Want To Play The Country Calling Festival 2026 - Here's Your Chance!
The UK-CMA is proud to announce that, as an official industry partner of Country Calling Festival, we are hosting a “stage takeover” session!
We are looking for 4 artists to perform at Country Calling Festival at Kings Farm, Chelmsford on 14 August 2026.
For full entry details see below.
How To Enter
Phase One
- You must be a fully paid-up annual artist member of UK-CMA
- Post an acoustic performance video of an original song to your socials
- Tag Country Calling and UK-CMA
- INSTAGRAM: @countrycallinguk @ukcountrymusicassociation
- FACEBOOK:
- Include the festival ticket link in your post: https://www.country-calling.com/
- Use the hashtags #CountryCallingUK and #UK-CMA
- Email your EPK + video file to admin@uk-cma.com
The UK-CMA board will review all entries and collectively decide on ten artists to go through to Phase Two.
Deadline for Phase One submissions: midnight BST, Friday 6 March 2026.
Ten shortlisted announced: 7pm BST, Friday 20 March 2026.
Phase Two
- Each of the ten artists must then submit a recording of a live performance of 3 songs (2 of which must be original) by midnight BST Friday 24 April 2026
- A panel of industry experts will select 4 artists to appear at Country Calling on Friday 14 August 2026
- The final four artists will be announced at 7.00pm BST on Friday 8 May 2026
Phase Two judging panel:
Ray Jones – Ray is one of the founders of TalentBanq (Booking Agents, Event & Venue Managers and Concert Promoters) and has a significant track record in curating live events and promoting independent musicians.
Blue Foley - Blue Foley is one of Nashville’s most beloved and respected writers. Blue has had over 100 independent and major label cuts and been nominated for Grammys for writing the title track of Ashley McBryde’s ‘Neverwill’, and for having two songs on Ashley McBryde’s ‘Country Album of The Year’.
Tyler Spicer – Tyler is a UK-born country music producer based in Nashville. A talented bass player, all round musician with amazing vocal ability and years of experience regarding live and studio session work. He has worked with artists such as Cody Pennington, Wood Burnt Red, Daniel Beddoes, Nicola Shortland and many more.
Terms and Conditions
- Artists must be available to perform on the afternoon of Friday 14 August 2026 between 13:00 BST and 16:00 BST.
- Any artists already booked for the Festival are not eligible to enter.
- No cash performance fee will be offered for competition winners and no cash alternative to the performance slot is available. However, a payment (up to £50) will be made to cover expenses.
- Winning artists' names will be included on festival merchandise (t-shirt) and lineup posters (physical and digital).
- Each winner will receive a pair of weekend tickets (solo artist plus one guest or, if winner is a band, each band member can each bring one guest).
- Food vouchers for the day of the artist's performance are included (a hot meal and drink) that can be redeemed at various festival food traders and bars. A full list of available menu items and food trucks where the vouchers can be redeemed will be issued at the artist liaison check-in desk on arrival at the festival. Guests will not receive food or drinks vouchers.
- Light snacks and water will be provided for artists backstage.
- Artists will get the use of a private dressing room (allocated on rotation throughout the day to artists in line with their performance times).
- All judges' decisions are final.
