Who Makes The UK-CMA Tick?
As Chair of the UK-CMA, it could be said that John Finch has an enormous job to do. While he has the rest of the board to help him (and a host of willing volunteers) what drives John in his role as UK-CMA Chair?
What spurred your involvement in the UK-CMA?
There were two key moments that made me realise that something needed to be done to ensure UK country music was better appreciated and supported.
The first of these was when The Shires were named as Old Dominion’s replacement on the main stage at C2C in 2020. There was so much vitriol on social media that UK acts should not be on the main stage, mostly because they were not American, not because they weren’t any good.
The second was the news, a couple of years ago, that dozens of artists were falsely promised deals for music placement that never materialised and subsequently lost a lot of money. What hit me was that there was nobody, or an official organisation, to which artists could turn for help or guidance.
It struck me something akin to a trade association needed to be created to fill that void. I then had a lot of conversations with a wide range of people involved in the UK country scene; they all felt the same, but had neither the time or experience to set something up. Given that I have done a number of things like this before in my business career, the UK-CMA came into being, with a lot of help and input from the other board members.
What was your first gig, country or otherwise?
Jet Harris, bass player with The Shadows, at the Odeon in Harrow. The first true country gig was seeing a local bluegrass duo called The Tippen Brothers, who were a bit like Flatt and Scruggs, way back in 1968!
Who is your favourite US country act, past or present?
Ashley McBryde. I first saw Ashley at C2C in a small room upstairs somewhere in the O2 Arena complex. She blew me away, and her song ‘Girl Going Nowhere’ resonated with my own life, and overcoming rejection.
Away from country music, what are your other passions and interests?
Golf, investments and music in general.
Have you had a fun encounter with a country music star?
Sitting next to Matt Hodges for an interview and realising what a big unit he is! I cricked my neck looking up at him.
Which country song gets you through the day?
Lots of different ones but probably ‘Toes’ by Zac Brown Band, the aforementioned ‘Girl Going Nowhere’ and the special pair of ‘This Kiss’ by Faith Hill and ‘You’re Still the One’ by Shania Twain.
What is one thing the UK country music community should be aware of?
That we need to realise just how good UK country is!
