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The Open Road

Joey Rymer & Si Evans

Welcome to The Open Road! The country music podcast hosted by Joey & Si.

Whether you’re a lifelong country fan or you’ve only just found your way to Nashville, pull up a chair and join us for a relaxed chat about everything happening in the world of country music.

Each episode, we talk about the latest releases, country music news, festival highlights, gigs we’ve been to, artists we’re loving, and the stories everyone in the country scene is talking about.
Along the way, we’ll be joined by guests from across the industry, sharing their experiences and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at life in country music.

We’re not critics or industry insiders pretending to have all the answers – just two mates with a genuine passion for country music, sharing honest opinions, a few laughs, and hopefully helping you discover your next favourite artist.

And before we head home each week, we’ll finish with One for the Road – our personal song picks that you need to add to your playlist.

So whether you’re listening on your daily commute, on a road trip, maybe at a country festival, or with a drink in hand, thanks for coming along for the ride.

Time to buckle up, relax and enjoy The Open Road!

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9 episodes
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Avg 46 min
English

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Today · 49 min
Shania, Songwriting & Stage Presence! | The Open Road Episode #8
Shania, Songwriting & Stage Presence! | The Open Road Episode #8 Joey and Si are back on The Open Road, catching up on the latest happenings in country music, discussing some big upcoming events and getting stuck into a few debates that might divide opinion! From Shania Twain's continued place in country music to questions surrounding the future of UK festivals, there's plenty to get into this time around. In this episode: 🎤 Cody Johnson in Manchester - Si shares his thoughts on what he describes as one of the best gigs he's ever been to, alongside discussion around the cancelled Ireland dates. 🎶 Nashville Nights - Joey reflects on a fantastic night at Carmen's featuring Blue Foley, Payton Taylor, Stiko per Larsson and some brilliant UK talent. 🤠 Is Shania Twain still the queen? - With a 2027 UK tour and State Fayre headline slot announced, we discuss whether Shania still has the same place in country music and what we can expect from her live performances. 🎪 Wild Wild Woods Festival - We take a look at the newly announced festival, its first lineup and branding, and share some honest thoughts about what we've seen so far. 🔥 Dirt Road Debate - What makes the perfect artist? - Is it all about having an incredible voice, writing unforgettable songs or putting on the performance of a lifetime? Joey and Si pick their sides! 🎧 One for the Road - Joey picks an Old Dominion track to close things out, as we get into the brilliant Happy Endings album and its standout songs. Whether you're catching up on the latest country news, planning your next gig or looking for a debate to get involved in, this one's for you! 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every 2 weeks! 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @openroadpod 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Open Road #CountryMusic #UKCountry #TheOpenRoad #PodcastClips #CountryMusicUK #ShaniaTwain #CodyJohnson #OldDominion #CountryFestivals
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#7
October 26 · 47 min
1989 vs 1992: What Was the Best Year for Country Music? | The Open Road Episode #7
1989 vs 1992: What Was the Best Year for Country Music? | The Open Road Episode #7 Joey and Si are back on The Open Road, and this time the Dirt Road Debate gets a proper trip down memory lane. Two iconic years, two very different eras of country music — but which one was better: 1989 or 1992? In this episode: 🔥 Dirt Road Debate - 1989 vs 1992 - the boys go head-to-head over which year gave us the best country music, biggest artists and most memorable moments 🎸 What made 1989 so special? - looking at the artists, songs and changes happening in country music around one of the genre's most important years 📈 The 1992 country boom - exploring the explosion of country music in the early '90s and the artists who helped take the genre to another level 💃 Line dancing & festival culture - chatting about the changing country scene and the experiences that come with today's festivals 🎪 Tortuga Festival lineup - Joey and Si react to the latest lineup announcement and then build their own dream Tortuga bill, picking their own headliner and co-headliner 🎤 Recent gigs & performances - the boys reflect on some of their latest live music experiences and standout performances 🤔 Which year wins? - after everything is put on the table, there's only one question left... are you Team 1989 or Team 1992? Whether you're a fan of classic country, 90s country or the modern scene, this episode is guaranteed to get you thinking about which era really had it best. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every 2 weeks! 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @openroadpod 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Open Road #CountryMusic #UKCountry #TheOpenRoad #CountryMusicUK #DirtRoadDebate #1989 #1992 #90sCountry #TortugaFestival
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#6
October 12 · 53 min
Denmark, Nashville & Glimtvis! | The Open Road Episode #6
