Category Archives: Country and Western

“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated”

That quote belongs to Mark Twain but could easily be written about Texas singer songwriter Joshua Ray Walker. His latest album ‘Ain’t Dead Yet’ released by Thirty Tigers Records is a fitting testament to a man who was written off by the medical establishment with Stage 4 cancer.

Joshua Ray Walker at London’s The Lower Third venue.

In London’s The Lower Third in swanky Soho the Texan held court to fans who had travelled from Marseille, Amsterdam, Brighton and beyond.

Opening the nights proceedings was the two time Spellemannprisen award winning Norwegian artist Malin Pettersen. Walker had first heard of Malin’s voice when she supported Robert Ellis during his Scandinavian tour in Copenhagen 2019. It’s taken this long for Pettersen and Walker’s diaries to sync. Walker has been touring across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and now across the UK for his Ain’t Dead Yet tour.

With just a guitar and a microphone he held the hearts and minds of the audience in his hands. With whoops and hollers the audience responded to every pluck of guitar string, every breath, every yip and yodel is like a Cattle Call to this country music brethren.

Joshua Ray Walker holding court to a captivated audience.

I say just a guitar and a microphone but Walker’s secret weapon is his voice which echoes that of Slim Whitman, Hank Williams and Dwight Yoakum. At once entrancing, at times hypnotic these transcendental vocals coupled with a masterful finger picking guitar style brings his music to life.

Walker took us on a biographical journey of his life which inspired his biggest hit ‘Dumpster Diving’ (Walker would work alongside his Grandfather scouring rich neighbourhoods for what was left on the sidewalks repair it and sell it on), ‘Boat Show Girl’ Walker’s mother would take him along to these trade shows were bikini clad women would try to entice middle aged men to part with their money for fibre glass boats) to ‘Outlaw’ (where he was accosted for not  wearing a Cowboy hat).

Joshua Ray Walker bringing that Texas singer songwriter magic across the pond.

While you can you should go see Joshua Ray Walker live and in person. Truly your ears will thank you, you’ll come out of the evening, feeling uplifted as if a messenger from upon high has gently lifted you clear from the ground and now your just floating on a cloud of heavenly yodels, yips and twanging of guitar strings. Harlan Howard might have coined the phrase “Country music ain’t nothin’ but three chords and the truth” but it’s artists like Joshua Ray Walker who continue to keep this tradition alive and kicking in 2026.

Voices | Joshua Ray Walker

Cloudwatcher Uno Festival Special with Brennen Leigh

Photo: Brooke Cooper

The rain gods had departed and we were blessed with a few golden rays of sunshine and it was at the green hills of Eridge Park at Black Deer Festival that I caught up with Brennen Leigh the shining light of country music all the way from Texas.

Brennen started coming to these British Isles in 2012 with Noel McKay and played a whole lot of rooms, folk clubs and listeners. Brennen loves the audience in England and how they appreciate the poetry in her lyrics.

With Brennen Leigh at Black Deer Festival. Photo: Nick Barber

In Scandinavia and Europe artists are treated as exotic creatures because you really have to be an acclaimed performer to tour over this side of the world so that fans will take an interest in your music.

‘Carole with an E’ by Brennen Leigh

Brennen explains the genesis of Wonder Women of Country the supergroup with Kelly Willis and Melissa Carper. Kelly got in contact with Brennen and Melissa and asked if they would want to play together, they said yes of course and the group was born! One of my favourite tracks on their recently released EP is ‘Another Broken Heart’ a song by Kelly Willis, Bruce Robinson and Monty Warden years ago and brought the song to the the rest of the group. It’s a classic 1940’s and 1950’s.

Wonder Women of Country will be playing a one of special at Huercasa Country Festival – 5, 6 y 7 Julio en Riaza, Segovia and looking to come over to this side of the pond in 2025.

Brennen Leigh on stage at Black Deer Festival. Photo: Nick Barber

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Brennen Leigh. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 9 ~ Christopher Seymore

In this episode we get to chat with Christopher about his life, loves and music. He talks about building a community of like minded artists and how being a founding member of the Houston Honky Tonk Society is helping to bring this dream into reality.

