BcMHoF - BCMHoF logo

Click on the name to read more about our British Country Music Hall of Fame members and the reason why they have been awarded the highest honour.

In 2006, as the then editor of Cross Country, I had a meeting in the Roadhouse just off junction 28 on the M1 with Rob Davis, publisher and current editor of this magazine. The purpose was to set up a form of recognition for people who had provided something above the norm on behalf of Country music in the British Isles – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was agreed to call it the British Country Music Hall of Fame, a not for profit body. There were to be no boundaries as regards gender nor age other than being born in the British Isles. It would be open to performers, solo or as a group, musicians, songwriters, promoters, agents, publicists, radio/tv presenters and journalists. Open to those alive or who had passed on.
In order to make it viable we agreed to also resurrect the then defunct British Country Music Association providing annual awards for Country music. The selection for the Hall would be by unnamed persons selecting to the above criteria. This has worked admirably until 2018, by this time both Rob Davis and myself had stepped down from the BCMA board. With ourselves not being available, it was agreed with the current BCMA to transfer the running of the Hall to the CCN with myself, Jim Duncan staying as curator of the Hall.
Cross Country is the only publication that publishes the full list on a regular basis. If you wish to read why, or don’t know who they are, then you can read all about them here.
The British Country Music Hall of Fame is for an exclusive group of people and each year more well known advocates of Country music will be inducted at the Cross Country NAM (CCN) Awards Show.
We are always open to suggestions of who should be inducted so if you think you know of anyone then send an email to rob.cc.editor@gmail.com.

BcMHoF - 001 Keith Manifold
Keith Manifold
BcMHoF - 002 Ben Rees
Ben Rees
BcMHoF - 003 Cal Ford
Cal Ford
BcMHoF - 004 Campbell Baxter
Campbell Baxter
BcMHoF - 005 Kenny Johnson
Kenny Johnson
BcMHoF - 006 West Virginia
West Virginia
BcMHoF - 007 Tony Hadlow
Tony Hadlow
BcMHoF - 008 Sarah Jory
Sarah Jory
BcMHoF - 009 Chris Bev Jackson
Chris & Bev Jackson
BcMHoF - 010 Tony Best
Tony Best
BcMHoF - 011 Sue McCarthy
Sue McCarthy
BcMHoF - 012 Kelvin Henderson
Kelvin Henderson
BcMHoF - 013 Wally Whyton
Wally Whyon
BcMHoF - 014 John C King
John C King
BcMHoF - 015 Gerry Ford
Gerry Ford
BcMHoF - 016 Raymond Froggatt
Raymond Froggatt
BcMHoF - 017 Miki Griff 2008
Miki & Griff
BcMHoF - 019 Bob McKinlay
Bob McKinlay
BcMHoF - 020 Ed Pearson
Ed Pearson
BcMHoF - 021 The Hillsiders
The Hillsiders
BcMHoF - 022 Albert Lee
Albert Lee
BcMHoF - 023 Mike Storey
Mike Storey
BcMHoF - 024 Iona Boggie
Iona Boggie
BcMHoF - 025 Charlie Landsborough
Charlie Landsborough
BcMHoF - 026 Jon Derek
Jon Derek
BcMHoF - 027 Bob Harris
Bob Harris
BcMHoF - 028 Tony Byworth
Tony Byworth
BcMHoF - 029 Frank Jennings
Frank Jennings
BcMHoF - 030 Philomena Begley
Philomena Begley
BcMHoF - 031 Johnny Larkin
Johnny Larkin
BcMHoF - 032 Vic Woodhouse
Vic Woodhouse
BcMHoF - 033 Stu Stevens
Stu Stevens
BcMHoF - 034 Alf Roberts
Alf Roberts
BcMHoF - 035 Lloyd Coles
Lloyd Coles
BcMHoF - 036 Jackie Storrar
Jackie Stoarrar
BcMHoF - 037 Stu Page
Stu Page
BcMHoF - 038 Geordie Jack
Geordie Jack
BcMHoF - 039 Darren Busby
Darren Busby
BcMHoF - 040 Lyn Jones
Lyn Jones
BcMHoF - 041 Ron Jones 2017
Ron Jones
BcMHoF - 042 Susan McCann 2017
Susan McCann
BcMHoF - 043 Gordon Davies 2017
Gordon Davies
BcMHoF - 044 Jim Duncan 2017
Jim Duncan
BcMHoF - 045 Lonnie Donegan
Lonnie Donegan
BcMHoF - 46 Aubrey Lovejoy Hall
Aubrey Lovejoy
BcMHoF - 047 Alan Cackett
Alan Cackett
BcMHoF - 048 Brian Golbey
Brian Golbey
BcMHoF - 049 Gary Perkins
Gary Perkins
BcMHoF - 050 Mervyn J Futter
Mervyn J futter
BcMHoF - 051 Dave Sheriff
Dave Sheriff
BcMHoF - Roger Wild bcmhof
Roger Wild
BcMHoF - Rob Davis bcmhof
Rob Davis
BcMHoF - Texas Gun bcmhof
Texas Gun
BcMHoF - Malc Allan bcmhof
Malc Allan
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September 2006

Keith Manifold

Keith had established himself as a leading face on the country and western scene in a career which spanned 40 years and included 18 albums. He shot to fame as the ‘yodelling milkman’ – a reference to one of his early jobs – starring in the 1974 series of TV’s Opportunity Knocks, which was won by Lena Zavaroni.He was one of the first British artists to be sponsored to complete a Nashville album featuring stars including the Jordanaires, John Gimble and Charlie McCoy.
Keith, from Buxton in Derbyshire sang his songs at clubs and festivals. Keith would be a singing compere at festivals he organised and he often encouraged others. His daughter, Louise, became part of his act and his wife, Alice, was always giving support. Keith suffered a massive heart attack when setting up for a show and died doing what he loved most.

September 2006

Ben Rees

Ben, known as the gentle giant, came from Runcorn and later lived in Warrington. He learnt his trade around the clubs in Liverpool, Manchester and north Wales and as his smooth baritone voice got better known he travelled all over the UK and to working holidays in Europe. He became the mainstay of the north Wales festival held in Llandudno each August. As a memorial to his awesome talent they have named the bar as Ben’s Bar for the annual festivals where he would sing until the small hours with all the other acts.

September 2006

Cal Ford

Cal Ford worked from Swansea to cover most of the UK from the late fifties until his early death.
He sang the songs of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers and had a tremendous following, entertaining four and five nights a week with no rhythm box or backing tracks.
His son, Ian Cal Ford continues to keep his memory alive as he performs.

September 2007

Campbell Baxter

For 52 years Campbell has been touring the British Isles and is able to play for listeners at clubs, line dance venues and provide hoe-down music for the western clubs. His voice and enthusiasm continued undaunted right up to when he retired. A good guitar player he has, over the years, recorded a considerable collection of albums in his own studio. Known as a perfect country gentleman, even after the tragic death of his son he found strength to grieve privately and still entertain others.each August. As a memorial to his awesome talent they have named the bar as Ben’s Bar for the annual festivals where he would sing until the small hours with all the other acts.

September 2007

Kenny Johnson

Kenny Johnson started in the Liverpool club and pub circuit as a rock ‘n’ roll band before forming the internationally renowned Hillsiders with five others. The band played the famous Wembley festivals backing visiting American stars and in their own right. This got them a regular spot on 1970s television and they played in America performing at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville when it was still the Grand Ole Opry.
When he left the Hillies he formed one of the UK¹s premier bands, Kenny Johnson & Northwind playing all the major venues and festivals. Kenny also performed both as a solo artist and as a duo.
His knowledge of Country music also got him the Country slot on BBC Radio Merseyside which broadcasts weekly. He had been with the BBC for over 25 years.
He had released many albums and cds, his biggest hit is his song, City Lights.

