THIS AIN’T TEXAS … IT’S TYNESIDE …
COUNTRY music fans can enjoy a real-life hoedown next month (Sept) as one of the North East’s best loved charity fundraisers gets set to raise the roof.
The annual Rock n Raise concerts, organised by the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation, are renowned for bringing stars such as Sting, Andy Taylor and the Kaiser Chiefs to Tyneside.
This year the spotlight is on country music, when ‘Country’ Rock n Raise takes to the stage at Newcastle’s Wylam Brewery on 30 September – hosted by Mr Country himself; ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris.
And the show will comprise a roll call of country favourites, headlined by multi-award-winning singer songwriter Kezia Gill, fresh from The Firehouse Summer Parties show in Sunderland on 3 August.
One of the biggest names in tv and radio presenting, Bob – who was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting – hosted BBC2 music programme The Old Grey Whistle Test from 1972 to 1979 and co-founded listings magazine Time Out.
He has also has presented The Country Show on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday nights since 1999 and Sounds of the 70s on Sunday afternoons since 2024.
One hundred per cent of all money raised at the event will go directly The Sir Graham Wylie Foundation – which built and funds the Newcastle Music Therapy Centre run by Nordoff & Robbins – and Teenage Cancer Trust, which has units at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital.
“I can’t wait to head up to Tyneside,” said Bob. “It’s going to a be an amazing night.”
“They’ve got a fantastic line up of artistes and they’re raising money for such worthwhile causes – I hope as many people as possible will come along and, if you’re not a country fan when you arrive, you certainly will be by the end of the evening.”
One of the UK country scene’s biggest names, having recently signed to Universal’s Snakefarm label, Nottingham-born Kezia, draws influences from folk, Irish, rock and blues, combining raw storytelling with powerful vocals.
Recently crowned Live Act of The Year at the prestigious Americana Music Association UK Awards (AMA-UK), Kezia supported Bruce Springsteen at BST Hyde Park in London and was one of just two British acts invited to CMA Fest in Nashville in 2024.
“It’s such an honour to be performing at Country Rock n Raise for such a wonderful cause,” said Kezia, whose new album All On Red will be released shortly, with a national tour planned for early 2026.
“Music has always helped me get through tough times, so if we can raise money through music to help young people fight through their toughest times that’s a great thing.”
Sharing the billing at the event will be ‘Cowgirl Polly Pocket,’ Chanel Yates, who will be performing some of the girl power anthems which have made her such a Spotify, Apple Music and Tik Tok sensation.
Tyneside-born vocalist Lorraine Crosby, who shot to fame when she duetted with Meatloaf on I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That), will also be performing along with North East country duo North Riding and Newcastle based Bluegrass band The Often Herd.
There will be a country style barbecue at 6pm before doors open at 7pm and Angie Jenkison, CEO of the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation, said the event “is all set to be an absolutely fantastic night.
“Country is one of the fastest growing music genres,” she said, “and we have an amazing line up of artistes all of whom have generously waived their fees to help us raise as much money as possible.
“And of course having the legend that is Bob Harris hosting the evening is incredible.”
Tickets for the event are £25 each plus a booking fee. They are available at