Christopher talks about collaborating with artists such South Texas Tweek on songs such as ‘I Can Get off on You’ they first met at the Continental Club in Houston, and even tour managed Tweek while he was supporting Nick Shoulders. Christopher’s new release ‘Cheated On‘ the original song idea was Tweek’s when Christopher was over at his house for Thanksgiving and Tweek had the a killer line and then Christopher worked on the chorus and melody and after 6 or 7 months they had the final song.

It’s fascinating how Christopher, as a songwriter, delves into the depths of human emotions to create compelling lyrics. His ability to tap into the essence of the human condition and express it through the power of music is truly remarkable. Through his songwriting, Christopher has the unique talent to capture the myriad of emotions that define our existence, from profound joy to deep sorrow, and everything in between. This remarkable skill enables him to connect with others on a deeply emotional level, resonating with the experiences and feelings of his audience. The art of songwriting is a profound and beautiful way for Christopher to channel and share the complexities of the human experience, touching the hearts and souls of those who listen to his music.

Old school Honkytonk and Hillbilly music is how Christopher describes his music. Over the course of twenty years Christopher has collected tattoos all over his body. His first was from Famous Gabe from Pensacola Florida at a place called Through The Moon .

Christopher Seymore

Grew up singing in Church with his family and especially on his mothers side they are a musical family. His parents and his Aunts sang to him Old Country songs and hymns in Church. He always enjoyed singing and making up stories and wasn’t completely serious about a life of music until his late teens and early twenties. In Texas and the Two-Step culture is a whole another experience to connect with the audience. A true spiritual experience, as an artist he is developing himself and the challenge is to truly show himself. It’s all about trying to make a genuine connection between artist and the audience.

Dean Dillon, George Strait and Wayne Kemp are all musical heroes to Christopher and is part of his Country education. The development of a local music scene is directly connected to the availability of mid sized venues and the loss of these venues is felt to every independent artist. Stadium venues will always survive as they can bring in the top tier artists.

Nowhere else does anybody play a shuffle except a Texas drummer, there’s something in the air and water that makes Texas music awesome and is an alternative to what passes for county music these days . David Miner, Nicky Diamonds, Sam Turner and the Cactus Cats, South Texas Tweek, Patrick B Ray, Nick Garza’s Get Along and Chasen Wayne are all making music there own way in Texas and it’s totally different from that polished Nashville sound. Tim Bolo, Hannah Juanita, Summer Dean, Brennen Leigh and Sterling Drake are exceptions to the this more commercialised music.

Christopher Seymore

Christopher is working on a new album and has enough material for two albums. He will be back in the studio recording albums, one album is more outlaw and darker and another album has a seventies dancehall honkytonk feel.

So listen into this fascinating podcast with Christopher Seymore and CloudwatcherUno by clicking the link below or streaming on Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 8 ~ Dani-Rae Clark

Dani-Rae Clark and CloudwatcherUno talk together on S12 Ep 8 of the podcast. Speaking from their home in Nashville. We talk about their EP ‘Notes on A Crisis’ and especially their videos ‘Ain’t It Convenient’ with their friend Producer and Videographer Max Harms in Arizona. Originally from Vancouver, Canada they would go on tour once a year and would pass through Nashville, Tennessee and fell in love with it and they would always say they were going to move to Nashville.

During the pandemic the Canadian/American border was closed but because they have a dual citizenship, they were able to cross the border with their dog. It was a liberating moment as they packed everything they could into their very old pickup truck and just drove very slowly from North Idaho. The whole road journey took a month as they drove all the back roads.

They listen to a lot of old country, gospel and soul music and doesn’t listen that much to contemporary artists and their music. When it comes to writing a song, they aren’t sure how it happens, it’s a language that she has learnt how to use without being conscious of it. They feel strongly that songs should not have filler lyrics, each song needs to be crafted in a way that says what they feel needs to be said.