September 2007

West Virigina

Arthur & Keith Thornhill, Mike Brown and Tony Peck make up West Virginia from Liverpool. As a band that has been together with very little personnel changes for nearly 30 years, they have now expanded into the holiday market.
To work this they created their own roster of artists operating as Cloud 9 Entertainments to help keep the club scene alive.
Over the years they have produced some very good albums both on vinyl and then on cd format. Now mainly working as a duo (The Thornhills) they are very much in demand on both the festival and club circuit.

September 2007

Tony Hadlow

Tony from Lytham, created an almost unique venue at Lytham St Annes, nr Blackpool catering for Country fans who liked to travel and camp for music weekends and most touring American and European artists got bookings when they come into the country.
After long negotiations he had been able to provide the north west with a very special place to be entertained.
Tony and his family were keen to encourage new bands and performers as well as the established circuit artists.
They were always ready to assist any charity show or organisation.

September 2007

Sarah Jory

Sarah is from Newark in Nottinghamshire. As one of the top five steel guitar players in the world the awesome talent of this young lady started at the age of eight when she had her first paid gig.
She was also steel guitar player in Van Morrison’s band. Sarah has recorded many times in Nashville and is on first name terms with top session talent.
She has many instrumental albums and has taken to singing with her band and is in constant festival demand both in the UK and on the Continent.
Among her many career highlights was opening for Eric Clapton at the Point in Dublin.

September 2007

Chris & Bev Jackson

From Stapleford, Nottingham, Chris & Bev were inducted as a partnership for their belief in the Country music scene. They encourage both young acts to perform and youngsters to embrace the music. They are best known for the promotion of the Americana International music festival which was held at the Newark Showground which attracted in excess of 40,000 people each year to enjoy the top American acts mixing their music on the main stage with the cream of the UK performers.
They acknowledged the input of rockabilly and the skill of singer/ songwriters while still finding space for the Country music line dancers.
Travelling to many events in the UK, USA and the Continent they were amongst the top talent spotters in the United Kingdom.

September 2007

Tony Best

From Shrewsbury, Tony was a long serving musician, club promoter and the first person to develop and present Country music holidays before creating Tony Best Leisure, one of the most successful Country holiday companies in Europe and the UK.
He had, for a long time, his own record label with a strong roster of artists.
His club in Shrewsbury was held each week and was regularly sold out, being the most popular in the Shropshire area.
Tony sadly passed away in February 2018.

September 2007

Sue McCarthy

Sue who lived in Petersfield, Hampshire was inducted into the British Country Music Hall of Fame for services to British Country music. Sue was the co-owner and editor of Southern Country magazine, set up to cover the south of the UK from Coventry down.
The encouragement to all venues to write their reports regularly was also a great spur to bands to get good reviews and get better known. This also encouraged clubs to book acts they had seen mentioned at other venues. Blowing that gentle breeze of publicity on all the many gig albums released by the bands gave them a noticeboard that had been missing from the scene.
Sue set up the UK Radio Awards in conjunction with the many local radio stations broadcasting a Country show. The UK Radio Awards take place at .Lakeside venue, Surrey every February. Sue was a very respected journalist who had a fair eye and ear when reviewing shows.

September 2008

Kelvin Hendrson

Born and raised in Bristol, Kelvin Henderson, during his promotion time, brought Guy Clark and Towns Van Zandt to Bristol.
From the early 70s Kelvin always had a band that was made up of cutting edge musicians. When most acts were aspiring to change the Bedford to a Transit he had a Plaxton 28 seater tour bus. A regular at Wembley and Peterborough festivals, he played the Albert Hall in the famed Festival of British Country concert during the 80s.
Kelvin was the producer/presenter of My Kind Of Country on BBC South & West that was syndicated over five local stations from Cornwall to Gloucester to Southampton. He dominated the airwaves. When the Association of British Country Broadcasters was formed, he was elected chairman, gaining it recognition from the CMA.
His shows always drew the aficionados of Country to them because of the variety of music he sang with his baritone voice.

September 2008

Wally Whyton

Wallace Victor Whyton was born on 29th September 1929 in London. He started work in advertising before forming the Vipers in 1956, landing the plum residency at the 2i’s Coffee shop in Soho, the equivalent to the Bluebird Café in Nashville – Cliff Richard and the Dakotas, Tommy Steele, Adam Faith and most of the emerging pop stars all played there. Sir George Martin, later of Beatles fame, was his record producer. Their big hit was Don’t You Rock Me Daddy-O – next to Lonnie Donegan they were the top skiffle band.
Wally moved into tv where he did the Small Time, Lucky Dip and Tuesday Rendezvous (the Beatles made their second tv appearance on the show, singing Love Me Do). Then followed the Five o’Clock series including Ollie and Fred’s Five o¹Clock Club. He created the puppet caricatures Ollie Beak (the Owl) and Fred Barker doing both voices. Muriel Young and Bert Weedon were on the show. Wally always sang a song while playing guitar. He later did Time For A Laugh on Granada tv.
From the 1960s until the 1990s he presented BBC Country show, gaining such an audience that it went to two-hour slots. He was rated by many as the finest Country presenter in the UK ever. During this time he recorded an album of Children’s Songs of Woody Guthrie and wrote the conservation anthem, Leave Them A Flower. He attended all the major festivals in London and Peterborough where everybody knew him. Most of the stars guesting on his show. Wally Whyton died on 22nd January 1997.

September 2008

John C King

John C King has been hailed as a British Country music legend by his peers and is well respected on the Country music scene.
As his children grew, he formed the John C King Family Band who were possibly one of the most popular bands on the circuit through the 80s and mid 90s.
John C King is now a solo artist once again with his guitar and drum machine and still has his rich Country music voice and entertains dancer and listener alike with his mix of pure Country.

September 2008

Gerry Ford

Gerry has won four Album of the Year awards and two Single of the Year awards. He has had five of his own songs nominated as Country Song of the Year, recorded 16 albums, appeared on most of the important Country festivals in the UK, including Wembley and has performed in Norway, Sweden, Holland, Germany, Ireland, Australia, USA and on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on 21 occasions. His 21 year broadcasting career included Radio Forth in Edinburgh, 15 years with BBC Radio Scotland, his own series on BBC Radio 2 and guest presenter on Radio 2¹s Country Club on numerous occasions.
He had his own Country music programmes on Glasgow Country 105 and Clan FM and has made many tv appearances. His accomplishments also include winning the CMA(GB) Country DJ of the Year award twice (plus two further nominations) and various Country dj awards and nominations from other organisations plus numerous Club awards as Artist/ Entertainer/Band of the Year.

September 2008

Raymond Froggatt

A chance meeting with guitar virtuoso Hartley Cain led to the formation of a rock band. He rapidly built up a large fan base around the Midlands, London and Germany.
The rock career lost momentum when the major album Rogues & Thieves did not take off but he did get on Top Of The Pops as part of his mate, Roy Wood¹s band, The Move. Gradually his music became more Country and he was invited by Mervyn Conn to be part of the famed Wembley Festivals. Mervyn Conn backed two albums recorded in Nashville with the Jordanaires and Hargus Pig Robbins. The first, Southern Fried Frog was and still is a massive seller. Froggie did and still does sing 99 percent of his own material and he has the largest following of any UK artist. His autobiography, Raymond Who?, is a great read. UK singers cover more of his songs than any other writer. When he released Don’t Let Me Cry Again, Terry Wogan played it every day for a fortnight but unfortunately a distribution blip stopped it being a major pop hit.
After fighting health problems he is still a major player on the UK Country scene having played with most of the major American artists including Tina Turner who recorded one of his songs. Raymond Froggatt is the only UK artist to have played the Albert Hall, London Palladium and the Birmingham Symphony Hall. He is one of an elite band who can have a theatre tour each year.

