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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 8h

Thirty years of lies, and he got herograms at his death. Enough already.

Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 8h

In the 1930s Der Stuermer pushed Nazi propaganda after every other newspaper was shuttered. Fortunately Paul Marshall's Spectator, Lord Rothermere's Mail and Lachlan Murdoch's Times exist in 2026. Hurrah for the media barons. pressgazette.co.uk/news/reform-...

pressgazette.co.uk

Reform hiring journalists to build national newsroom

At least 12 jobs on offer via new Reform content operation.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

In this week's Midweek Notes at the Country Way of Life Substack page, I celebrate new albums by Wynonna and Miranda Lambert, two of the most commercially successful female singers in country music history. They have nothing to prove and plenty to say. countrywol.substack.com/p/midweek-no...

countrywol.substack.com

Midweek Notes - October 7 2026: Miranda and Wynonna

In between Hymn Sheets, I take a listen to new albums by Wynonna and Miranda, two of the successors to another mononym’s singer/songwriter crown

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Brandeath strikes again, this time a fellow author. The obits and tributes will be fascinating, what with his taints and other taints. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

theguardian.com

Jeffrey Archer, former Conservative politician and novelist, dies aged 86

Publisher says author died peacefully at home ‘between writing sessions’

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

And lo, it has come to pass. Now, when do we get a Max Martin/Paul McCartney collaboration, or indeed a Taylor Swift/Paul McCartney one?

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Get Ms Jupp to the DCMS select committee as soon as possible. She determines how the BBC covers the next few years, which may be the most important job at the corporation. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Rachel Jupp announced as BBC's new director of news after Deborah Turness exit

Jupp is a former deputy editor of BBC Two's Newsnight and has also served as Panorama's editor.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Russ Johnson has followed #Stockport County from dark days to current glory. As his team pushes for promotion to the Championship, Russ comes into the Football Library to become the 284th individual visitor, and helps me tick off County as I attempt to Read the 92. soundcloud.com/jonny_brick/...

soundcloud.com

Russ Johnson

The latest visitor to the Football Library helps me tick off Stockport County, a team which, when I started to Read the 92 in 2020, were not even in the Football League. They were one game away from t

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Did you know the UK's hottest country music ticket is Luke Combs UK aka Liam Price? I talk to him in advance of the Road to Nashville tribute band event which comes to the Electric Brixton next Saturday. countrywol.substack.com/p/sunday-hym...

countrywol.substack.com

Sunday Hymn Sheet - October 4 2026: Luke Combs UK and the Tribute Show

In this week’s Hymn Sheet, I explore the recent revival of the UK-based country tribute act

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

David Conn. The best. Now will the honourable Vincent Kompany speak up, or is he still too frightened to do so given that he's likely the next City manager...or is he? www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

theguardian.com

Manchester City’s guilty verdict brings football’s great sell-off crashing to earth

On the day Andy Burnham spoke of the wrong turn Britain took under Thatcher, football was facing a day of reckoning over its own story of corporate acquisition

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The second piece in my 84-week series of 1000 country songs takes us from In Color to Tomorrow via copyrights by Zach Bryan, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Brandy Clark. countrywol.substack.com/p/unbroken-c...

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

@laurakaykelly.bsky.social Ah I see you're starting to eviscerate joy. Count me in!

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Where are the decent Tories: Finkelstein, Hague, Gauke, Clarke, Mordaunt, Rudd? Speak up now or forever cower in your Garrick Club.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Ronaldo will win the FIFA Peace Prize.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In the USA, a song is certified diamond with 10 million sales. I run the rule over some of the 200 or so diamond babies in today's Midweek Notes at the Country Way of Life Substack page. Subscribe for FREE to get pieces delivered to your inbox thrice weekly! countrywol.substack.com/p/midweek-no...

countrywol.substack.com

Midweek Notes - September 30 2026: Diamond Sellers

In between Hymn Sheets, I look at some diamond-selling country songs which have sold over 10 million copies or streaming equivalent units

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Exclusively to my online portfolio site, Simon Alexander MP summarises the party line on Andy Burnham, using two pieces from this week's Labour fanzine The New Statesman written in advance of The Speech. www.jonnybrick.com/blog/our-lea...

jonnybrick.com

Our Leader Speaks — Jonathan Brick

This week all eyes are on the PM at his Labour Conference speech. Our diarist MP Simon Alexander writes about the narrative around Andy Burnham, driven especially by the New Statesman magazine Did y...

