Ben R. Atkinson
@benratkinson.bsky.social
Broadcaster, academic, musician 🎶 PhD candidate music KU Leuven, Belgium 🇧🇪: Women of Nashville country music scene 🎓 Do Learning Tech at Uni of Nottingham, UK + digital for British Association for American Studies 🇺🇸
New album, Country Folk, out now! 🤠
New album, Country Folk, out now! 🤠
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Ben R. Atkinson
@benratkinson.bsky.social
· Mar 17
Wannabe American
Provided to YouTube by Record Union
Wannabe American · Ben Atkinson
Country Folk
℗ 2025 Ben Atkinson
Released on: 2025-01-20
Producer: Ben Atkinson
Composer, Lyricist: Ben Atkinson
Auto-generated by YouTube.
youtu.be
My new album, Country Folk, has been out a full three months today! What songs are you enjoying from the record? Here's one of my favourites, Wannabe American. Feels weirdly appropriate for these crazy days we're living through.
youtu.be/mUW8eXe8oww...
youtu.be/mUW8eXe8oww...
Spotify wrapped 2025 is in, and aside from my top songs all being ambient noise for sleep I think this list sums me up well. The Kip Moore and Eric Church records were my standouts from this year, and MCC is always my go to when I need calm 😌
December 3, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Spotify wrapped 2025 is in, and aside from my top songs all being ambient noise for sleep I think this list sums me up well. The Kip Moore and Eric Church records were my standouts from this year, and MCC is always my go to when I need calm 😌
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry, which began on this day in 1925 with Uncle Jimmy Thompson playing his fiddle in the WSM downtown studio, here are some favourite photos from visiting that special place over the years.
November 28, 2025 at 11:01 PM
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry, which began on this day in 1925 with Uncle Jimmy Thompson playing his fiddle in the WSM downtown studio, here are some favourite photos from visiting that special place over the years.
Great to have the chance to present at the British Association for American Studies PGR Conference, discussing my completed PhD research on women in country music. I'm now 3/4 way through writing up, and I'm on track to have a complete draft over winter break.
November 26, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Great to have the chance to present at the British Association for American Studies PGR Conference, discussing my completed PhD research on women in country music. I'm now 3/4 way through writing up, and I'm on track to have a complete draft over winter break.
Today marks 30 years since the release of Toy Story! The amazing achievements of Pixar and the revolutionary animation style they created have always inspired me. If you want to know more, check out of my favourite ever documentaries. The Pixar Story.
disneyplus.com/en-GB...
disneyplus.com/en-GB...
November 23, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Today marks 30 years since the release of Toy Story! The amazing achievements of Pixar and the revolutionary animation style they created have always inspired me. If you want to know more, check out of my favourite ever documentaries. The Pixar Story.
disneyplus.com/en-GB...
disneyplus.com/en-GB...
The deluxe edition of my second album, Country Folk (At Heart). Is available everywhere now. Go listen on your favourite music platform, or if you're old school like me order a physical copy from my website.
November 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM
The deluxe edition of my second album, Country Folk (At Heart). Is available everywhere now. Go listen on your favourite music platform, or if you're old school like me order a physical copy from my website.
Surprise! ✨ The deluxe version of my second album, Country Folk, which came out earlier this year, drops tomorrow. There's some new songs and bonus tracks on this extended version, and it's called Country Folk (At Heart) 🎸🤠
November 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Surprise! ✨ The deluxe version of my second album, Country Folk, which came out earlier this year, drops tomorrow. There's some new songs and bonus tracks on this extended version, and it's called Country Folk (At Heart) 🎸🤠
Catching up on Rob Brydon's interview with Lainey Wilson for his country music documentary and thinking back to summer 2022 when I played on the stage behind them at The Bluebird Cafe 💛🤠
A song from that evening will be on the digital deluxe of Country Folk (At Heart), out end of November.
A song from that evening will be on the digital deluxe of Country Folk (At Heart), out end of November.
October 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Catching up on Rob Brydon's interview with Lainey Wilson for his country music documentary and thinking back to summer 2022 when I played on the stage behind them at The Bluebird Cafe 💛🤠
A song from that evening will be on the digital deluxe of Country Folk (At Heart), out end of November.
A song from that evening will be on the digital deluxe of Country Folk (At Heart), out end of November.
The iTeach Online Podcast from the University of Nottingham is back for a new season. We begin this time with a chat about assessment at the University and our colleague Dave joins us in the studio to talk about the new Assessment Framework.