September 2008

Miki & Griff

Meeting in 1947, they were the perfect husband and wife duo who respected each other.
Joint presidents of fellow Hall of Fame member, Tony Best’s Lazyacre, they typified easy listening Country. Barbara, a Scot from Ayrshire, raised on the Isle of Bute adopted the name Miki.
As husband and wife they first worked with Max Bygraves as comedians and singers. Moving their singing to Country, they based their style on the Louvins¹ and the Everly Brothers¹ harmonies.
The king of skiffle, Lonnie Donegan, heard them and invited them to join his roadshow and tv shows. Lonnie got them a contract with the mighty Pye label.
Their big hits included Hold Back Tomorrow, Rocking Alone (In The Old Rocking Chair), A Little Bitty Tear and I Wanna Stay Here were during the 50s and 60s.
They backed Lonnie on his eponymous album and he played on two of their EPs. They also had a big hit in the 70s with Bob Dylan’s Blowing In The Wind. In 1964 they became the first UK Country act to play the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Theatre and in the 70s they toured with many visiting American Country stars. Barbara Miki Griffiths died at their Twickenham home in May 1989 and Griff on 24th September 1995.
In 2002 Castle Records released a cd of all their recordings.

September 2009

Bob McKinlay

Bob McKinlay was a Wigan based country singer from the 70s until he retired. He performed solo, duo, trio and with his band, Dixie Fried.
He was noted for his fine delivery style with ballads and in rockabilly songs. He wrote some very successful songs including his English Born Dixie Fried signature number which was a firm festival favourite.

September 2009

Ed Pearson

Ed was a veteran performer of both his own and British country writers, has appeared at most major events either solo or with his band Memphis Roots.
His natural wit and quick thinking meant he was always in demand as a compere and host at large events. He is one of the vanguard of British artists.

September 2009

The Hillsiders

One of the most important British bands ever. In the 70s they brought British Country regularly to the tv screens backing touring American stars as well as performing in their own right.
They were among the first to appear in Nashville and were regular performers on the Wembley festivals.

October 2010

Albert Lee

Albert Lee was born during World War II in Leominster, Shropshire. His pianist father taught Albert from the age of seven and by the time he had mastered the piano, rock ¹n¹ roll had arrived. He then went on to learn the guitar from the records of all the American stars from Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent, Rick Nelson and later James Burton and Chet Atkins.
Albert was session man and top sidesman, playing with Jimmy Page before his Led Zeppelin days. His first number one came as part of Chris Farlowe¹s Thunderbirds. He then discovered Country music and backed all the American touring stars including George Hamilton IV and Skeeter Davis. He was also the main guitarist in Jon Derek¹s Country Fever.
In the 1970s he was a major part of Head Hands & Feet with the elite of London musicians including Dave Peacock of Chas & Dave. Albert Lee currently tours, when in the UK, with Hogan¹s Heroes and also played in Bill Hyman¹s Rhythm Kings. Check his recent cds, Heartbreak Hotel on Sugar Hill (2003) and his compilation, The Road Runner on a 2008 Castle Records¹ release.

October 2010

Mike Storey

Mike Storey will, perhaps, be best remembered for his part in the Mike & Margaret Storey Entertainments Agency, based in Longwood, Huddersfield from where he placed Country artists in venues all over the UK. Always trying to raise the bar, he was one of the first agents dealing with the rising Country market. He fought the prejudices of bookers who only wanted to deal direct with the artist, failing to recognise the advantage of a good company with a great portfolio of stars.
He died peacefully in his sleep on November 26th 2005.

October 2011

Iona Boggie

In the years since the creation of the British Country Music Hall of Fame there have only been three ladies joining the illustrious ranks of heroes and legends, Sarah Jory, Bev Jackson and the late Sue McCarthy. The list now extends to four with the induction of Iona Boggie from the heart of Welsh speaking Wales.
Born in the small village of Nantille, her singing started in the local chapel where her crystal clear vocals and diction meant she was always taking all the solos. In her teens she started to play guitar to accompany herself on the growing number of bookings.
While training to be a primary school teacher at Bangor University she first met her soon to be husband, Scotsman Andy Boggie who was studying French. They started playing together in 1979 and married in 1980. Andy has become fluent in Welsh, both speaking and singing.  They travelled extensively all over the UK during the 1980s, clocking up over 35,000 miles some years.
Iona was a regular nominee for Best Female Country Artist and in 1987 they picked up the Best Duo award. Iona¹s natural ability to speak Welsh and sing all the Country songs in Welsh led to a very long contract with Sain Records which in turn attracted the attention of the Welsh television channel S4C where she and Andy are regular performers.
Iona is the only Welsh artist to have sung at the Grand Ole Opry, the Bluebird Café and the Station Inn in Nashville in her native tongue.
For 15 years they ran the theatre based festival at the Cymru Theatre in Llandudno, having a long association with lots of visiting American Country stars.
As part of their involvement in County music, Iona has toured and also organised Country music themed trips to the USA, Canada, most of Europe and to places as diverse as North Africa and New Zealand ensuring that the Welsh brand of Country music was spread worldwide. After 32 years on the road, Iona is still touring as the Iona & Andy Country duo. A highlight was to perform on a Welsh television show with last year’s British Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Albert Lee. The duo’s autobiography, Llwybrau Breuddwydion (Paths Of Dreams) was published in 2007 by Gwasg Gomer.

October 2011

Charlie Landsborough

Charles Alexander Landsborough is the youngest of 11 children. Due to the bombing raids over Birkenhead, Charlie’s mother, Aggie was moved to Wrexham. Like St Patrick, another of Ireland’s legends, he was born in Wales but it was back to the family house of music for his raising. His father was a singer around the clubs and his brothers all played guitars and, being merchant seamen, all brought the latest music home.
Charlie learnt Hank Williams and Gracie Fields songs and while at grammar school Charles’ brother taught him to play and sing, he had long hair even back then.
From school he was dipping into various jobs during the day and playing guitar at night. With the Navy recruiting office closed Charlie walked around the town and joined the Army and was posted to Germany where he supplemented his wages by playing in various styles of music bands around the clubs.
Leaving the Army, he ended up as a postman in Coventry before going back to Germany for some more band work. At this time he married Thelma and then decided to settle down. After a wide range of jobs, he finally became a teacher. This was the creation point for Charlie the Country singer, first as a writer and later a singer.
1994 was the year his songs began to gain recognition and with three children to support he needed success. Ritz Records signed him as a writer for their star, Daniel O’Donnell and realised he could also sing very well in his own right. It was a career turning moment when George Hamilton IV introduced him to a packed Wembley arena as the writer of My Forever Friend.
As a writer he was always listening to people and it was a question a little girl asked her father at a bus stop that gave Charlie his signature song, the number one hit that knocked Garth Brooks off the top of the Irish chart, What Colour Is The Wind. It is a song that brings tears every time it’s sung on his twice yearly theatre tours of the UK, annual tours in Australia, Canada and America.
The pinnacle of his year is the annual concert in Liverpool playing to a 4,000 sell-out audience and backed by the full Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. After playing Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, Charlie has won most of the awards applicable to a Country star.

