Our Presenters

Richard is originally from Middlesbrough however he's lived in the borough of Redcar and Cleveland for almost all of his life.

He has always been passionate about music and loves engaging with the public and says that whilst he had no previous broadcasting experience, he felt just had to get involved with Zetland FM.

Richard says he feels privileged to be a member of the Zetland FM family as we encourage artists within our community to connect with us.

He says he feels that we are a truly local station able to relate to its listeners in person and of course on the air.

 You can listen to 'Zetland FM Country' on Mixcloud - click here.

KENNY FOSTER LIVE ON ZETLAND FM COUNTRY FROM ROOSTERS!

In a year that has already brought our show to the attention of many UK, American and Canadian artists, we have  another exclusive for Zetland FM Country this Sunday, March 25th.

Nashville based singer songwriter Kenny Foster is performing at an exclusive concert at Rooster's, home of local country music fan Ray Freeman, which will be broadcast live during this weeks' show from 9pm.

World famous Rolling Stone magazine called Kenny Foster 'a country artist you need to know' last year and he has just released his debut album Deep Cuts. 

Kenny's speaks of how he felt that 'leaving everything you know to chase something you don't understand, is excruciatingly difficult' and his music is both thoughtful and thought provoking.

Lime Tree Music approached us to enquire of the possibility of Kenny performing  at Roosters as they knew, not only would his music be very much appreciated by Ray's guests and there would be the opportunity for me to interview Kenny in what are now familiar surroundings.  

Thanks to the generosity of our host and the amazing colleagues who support Zetland FM Country we soon realised that here was an opportunity to broadcast live and exclusive on this week's show.

It was just a case of putting this to Kenny, who was originally promised an 'evening of relaxation and good company', needless to say he agreed to do this for us with the utmost pleasure!

Our show starts at 7pm, please join us for this special edition: we are currently in discussion with Devon Mayson and  several other artists to bring them to Zetland FM Country, we are very much obliged to Ray Freeman and his guests for making this unique 'first' for us possible and with such enthusiasm.

Thank you for your support for our show it is very much appreciated.

Kenny Foster

WHAT A SECOND YEAR!

We have had an incredible second year of our show and during that time we have attracted the interest of a growing number of professional artists, their managers and promoters both here in the UK and overseas. We have regular listeners who contact the show each week, without fail!

Undoubtedly one of the personal highlights of the year has been meeting so many incredible artists who have visited us at Zetland FM Country,  Joni Harms, Shantell Ogden and Amanda Anne Platt. 

We were able to enjoy an interview with Charlie Landsborough and meeting Charlie in person at Billingham Forum was just the icing on the cake!

Charlie continues to enjoy playing his brand of country music mixed with his unique 'banter', any time in his presence is always to be enjoyed. Going backstage to meet him and his wife was very much appreciated. It's entirely fair to say that he's another friend of ours!

Local country music fanatic Ray Freeman has been a tremendous help to us at Zetland FM Country during the year, it was Ray who made meeting Joni Harms possible and accommodated Shantell Ogden in his own home.

Ray has very real Nashville connections having known John Denver personally and previously brought two members of John's band to the UK. We have much in the 'pipeline' for Zetland FM Country in 2018, as our 'own' Nashville Access colleagues Dallas & Camo would say 'when we know more, so will you!'

We've enjoyed a number of country music radio exclusives including Chloe Chadwick's album launch, live on air; Danny McMahon, Simon James and most recently Becky Lawrence have all chosen Zetland FM Country to be the first to air their music.

We've also enjoyed interviews and tracks from artists who have not yet been able to join us live including Lily Garland, Helena Mace, Penny Jayne Black, Kezia Gill, Robyn Taylor, Munro and Anton Glackin. 

Not forgetting the electric night we enjoyed when Kira Mac returned to our studios to play live ahead of her trip to Nashville.

Kira has plans to tour during 2018 so hopefully we will see her return for a third visit. To quote Kira, travelling as she has twice to date from Stoke on Trent, 'she knows the way to the helter skelter!' 

Talking of Nashville, my thanks to local 'rookie' country music promoter Stephen Wears for the very kind hospitality we enjoyed at the inaugural Nashville Live By the Sea held in Saltburn's Spa Hotel, with Chloe Chadwick 'top of the bill!' 

2018's event has already been confirmed for 24th March with Jade Helliwell, Luke Thomas, Darcy and Lee Paul all performing at what will be a fantastic evening we're looking forward to. 

Our year closes with a visit from Anna Mosely of Leeds based the Broken Flowers on Sunday 17th December and that show will include a look back at all we've achieved together.

I spent almost an hour talking to Kelly & Ellis on Monday 11th December which was a total delight from start to finish although whilst our last show for this year will include their music it will probably be early January before that one is aired in our show.

Leslie Ellis is a Grammy award winning artist having sang backing vocals with Celine Dion on the amazing My Heart Will Go On, her partner Casey Kelly having written hits for, amongst others, Kenny Rogers and Tanya Tucker. He also wrote the track George Strait still closes all of his shows with, The Cowboy Rides Away. They were such fun, I thought I might have run out of tape!

