Baylen Leonard (born 12 June 1973) is an American British radio and TV broadcaster specialising in country music.[1][2][3][4] He started his radio career at BBC London in 2001 after moving in 2000 from New York City. While working at the BBC, Leonard recalls he always wanted to broadcast country music. “If it was a bank holiday and everybody else was away, they’d let me do a country show, which helped them cotton on to the fact that country music was a thing, so I started doing that more on Radio 2 with Bob Harris and then moved into commercial radio when Absolute and Bauer launched their commercial radio country station.” [5]
Leonard has since worked for BBC Radio 2,[6][7]BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, Amazing Radio, Monocle 24,[8] Country Hits Radio, and others. He cites Bob Harris as a particular support in the establishment of his career in the UK.[9] He also worked with Danny Baker, which even The Lady, a very traditional British magazine approved of.[10] He is often quoted in the press regarding Country music.[11][12][13]
In 2024, he presents six days a week on Absolute Radio Country[14][15] and hosts The Country Music Talk podcast.[16]
Leonard is the creative director and booker of the country music festival The Long Road, which takes place every August in Leicestershire UK.[17]
He co-founded and serves as Head of Music for the digital magazine Holler.[18] He is also host of UK Country Radio Airplay Chart show which claims to be the first genre specific radio chart launched in the UK.[19]
Awards
Leonard has been recognised twice International Broadcaster Of The Year by The Country Music Association (CMA)
Best Specialist Music Show - The Front Porch with Baylen Leonard - Absolute Radio Country [26]
Music Week Awards 2024: Best Radio Show finalist - The Front Porch with Baylen Leonard - Absolute Radio Country [27][28][29]
Other work
Leonard is the annual mainstage host of The UK Americana Music Awards in Hackney London every January[30] and Highways Festival every May at The Royal Albert Hall.[31]
Leonard was born in Bristol Tennessee. Moved to New York City to study Musical Theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Moved in 2000 to London where he currently lives.[citation needed]