September 2012

Jon Derek

Jon Derek won a talent show on Radio Luxemburg at the age of 17 and formed his first band, Black Stetson, which metamorphed into Johnny & The Hayriders. He attracted the attention of the BBC with appearances on shows like Easy Beat, Country Time and eventually playing on Brian Mathews Saturday Club. This made him an obvious choice to open for Jim Reeves when he toured the UK.
In 1964 he turned professional and changed the name again to The Flintlocks. Jon joined Jamie Gunn and Jerry Hogan picking up another identity change to Jamie, Jon & Jerry, touring with Clodagh Rodgers, Carl Perkins and Hank Locklin. At this time a young Albert Lee, who is also a Hall of Fame member, joined the band. This evolved into the Jon Derek Band backing Clodagh Rodgers on her television shows.
By 1968 this had become the renowned Jon Derek & Country Fever, still with Albert Lee on lead guitar. They toured with nearly every American star who toured the UK and Europe, from Bobby Bare and Charley Pride to a massive 32 date tour with Slim Whitman.
With almost Hollywood good looks and a brilliant voice, during the 70s Jon Derek dominated the British Country scene. A regular at the now increasingly popular Wembley festivals, including the European shows, in 1977 he had a double single released on Decca. One side was a cover of the then rising star, Don Williams, ‘Til All The Rivers Run Dry which had Don’s approval when they toured together.
Jon Derek (1941- 2011).

September 2012

Bob Harris

The history of Country music on BBC national broadcasting goes back to the 1940s when all the bandleaders had their photographs up the main staircase at Bush House when it was referred to as hillbilly music. The BBC turned to their top specialist presenter, Bob Harris after his days on Radio One presenting very listenable late night music.
He carried the iconic music through onto television with the Old Grey Whistle Test where he was introducing the nation to the Country rock sounds of Poco, The Eagles, The Byrds and Pure Prairie League, highlighting their lead singer, Vince Gill, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, the legendary Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris to name a few.
Whispering Bob Harris was still carrying the nickname from the early days and he became the voice of Country music in the UK where stars and newcomers alike all accepted invitations to guest on his Thursday night show.
Voted International Broadcaster for 2004 by the CMA, he also appeared on the panel of the Americana Music Awards in 2008 and he gained a Fellowship at the University of Northampton.
Bob Harris describes Nashville as his spiritual home and, with visits to Austin and the clubs of North Carolina, a close run second.

September 2012

Tony Byworth

In 1969 Tony bought a ticket to go on the first BCMA trip to Nashville as a founding member. Wanting to help, he suggested he would try and get some media attention. It resolved in him getting a spot with Wally Whyton on Country Meets Folk which led to him becoming the UK correspondent for Billboard Magazine.
By 1970 he had quit his sales job and became a fully fledged journalist. As well as Billboard he wrote for Record Mirror, CMP, Sounds and various other publications. In 1977 he became the editor of Country Music People, a job he held until 1983 when he teamed with Richard Wootton and launched the most successful PR company in the UK dealing with Country music.
Tony Byworth’s journalistic skills were put to full use in his contributions to many books on Country music, including writing five in his own right. As PR manager for Ritz Records he was responsible for Hall of Fame member, Sarah Jory’s first recording visit to Nashville, as well as promoting Daniel O’Donnell in the USA.
Tony has also been honoured by the CMA for services to Country music. It was on one such trip last year he discovered Will Banister and started his career in the UK.
In honour of his 70th birthday, the Texas Flag was flown over the State Capitol building in Austin for his work in promoting Texas music.
With many American awards to his credit, it’s been many years since the journalistic awards of the 70s to being inducted into the British Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

November 2013

Frank Jennings

One of the very successful band leaders from the 1970s, Frank was born in London at the end of World War II, his parents came from Ireland and encouraged him in music. It was a short step from traditional Irish music sung at home and in the clubs to Country music.
He achieved national recognition as a winner of Opportunity Knocks in the 70s with his band, Syndicate. Frank Jennings Syndicate were one of the first UK bands to get a major label deal and he released a series of successful singles on EMI, Columbia and One Up labels. Titles like A Good Love Is Like A Good Song in 76, his Christmas single, Silent Night in 77, while 78 saw Me And My Guitar, Everybody Needs A Rainbow and the One Up album, Ponderosa Country (with them all posing on a large steam roller on the cover).
He released, Yesterday Today And Tomorrow which realised four top 10 hits on the Hotdisc top 40 and UK Country Radio top 10 chart. Two hit the top spot, Matamoros and Born And Raised In Black And White.
During his long career he has recorded at Abbey Road for EMI and also in Nashville, where he appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, he has also appeared at the London Palladium.
He toured in the UK opening for major artists, including Don Williams and the legendary, Tammy Wynette. 
Frank Jennings joined the British Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.

November 2013

Philomena Begley

Philomena Begley was born in Pomeroy in County Tyrone, Ulsteron October 20th 1942. Her first job on leaving school was in a shirt factory before answering a dare from her mates on a night to sing with a ceilidh band led to getting the offer to join them. After a change of name for the band to Country Flavour her 50 year musical career was underway.
After her previous three records, Philomena was in the studio again in 1970 to record Here Today Gone Tomorrow which peaked at number seven on the Irish chart. In 1974 she left Country Flavour and formed The Rambling Men and 1975 saw the start of the duet period with Ray Lynham, their song, My Elusive Dreams getting a mention for them in the Pogues’ hit, A Pair Of Brown Eyes.
The same year Philomena covered Blanket On The Ground which peaked at number five, ahead of Billie Jo Spears in Ireland. They later became very close friends and toured together.
Her first tour in the USA was in 1977 and the following year she joined Porter Wagoner on the Grand Ole Opry.
Her music has taken her to be guest on the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York City and singing in the Carnegie Hall with appearances at the Wembley, Peterborough and other major festivals.
With over 20 albums in her back catalogue, another best seller was How I Love To Sing The Old Songs on H&H Music. The opening track, I Ain’t Over The Hill says it all for this Queen of Irish Country. 

November 2013

Johnny Larkin

Johnny Larkin, performer, agent, promoter, charity fundraiser is the oldest inductee into the British Country Music Hall of Fame at 87 years.
This legend of the North East started his musical career in 1948, just three years after the end of WW II, incidentally our other two inductees this year were just four years old.
Such was his skill and charisma he teamed with Fred Rowe and won a Butlin’s talent competition.
In 1952 he formed an entertainment agency, the renowned JL Entertainments to further the careers of the North East artists. He has booked many major Country acts including Charlie Walker, Marvin Rainwater, the fiddler and Billy Armstrong who toured with a then nine year old Hall of Fame member, Sarah Jory. He also toured and played alongside Boxcar Willie and became friends with him. He’s not perfect, he turned down Tammy Wynette in her early days because she was not well known!
After the death of his wife from Parkinson’s disease he began an ongoing fundraising campaign, starting with recording an album with all profits going to the Parkinson Society.
A prolific performer, he has over 20 albums in his back catalogue of strictly the old school Country, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the stars.
Back in 2009 broadcaster and journalist, Brian Clough wrote ‘if ever there is a British Hall of Fame’, Johnny Larkin must surely be an inductee.

November 2014

Vic Woodhouse

Vic started in Country in the early 70s, rapidly gaining national recognition with his award winning band, Hickory Lake, staying on the road with them for nearly 20 years.
Aware of the problems of Country acts getting work he formed Vic Woodhouse Promotions, an agency.
In order to showcase Country he founded the first all British Country music festival back in 1979 with the help of Harlow council and went on to run it for the next 15 years. It used to attract over 16,000 visitors each year.
Seeing a gap in the market he teamed with Pontins to start Country music holidays at Hemsby which led to similar events at Seacroft, Brean Sands, Prestatyn and other Pontins venues.
When local Radio BBC Essex started he was invited, in 1986, to present the Country show. Originally it was called All Kinds Of Country, becoming Essex Country later. He was voted best presenter on the station carrying on for 13 years. Vic eased off in promoting and was no longer involved in Harlow, Little Willy’s or the VWP concerts and holidays. He would also regularly get up at the Hickory Lake Club supporting the club acts.

