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  • John Collins Country Weekly is live

    John Collins Country Weekly is live

    K107 John Collins Image

    I’m really delighted that the weekly show has gone live with launch partner, the storied K107 in Kircaldy.

    Catch the show on all of their outlets at 6pm on Sundays.

    Read their launch press release at the bottom of the page.

    If you’re interested in having the show on your station, just drop me a line, and we can chat. Similarly, if you’re an artist and want to submit music for consideration, please do.

    As I say, this is really exciting and I’m looking forward to distributing the show far and wide!

    Here’s the release:

    K107FM Welcomes John Collins for new Sunday Evening show

    Nationally respected country music broadcaster brings decades of radio experience to Fife’s community station

    K107FM is delighted to announce the arrival of John Collins Country Weekly, a brand-new programme launching on Sunday evenings at 6.00pm, bringing one of the UK’s most experienced and respected country music broadcasters to listeners across Fife and beyond.

    Hosted by broadcaster, presenter and country music specialist John Collins, the weekly show will deliver a contemporary mix of the best new country music, established favourites, artist features, scene updates and insightful commentary, all shaped specifically for a growing UK country audience.

    For many listeners across eastern and central Scotland, John Collins is a familiar voice. His broadcasting career spans more than four decades and includes a successful period at Radio Forth in Edinburgh, where he became part of a generation of presenters who helped shape commercial radio in Scotland. His connection to Forth and the wider east of Scotland region creates a natural affinity with K107FM’s audience, many of whom grew up listening to the same era of Scottish radio.  

    More recently, Collins has become one of the UK’s leading voices in country music broadcasting. He held senior leadership roles at CountryLine Radio, including Head of Radio and Head of Presentation, while also presenting daily programmes and helping grow the station’s audience and reputation within the UK’s rapidly expanding country music scene.

    The new programme arrives at a time when country music continues to enjoy unprecedented popularity across the UK, with artists filling arenas, festivals attracting record audiences and new generations of listeners discovering the genre.

    Each edition of John Collins Country Weekly will feature fresh releases, stories from the country music world, artist spotlights and the warmth and credibility that have made John one of the genre’s most trusted broadcasters. Drawing on a lifetime in radio and more than 50 years of passion for country music, the show is designed to appeal to both long-time fans and newcomers alike.

    Alex Airnes K107FM, said:

    “We’re thrilled to welcome John Collins to K107FM. As a community station, we’re passionate about serving local audiences with high-quality programming, and John’s reputation within both broadcasting and country music speaks for itself. He has a remarkable ability to connect with listeners, and we know this show will be a fantastic addition to our Sunday evening schedule.”

    John Collins said:

    “I’m delighted that K107FM’s listeners will be the first to hear my new show. I’ll be mixing up new and old songs and continuing my mission to make country radio for folks that didn’t know they’re country fans!”

    The arrival of John Collins represents another step in K107FM’s commitment to bringing distinctive, high-quality programming to local audiences while retaining the community-focused values that have made the station a trusted part of life in Fife.

    John Collins Country Weekly launches on K107FM on Sunday at 6.00pm and will air every week thereafter.

    ENDS

    The programme has been developed through John Collins Country Media and is being made available to radio stations across the UK.

  • A weekly country show on your station!

    A weekly country show on your station!

    Back when I was a wee boy, I was besotted with radio. Even before reaching high school, I was scanning up and down the band, listening far beyond the BBC stations, Radio Luxembourg, and the very early days of Radio Clyde and Radio Forth.

    One of the stations that really stood out for me was AFN Europe. It sat on 873KHz and was designed for US service members during the Cold War. As such, it carried NFL football and had several “local” presenters. But at the weekend it carried a multitude of shows played all over the US and on my little radio in Grangemouth, Scotland.

    I’ve always loved these “syndicated” shows.

    They turned up on LPs for local stations to play and drop in their own commercials. For a nominal fee, they could have top talent and a high-quality product.

    Several people suggested I produce a show, and so “John Collins Country Weekly” is born!

    Starting in September, you can have a weekly show produced in my own studio to the highest standards.

    A lifetime of playing country music on the radio and a long-standing reputation for both quality and audience growth make the show a no-brainer in a nation that has fallen head over heels with Country Music.

    A contemporary mix with just enough music from the back of the rack to sit it in its decades-long context, presented by one of the UK’s best-loved country hosts.

    As stations sign up, I’ll also make bespoke elements to brand the show for your station and update them as required.

    If you’re a listener, ask your local stations about taking the show.

    If you’re a station, get in touch now to express your interest.

    I can’t wait to hear from you!

    J

  • Pre-Reveal

    Pre-Reveal

    So tomorrow (Monday 3rd August) is the day you’ll find out a lot more about the podcast.

    We’ve assembled a few times over the past fortnight, and tomorrow we’re sitting down to record a five-minute preview where you can meet the team.

