Nashville Sounds in the Round
Birmingham's premier country songwriter night 'Nashville Sounds In The Round' in partnership with B:Music! Hosted by multi award-winning Gasoline & Matches, artists are invited to tell the stories behind their songs in a Bluebird Café style ‘In The Round’ session, stripping the songs back to their origins and transporting the audience right back to the writing rooms.

Gasoline & Matches
Gasoline & Matches are a high energy, multi-award winning, dual fronted British band combining close harmonies, melodic guitar licks and serious musicianship. Fronted by Birmingham natives Sally Rea Morris and Stephen Marks, they are fierce entertainers known for their tongue-in-cheek and much-loved song "Never Have I Ever" described by Bob Harris as “Clever, funny, totally original…and it’s Country!” They built momentum after multiple spins on BBC Radio 2, and never fail to get festival goers on their feet to participate in the infamous drinking game which inspired the song. As resident hosts of Nashville Sounds in the Round, their Bluebird Cafe style songwriter round at Birmingham Symphony Hall, it’s clear to see their contribution & influence on Country and Americana music in the Midlands.

Katy Hurt

Born in London and raised in the US, Katy Hurt found her voice in the rich sounds of Country and Classic Rock, inspired by icons like Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow and The Eagles. Her music blends these influences into a sound that’s both timeless and distinctly her own.

A prolific songwriter and powerhouse vocalist, Katy has released a string of critically acclaimed singles and EPs, earning accolades including Female Vocalist of the Year, Best EP, Best Song, and Best Video at the UK Country Music Spotlight Awards. She’s toured extensively across the UK and internationally, lighting up stages at major festivals such as C2C, Pilton Party on Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage, and the Isle of Wight Festival. In 2024, her single “Face to Face” was featured in the movie Slingshot, starring Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne. Katy's creative journey also took her to Canada, a place she now calls her second home, where she wrote and recorded a wave of new material. Among them were “Sounds Good In A Bar” and “Wish I Could Give You Up,” both of which soared to Number 1 on the UK iTunes charts. These tracks gained international traction, earning radio play on CBC, SiriusXM, KIX Australia, and a spot on Amazon Music playlists.

Produced by Juno Award-winner Murray Pulver (Doc Walker, The Bros. Landreth), the songs form part of Katy’s long-awaited and widely praised debut album “Gimme A Break” which was released on May 23rd.

Sonia Leigh

Sonia Leigh is a genre-defying artist whose music spans country, rock, pop, and hip-hop. She debuted on the country scene in 2011 with 1978 December under Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Records, and co-wrote Zac Brown Band hits “Goodbye In Her Eyes” and “Sweet Annie.” Her 2018 album Mad Hatter showcased her production skills and stylistic range, while 2020’s re-release of “1978 December,” produced by Queen’s Roger Taylor, highlighted her songwriting and piano talent.

Leigh’s music has appeared in film, TV, and video games, and she signed with BMG as a songwriter in 2019. She leads multiple projects including TYGR TYGR, Indica Girlz, and Rob The Man. Her recent singles “Thin Ice,” “Beautiful Mess,” and 2025’s “Never Stopped” reflect her evolving sound. Her latest album, Songs About Ghosts, marks a return to Americana roots, while her newest single, “Everything’s Numb,” leans into mellow, reggae-tinged 80s pop rock.

Willow Hill
Recently named a Rolling Stone’s “Band to Watch”, Willow Hill, has cemented themselves as one of Nashville’s most unique sensations. Led by powerhouse husband and wife duo, Alexandra and CT Fields, Willow Hill delivers a fresh and modern twist on the classic country sound (often described as Lady Gaga meets Kenny Chesney). This distinct sound has helped develop a groundswell global fanbase, and up to 200 dates touring per year internationally and nationally as an independent artist, from the US to UK, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, South America, Virgin Islands, and more. Infusing feel-good energy, a bombastic live show, and heartfelt storytelling, Willow Hill has performed at major festivals like Summerfest (World’s Largest Music Festival), Rocklahoma, Sturgis, Warped Tour, and more, supporting artists like Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Pat Benatar, Zac Brown, Aaron Lewis, Brett Elderedge, and numerous others. Willow Hill’s catalogue spans hundreds of original songs, written alongside some of the industry’s most notorious writers in their hometown of Nashville, Tn. And their newest release, “Better Together” holds nothing back. This collection shows off the duo’s unapologetic radio songwriting prowess, while maintaining the authentic and refreshing energy which Willow Hill is known for.

Ags Connolly

A traditional country artist from Oxfordshire, England, widely considered to be one of the best singer-songwriters in the genre ever to emerge from the UK. He has released four highly acclaimed studio albums which have led Country Music People magazine to label him "an English Willie Nelson" and "a national treasure". His 2019 album 'Wrong Again' was named Album Of The Year at the 2020 UK Country Music Awards. Ags has been a touring artist for over ten years, including playing major festivals and two US tours, and now performs regularly in the UK, Netherlands, Scandinavia and Germany. In 2023 he opened every date of a major European tour for Charley Crockett. He has also opened shows for Rosanne Cash, Asleep At The Wheel and Dale Watson, among many others. "A New Master who sounds like an Old Master" - Country Music People, "Modern day traditionalism of the very, very best kind" - Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2, "Greatness is closer to home than you realise" - Lonesome Highway