2022 was the start of the world, and the music industry in particular, returning to normal following the pandemic. Festivals felt more like parties as some returned after two years or more and saw some of the biggest and best country artists from around the world visited our shores. Meanwhile, in the latter stages of the year, the British scene thrived. As attention turns to 2023 it looks to be an even busier year ahead, kicking off with C2C in March. In this first issue of the year we have an interview with headliner Thomas Rhett, who over the years I have watched and admired as he rose through the ranks of the genre and after years of touring the world and watching the stages and the crowds increase, he is delighted to be returning to the UK to headline that coveted festival. Also joining Rhett in London and in this issue of the magazine is Drake Milligan and Nate Smith. Milligan first crossed my radar when playing Elvis Presley in the CMT series Sun Records and has been on a journey of self-discovery ever since. Meanwhile, Nate Smith rose to fame through the social platform TikTok and is on the verge of releasing his debut major label record. It was exciting to catch up with Doug Levitt, a journalist turned musician who travels the US via Greyhound bus and tells the stories of the people he meets through his music. A BBC documentary about his latest record will soon be broadcast but in the meantime, you can read all about Levitt right here in Maverick Magazine.