I grew up listening to a huge range of music as my dad was a gigging musician and he played me everything from Frank Zappa to classical from a very early age. I started taping the Top 40 on a Sunday afternoon and it became a weekly ritual, and instead of loving all the dance music like most kids my age I fell in love with Alison Krauss, Sheryl Crow and The Dixie Chicks! I loved to sing too and would record my own radio shows with me playing presenter and singing all my made up songs!
I formed an all-girl rock group at high school and we definitely had a country vibe covering Jewel, Sheryl Crow and The Corrs. I studied Popular Music and Recording at Salford University and was really keen to hold my own as a female in the music industry. I got involved with the student radio station co-presenting a show with a friend. This encouraged me to get more radio experience and worked with All FM, Wythenshawe FM, Cheshire FM, BBC Stoke and BBC Manchester.
Music took a back seat while I had a young family, but my love of country music grew stronger and I joined country band Chasing Twisters in 2021 as lead singer and bass player. I can’t believe how far we’ve come in just a few years and were nominated for UK Country Group of the Year at the 2024 UK Country Music Awards and performed at the event. That is where I met Allan from UKCountryRadio.com! I’d seen he was looking for a new presenter and I fancied presenting on a country station where I knew I would enjoy playing every song!
I love all the powerhouse women of country music especially Lainey Wilson and Carrie Underwood, but I love the softer acoustic side too – Noah Kahan and The Castellows are my current favourites.Join Laura on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5pm
