Maverick Country Music Magazine

1 July 2021

Country music and family go hand in hand, amongst fans and amongst the artists too. My Gran is a massive country music fan, and as I have grown up, we have shared music together. She’d play Glen Campbell records to me and I’d take her to Taylor Swift concerts! I remember hearing Ashley Campbell for the first time - Glen Campbell’s daughter - and getting really excited to go home and play her music to my Gran. It was a full circle moment when the pair of us were able to watch her in a writers round together a few years ago. I was keen to explore further the family ties within country music and so it was a great pleasure to be able to speak with Ashley for our first Kids of Country feature. There are a number of legends that feature in this issue from Crystal Gayle to Rodney Crowell. However, they sit comfortably besides the innovative work of newcomer Lathan Warlick and the guitar wielding Charlie Worsham. I think it shows the broad spectrum of artists that sit under the umbrella of country music and how there really is something for everyone within our genre. Jennifer Nettles also features in this issue with an interesting record that fuses country music and musical theatre. It was an enjoyable interview as together we explored the key elements that the two genres have in common. Speaking of legends though, Eric Dahl our Nashville editor did a wonderful interview with Bill Anderson for our new songwriter feature (you can decide yourselves if I was referring to Eric or Bill as the legend in that sentence, or perhaps both!). The pair of them dived deep into the story and writing process behind the 1964 hit Once A Day that Bill wrote and Connie Smith first sang. Fittingly, I also interviewed Connie Smith about her new record. So in the traditional style of the genre, I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Maverick and when you’re done, perhaps pass it on to a loved one so they can share in the magic of the genre and those who have made it what it is today.