Ben's Country Music Show Week of the 5th May 2025 – Listen Again: Academic Research in Country Music

This week, there’s another chance to hear a special conversation with fellow country music researchers James Barker and Robin Shooter, recorded in advance of the show’s upcoming trip to Nashville. All three guests are PhD students working across topics in country music, Americana, and American cultural history. The episode explores their personal paths into the genre, current research areas—including Dolly Parton’s cultural impact, gender and representation in Americana, and women’s roles within the industry—and reflections on the changing character of Nashville, from its lively Broadway scene to shifting social dynamics. The programme also features a curated playlist, with selections by each contributor highlighting key themes in genre blending, identity, storytelling, and cultural heritage.

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