Baylen Leonard

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Baylen Leonard (born 12 June 1973) is an American British radio and TV broadcaster specialising in country music.[1][2][3][4]

Leonard at Albert Hall May 2023

In 2019, he described why he loved Country Music to the Children's Charity for the Blind Victa:[5]

My love of country music began in my teenage years when I picked up a copy of a LeAnn Rimes CD and couldn’t stop playing it. Of course back then many people here in the UK thought country music was all about rhinestones, Stetsons and cowboy boots. And it wasn’t really considered ‘cool’ to admit to liking that kind of music. I never let that bother me though. As a writer I was drawn to the storytelling themes and the musician in me loved the instrumentation.[6]

He started his radio career at BBC London in 2001 after moving in 2000 from New York City. Leonard has since worked for BBC Radio 2,[7][8] BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, Amazing Radio, Monocle 24,[9] Country Hits Radio, and others. He cites Bob Harris as a particular support in the establishment of his career in the UK.[10] He also worked with Danny Baker, which even The Lady, a very traditional British magazine approved of.[11]

In 2024, he presents six days a week on Absolute Radio Country[12][13] and hosts The Country Music Talk podcast.[14]

Leonard is the creative director and booker of the country music festival The Long Road, which takes place every August in Leicestershire UK.[15]

He co-founded and serves as Head of Music for the digital magazine Holler.[16]

Awards[edit]

Leonard has been recognised twice as International Broadcaster Of The Year by The Country Music Association (CMA) in 2019 and 2021.[17][18][19]

Leonard has won two British Country Music Association awards:

  • UK Services to Industry 2019[20]
  • UK Best Radio Presenter 2024[21][22]

Other work[edit]

Leonard is the annual mainstage host of The UK Americana Music Awards in Hackney London every January[23] and Highways Festival every May at The Royal Albert Hall.[24]

Leonard also does Voiceover and podcast work.[25]

Personal life[edit]

Leonard was born in Bristol Tennessee. Moved to New York City to study Musical Theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Moved in 2000 to London where he currently lives.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Walker, Rob (6 March 2022). "Why Britain is taking country music to its achy-breaky heart". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  2. ^ "What's Radio 2's Baylen Leonard listening to this week?". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Baylen Leonard". The Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  4. ^ Chilton, Martin (28 May 2018). "Baylen Leonard's Introduction To Americana". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  5. ^ "VICTA | Children and young adults who are blind or partially sighted". VICTA. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  6. ^ "The long road to country music". VICTA. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Radio 2 Country - Radio 2 Country, Baylen Leonard's Beginner's Guide to Country". BBC. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  8. ^ Moore, Barry (3 March 2017). "BBC Radio 2 Country returns this Thursday, 9 March - Digital Radio UK". Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Music: Baylen Leonard , The Monocle Arts Review 507 - Radio". Monocle. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  10. ^ Dewar, Alison (10 August 2022). "The Cadillac Three are headlining The Long Road festival on the Sunday night". Six Shooter Country. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Radio Review: 16 November | lady.co.uk". lady.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Absolute Radio Country reveals new schedule as station gets ready to relaunch with the help of Keith Urban, The Shires and Sam Palladio". Bauer Media. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Absolute Radio". Absolute Radio. 19 February 2024.
  14. ^ Sawyer, Miranda (28 April 2019). "The week in radio and podcasts: The Beautiful Brain; Losing Earth". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  15. ^ "The Long Road Festival – 23rd - 25th August 2024". The Long Road. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Baylen Leonard's Country Champion: Mason Lively | Holler". holler.country. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  17. ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (1 April 2022). "CMA Presents International Awards In Sydney & London To The Shires, Michael Chugg, More". MusicRow.com. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  18. ^ "International Country Broadcaster Award - CMA World - CMA Country Music Association". CMA World. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Absolute Radio Country's Bayland Leonard wins at CMA Awards". On The Radio. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Remember Monday, Ward Thomas & Stevie O'Connor win big at BCMA Awards 2019". maverick-country.com. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  21. ^ "BCMA Awards - Winners 2024". Country Music. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Archives". On The Radio. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  23. ^ "The Americana Music Association UK - UK Americana Awards 2023". theamauk.org. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Live Nation and Royal Alvert Hall Present Highways – The Best of Country and Americana". www.royalalberthall.com. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  25. ^ Redman, Elli. "Baylen Leonard". Noel Gay. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
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