

Curated by broadcaster Ben Atkinson, the festival brings the authentic sounds of Nashville, Austin and the UK roots scene to the East Midlands. Across two days, enjoy an intimate Songwriters Series, a full day of live performances, acoustic sessions, workshops, and Americana culture in a relaxed riverside setting.

Our debut lineup features UK No.1 country artist Gary Quinn, US duo Karli and James, Austin legend Bob Cheevers, Nashville songwriter Victoria Banks, folk favourite Will Varley, and bluegrass outfit The Often Herd.

Country on the Eye is more than a festival. It’s a celebration of songwriting, storytelling and community. We can’t wait to welcome you by the river.

Join us on 12–13 June 2026.

Recent Posts

  • Two Months Countdown to Country On The Eye 13th April 2026
  • Final Lineup Featuring Song Suffragettes and Jeff Cohen 20th March 2026
  • Bob Cheevers to break retirement for exclusive UK performance 6th March 2026
  • Play at Country on the Eye: Acoustic Stage sign-ups now open! 18th February 2026
  • Welcome to Country on the Eye 21st January 2026
  • British Association for American Studies Website Re-Design Project 14th October 2022
  • Destination Moorhead: A Decade Later 15th August 2021
  • Country Music: Race, Gender and Transition in the year of COVID-19 14th June 2021
  • You can’t teach an old blog new tricks 13th June 2021
  • New Video: Speed of the Sound of Loneliness 14th April 2020

Blog Categories

  • Music
  • Professional
  • PhD
  • Higher Education
  • PGCHE

Blog Tags

Country Music CRJ EDU720 Events flipped learning higher education learning activities PGCHE reflection student learning

About Ben R. Atkinson

Ben R. Atkinson is a writer, musician, and presenter who can be heard broadcasting on radio stations around the world, is known for his novels, radio dramas, and who writes and performs his own music in the country/folk genre. Ben is currently studying for his PhD in Ethnomusicology at the University of Lincoln in the UK.

Subject Specialisms

Digital Media, American Studies,
Pedagogy, Learning Technology

Qualifications

PhD Music — University of Lincoln, 2026 / PGCHE — Falmouth University, 2019 / Fellow HEA - Higher Education Academy, 2018 / MA Digital Media — University of Lincoln, 2015 BA(Hons) Media Production — University of Lincoln, 2013 /

Awards

Graduate Intern of the Year, University of Lincoln — 2014 / Outstanding Contribution to the Lincoln School of Media — 2013

Contact

Email: hello@benratkinson.com

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