They are on tour and will be travelling to Arizona to record a new album later this month at Max Harm’s studio ‘The Garage’ and you can support them through their Kickstarter. They move around a lot as an artist so will have a band/bandmates all over the place and an absolutely fabulous performance from them and ‘The Let Downs‘ can be seen in ‘Make Me a Sinner’ filmed in Vancouver. A lot of these artists will be playing on the new album including their partner who is from Nova Scotia. The song is a Queer love song and one that challenges the hypocrisy about how women’s sexuality is demonised outside a very ladylike stereotype of marriage.

To afford to go on tour and produce the new album they have five jobs to make ends meet and make the music that brings them and us joy. When writing music, it takes them a lot of solitude so that they can give it their full attention. Lately they have been writing a lot of cheesy country duets, this included Christmas songs which they hate. Despite this they wrote a song for their favourite band ‘Big Fancy & The Shiddy Cowboys’.

They take a lot of inspiration from Tammy Wynette and George Jones and especially the classic track ‘Stand By Your Man‘. They really want to have similar solid duets in the future. Tammy and George made the saddest music of all time especially in country music. Sad music has such an important part in our lives and helps us access emotions that we aren’t able to access. Music lives in a different part of our brain than other information and the way a song can instigate a feeling that we weren’t even expecting.

To hear more from Dani-Rae Clark’s conversation with CloudwatcherUno click the audio below or listen to it on Apple Music, Spotify Music or wherever you get your podcasts from.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 6 ~ Shawn Hess

Shawn Hess speaks with CloudwatcherUno for the latest podcast all the way from Laramie, Wyoming. We talk about Shawn’s music from ‘World Away’, ‘Hey Friend’ and his new album ‘Wild Onion’. Since ‘Hey Friend’ took so long to be released Shawn has got over two years worth of songs that he has written. With ‘Wild Onion’ it’s an album of greatest hits that have never been recorded.

‘Hey Friend’ took two years from start to finish over the pandemic while the songs for ‘Wild Onion’ started to be recorded in August 2023 and released in January 2024. Brian Joseph who runs 6th Street Records used his magic to record these songs (but in his studio in Boulder, Colorado. The Universe aligned to have all the artists from fiddle player, drummer, peddle steel player be able to not only be there for the recording and the whole album was live tracked which means that all the artists were able to play at the same time.

Shawn’s inspiration for his music comes from the beautiful landscape of Wyoming and ‘Tear for You’ is dedicated to his father. On their travels they would stop the car and would immediately be surrounded by the smell of onions and being shown the ways of nature from his father.

Shawn has been playing music since he was 12 years old and in metal bands and psychedelic bands, plated upright bass in a bluegrass band for a long time. He wrote a lot of music for those bands but was never the word guy and it was after a breakup his brother said he should listen to Daniel Romano and it blew Shawn’s mind. Shawn loved classic country music but this was a fresh take on those classic tunes and was a turning point for Shawn and his music.

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Shawn Hess. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 3 ~ Chasen Wayne

Celebrating the best of independent country music Chasen Wayne out on New Year’s Day. Chasen and I get talking about his life as a travelling musician with his seven piece band playing White Horse Texas, Sage Brush Texas and Sam’s Town Point Texas his EP ‘ High Horse’, his album ‘King Cowboy’ and his latest releases ‘No Stranger’. Chase has released even more new music with singles ‘Cocaine Katy’ and ‘Sober Seymour’ paving the way for his next album release.

Listen to Chasen Wayne’s episode on Spotify

Chasen Wayne, is an emerging artist hailing from Austin, Texas, he ignites the spirit of country music with his 6-piece band, the Honky Tonk Machine. Influenced by icons like Waylon Jennings, Bob Wills, and the Sir Doug Quintet, Wayne infuses each note with an authentic and soul-stirring sound that pays homage to the very essence of country music. His original compositions are a testament to his deep love for storytelling, mirroring the timeless narratives found in classic country tunes.