November 2014

Stu Stevens

Stu Stevens, billed in his heyday as ‘The Voice’, was one of the best Country baritones of the 60s and 70s.
Stu’s career started with a local talent show that his brother entered him into in 1965 and he won. This started his journey as a singer, he learnt guitar, then piano and he started touring around the club circuit in Nottingham.
Changing his name from Wilfred Pierce to Stuart Stevens and his record label shortening it to Stu, he got a contract with EMI in the late 60s for the single, Soft Is The Night (B-side – Tender Hearted). His voice got him tv work, appearing on the Lonnie Donegan show.
In 1970 he was booked to entertain visiting US stars at a pre Wembley party, impressing the organisers so getting a booking on the main event and becoming the first British act to appear.
It was just three votes that put him into second place behind a child drummer to winning Opportunity Knocks (early Britain’s Got Talent show).
1973 saw him touring in America and appearing on the Grand Ole Opry. 1979 was a big year for him, Terry Wogan played, on Radio 2, his single, The Man From Outer Space which rode high in the pop charts and created enough interest to have MCA pick up the song.
For years he played theatres and concerts but it was the sudden death from a rare heart disease of his youngest son, his keyboard player, that caused him to withdraw from performing.

November 2014

Alf Roberts

Alf Roberts was selected by the BCMA Hall of Fame panel to be inducted into the Hall for 2014 in January but fate was to decree otherwise. It was a unanimous decision to posthumously induct him into the Hall of Fame.
Alf Roberts was completely gentle at times but very hard and unmovable at others when negotiating a contract for his artist or for a venue.
He started his early earning as a builder/electrician but his love of Country music led him to set up A&J Management with his wife of nearly 60 years, Josie. This was a promotions company and as an agency for many clubs and festivals he was trusted to book acts for them.
As management, one the first acts he put on his books was a young Jim Ryder and he successfully promoted him to become a major player on the circuit.
Alf always was involved in charity, his regular events at Connahs Quay Civic were extremely well supported for many years. Added to this his Blackpool holiday events always sold out.
Invariably Alf would visit the many clubs to check out his acts and would always put 100 percent into solving any of the many problems that arose.
After parting company with Jim Ryder Alf took a fledgling singer from Preston under his wing. Donna Wylde went from a very nervous young lady to twice winner of BCMA Female Vocalist of the Year.
Alf Roberts is the 34th member of the Hall. The induction award was accepted by his daughter Heather Harris, Joanne his granddaughter and Donna Wylde.

October 2015

Lloyd Coles

Loyd Coles Lloyd had been involved in Country music for the past 50 years. First a band member, later becoming the band leader with Welsh bands around Swansea and the valleys of South Wales, starting in a band called Country Folk backing touring artists like Brian Burrows, culminating in the largest club in London. The other bands were Black Rose and the Blue Lights Band.
Together with Hall of Fame member, Kelvin Henderson and others, supported by Ritz Records and the CMA, Lloyd became secretary of the British Country Broadcasters Association. He is a long time member of the CMA.
Lloyd Coles, band member, promoter, journalist, record complier and broadcaster, passed away over Christmas 2016.
When local radio stations were licenced, part of their contract was to have all types of music. Swansea Sound needed a Country jock and Lloyd applied and got the gig. For the next 40 years he broadcast a weekly Country show and despite a 120 mile round trip Lloyd never missed a show, also recording those when he was away. At one time he co-ordinated a trip to Nashville for his listeners with a tour company.
Lloyd was award the 1998 International Broadcaster at the CMA awards. As a promoter he used to put on shows, the biggest of which was spending £5,000 to bring Boxcar Willie to the valleys.
Lloyd Coles was treasurer and secretary to the short lived British Country Broadcasters Association with Hall of Fame member Kelvin Henderson, backed by the CMA and sponsored by Ritz records.
Lloyd was the 35th member to be inducted into the British Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. His health prevented him attending and his honour was accepted by fellow Hall member, Tony Byworth. 

October 2015

Jackie Storrar

Jackie Storrar was raised in Kirkcaldy just outside Edinburgh and attended the same school as Gordon Brown, the former labour prime minister.
Music was always her first love which was to take her to perform in over 80 countries worldwide, from the early days at school and in church to Country festivals, cruise ships and theatre shows.
Jackie quickly became a media person after being given the chance to present her Country Girl show on Dundee’s Radio Tay, the first female Country jock on the station. This led to other media work and the chance to be the breakfast jock on Island Sound Radio in Malta. This soon encompassed tv work and eventually to her performing live all over the Island.
Jackie, all this time, maintained her songwriting skills which led to her becoming a premier presenter on CMR Nashville from 2009 to 2011.
Meeting her husband to be on a cruise ship she married Steve Theibault in 2003 and a great musical partnership was born.
It was only in recent years that Jackie’s health has caused her to stop performing, although a recent holiday in Malta has rekindled the writing bug.

October 2015

Stu Page

Born in Leeds, Stu sang first in the church choir and at the age of 10 his parents got him his first guitar lessons from a local jazz teacher who soon had him playing and singing the songs of his first heroes, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee. As a child of the 70s with suitably long hair his first band was a blues/rock trio, The Gritt Band playing clubs and pubs around Leeds. 1973 saw him getting a call for some guitar tracks for a recording by Radio Leeds which led to him quitting his job as a printer and going off to America. He spent a year playing on the college circuit with a progressive bluegrass outfit, the Warren Wilkinson Band, who also featured Country rock and blues in their programmes. After two years in the States he returned to the UK, his first job back being with a rock band, Whistler, he then joined a Country band, Midnight Flyer. Stu formed his own band, the legendary Remuda, playing all the clubs and festivals. It was following a tour in Switzerland that Stu then created the Stu Page Band. They toured as support to Don Williams, playing the UK including dates at the Royal Albert Hall and The Palladium which led to a lot of tv work on various shows. A change of direction in 1985 led to the creation of the B’Eagles, an Eagles tribute band. Proving very popular they even played in Saudi Arabia before breaking up in 2006. He also backed touring artists Kris Kristofferson, Ricky Skaggs, Jim Glaser, Billie Jo Spears, Carl Perkins and Gail Davis on their shows. He also produced albums including those of the Haleys. His last album was in 2012 featuring his son Tom on guitar. During back surgery after a slip on ice it was discovered he had advanced lung cancer which led to his death in April 2013.

October 2016

Geordie Jack

Geordie Jack was a native of Golspie, a wee village in Sutherland lying on the North Sea coast with a population of 1,600. It was from here this singer/songwriter founded one of the UK’s most successful Country bands, Colorado.
In the late 80s they were voted Best British Band for nine consecutive years. Colorado was formed in the 70s with the line-up of Geordie Jack on lead vocals, guitar and violin, Gordon Davidson on lead guitar and vocals, Dado Duncan on bass and Sandy MacKay on drums.
All lived within 10 miles of Golspie. They backed major touring US stars including Melba Montgomery, Vernon Oxford and it was touring and backing Boxcar Willie that established Boxcar as a Country star. They later toured Boxcar and Jean Sheppard together. They become the first Scottish group to play the Wembley Festivals which they did many times, becoming firm favourites. They recorded many hit albums including on Drew Taylor’s Big R label. Their version of Eric Bogle’s No Man’s Land (aka Green Fields Of France) with Geordie’s violin rendering of Fleurs Of The Forest at the end has become one of the classic versions of this song.
Friends with Hugh Moffatt, the songwriter, Geordie’s songbook is famous. The band later changed its name to Caledonia playing more Country folk and in recent years they became known as the Jacks with a line-up of his two sons and daughter and Dado Duncan on bass.