Amongst our growing 'roster' of promoters and supporters of our show we can count Luke Williams of Limetree Music who have bases here in the UK and Nashville.

Luke has worked incredibly hard for us and was responsible for arranging a rather fine chat with Charlie Worsham who found time on his almost whistle-stop tour of the UK and Europe to talk to us. That was a rather special one too, apparently Charlie was stood just opposite the famous zebra crossing The Beatles used in Abbey Road.

At the risk of repeating myself, we have truly had an awesome year at Zetland FM Country. None of this would have been possible without your support which has been nothing short of fantastic.

I've often needed help from you and it has been there, without question your support is the reason why I'm proud to say that Zetland FM Country is now one of the most respected country music shows on the air, anywhere.

Thank you and thanks also to the amazing team that is Zetland FM one hell of a team whose support has been totally constant I can assure you.

My best wishes to you and your families from Christmas and the New Year, believe me we have much more to come in 2018!

PREVIOUS VISITORS TO ZETLAND FM COUNTRY

Oregon born and bred Joni Harms visited our studios in May and recorded for Zetland FM Country, accompanied by her tour manager Geoff Byford and Ray Freeman. Ray and his wife Jackie are long-term friends of Joni's having met at a concert in Norfolk some time ago.

Joni has released eleven very successful albums and toured extensively in a singing career that began at a very early age. 

You can hear our chat and music from an amazing afternoon here: https://goo.gl/CRcFmC

May was an amazing month for me, culminating in my birthday on the 31st with Joni's last concert at Great Broughton before leaving for home. As you can imagine it was an incredibly moving evening of music and friendship. 

Find out more about Joni Harms and her fabulous music here

CHLOE CHADWICK RETURNS TO ZETLAND FM COUNTRY - VERY SOON

A visit to Zetland FM Country from Chloe Chadwick is always a show not to miss!

Chloe launches her first album Dustbowl Jukebox in Newcastle on the 30th June (more details here) and comes to our studios on Sunday 2nd July for her first exclusive radio launch.

We're proud to have been able to help Chloe on her musical journey and on a personal level we are able to call this amazingly talented singer songwriter one of our many friends of Zetland FM Country. 

I did my best to try and prise advanced tracks from the album to play before the launch however, bless her, she's made us wait!

Tune in next Sunday from 7pm for another Zetland FM Country First!

RISING STARS OF UK COUNTRY IN SESSION AT ZETLAND FM

Not one, but two of the UK's brightest female stars visited the studios of Zetland FM Country in what was a frantically busy week for the show.

Emma Moore, who has recently released her debut album Pilot and newcomer Kira Mac travelled from Stoke, via Preston and Blackpool to visit our studios and record an exclusive session for Zetland FM Country. Kira's first single 'Storm on the Horizon' recently topped the UK & Irish Hot Disc chart and she has her first EP release entered the iTunes Country Music Chart at number 3!

Both ladies were accompanied by their manager, Mel Osten and spoke of their love for country music which had stemmed, like many of us, from their parents. The ladies have a refreshing take on country music and given their relative youth this can only be encouraging for the British country music scene. 

It's really quite fantastic for me as host of Zetland FM Country to be able to attract artists of their stature to the studios for our show and especially pleasing to see how much they enjoyed the experience, a return date has already been 'scheduled.' 

Given that both artists are very busy with numerous events over the next few months we were indeed fortunate that they were willing and able to come and see us. Emma is appearing with her full band at the immensely popular Rock Ridge Festival this year. I can assure festival regulars that they will not be disappointed. You can hear the full session here : https://www.mixcloud.com/zetlandfm/zetland-fm-country-hour-2-60/

UK COUNTRY MUSIC STAR DARREN BUSBY HOSTS ZETLAND FM COUNTRY

Multi Award winning Darren Busby took over the helm of Zetland FM Country on Sunday the 14^th of January. I interviewed Darren for our show at the Dorman’s Club a few months back and Darren revealed that hosting a radio show was one of his life-long ambitions

Darren’s music has long featured in the British Hour of our show so when I suggested that Darren could indeed host part of the show, he didn’t hesitate in taking up the offer!

The special session was arranged ahead of Darren’s appearance at the Covered Wagon Country Music Club and club host ‘MadKath’ Rigg was also invited to the studio to take part in the session.

Darren thoroughly enjoyed the experience, talking about and playing music from the excellent Tribute to Kenny Johnson CD, a fund raising project that was the brainchild of Nicky James.

Zetland FM Country has many listeners from around the UK and further afield with many getting in touch with us during the live broadcast and complimenting Darren on his presentation skills.

Whilst Darren realised one of his ambitions, you’ll be relieved to know that I'm not likely to grace the stage of any country music club belting out 'I Walk The Line’ anytime soon!

None of this is possible without your support which is very much appreciated.

Thank You

You can take part in the show by choosing tracks from my updated Popular Playlist, which now includes many of Merle Haggard's greatest tracks, by clicking the image (below) and emailing your choice to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

If you would like to join me on Zetland FM Country, please get in touch with me through the Contact Us tab or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.