While everything and everyone winds down for Christmas, we’re making time to reflect on all that matters – family, friends, faith… and the UK’s country music scene.
Yes, while nothing outside our windows right now bears any resemblance to the snowy small-town America pictured on the Hallmark Christmas movies we’ve all grown worryingly addicted to, there are still a few ways to keep it Country during the festive period – even here in the U.K….
CMA Country Christmas is on BBC4 Friday 20th December at 10:25. One hour and 20 minutes of festive performances hosted by Trisha Yearwood seems like the perfect thing to have on while wrapping presents. (It’s on straight after the last installments of Country Music by Ken Burns documentary series telling the history of the genre).
The ‘Modern Country Christmas’ playlist on Apple Music (including Kacey Musgraves Glittery) is the perfect stealth background soundtrack to get non-country friends listening to your favourite artists.
Long journeys back home for Christmas will be made more bearable with ‘Dolly Parton’s America’, the podcast everyone’s been recommending and has been on the list of things to listen to for far too long.
Ocado stocks EggNog FYI. (Although it has hit and miss reviews from American expats looking for a taste of home).
There’s been a lot of love for the Harrods cowboy boot bauble included in our Christmas gift guide. They also do loads more (including stetsons and bourbon) as part of the Harrods All-American Christmas range, mostly around the £20 mark. We’ll be watching to see if they’re reduced come Boxing Day to stock up for next year.
Nashville Sessions are keeping York busy in ‘twixmas’ with a New Year’s Eve Eve Eve special on December 29th featuring live music at their usual spot, the Edinburgh Arms.
Nash Nights New Years Eve party last year was one of our best ever NYEs (from what we vaguely remember and what our Instagram photos indicate). It’s back in London this year with live music from country rock band Backwoods Creek followed by Baylen Leonard on the decks. Or at least on the laptop.
And with the New Year gigs there’s plenty to distract from back to work blues. We’ve got January UK visits from Sturgill Simpson, Brett Eldrege and Chase Rice. Check out theirs and others’ tour details on the helpful Country Lowdown Calendar. Plus AmericanaFest’s showcase nights return to east London 28-29th Jan, featuring top talent like the not to be missed (trust us!) Irish Mythen.
Thanks so much for reading the blog and being in the gig crowds with us throughout 2019. It’s been lovely getting to know (i.e. drinking with) more of you off-line this year.
We wish you a very merry Christmas and a music-filled New Year,
Brits in Boots
Brits in Boots 
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