October 2016

Darren Busby

Darren is possibly one of the UK’s most awarded Country artists, having amassed nearly 170 national and club awards during his long and successful career as a singer including being a multiple winner of BCMA awards, both as Male Vocalist of the Year and the prestigious Entertainer of the Year.
In his early days in the Midlands, playing local to his home, he was spotted by agent/promoter, Frank Hambleton who guided his early career.
His easy precise style of delivery made him a firm favourite amongst the club scene. Hall of Fame member, Keith Manifold advised him to give up his day job and go full time as a professional singer over 30 years ago.
He now frequently headlines Country festivals across the UK.

October 2016

Lyn Jones

Lyn was founder of one of the premier Country artist booking agencies in the UK, Chelsea Artistes, named after his wife and partner in the business, Chelsea Sylvia Jones Lyn started his musical career as a skiffle/rock ‘n’ roller in the 50s and 60s. By the time the 70s came he was performing in the band, Drover.
He left Drover to form his own successful band, Tallahassee. It was while ringing around getting bookings for his band that clubs started asking if he knew any other acts and he realised there was a gap in the market for an agency. By the early 90s he had become one of the leading suppliers of good Country acts. His working knowledge of each act became a feature, as did his legendary long telephone calls when negotiating a deal.
His Chelsea Party became the leading showcase for the industry and a must to perform at for his acts. Among his associates was NAM founder, Les Evans, who worked with Lyn for many years. Lyn developed his skill at providing the right acts for the right venues to the point where he was providing the complete line-ups for top venues like Pontins, Welshpool and the Norfolk festivals. He was also instrumental in helping to form bands and duos by introducing artists.
One of his most successful was Pete Stothard and his act, Texas Tornados.

October 2017

Ron Jones

Born and raised in the Welsh mining villages around Aberaeron, Ron Jones went with his father to the pictures as a boy. His father’s love of westerns and Country music combined in the films of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers and the other singing cowboys. Tex Ritter, Eddy Arnold, Bill Boyd and Tennessee Ernie Ford all left an indelible mark on Ron’s music tastes.
His father bought him his first guitar when he became a teenager and he learned to play Country songs in the Engine Shed (his bedroom with a model railway in it). His first band was a skiffle group, formed in 1956.
His guitar hero was Jack Pruitt (Marty Robbins’ guitar man) and so he learnt to replicate all his runs and riffs. Marty Robbins shaped his musical career and he saw and met him many times.
Ron, by this time, was playing all over the Valleys and across Wales and The Borders and in clubs and theatres in England. He was also co-running a club in Aberaeron with the famed Blondie (the club still meets monthly).
While on a visit to the Royal Albert Hall with now Hall of Fame member, Lloyd Coles to interview Willie Nelson for Swansea Sound Radio, Willie invited him to open the show for him, backed by Willie’s band. His other strong memory of this was the fact the band only drank Coca Cola backstage, on Willie’s instruction.
He was later to meet and open for Merle Haggard at another festival.
He says, fondly, ‘I am unable sometimes to remember where I put my shoes but on stage I can remember every word of Marty Robbins’ and Slim Whitman’s songs’. Y
ou can hear Ron Jones performing Tougher Than Leather at https://www.you tube .com/watch?v=2nygAhMj_dw.
Ron Jones was number 41 on the list of British Country Music Hall of Fame inductees.

October 2017

Susan McCann

One of the biggest Country stars ever from Northern Ireland, Susan always sang and loved the stories and rhythms of Country music.
Her first band was a trio which also featured her husband, manager and mentor, Dennis Heaney on keyboards (a position he still holds over 40 years later). The band played all the clubs, pubs and dance halls in a 60 mile radius of her home in Newry, Co Down, Northern Ireland.
It was a Christmas single that first introduced her to a wider audience, then, in 1977, a song, Big Tom Is Still The King, saw her sitting on top of the Irish charts. This meant many more bookings and the formation of a five-piece band, The Storytellers. She was soon playing the clubs and theatres in England, Scotland and Wales.
In 1979 she performed for the first time at the Royal Albert Hall to a 4,000 people audience. 1980 saw her making the first of many visits to Nashville, this time to record an album at Porter Wagoner’s studio and as a result he invited her to perform on the Grand Ole Opry in the Ryman Theatre. These appearances led to the first invite to appear at the International Wembley Festival where she would go on to appear in 1981, 1985, 1989 and again in 1991. Astute fans would see her performing pre show in the large outdoor market on the Sundays when she would sell an amazing amount of her albums.
Susan McCann has toured in Germany, Holland, Switzerland, South Africa, USA and even at the Festival of Lights in Russia. She has appeared regularly at the Florida Strawberry Festival, once singing to and meeting President George Bush Jr.
Her extensive catalogue of albums, singles and dvds are approaching half a million in sales. Her awards include: 1982 European Gold Star winner in Holland; 1983 – Top International Vocalist – Fort Worth, Texas; 1984 – International Female Vocalist – Fort Worth, Texas; 1994 – Top International Country Vocalist – St Petersburg, Russia; 1990s – Multiple winner Irish Female Country Vocalist award; 2010 – Northern Ireland Lifetime Achievement Award;
2017- Number 42 inductee into the British Country Music Hall of Fame.

October 2017

Gordon Davies

Gordon Davies has spent a lifetime listening to and promoting Country music, both locally around the Shropshire/Wales border and nationally through his record label.
Gordon learnt to promote early in his life, at first it was local bands and artists then as he became more successful he used the best of UK performers and eventually he promoted USA and Canadian stars.
When local radio started he was one of the first on air with a Country show on the famed pirate station, Sunshine Radio, working with Muff Murfin. He soon learnt the skills of mixing and blending from a man who now owns several legitimate radio stations and is one of the biggest jingle producers in the UK.
Realising a massive hole in the market for British artists to record and release their songs (in the 1970s there was no Facebook nor Twitter, Spotify nor Amazon – onto LPs), he formed the famous early Country label, Westwood Records. One of the first artists to record was Hall of Fame member, the late Keith Manifold. Soon there was a stream of people waiting to travel to Newtown to record. A notable series was with the premier UK bluegrass band, the famed Down County Boys. These early recordings are still eagerly sought after at record fairs.
Continuing his search for new artists to play on his radio show he bought the licences to press Canadian and USA Country singers. One of the first was Dick Dameron who released several albums on the Westwood label. Gordon became firm friends with Dick and visited Canada regularly to spend time with him. Dick Dameron now lives in sunny Mexico and Gordon has vacations there.
Gordon Davies brought the biggest nightclub in Newtown and continues to promote Country. Until recently he was the Country jock on Radio Maldwyn where he had been from its inception to its sale last year.
Gordon is the 43rd member of the British Country Music Hall of Fame.

October 2017

Jim Duncan

Because Jim Duncan is Curator of the British Country Music Hall of Fame it was kept secret from him until the recent BCMA Awards show when he was inducted into the British Country Music Hall of Fame.
Jim was a regular attendee at the early Wembley festivals which in turn planted a seed for him to organise the Wolvestock Festival which was held in Wolverhampton for 23 years. It began as a one day event held in a marquee in a field but with his ability and skill to spot up and coming new artists this festival grew to be one of the largest in the UK. At its peak it was attended by 20,000 people.
His first musical encounter into the world of Country music was at six years old when his mother took him to see Big Bill Campbell. This started his passion in life for Country music.
Jim had also organised for Darius Rucker to play at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton which was a huge sell out success. He has also organised events which featured Ricky Skaggs, Steve Earle and Willie Nelson.
We now welcome one of the founders of the British Country Music Awards into the British Country Music Hall of Fame.