Denmark, Nashville & Glimtvis! | The Open Road Episode #6 Joey and Si are back on The Open Road, catching up on some of the latest happenings in country and Americana before sitting down with Danish duo Glimtvis for a special interview! In this episode: 🎸 Recent gigs & upcoming plans - Joey and Si catch up on some of the shows they've been to and what's coming up on the gig calendar 🎶 New music - chatting about some of the latest releases from artists including Hardy and Miranda Lambert 🇩🇰 Scandinavian Americana - how are artists in Denmark and Scandinavia putting their own spin on the Americana sound? 🎤 Meet Glimtvis - Joey and Si sit down with the Danish duo to hear how they came together and the story behind their music 🎙️ A trip to the Grand Ole Opry - Glimtvis share their experiences of Nashville and performing at one of country music's most iconic venues ✍️ Finding their sound - their approach to songwriting, experimenting with different genres and why they're not afraid to step outside the traditional Americana box 🎨 The story behind 'I Wish I Was In Love' - the inspiration behind their latest single and its artwork 👀 Why Glimtvis? - we get the story behind the band's unique name 🇬🇧 What's next? - with a new album and a potential UK tour on the horizon, find out what's coming up for Glimtvis Whether you're discovering Glimtvis for the first time or you're already a fan, this is a great chance to hear the story behind the music and get to know one of the most interesting acts coming out of the Scandinavian Americana scene. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every 2 weeks! 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @openroadpod 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Open Road #CountryMusic #UKCountry #TheOpenRoad #Americana #Glimtvis #DanishCountry #CountryMusicUK #PodcastClips #Nashville #CountryMusicPodcast
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September 28 · 20 min
C2C 2027: What Do We Think?! | The Open Road Special
C2C 2027: What Do We Think?! | The Open Road Special The C2C 2027 line up has finally dropped, and Joey and Si couldn't wait until the next full episode to have their say! 🎸 In this special episode of The Open Road, the boys sit down for a quick reaction to the newly announced C2C line up, sharing their thoughts on the artists, the potential headliners, the surprises and, of course, the things they're not quite so sure about! In this episode: 🎤 The line up is out! - our first reactions to the C2C 2027 announcement ⭐ Who are the big names? - breaking down the established stars and emerging artists on the bill 🤠 Jelly Roll - why he's already one of the biggest talking points of the line up 🎸 Headliners & expectations - who could take the biggest stages and what are we expecting from the weekend? 👀 The good, the bad & the surprising - our honest thoughts on the line up as a whole 🇬🇧 What does it mean for UK country fans? - is this the C2C line up we've been waiting for? It's a quick one, but there's plenty to discuss — so if you've seen the line up and you're wondering "what do Joey and Si make of it?", this one's for you! 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every 2 weeks! 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @openroadpod 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Open Road #CountryMusic #UKCountry #TheOpenRoad #C2C #C2C2027 #CountryToCountry #CountryMusicUK #PodcastClips
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#5
September 28 · 54 min
Stella Lefty, Bro Country & What’s Next? | The Open Road Episode #5
Joey and Si are back on The Open Road as festival season winds down and the next chapter of the UK country scene starts to take shape. From standout festivals and upcoming gigs to one of the biggest songwriting controversies doing the rounds online, there’s plenty to get stuck into! In this episode: 🎪 Festival season reflections - looking back on a busy summer of country festivals and the moments that stood out, including Buckle & Boots, The Long Road & Wafsville 🎤 What's coming up? - Joey and Si look ahead to some seriously exciting gigs, including Megan Moroney and Cody Johnson ⚡ Stella Lefty controversy - we get into the debate around the similarities between some of Stella Lefty’s songs and previously released tracks, and ask where the line sits between inspiration, interpolation and copying. 🤠 Is Bro Country making a comeback? - what does the future hold for the bro-country sound as we head towards 2027? 🎸 Jeremy McComb - talking about the artist, his recent performances and why his personality and live shows have made such an impression 🎪 The future of UK country festivals - with Long Road continuing to grow and C2C expanding to Manchester in 2027, where does the UK festival scene go next? 📱 Social media & music - how quickly can a song controversy explode online, and does social media change the way we judge artists and their music? Whether you're still recovering from festival season, counting down to your next gig or just want to know what everyone in country music is talking about, this one's for you. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every 2 weeks! 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @openroadpod 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Open Road #CountryMusic #UKCountry #TheOpenRoad #PodcastClips #CountryMusicUK #StellaLefty #BroCountry #CountryFestivals
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#4
September 9 · 41 min
LIVE From Wafsville! Tributes, Grassroots & DJ Ste Brown Y’all | The Open Road Episode #4