Chasen Wayne’s song No Stranger

We talk about life in Austin, Texas, becoming a father, the music scene with his peers Nick Garza’s Get Along South Texas Tweek Billy Hartman Charley Crockett and his day job as the resident talent buyer for Sagebrush where he’s had Vincent Neil Emerson Summer Dean and Zach Bryan

And then this happened on Tuesday 9th January 2024, the legend that is Zach Bryan announced a surprise gig at the Sagebrush. Zach posted on X “9pm I’m playin’ a 40 minute set at Sagebrush in Austin, Texas. First 100 people to show up; first come, first serve.” The surprise concert, attracted hundreds of people queuing to form a line down the block.

Zach Bryan had originally hired the Sagebrush for a music video shoot which also featured Matthew McConaughey. Zach shot his video, played his pop up show and played Chasen’s guitar on stage.

Zach Bryan and Chasen Wayne (Courtesy of Zach Bryan’s Instagram)

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Chasen Wayne. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 2 ~ Kristen Grainger and The True North

Episode 2 of the CloudwatcherUno Podcast features Kristen Grainger and The True North. We talk about Kristen’s new album ‘Fear of Falling Stars’ is an authentic love letter to the world of bluegrass music, with heavenly songs full of love, loss, hope and heartbreak. On the podcast we get to speak about Kristen’s journey into music, her ‘Hallmark’ movie romance with Dan Wetzl a supremely talented multi instrumentalist songwriter and the possibility of playing in England in 2024.

Kristen Grainger’s vocal delivery is truly captivating, as she effortlessly infuses each lyric with soulful depth and genuine emotion. Her band complements her vocals with elegant yet understated instrumentation, skillfully weaving in delicate embellishments that enhance the overall sonic tapestry. This seamless combination of heartfelt vocals and tasteful musical accompaniment results in a truly immersive listening experience, inviting the audience to connect with the music on a deeply emotional level.


Kristen Grainger and True North – Big Little Songs (truenorthband.com) also features Martin Stevens and Josh Adkins. Kristen Grainger has taken top honors at some of the nation’s most prestigious songwriting competitions, including Telluride Bluegrass Festival @telluridebluegrassfestival , MerleFest and the USA Songwriting Contest. She also was named, alongside Dolly Parton and Brandi Carlile , one of the “Women Who Wrote Our 2020 Soundtrack” by The Bluegrass Situation. @thebluegrasssituation

 ‘Fear of Falling Stars’ is simply a modern masterpiece of an album. Their authenticity and passion shine through in each song, inviting listeners to join them on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. Kristen Grainger & True North’s music resonates on a deep level, weaving a tapestry of storytelling that captivates audiences worldwide. With their rich melodies and evocative lyrics, they craft an immersive musical experience that transcends geographical boundaries, tapping into universal emotions and experiences. As they continue to push the boundaries of folk and Americana music, their impact reverberates far and wide, leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene.

When it comes to podcasts, there’s something for everyone, and the one from CloudwatcherUno featuring Kristen Grainger and The True North is definitely worth a listen. So, whether you’re at home, on the go, or simply relaxing. hit play and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of CloudwatcherUno and his special guests.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 1 ~ Lauren Jenkins

Season 12 kicks off with a very special podcast with Lauren Jenkins all the way from Nashville. Lauren hadn’t been back to the UK for three years after the whole pandemic swept the world. Lauren was supporting Eric Paisley on his European tour and would accompany him in Germany. Lauren reached out to fans of her music to see if anyone would be willing to host her while she arrived in the UK before the tour started in the mainland. This was a complete no brainer and I reached out to Lauren to say that she should hold her first House Concert in London.

Lauren Jenkins first House Concert in the UK after three years

So preparations were made to do this very special concert. Just imagine your favourite artist playing in your very own living room. Mind officially blown. To make sure that Lauren’s voice reached the intimate crowd I reached out to my good friend and all amazing blues guitarist Kaspar ‘Berry’ Rapkin for Amps, speakers and microphones.

LJ in action in London.