November 2018

Lonnie Donegan

Born April 29th, 1931 in Glasgow as Anthony James Donegan, the name Lonnie came when a compere announced Lonnie Johnson, an American blues singer, as Tony Johnson and then went on to announce Tony Donegan as Lonnie Donegan and the new name stuck. The family moved to the East End of London in 1933.
Lonnie’s father was a classical violin player in the Scottish National Orchestra and encouraged his son to play. Lonnie learnt the guitar by the age of nine but it was 1942 before he bought his first instrument.
His first taste for Country came when listening to music by Frank Crumit and Josh White (the blues singer). Among those first songs were Frankie And Johnny and The House Of The Rising Sun.
He was on a train when Chris Barber approached him to join his band as a banjo player that he got his first band break.
In 1949 Lonnie was conscripted for his National Service and was posted to Vienna where he mixed with the American troops and listened to AFN radio, further deepening his love of Country music. Hank Williams was touring the US bases at this time and this inspired him.
In 1952 he formed his own band, the Tony Donegan Jazz Band which brought about the name-changing tour with Lonnie Johnson. He rejoined Chris Barber who had amalgamated with Ken Colyer for a supergroup and then Lonnie started to fill the intervals as a trio, playing Country/skiffle, as it became known, he had Chris Barber on upright bass and Beryl Brydon on washboard percussion.
It was during a recording session for a major label that some of Lonnie’s skiffle was laid down and released as singles. The sales of these rocketed, appealing to a teenage audience who made Lonnie a star. He then went to America and had great success touring with many artists, including Chuck Berry. A new genre of music was born teaming Country with jazz and blues.
Lonnie went independent of Chris Barber, although he continued to play bass on his records. On one of his albums, recorded in 1978, called Putting On The Style, he had some notable sidesmen – Sir Ringo Starr, Sir Elton John, Brian May and Peter Black. A follow-up album featured Hall of Fame member Albert Lee.
During the 1960s Lonnie recorded in Nashville with Charlie McCoy, Floyd Cramer and the Jordanaires. He also worked as producer for Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues.
Lonnie Donegan inspired a whole generation of singers to become performers; Hall of Fame member Tony Best started as a skiffle singer, as did Sir Cliff Richard, Tommy Steele and most of the Beatles.
He was one of the most prolific recording hitmakers in the UK. In his later days he was playing just Country, mainly in Spain and Florida. He was about to break into the UK festival market when he died in November 2002.

November 2018

Aubrey Lovejoy

Born in India to British parents, Aubrey Lovejoy started singing before he was 10 years old, his first loves were Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis and his hero and vocal mentor, Elvis Presley.
The family moved to the UK in 1961, where his love for Country music came during a long spell in hospital after a motorcycle accident. His first trip to see the Country stars was at the inaugural Wembley Festival.
He attended the London School of Singing for two years and with a lot of support and financial backing from his parents he embarked on a solo career. He soon became an established performer on the growing club circuit where he was acclaimed as Britain’s answer to Charley Pride, despite his main influences being Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty.
In 1975 he formed his band, Tennessee Rain. This success lead to him being support for many visiting American stars, including Tammy Wynette, Hoyt Axton, George Hamilton IV and Marvin Rainwater.. He even eventually got to meet Charley Pride who called him his protégé.
He recorded in Nashville with Mark Moseley and sang with Connie Smith (Marty Stuart’s wife). Aubrey was the first British artist to chart in America.
His album, Silence In The Wind was recorded in Music City with Mark Moseley as producer.
Aubrey Lovejoy is the 47th member of the British Country Music Hall of Fame.

November 2018

Alan Cackett

Alan Cackett has always been at the forefront in association with most of the major Country artists from around the world when they visit the UK. Both advising them and arranging publicity about their tours.
The veteran journalist, broadcaster and promoter joined the original committee of the British Country Music Association back in the 1960s. His contribution was the compilation and publication of the famed Year Book which listed most of the performing artists of the time, categorising them as solo, duo, trio and bands, together with contact details and the style of Country music performed. Also listed were all the details of every radio station with a Country show and in addition all the promoters and agents. The ‘Wikipedia’ of its time, it also included record label details, the CMCs and their contacts by location plus the festivals and concert venues. These books, which were supplied free to all members, are now a collector’s item. They also included articles and reports as well as advertisements.
Alan Cackett was the founding editor of Maverick magazine after spells as a journalist at most of the other publications.
A regular broadcaster on Country music on both BBC and independent stations, he has organised and promoted some very good singer/songwriter festivals over the years.
Latterly he has been working for a major label producing some excellent compilations of Nashville stars.
He joins the British Country Music Hall of Fame alongside his other early committee members, Mike Storey and Tony Byworth.

September 2019

Brian Golbey

Brian’s father had a great love of early American Country music and passed it on to his son who became proficient in the songs of Jimmie Rodgers and also the Carter Family.
He got his first guitar at the age of 11, he was already a performer on the harmonica and an old melodeon.
His first paid gig was a local concert for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
At this time he was also learning the violin and during his National Service he played many concerts for his fellow troops.
His first recording was as fiddle player for Paul Jones on Paul’s first solo album after leaving Manfred Man. By 1967 he had joined Pete Stanley doing a regular tv show from The Maltings and by 1969 they were touring Europe, including a summer residency in Rome.
In 1970 Brian went solo and made his first trip to the USA. He met and played with Ernest Tubb in his shop and on many of the famous Ernest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree radio shows.
He toured the UK with Patsy Montana, also with Mac Wiseman. He won the Billboard/Mirror Male Vocalist award and also CMA (GB) Male Vocalist.
In 1975 he formed the short-lived but successful Cajun Moon with Allan Taylor and he toured extensively again with Pete Stanley from 1977 while also continuing to play solo gigs and festivals, from the Albert Hall to local pubs.
A long time writer for Country Music People magazine, he has appeared on television, radio and has even had some film roles.
In 2003 he teamed up with Dave Barnes to form the British Archive Of Country Music and he spends his days cleaning and re-recording the history of Country music.
He has recorded nine albums in his own right as well as having had many session accolades. We welcome one of the greats into the Hall as the 48th member.

September 2019

Gary Perkins

Gary Perkins (11/7/1962 – 10/12/2018)
Gary started singing as a schoolboy, performing around his local area and as he grew older his ability to entertain grew and he soon became in demand at all the local clubs.
He had developed a very good style of writing his own songs and these soon were included in his sets. Gary was also one of the first Country street musicians to take the art form to a new level, having an official licence he would perform regularly at all the major malls and in the shopping centres around South Yorkshire and even as far as Edinburgh and Great Yarmouth.
Gary was also the frontman for The Breeze and the band were in constant demand at all the major Country festivals in the UK and would often be asked to finish the show, such was the adoration of his fans.
Award followed award and he became known as the King of British Country. Gary had a very big portfolio of albums of both covers from his shows and also with his originals songs.
Unfortunately he developed cancer and within a very shot time the life of a major Country star was cut short. With love and affection Gary Perkins was inducted into the Hall as the 49th member.

July 2019

Mervyn J Futter

Mervyn spent his youth listening to his brother Colin’s Country collection of vinyl LPs. Very heavy on Merle Haggard, he was to become the big influence on his choice of music.
Learning guitar at the age of 11, he became a budding singer and later a songwriter.
While working as an electrician at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in King’s Lynn he tried hard to break into the Country club and festival circuits, unsuccessfully at first but while he was listening to the late Roy Waller on BBC Radio Norfolk he heard that Bob Chapel had some showcase slots at a Pontins Hemsby Country event so he applied and was accepted. By the end of the holiday everybody had heard the name Mervyn J Futter and as a result he rapidly became a major player on the club and festival circuit, both as a solo act and with his band.
He has since added to his list of talents by becoming a compere and stage manager.
Mervyn had built his own recording studio, The Oasis, for his own recording work and later began offering his services to other Country artists for their cds.
Mervyn J Futter has a catalogue of 10 albums dating back to 1995, ranging from music for club dance sets to his own original work with an interesting choice of songs, including an album named after Hall of Fame member Raymond Froggatt’s song, I Ride A Horse with it being the title cut, recorded in 1999.
The wheel has turned full circle and now, with his daughter, the Merv & Maria weekends and holiday events are giving showcase slots to unknown new Country artists.
We welcome Mervyn John Futter to the Hall of Fame. He is fittingly the 50th member.