Assessments at the University of Nottingham
The iTeach Online Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The iTeach Online Podcast from the University of Nottingham is back for a new season. We begin this time with a chat about assessment at the University and our colleague Dave joins us in the studio to talk about the new Assessment Framework.
Just finished writing a chapter of my PhD on MTV, CMT and the music video revolution of the 80s and 90s. As part of my fieldwork in Nashville I interviewed a woman who was hired as only the second employee at MTV.
MTV to axe its music TV channels in the UK
The broadcaster will stop showing music videos in December, but its main channel will remain on air.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Just finished writing a chapter of my PhD on MTV, CMT and the music video revolution of the 80s and 90s. As part of my fieldwork in Nashville I interviewed a woman who was hired as only the second employee at MTV.
Snuck out all incognito Swiftie like to watch The Release Party of a Showgirl this afternoon. Great to see some of the behind the scenes making of the music videos. I'll be feeding that into a chapter I'm writing on film and TV representation... Do you I think I was that obvious? 😁 😅 👀
October 4, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Snuck out all incognito Swiftie like to watch The Release Party of a Showgirl this afternoon. Great to see some of the behind the scenes making of the music videos. I'll be feeding that into a chapter I'm writing on film and TV representation... Do you I think I was that obvious? 😁 😅 👀
I heard that Taylor Swift has a new record out today. Well, I've been a Swifie since the early days, but my new single is also out today. I guess you'd say it's about The Life of Cowboy 👀 🤠
'All About You' is available now on all platforms, one of the most requested songs from my album Country Folk!
'All About You' is available now on all platforms, one of the most requested songs from my album Country Folk!
October 3, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I heard that Taylor Swift has a new record out today. Well, I've been a Swifie since the early days, but my new single is also out today. I guess you'd say it's about The Life of Cowboy 👀 🤠
'All About You' is available now on all platforms, one of the most requested songs from my album Country Folk!
'All About You' is available now on all platforms, one of the most requested songs from my album Country Folk!
When one of your music heroes writes their autobiography. Can't wait to start reading this later tonight with a glass of red after a crazy week! 🍷
"So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out. There's so much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out!" 🎵
"So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out. There's so much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out!" 🎵
October 2, 2025 at 6:40 PM
When one of your music heroes writes their autobiography. Can't wait to start reading this later tonight with a glass of red after a crazy week! 🍷
"So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out. There's so much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out!" 🎵
"So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out. There's so much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out!" 🎵
Absolutely devoured this book, the new autobiography from Sir Tim Berners-Lee. A fascinating story of how the World Wide Web came to be, and for me the story of my life. I was born in 1991 the same year the WWW went public and it's development tracked my childhood, studies and career.
October 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Absolutely devoured this book, the new autobiography from Sir Tim Berners-Lee. A fascinating story of how the World Wide Web came to be, and for me the story of my life. I was born in 1991 the same year the WWW went public and it's development tracked my childhood, studies and career.
And this is what my PhD is all about, in case you were wondering...
Women Who Rock ™ on Instagram: "Happy International Country Music Day ⚡️🤠
International Country Music Day is here and we’re shining a spotlight on the gender gap that still exists in country music. 💖🎶
Swipe to see the surprising facts and let’s celebrate the women who are rocking the country scene!
#womenwhorock #womeninmusic #womenincountrymusic"
officialwomenwhorock on September 17, 2025: "Happy International Country Music Day ⚡️🤠
International Country Music Day is here and we’re shining a spotlight on the gender gap that still exists in country music. 💖🎶
Swipe to see the surprising facts and let’s celebrate the women who are rocking the country scene!
#womenwhorock #womeninmusic #womenincountrymusic".
www.instagram.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:41 PM
And this is what my PhD is all about, in case you were wondering...
I'm sorry, Garth Brooks may not have played in the UK for 30 years (so pretty much my entire life) but there's no way I'm paying £130 to stand way back in Hyde Park in a huge crowd. That's more than I paid for the Eras Tour at Wembley and Springsteen combined.
September 19, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I'm sorry, Garth Brooks may not have played in the UK for 30 years (so pretty much my entire life) but there's no way I'm paying £130 to stand way back in Hyde Park in a huge crowd. That's more than I paid for the Eras Tour at Wembley and Springsteen combined.
This seemed appropriate today, can't for the life of me think why...
September 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
This seemed appropriate today, can't for the life of me think why...
3,2,1... Time to see what the 34th trip around the sun has in store! 💫🚀✨🎈🎂
September 10, 2025 at 6:56 PM
3,2,1... Time to see what the 34th trip around the sun has in store! 💫🚀✨🎈🎂
Yesterday I had a chance to slip out at lunch and visit the new Beyond Coffee in Lincoln which has creative takes on an iced latte (raspberry was my pick), plus windows views across to the beautiful New Theatre Royal where I've performed many times.