There was still the small matter of promoting the house concert to all and sundry and the word was carried across the Isles of Britannia that an Angel of Nashville was going to be gracing our shores.

Then the night of the concert arrived and it was a most surreal experience having the Lauren Jenkins knock on my front door. With the most dazzling smile Lauren entered into the house (I’d forgotten how tiny she is in real life). Having Lauren soundcheck in your living room is extraordinary, it’s a true privilege to be behind the scenes at this point .

CloudwatcherUno with the one and only Lauren Jenkins

As the night grew darker, fans started coming to the house from all over the UK to enjoy this amazingly intimate evening. Lauren was the perfect combination of host, artist and musician.

Finally the moment we had all been waiting for was upon us and Lauren took centre stage in the living room and bewitched and entranced all her fans with stories songs and anecdotes

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Lauren Jenkins. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S11 Ep 10 – Season Finale – 110th Episode ~ Sean Burns

The Season finale of the Season 11 CloudwatcherUno Podcast is with Winnipeg based artist Sean Burns. CloudwatcherUno speaks with Sean about his new album ‘Lost Country’ out 27th October 2023 and his love of music and the Bakersfield Sound. Check it out when it’s released.


‘Lost Country’ is a Honky Tonkin’ tribute to Canada’s lost country music artist’s such as Roy Payne and Mickey McGivern. Sean’s passion for Canada’s country music heritage flows from his over five years as host “Boots and Saddle” on Winnipeg’s CKUW and his own podcast ‘The Northern Report’.

Sean Burns homage to the Lost Country music of his native Canada.
Sean Burns making heavenly music on stage.

Some call it Alt-Country, Americana or Roots, but however you shake it, Sean Burns is a  Country music singer. A dedicated Country Music historian and preservationist, Sean waves the flag of hardcore Honky-Tonk in a fashion unmatched by most of his peers.

Regularly touring coast-to-coast across Canada and into the United States since 2010, it’s not often Sean sits below the 125 show mark annually. “This is not a hobby”,  proclaims the Winnipeg-based Honky-Tonker.  With a dedicated following across Western Canada, Sean continues to passionately spin tales of highways and heartbreaks, of drinkers, drunks, trains and trucks in every imaginable live performance scenario. Sean’s time is taken up as bassist for Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans. A fantastic way to nurture and develop his own voice in Country Music.

Click below to hear the Sean Burns. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Behind The Song with Adam Shoenfeld

Adam Schoenfeld and CloudwatcherUno talk about the inspiration behind his latest single ‘Breadcrumbs of Hope’.

During the unprecedented times of the pandemic, when the world seemed uncertain and anxiety loomed over our daily lives, a song was born. This soulful melody was crafted with heartfelt emotions, aiming to bring solace and hope to listeners within the confines of their homes. Its lyrics gently remind us that we are not alone in our struggles, and that the power of music can transcend physical boundaries, uplifting our spirits in times of darkness.

As the hauntingly beautiful notes resonate, they carry with them a message of resilience and unity, a call to endure and persevere. The poignant lyrics mirror the feelings of isolation and longing that many experienced during those strange and anxious times, creating an emotional connection with the listeners.

‘Breadcrumbs of Hope’ by Adam Shoenfeld

The song’s composition artfully blends melancholy and optimism, with heartfelt vocals evoking a sense of shared vulnerability and strength. Its captivating melody weaves a tapestry of emotions, transporting the listener to a realm where worries dissipate and optimism flourishes.

In the face of uncertainty, this song serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we can find solace and comfort through the universal language of music. It whispers softly to our souls, reminding us that amidst the chaos, there is still beauty to be found, and that together, we can emerge stronger.

So, let this song be a companion during those moments of uncertainty, as it resonates with our collective experiences and reminds us that we are not alone. May its melody bring calmness to your heart and inspire you to navigate through any challenges that lie ahead, for as the song softly fades, a glimmer of hope remains, illuminating our path towards a brighter future.

Behind The Song‘ is available on Monday 11th September 2023 to listen on @applepodcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Adam Schoenfeld. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.