September 2019

Dave Sheriff

There are only a few artists on the circuit that have continuously been able to ply their act playing their own material; Dave Sheriff is one of those.
A son of a gamekeeper he was living in the country when he developed a love of music. The magic of Country music inspired him to learn the harmonica, followed over time by many other instruments. At one time he had a Guinness Book of Records entry for playing the most musical instruments simultaneously.
His musical journey started at Bradfield Village Hall in 1958 at the age of 13. He developed his act playing guitar and singing Country songs, both covers and originals.
It was while recording an album at studios in Oxford that the sound engineer quit and the owner asked Dave to carry on, doing his own engineering. He was so successful that he was engaged to run the studios, also playing as a session musician to visiting bands.
This got him recognised and he played with Hall of Famer Kelvin Henderson and Pete Sayers on various tv shows which led to appearances at the Wembley Festivals where he worked with Don Gibson and Ronnie Prophet and the Nashville Superpickers. He also toured with Patsy Montana and Slim Whitman.
He became Whispering Fred Jones on Emmerdale, playing a Country singer in the Woolpack.
In 1991 his album, One Man Extraordinaire won the coveted Album of the Year at national awards. It was then he decided that it would be better to have his own label and publishing company for what was becoming a steady output of cds. He created the Stomp label and opened Stomp Studios, recording his and others’ music with himself providing most of the backing instrumentation.
He later went to Nashville to record many albums with the friends he had met at Wembley, it was there that Porter Wagoner introduced him to play at the Grand Ole Opry. Most famously he used Elvis Presley’s famous backing group, The Jordanaires and he also wrote a hit song about them.
The advent of line dance on the circuit meant Dave had a growing market for his strict tempo albums with many of his songs becoming dance floor classics; the most famous, Red Hot Salsa was featured in the Danny Boyle film, Trainspotting 2 and his song, Best Of Friends is the standard closing number at many UK clubs, performed by most artists, He regularly appears on Irish tv shows and tours Europe, having had many hits in Finland, Holland and Switzerland.
One of the few singer/songwriters extraordinaire, Dave Sheriff is welcomed to the British Country Music Hall of Fame.

September 2022

Roger Wild

For over 50 years Roger Wild has dedicated much of his time and life to furthering British Country music. He and his wife Mary have also supported many events and festivals around the UK.
Roger started his Country music career as a dancer with Mary, they played a large part in the Western Dance Association for many years helping run and teaching dance at many events, although he is probably best known for his work as a promoter of Country music. In a career spanning many decades Roger has been responsible for the organising and running of over 50 UK Country music festivals of various sizes, from intimate events to larger festivals of over 4,000 people.
Roger’s early success was achieved with the highly regarded Yorkshire Dales Festivals which were held at Skipton in North Yorkshire and ran for 20 years. In 2008, Roger joined forces with Malc Allan to create Copper Kettle Promotions, between them running 19 festivals over a 10 year period.
Roger retired from promoting in 2018. He also gave his time freely for more than eight years as a director on the board of the British Country Music Association and for many years held the position of treasurer.
After dedicating a lifetime to the music and scene he loves, Roger Wild is a very worthy inductee into the British Country Music Hall of Fame.

September 2021

Rob Davis

Rob Davis has been involved in the Country music scene in one guise or another since the early 1990s when line dancing was in its infancy. He was involved in runing numerous line dance classes in the South Yorkshire are which were very successful and also hosting one off events. It was during this time that he decided to compile a newsletter which would bring together the local line dance community as at that time there was no social media to inform people of events, only the local radio and newspapers which he kept in contact with.
As the newsletter became more and popular with the upsurge of classes and events he decided to produce a magazine called Up Country which promoted line dancing to Country music. This magazine was the go to bible for anyone interested in line dancing and Country music and was distributed all over the UK and overseas, going as far away as Australia and the Central African Republic. Up Country became a runaway success.
Not satisfied with producing a magazine Rob was also responsible for bringing over to the UK artists from the USA two being Heather Myles and Joni Harms. Rob is also supportive to any new British artists just starting out on the scene, having time for everyone, young or old.
When Rob heard the Cross Country UK magazine was to end publication he had the idea to take over this magazine, giving it the new name of Cross Country. This A5 magazine differed to Up Country, which was an A4 glossy magazine, as it was one which only promoted British Country music and was popular within the club scene of the UK.
Cross Country soon became the leading magazine in its field and was once again the go to place to see the latest news and comprehensive gig guide for the whole of the UK. Never before had one magazine covered the whole of the UK in this way.
It was soon decided that the time had come to join together Up Country magazine and Cross Country magazine and so a lightly bigger than A5 132 magazine was produced every month. Rob’s suggestion to Jim Duncan that there should be a British Country Music Hall of Fame, which is a special award for not only artists,but promoters or anyone who has contributed over the years to further Country music culminated into something rather special. Because of this it was decided to host an awards show each year for the fans of Country music to show their appreciation to the people who contribute into keeping the music alive.
Through the efforts of Rob Davis the Country music scene was thriving until the pandemic hit and so the printed version of the magazine came to an untimely end. 
Not being one to be defeated by anything during the lockdown he decided to teach himself website design and after months of hard work was able to offer the now online version of Cross Country which at the time of writing is reaching more and more people each day and again can be marked down to another of Rob’s success stories

September 2022

Texas Gun

Texas Gun have been on the UK Country scene for nearly 40 years and although the line-up has changed through the decades, George Sr and George Jr have been the backbone of one of the busiest and most popular acts still touring in 2022.
Originally, TG was a family outfit featuring father and two sons with Simon (drums, vocals), George Jr (guitar, piano, vocals) and of course George Sr on bass, vocals and a wicked line in patter! As a family unit they achieved huge popularity and multiple awards touring throughout the UK.
However, branching out, the boys ran and promoted events here in the UK and abroad with great success, even taking 350 patrons on a Country music cruise around the Mediterranean.
Always keen to develop and broaden their portfolio TG ventured into sound and lighting for events, again providing event production for many major UK Country festivals.
Since 2012 George Sr and Jr have continued to tour and entertain audiences nationwide with their unique talents.
Sadly, George Sr lost a short battle with cancer and was not here to enjoy the induction into the British Country Hall of Fame but he would have loved the accolade and made light in his own cheeky way.
Texas Gun may be different now from those early days but the quality and great Country music will continue to delight audiences, which would have been George Sr’s dearest hope. We are honoured and humbled by the recognition afforded us and will continue to keep it Country.

September 2022

Malc Allan

Malc Allan teamed up with Roger Wild in 2009 to bring Copper Kettle Promotions onto the Country scene which struck up not only a business partnership but a friendship as well. The first event in 2009 was at Sledmere House and up to the last Festival in 2018 at North Allerton.
They had various venues over the years decided on Pickering Showground where they had several good festivals until that management team broke up
Over the years Malc has performed as MT Allan and has also been half of a duo and part of a band (Outlaw).
He runs the NAM agency as well as managing several acts.
Having worked so hard over the years which included being compere at many festivals, the sound engineer at many others and the former chairman of the BCMA he continues to jointly promote the CCN Awards and is working as hard as ever to promote Country music in the UK.
His hard work is acknowleged with this induction in the British Country Music Hall of Fame.