Mark Wiggins
@markjwiggins
From: Leeds
Favourite Artists: Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Dierks Bentley, Midland
First Country Gig: I went to the first C2C in 2013 specifically to see Vince Gill - also saw Darius Rucker and Tim McGraw amongst others. The love story started there.
Favourite Country Album: There are so many albums that I adore, but Midland - On The Rocks hit me the first time I heard it and track-for-track it's perfection!
Favourite Drink at a Country Show: Whiskey Chaser - my perfect combo is Anchor Steam IPA and Bulleit Bourbon
Random Fact: I have an awful phobia of frogs. Don't laugh. It's not funny. It's very serious
Neil Hallam
@1NeilHallam
From: Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Favourite Artists: Brothers Osborne, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, William Clark Green, Jarrod Dickenson
First Country Gig: Little Big Town, 28th September 2017 at the Albert Hall, Manchester
Favourite Country Album: I’d probably go with “Wide Open Spaces” by the Dixie Chicks, as it was the album that started me looking at country music again after we’d parted company during my teens and 20’s.
Favourite Drink At A Country Show: Since you don’t tend to get a decent single malt at a gig, it’s usually a J.D. for me. Shoot me straight…
Random Fact: Marty Stuart called me an outlaw during his gig. Proud moment!
Alison Dewar
@CountryMusicAli
From: I’m proud to be an Essex girl
Favourite Artists: (old school) Glen Campbell, Nanci Griffith, Dolly Parton (new school) Drake White, Chris Stapleton, Ashley McBryde
First Country Gig: Glen Campbell - April 2, 1977 at the Royal Festival Hall
Favourite Country Album: Drake White - Spark
Favourite Drink At A Country Show: Southern Comfort
Favourite Country Memory Drake White calling me for his interview with Six Shooter!
Random Fact: I used to co-run a safari camp in Zimbabwe
Brian Bennie Jr
@brian_jr_writes
From: Glasgow, Scotland
Favourite Artists: I have many favourite artists that can chop and change but I always come back to Garth Brooks.
First Country Gig: Kenny Rogers at the Glasgow Clyde Auditorium, October 2006
Favourite Country Album: Garth Brooks - No Fences
Favourite Drink At A Country Show: Jack Daniels & Coke
Random Fact: I'm a founder member of the “Scottish Country Mafia” a Facebook community for Country Music Fans which now has over 1700 members !
Sally Maybury
@CountryMaybury
From: The Midlands
Favourite Artists: There are so many amazing ones to choose from, and I love discovering new artists. However my go to people to listen to include Kip Moore, Drake White, Miranda Lambert, Tim Hicks and Zac Brown Band.
First Country Gig: I was a bit late off the mark with discovering this amazing genre, but I’m certainly making up for it now! My first gig was Miranda Lambert, who played in Birmingham in August 2017.
Favourite Country Album: As with choosing my favourite artists, this was a tricky one (I find it changes dependant upon the mood I’m in!) but currently my go to listen is Aaron Watson ‘The Underdog’
Favourite Drink At A Country Show: As the almighty Luke Combs sings “No, nothing picks me up like a beer can” I find the best thing to drink at a show is an ice cold beer
Random Fact: I once stood up Darius Rucker, instead I ran across the road to meet Russell Dickerson!