Today (Friday, 28 February) it has been announced via UK Country Music that the UK-Country Music Association (UK-CMA) will officially launch on March 10. The institution has pinpointed its main objectives prior to its commencement, and it is evident their integral aim revolves uplifting the UK’s country scene, transitioning it to the mainstream.

The last year has seen a revival of country music into British consciousness, with Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ topping the charts upon its release, earning ‘TEXAS HOLD ‘EM’ (the LP’s lead single) a nomination for ‘International Song of the Year’ at this year’s BRITs. This year alone has witnessed Beatles legend Ringo Starr return to country for the first time since 1970 with his album ‘Look Up’ and country-pop girlband, Remember Monday, lead the race in this year’s speculation surrounding the UK’s Eurovision entry.

Over a month since UK Americana Music Week 2025 was hosted in Hackney, the introduction of UK-Country Music Association has arrived at the perfect time for country fans and enthusiasts across the UK. The new organisation promises to work in accordance with the UK’s music market, and alongside other prominent organisations, including: the British Country Music Association (BCMA) and the Americana Music Association (AMA-UK) to effectively create a space for country music within the mainstream scene.

Having the interests of musicians, artists and industry professionals at the forefront, John Finch, Chair of UK-CMA has said: “We are fighting the cause for the UK country music industry… When it comes to the UK country scene, it is artists from the US that dominate the limelight. American artists get all the plaudits! The UK Country Radio Airplay Chart is packed with Nashville artists but rarely includes any UK-based acts.”

He continued: “UK acts are as good as, and in some cases better than, many of their US counterparts. We believe that greater awareness of the UK scene, especially in other markets like the US, Canada, and Australia, will propel more tracks by UK artists into key playlists, which will increase streaming consumption and ticket sales.”

country music representating the UK, finally!!!!’ https://t.co/p7gmcBPnB1

— georgia (@ge0rgiastars) February 4, 2025

Finch’s thoughts follow multiple reports that country music’s popularity has propelled in the UK. Last May, IQ Live Music Intelligence revealed the streaming of country music had increased exponentially and had “grown by 380% in the past five years”, with one in every 100 streamed tracks being a country song. The Economist furthered the report in August, adding that country overtook easy-listening within the UK’s top 5 of most popular genres.

Planning to support over 2000 artists, musicians and industry professionals who wish to make country music their career, the UK-CMA have four main objectives within their mandate.

• Promoting UK artist’s and their music to the media in the UK and abroad.
• Aid artists to form alliances with other prominent country music communities throughout those in mainland Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, Australasia and the US.
• Develop existing talent by fostering collaboration and equipping artists with accessible opportunities to improve songwriting and live performance.
• Unite the UK’s country music scene.

With four bold aims ahead of their commencement in March, the UK-CMA have a lot of potential in contributing to the continued revival and popularity of country music within the near future.