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It was delightful to see melodic rockers The Jayhawks at the Electric Ballroom Camden the other week, and even better to write up a review for @americanauk.bsky.social. They are among the best practitioners of my made-up genre Bob Harris Country. americana-uk.com/live-review-...

americana-uk.com

Live Review: The Jayhawks, Electric Ballroom, Camden – 16th September 2026

About a decade ago, I formulated a new genre based on a particular guitar sound that would for several years be heard on Radio 2 after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Bob Harris Country is …

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Brilliant and easy decision to give Ben Earle the Radio 2 Country Show. Warm, knowledgeable, had previously covered the slot, and far better than being shunted over on Absolute Radio Country. Plus The Shires write great music and Radio 2 have championed them for yonks. A fine heir to Bob and David.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

This week in the Football Library, I tick off Cambridge United as I try to Read the 92. Andrew Stephen writes Amber News about the club, who are riding high in League One this season. soundcloud.com/jonny_brick/...

soundcloud.com

Andrew Stephen

Andrew Stephen helps me tick off Cambridge United in my quest to Read the 92 and find authors from every club in the top four divisions of English football. The editor of the Amber News fanzine, he h

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

@yeomans.bsky.social Were you moved to Home Affairs because you failed in your duty on the Education brief to look at the James Orr case? Or am I over-reading? In any case, it does seem odd timing. I am sceptical as to why you focussed so much on Prof Arday/ were told to do so. Can you respond?

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Do you like country yet also rock'n'roll? Then you will love the Sunday Hymn Sheet, which explores the overlap between the two in mainstream country this century. countrywol.substack.com/p/sunday-hym...

countrywol.substack.com

Sunday Hymn Sheet - September 27 2026: Rock and Country Music

In this week’s Hymn Sheet, I look at how rock music has been co-opted by its country cousin in the past 25 years

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Do you reckon Caitlin Moran has brought out a 'Hello trees! Hello sky!' book and started a gardening podcast because celebrity is a chore and columnists are about to have their work killed by AI? Or because two sets of uni fees won't pay for themselves? www.penguin.co.uk/books/438835...

penguin.co.uk

How to Be Hopeful

Not getting enough sleep, doomscrolling on your phone, and feeling acid anxiety every time you watch the news? You’re not alone. One morning, Caitlin Moran lay in bed and realised: she had finally rea...

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I continue my celebration of ten of my favourite bands this autumn. Next on my list is Jellyfish, who put out about 24 songs, all of which are golden, in the early 1990s. I pick six of them to sing and play, including Baby's Coming Back, later a hit for McFly. soundcloud.com/jonny_brick/...

soundcloud.com

Songwriter Mixtapes

Podcasts from Jonny Brick, including radio shows from the Football Literary Society. View his portfolio at jonnybrick.com, with information on Now That's What I Call NOW (2018) and A Country Way of Li

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I cannot wait for the early part of next week bringing round 94 of 'The Future of the BBC' while they attempt to be fair and impartial about the PM and the Labour Party conference. I know lots of BBC people, but it needs to be smaller and more agile. Will it heck. Enough already.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The Unbroken Circle project, due to last until 2028, begins with the first dozen songs linked by title, going from He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones to Green by Blake Shelton via songs by Luke Combs, Buck Owens, Taylor Swift and Willie Nelson. countrywol.substack.com/p/unbroken-c...

countrywol.substack.com

Unbroken Circle – September 25: He Stopped Loving Her Today to Green

The first dozen songs in this 1000-song unbroken circle of country music

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Altogether now: ENOUGH! ALREADY! We care; we fight! Only one of those was actually said by Ed Davey this week.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

When Patient Zero tops the Hot 100 in ten days' time, Max Martin will score his 31st number one as a writer. He'll move within one of Paul McCartney. One for @mcragg.bsky.social and Maxopedia.co. Max and Kylie next?

maxopedia.co

(no title)

MAXOPEDIA: A Max Martin hit encyclopedia

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I tumbled out of bed and poured myself a cup of ambition. It's not even 6am. #whatdollywouldhavewanted May 9/25 be good to you today.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A reminder that tomorrow sees the launch of the Unbroken Circle on the Country Way of Life Substack page, which will take 84 weeks to complete. Learn more about the 1000-song project here. countrywol.substack.com/p/midweek-no...

