The David Allan Page

Publication : Country Music People
Author : David Allan
Date : August 2003
Page : 9

My comments last month regarding the excellent new Luke Reed album, and the strong possibility that it will suffer the same fate as Niki Dean's blockbuster a couple of years ago due to lack of radio exposure, has provoked a large response. Many British country supporters simply cannot understand how the BBC (the first B does stand for British) can totally ignore such a homegrown product on its network services.

Obviously, airplay on the national stations would be a huge and essential boost to Luke and his fellow UK artists and would give millions of potential customers a chance to evaluate the product.

I can well understand why commercial radio tends to ignore anything that isn't immediately, well, commercial (full marks to presenter Tim Rogers for taking a chance) but the BBC is a public service and, as long as an album is of an acceptable standard (and Luke's definitely is), it should be given a break.

There is hope. Public opinion can sometimes sway the powers that be. Some years ago, Neil Coppendale confronted the then BBC Radio 2 controller Frances Line on a phone-in. He made a strong case for British country, and Frances, a seasoned and perceptive radio profess- ional, recognised that he had a point. Not long afterwards, Neil was fronting a weekly half hour of UK country music on the network. So, rather than writing to me (useful as it is to receive your comments) your letters might serve more purpose if sent to the Beeb.

There's certainly no shortage of well recorded and produced British country albums available. The Internet Country Show ( www.internetcountryshow.com ) will shortly be devoting a programme to the Best of British and the problem won't be what to include but what to leave out.

Over recent weeks, I have enjoyed excellent releases from the likes of Western Union (Quiet Storm), Redfern & Crookes (After All That Time), the self-titled album by Haves & Haves, and Kyle Esplin's rocking Jerry Lee styled collection, To Memphis And Back. Also hugely enjoyable -and original -is Country Cuts, all British songs written by Sue Bennett and CMP's own Jon Philibert performed by a variety of Nashville-based singers which should be generally available within a month or so.