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“The Best London Country Music Podcast. Ever” celebrates London’s long love affair with country music and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees from our region. It is inspired by London’s role as host of CCMA Country Music Week 2021 on Nov. 26-29.

As a CCMA 2021 London Host Organizing Committee legacy project, the weekly six-part series is an enduring contribution to our incredible music city.

Queen Marie & Canada’s Country Gentleman

Host and producer Zahra Habib opens with the stories of two icons. Marie Bottrell and Tommy Hunter are truly London country music royalty. They are honoured in their hometown and loved by fans across Canada,

Tommy Hunter’s CBC-TV show welcomed many guests, including his Forest City friend and fellow Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Marie Bottrell.

Marie talks about that in the first episode of The Best London Country Music Podcast. Ever — and Tommy’s friends talk about the good times they’ve had over the decades.

There is also some great music by London’s Country Music Queen and Canada’s Country Gentleman.

Queen Marie & Canada’s Country Gentleman

If you enjoyed this episode of The Best London Country Music Podcast. Ever, be sure to check out more episodes on londonmusicoffice.ca or on Spotify by searching for The Best London Country Music Podcast. Ever. We will be sharing stories about Indigenous artists, Gordie Tapp, Hall of Fame fiddlers, and more.

The Best London Country Music Podcast. Ever is executive produced by CCMA 2021 London Host Organizing Committee members Harina Mokanan and James Stewart Reaney. The podcast showcases diverse, inclusive voices and creators across the London community. The Best Country Music Podcast. Ever is a testament to the remarkable talents of our researchers, historians, editors, and radio hosts.

This episode was researched and written by Roberto Figueroa and Scott Taylor with contributions from Marie Bottrell, Donna and LeRoy Anderson, and Brian Edwards. 

Special thanks to Guillermo Gucciardi and Radio Western. The Best London Country Music Podcast. Ever is grateful to the Canadian Country Music Association and the CCMA 2021 London Host Organizing Committee. Thank you to Western University’s Public History Program, Tourism London, London Music Office, Jonathan Holiff, Purple Hill Country Opry, Forest City London Music Awards and FCLMA London Music Hall of Fame, Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, Rocklands Talent and Longview Advertising, London Public Library, CBC and our wonderful team of researchers and writers.