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MUSIC PEOPLE
NEWS
AUGUST 2026 Volume 57 Number 08 Issue 678
Editor Kelly Gregory
Contributors David Allan, Janet Aspley, Donnie Ayers, Craig Baguley, Jonny Brick, Chris Brown, Tony Byworth, Rosie Carter, Don Cusic, Larry Delaney, Julie Flaskett, Marshall Gardener, Michael Hingston, Stan Hitchcock, Tony Ives, Sianna King, Spencer Leigh, John Lomax III, Bryce Martin, Adrian Peel, Paul Riley, Chris Smith, Tom Travis, Walt Trott, Dan Wallace, Dave Watkins, Jack Watkins
New release consultant Steve Tidbury
Photographers Patricia Presley, Barry Dixon
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ACM AWARD FOR C2C
Europe’ s biggest country music festival, Country to Country( C2C), has been named the latest recipient of the Academy of Country Music’ s International Award, inspired by the late Jim Reeves. The honour is given to artists, groups, or industry leaders who have significantly broadened country music’ s reach beyond American borders.
The multi-city event now joins an impressive list of past winners that includes Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Luke Combs, and Kacey Musgraves. The recognition arrives at a moment when country music is experiencing unprecedented international growth, with C2C playing a central role in nurturing that momentum across the UK and Europe for more than a decade
In a joint statement, festival organisers Jack Dowling of SJM Concerts and Rachel
Lloyd of AEG Presents called the award a powerful validation of collective effort.“ C2C has become the focal point in the calendar for fans and artists in the UK and Europe,” they said.“ We’ ve stayed committed to importing the best in country music while giving emerging artists a platform to reach global audiences. Being recognised by the ACMs is a testament to everyone who has helped build this.”
The organisers pointed to the festival’ s artist-development pipeline as particularly rewarding. Many performers who first cut their teeth on C2C stages have since returned as headliners, a pattern they believe will continue.“ It’ s an incredibly exciting time to be at the forefront of the genre’ s growth in the UK and Europe,” they added.“ C2C will always support
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