We recently had a chin wag with long time Kennington resident Baylen Leonard. Baylen is a presenter at the increasingly popular ‘Absolute Country’ and in fact was the first voice on the channel when it launched a few years ago. Described as the ‘oracle of country music’, Baylen just won ‘International Country Broadcaster of the Year’ at the Country Music Awards.
Baylen hails from Bristol, Tennessee and arrived in London via New York in 2000. He started his career as a voiceover artist, worked with Sara Cox, had a podcast with Danny Baker, and then landed his first job working at Radio 1 London. He has also presented the massive (and it must be because even we’ve heard of it) Country 2 Country Festival for Radio 2. He also runs an online country music magazine called Holler. Whew….and to think, here in the office we get exhausted when we ask Sue to order more staples.
Baylen is passionate about country music, pointing out that Absolute Radio wouldn’t have touched it with a bargepole unless they recognised it was probably the largest growing genre of music in the UK.. Baylen observed that what people appreciate about country is that often songs tell stories, and that people are moving back to ‘honesty and authenticity’ in their musical tastes. When asked how people can tip their toe into home grown country talent, Baylen tipped The Shires and Twinnie.
When interviewing folks we always like to ascertain what Greater Kennington means to them, and Baylen said ‘it is constantly evolving but not over run with chain shops’. When not behind a microphone Baylen can be found at his local The Dog House, The Vauxhall Tavern, or The Eagle. In terms of grub he’s a fan of Oval Farmers Market, Mimi’s Deli, Theos Pizzeria, and Kuma. For sushi it has to be Taro, and for him the best burgers can be found at The White Bear. We fully endorse all of these selections and no money has changed hands.
As if all of the excitement above isn’t enough for our local boy, he’s even gone and started a country music festival called The Long Road with over 100 acts, and tickets are available now. On the subject of festivals, we at the Runoff are a very modest sort and we don’t like to show off. But since you asked, we did see Dolly at Glastonbury a few years again and a short video is below *picks up name just dropped on the floor*.