Russell Hill's Country Music Show

06/11/2025

Happy birthday to us! 14 years ago today, we did our very first show on Express FM. 500+ wowsers sessions took place down the years [incl. The Shires, Jess Jocoy Music, Peter Donegan and the Harry Potter wizard John Dartnell plus Sandy McLelland who created the theme for the classic BBC TV show "Going for Gold" with Hans Zimmer].

The chap who did the most sessions for us was Dan Ogus. Dan was involved in 11 sessions. Cheers dude! Dan does host "Scattering The Roots" on Express FM on Wednesday evenings from 9pm-11pm.

04/11/2025

Do you remember in December 2017 when we were very lucky to have Worry Dolls, Robert Vincent AND Dean Owens Musician - Official in session on the same show? They recorded their sessions shortly before their gig for Square Roots Promotions.

There is 10 days left to go for Dean's crowdfunding campaign for his new album "Glimmers" which he's recording with his band. We always loved to support Dean's music on the show so if you'd like to support his new project, the link is below.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/glimmers-dean-owens-the-sinners-album-italy?fbclid=IwY2xjawNsL3tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoDXRgF-h29BX3jIKdWPTzSpMop0uvJhVg1dzUk-BWd7Vh20of4f8Fns6dga_aem_40reAbtlxGkwhNNamVbMCw

To record an album of new songs in Italy, with my Scottish band - Craig, Adam and Pip, aka The Sinners, inspired by the idea of Glimmers

14/10/2025

Flashback to September 2018...

It was a busy show on Express FM. did their third session of the year and my chat with Clare Bowen from Nashville [which we recorded on her tour bus] was on. Also featuring on the show were Martha L. Healy, Southerlies, Devinjade, BEMIS and Marley Blandford plus many others, including Charles Esten. Clare even requested a tune of Chip's for us which was rather wowsers.

Listen again via https://www.mixcloud.com/russellhillmaverickmagazine/russell-hills-country-music-show-on-express-fm-feat-clare-bowen-dirt-road-diary-160918/

09/10/2025

I'm on a record! Aubrey Blakeledge Comedy's fabulous debut album WOODLAND GOTHIC features yours truly as the narrator. This was a fun project to be a part of. Aubrey was in session a lot for us with The Sweetchunks Band and BEMIS.

Stream here https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n_PAJSRRpYThwHM1bUC39TyT4QnceU7vA -- https://open.spotify.com/album/0D294xFanpyFk2rhlsYBHS

Buy here aubreyblakeledge.bandcamp.com/album/woodland-gothic

05/10/2025

I randomly bumped into Ross from Southerlies earlier today who gave me a bacon roll and a cream cake. Cheers dude!

Southerlies will be performing at The Gaiety Southsea on Wednesday 8th October at the celebration event for Baton Of Hope UK. It starts at 7.30 and will be hosted by Express FM's Gloria Miller and Paul Marsh.

29/09/2025

Put 1st February 2026 in your diary as Hannah White will be performing with her band at The Wedgewood Rooms. Here are a couple of pics from her magnificent gig last week at Harbour Records Emsworth.

27/09/2025

If you're free next year on 1st February, you can catch Hannah White at The Wedgewood Rooms. I caught her in-store performance today at Harbour Records Emsworth and she was ruddy fabulous.

21/09/2025

Free next Saturday?

The wonderful Hannah White [who was involved with two sessions for us on Express FM] will be doing an in-store performance at the equally brilliant Harbour Records Emsworth at 1.30. It's free entry too.

27/08/2025

16 years ago tomorrow, the first day of the Folk Roots and Festival took place on South Parade Pier. I had a blast! Dan Ogus from Express FM was on the bill and he did a splendid set. He did a record breaking 11 live sessions for us which was one more than Caz Batten and Gareth Howells from BEMIS.

Dan will be on the station tonight at 9pm with Scatterin' The Roots with his usual wowsers selection of folk, roots, blues, etc [with plenty of etc].

20/08/2025

Exactly 8 years ago today, I was honoured to have 's son Peter Donegan in session on the show on Express FM.

He brought along his Dad's guitar.

Lonnie Donegan's son Peter Donegan [www.peterdonegan.com] dropped by the Express FM studio in August in 2017 for a live session on Russell Hill's Country Mus...

15/08/2025

15 years ago today, I did my very first show on Express FM with Charles Haskell. Charles very kindly invited me onto his show as a co-host. Thanks Charles.

Speaking of which, one of our most popular features was where got to request their favourite Charles Esten songs. Not long after the show ended in 2023, Chip recorded this video. Thanks Chip!

Hundreds of shows are still available to listen to on https://www.mixcloud.com/russellhillmaverickmagazine/

28/07/2025

As you can see, I'm a major Tom Lehrer fan.

After I heard of Tom's death on BBC Radio 3 this morning, I and countless others requested his music today on Georgia Mann's show. Georgia even gave me a shout out too.

My mention [and Tom's brilliant song] is on around 2 hours into Georgia's programme.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002g5gj