    I think you’ll be impressed by the breadth, experience and knowledge of these guys – I’ll have to seriously up my game!

    We’ll also reveal the title, the all-important links and everything else you want to know.

    It’s VERY exciting and a bit nerve wracking too.

    See you tomorrow!

  • Here, there and everywhere!

    John’s home studio is constantly buzzing, making content; much of it is broadcast on DAB or online. Also – it’s not all country! Browse below to find out more…

    His new podcast, “The Country Collective” is now live and you can find out more here.

    John moved to Strathaven in South Lanarkshire, Scotland two years ago. He couldn’t help but volunteer at his local community station. Now he finds himself doing their lunchtime every weekday at noon.

    John says, “Avondale Radio is a proper community station with deep roots in its area. There’s always local content on air, and we work hard on local events throughout the year. It’s much more than a bunch of enthusiasts playing their favourite songs for their family and friends.”

    They’re now on DAB across North & South Lanarkshire so you can tune in as you drive around the area. And if you’re passing through on the M74 they’re right there!

    John’s latest venture in country music is a bespoke live show for Now Ayrshire Radio, which broadcasts to Ayrshire on DAB and online.

    John says, “I worked with [programme controller] Matt Finlay years ago at Beat 106 and was delighted when the phone rang and he asked if I was interested in joining their team. So now I head down to Ayr on Thursdays and take to the airwaves at 10pm for a couple of hours of amazing country music.”

    Where it all began…

    John says, “Back in 1977 I was a 14-year-old who loved music and radio. A group of locals were setting up a hospital radio station to entertain the patients with their favourite songs. I applied and was accepted!

    Within months, I had completed my training and was given my first show. It wasn’t disco or punk – it was country music.

    I’ve been a member, with a couple of gaps, ever since and still host a country show on Sundays at 8pm. There’s also a yacht rock show – “The Royal Yacht” – on Mondays at 6pm.

    I owe it all to them, and even though I live an hour away I try to remain as engaged as possible.”

    Weekend afternoons…

    John says, “A few years ago I was invited to do some cover for Now Radio Scotland (no relation to the Ayrshire one) and I’ve been there ever since!

    I’m easily the oldest person on the team but love the freshness and enthusiasm. Then there’s a fantastic mix of music from the 80s to Now, and it’s not always the obvious stuff.

    Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1pm are worth looking forward to”

  • A new radio show!

    A new radio show!

    One of the things I’ve been really keen to get back to doing is Country Radio, and I have the first of my new shows launching this week!

    The fine folks at Now Ayrshire Radio have asked me to join for a new show on Thursday nights.

    Now Ayrshire is a fabulous station that you can hear on DAB around the county and online here.

    Yes, it’s a country show, and I’ll be playing big country hits from the 1990s ’till Now, and you can get in touch and tell me what you want to hear. I’ll do the rest as you relax into the night.

    I’ll see you this and every Thursday from 10pm.

    Have I told you I can’t wait?

  • Why UK Country Fans Need a Dedicated Voice in Modern Country Media

    Welcome to John Collins Country Media

    Country music has never stood still, and neither have the fans who follow it across radio, streaming, gigs, podcasts, and social media. John Collins Country Media was created to give UK country fans a dedicated place to discover stories, conversations, and programmes that reflect both the energy of the genre and the growing community around it.

    With a focus on podcasting, weekly shows, editorial content, the JCCM is built to connect audiences with the artists, trends, and moments shaping modern country music. Whether you are a long-time listener or newly exploring the scene, the goal is simple: respect the fans who put so much into the genre make country media feel more personal, more relevant, and more connected.

    What You Can Expect

    • Podcast conversations that spotlight artists, stories, and behind-the-scenes perspectives.
    • A weekly radio show available to radio stations all over the UK that keeps listeners in touch with what’s happening across the country music space.
    • Event hosting shaped by decades of experience, personality, and a clear understanding of audience engagement.
    • Editorial features that help fans discover new music, industry insights, and standout moments worth following.

    Built for a UK Audience

    Country music continues to grow in the UK, and fans here deserve coverage that speaks directly to their experience. From following international artists to celebrating the local scene, John is able to bridge that gap with content that’s informed, current, and genuinely tuned in to what UK listeners care about.

    “Great country media does more than report on the genre. It helps fans feel part of it.”

    Why This Matters

    In a crowded media landscape, audiences respond to trusted voices that bring clarity, enthusiasm, and consistency. By combining thoughtful commentary with engaging programming, John Collins Country Media will become a reliable destination for fans, artists, and industry professionals who want meaningful coverage rather than background noise.

    This blog will be part of that mission. Expect updates, features, commentary, and useful insights that celebrate the music while helping readers stay connected to the people and stories behind it.

    Stay Connected

    If you are passionate about country music and want a fresh, modern voice focused on the UK audience, you are in the right place. Keep an eye on upcoming posts, explore the podcast and weekly show, and reach out if you would like to connect with John.