countrywol.substack.com

Midweek Notes - September 23 2026: Starting the Unbroken Circle

Welcome to the project that will eventually end, but not for another 84 weeks

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Nick Clegg speaks six languages, including Techbro. It is so sad that he is the 0810 interview this morning and not, eg, Ray Kurzweil, who unlike Clegg does not have a financial stake in the future of AGI. Nick Robinson chortling his way through another interview is not good either.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Another one for BBC News to cover. Come on @joepike.bsky.social, you can cover this one!!

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This looks fairly important. Shall we get Chris Mason, Nick Eardley, Joe Pike, Harry Farley, Jack Fenwick, Vicky Young, Laura K and the rest of the BBC News team to cover it? Maybe @mattchorley.bsky.social can have a word, or a nugget. #enoughalready bylinetimes.com/2026/09/23/n...

bylinetimes.com

Nigel Farage-Backed Bitcoin Firm to Buy Gold Dealer That Paid Him £685,500

The deal would put the Reform leader's gold bullion 'brand ambassador' fees in the hands of a crypto company he part-owns

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

@carynrose.bsky.social What is the best way to mark Bruce Day? Is it to go Broooooooooooooce at noon, like when people go Peace and Love for Ringo?

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Last year I had a great time working on a song-a-day calendar celebrating the life and catalogue of the man who turns 77 today. Happy birthday #BruceSpringsteen! The Daily Bruce is available for £1.99 as an ebook or free on Kindle Unlimited. www.amazon.co.uk/Daily-Bruce-...

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Come in indie journalism, your time is now: @londoncentric.media, @thenerve.news, @zeteo.uk, @bylinetimes.bsky.social, @the-londoner.bsky.social and @millmedia.bsky.social among others (sorry to leave the rest out). I don't think I can do the Murdoch-Rothermere-Marshall MRM any more. Can you?

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Country superstar Megan Moroney is due in the UK this week to sing songs written with her friend Mackenzie Carpenter. I spoke to Mackenzie in 2025 for Country Music People, who have given me permission to run a version of the chat for A Country Way of Life. countrywol.substack.com/p/tuesday-ch...

countrywol.substack.com

Tuesday Chat – September 22 2026: Mackenzie Carpenter

In March 2025, Mackenzie Carpenter released her album Hey Country Queen. Here is an edited version of our chat for Country Music People magazine on the occasion of her friend Megan Moroney’s UK visit

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Due impartiality needs to be parked. It is the last refuge of the coward, some say.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This week in his diary entry, Simon Alexander MP celebrates Jewish politicians, ranging from Lord Alf Dubs (pictured) and Dame Margaret Hodge, who both have memoirs out this term, to the Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky, whose majority is shockingly small. www.jonnybrick.com/blog/jewish-...

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

They made up badeeya; complete nonsense, but it makes the song. YOW! Also, here's something really fun that brings together Christine McVie and EW&F. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Il5...

youtube.com

Fleetwood Fire - "You Make September Fun"

YouTube video by Bill McClintock

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It's the second Old Firm Derby in a week and Rangers fan and historian David Herd pops into the Football Library to celebrate The Nearly Men, the Gers side of the late 1960s who were bridesmaids at a time of Celtic's Lisbon Lions. soundcloud.com/jonny_brick/...

soundcloud.com

David Herd

Glasgow Rangers historian David Herd has written several books on the club and contributes to fan media too. The most recent is The Nearly Men, which chronicles the years in the late 1960s when the ot

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

In this Sunday Hymn Sheet, I explore what it takes to break new country acts. Riley Green, who makes his debut on The Voice this week, is about to break through in a big way with his fourth album, eight years after his first hit. countrywol.substack.com/p/sunday-hym...

countrywol.substack.com

Sunday Hymn Sheet – September 20 2026: Riley Green and Breaking New Acts

In this week’s Hymn Sheet, I look at what it takes to break a new act, with Riley Green on the cusp of becoming a superstar

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Happy Earth Wind and Fire Eve. Badeeya.

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Jonny Brick @countrywol.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Has anyone, in discussing #JJGabriel, mentioned Freddy Adu or Martin Odegaard? I thought not!

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