September 9, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Yesterday I had a chance to slip out at lunch and visit the new Beyond Coffee in Lincoln which has creative takes on an iced latte (raspberry was my pick), plus windows views across to the beautiful New Theatre Royal where I've performed many times.
Today's vinyl choice, the brilliant Petty Country tribute to Tom Petty on orange vinyl. Still working my way through records purchased in Nashville earlier this year! 🎶🎸
August 30, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Today's vinyl choice, the brilliant Petty Country tribute to Tom Petty on orange vinyl. Still working my way through records purchased in Nashville earlier this year! 🎶🎸
What a wonderful weekend at @thelongroadfest. Too many years away and great to be back with friends old and new. I can't think of a festival with more wholesome vibes and a great family friendly atmosphere. Lineup across the weekend was eclectic and top notch!
Roll on 2026 y'all! 🤠🎸☀️😁
Roll on 2026 y'all! 🤠🎸☀️😁
August 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
What a wonderful weekend at @thelongroadfest. Too many years away and great to be back with friends old and new. I can't think of a festival with more wholesome vibes and a great family friendly atmosphere. Lineup across the weekend was eclectic and top notch!
Roll on 2026 y'all! 🤠🎸☀️😁
Roll on 2026 y'all! 🤠🎸☀️😁
"Here in a small town, where everybody knows your name. It's hard to escape from local fame..."
youtu.be/Olth0nsQ_O8...
Big plans afoot for my hometown come 2026.
youtu.be/Olth0nsQ_O8...
Big plans afoot for my hometown come 2026.
August 17, 2025 at 12:59 PM
"Here in a small town, where everybody knows your name. It's hard to escape from local fame..."
youtu.be/Olth0nsQ_O8...
Big plans afoot for my hometown come 2026.
youtu.be/Olth0nsQ_O8...
Big plans afoot for my hometown come 2026.
I'll never get bored of walking this city on a beautiful summer evening. Despite everything else, it's why I'll never leave. I've been lucky to graduate twice in the Cathedral. A Belgium PhD graduation will be hard pressed to compete!
August 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I'll never get bored of walking this city on a beautiful summer evening. Despite everything else, it's why I'll never leave. I've been lucky to graduate twice in the Cathedral. A Belgium PhD graduation will be hard pressed to compete!
What a life! You couldn't imagine it if you tried... and now he's back amongst the stars. The movie version is one of my favourites as I've always been fascinated by space exploration. Fly high, Spaceman! 👨🚀
www.bbc.co.uk/news/a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/a...
Jim Lovell: Astronaut who guided Apollo 13 safely back to Earth dies aged 97
The commander of Apollo 13 famously rescued his men from near certain death in space.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 9, 2025 at 7:54 AM
What a life! You couldn't imagine it if you tried... and now he's back amongst the stars. The movie version is one of my favourites as I've always been fascinated by space exploration. Fly high, Spaceman! 👨🚀
www.bbc.co.uk/news/a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/a...
Heard the sad news that we lost Grand Ole Opry legend "Miss Country Soul" Jeannie Seely. I was lucky to see her perform on my first visit to the Opry, just one of the nearly 5,400 shows she did in the circle, the most ever.
August 3, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Heard the sad news that we lost Grand Ole Opry legend "Miss Country Soul" Jeannie Seely. I was lucky to see her perform on my first visit to the Opry, just one of the nearly 5,400 shows she did in the circle, the most ever.
Lately, I've been quite obsessed with the new Parker McCollum album, his self-titled record, which is great for anyone growing up but still feeling like they don't have it all together. Anyway, I thought I'd give it a go, here's my version of 'Sunny Days' from the record.
youtu.be/jFFSEq2BpZg...
youtu.be/jFFSEq2BpZg...
Sunny Days (Parker McCollum Cover)
Lately, I've been quite obsessed with the new Parker McCollum album, his self-titled record, which is a great album for anyone growing up but still feeling like they don't have it all together. It's a concept record of sorts; you have to listen from start to finish. Anyway, I thought I'd give it a g
youtu.be
August 3, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Lately, I've been quite obsessed with the new Parker McCollum album, his self-titled record, which is great for anyone growing up but still feeling like they don't have it all together. Anyway, I thought I'd give it a go, here's my version of 'Sunny Days' from the record.
youtu.be/jFFSEq2BpZg...
youtu.be/jFFSEq2BpZg...