LIVE From Wafsville! Tributes, Grassroots & DJ Ste Brown Y’all | The Open Road Episode #4 The Open Road goes LIVE! 🎙️ Joey and Si are at Wafsville Festival 2026 in Parbold for a special episode packed with festival chat, country music debates and a very special guest - DJ Ste Brown Y’all! In this episode: 🎪 Long Road Festival - Joey and Si look back at their highlights and experiences from one of the UK's biggest country festivals 🎤 Tribute or original? - are tribute artists good for country music, and where do they fit alongside the real thing? 🌱 Supporting grassroots country - why local artists, smaller festivals and independent venues are so important to the UK country scene 🤠 The Wafsville experience - what makes a grassroots country festival different, and why the atmosphere can be just as important as the lineup 🎧 DJ Ste Brown Y'all joins us! - we chat to the man behind the decks and find out more about his role in the country music scene 🔮 What's next for The Open Road? - Joey and Si reveal what they've got planned for the podcast and their future music adventures Recorded LIVE from the festival, this is The Open Road at its most unpredictable - expect plenty of opinions, audience interaction, laughs and a few debates along the way! 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every 2 weeks! 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @openroadpod 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Open Road #CountryMusic #UKCountry #TheOpenRoad #PodcastClips #CountryMusicUK #Wafsville #LongRoad #GrassrootsCountry #CountryFestivals
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#3
August 24 · 42 min
We Love You Long Road! | The Open Road Episode #3
We Love You Long Road! | The Open Road Episode #3 Join Joey and Si as they head back into the world of UK country festivals, looking at their experiences at Country Calling and the recent James Johnston gigs and we look ahead to The Long Road and asking one big question — are there now too many country festivals? In this episode: 🎪 Country Calling - what’s changed, what’s improved and how does it stack up? 🎤 Festival highlights - from Parmalee's unexpected Usher cover to some unforgettable performances 🤠 The Long Road - why it remains one of the biggest and best country festivals in the UK ⚔️ Country Calling vs The Long Road - two festivals, two very different vibes 📈 The UK country boom - with more festivals appearing, is the market becoming saturated? 👀 Festival atmosphere - what actually makes a country festival a great experience? Whether you're a seasoned festival-goer, planning your first country festival or just want to know what the UK country scene is really like right now, this one's for you. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every 2 weeks! 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @openroadpod 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Open Road #CountryMusic #UKCountry #TheOpenRoad #PodcastClips #CountryMusicUK #CountryFestivals #CountryCalling #TheLongRoad
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#2
August 10 · 46 min
Ronnie, Rushmore & Rizla! | The Open Road Episode #2
Ronnie, Rushmore & Rizla! | The Open Road Episode #2 Join Joey and Si as they dive into the biggest talking points in country music and festival culture right now, from record-breaking nights at Wembley to the debates dividing fans and artists alike. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants the inside scoop on what's really going on in the scene. In this episode: 🏆 Luke Combs sets a Guinness World Record at Wembley - we break down the moment 🎪 Festival experiences and standout artist performances from the summer so far ⚡ Industry controversy - sponsorship debates and artist cancellations under the microscope 🗿 The Country Music Mount Rushmore debate - who makes the cut? 💷 Ticket pricing - how it's shaping festival attendance ❤️ Mental health and artist support - an honest look at the pressures behind the scenes Whether you're all caught up on country news or just want to know what everyone's talking about, this one's for you. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every 2 weeks! 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @openroadpod 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Open Road #CountryMusic #UKCountry #TheOpenRoad #PodcastClips #CountryMusicUK #LukeCombs #Wembley
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#1
July 31 · 59 min
Did Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran Make Country Cool Again? | The Open Road Episode #1
Did Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran Make Country Cool? | The Open Road Ep. 1 Join Joey and Si as they explore their passion for country music, sharing personal stories, festival experiences, and insights into the genre's rising popularity in the UK. This episode is perfect for fans and newcomers alike who want to understand what makes country music so special. In this episode: 🎤 How Joey and Si first got into country music — first gigs, favourite artists, and the moments that hooked them 📈 UK country music is up 10.9% in the last year — we dig into why 🌟 The pop crossover effect — how artists like Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé have pulled country into the mainstream 🎪 Festival talk — our experiences at Buckle and Boots, Long Road, and smaller local festivals 📱 How social media and streaming are reshaping the genre and giving new artists a platform Whether you've been into country for years or you're just starting to notice it everywhere, this one's for you. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every 2 weeks 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @openroadpod 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Open Road
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