A celebration of homegrown Country and Americana artists, with local Furness acts bringing you a special evening of live Country and Americana music. 2025’s inaugural ‘Furness Country’ proved to be a huge success and Sugarfoot are delighted to be bringing together a new bill of acts for 2026, featuring; John Viles & Band, Country Cousins & Band, Moonlighters and hosts Sugarfoot. ‘One Peninsula, Four Homegrown Acts, One Night of Pure Country Soul’

John Viles

A lifetime of musical passion; after decades of following music (name a classic band, and John’s seen them live – probably in their heyday!), John Viles decided it was time to step from the audience to the stage. His wealth of musical knowledge and appreciation has given him a unique perspective that shines through in everything he creates. From student to songwriter; taking up guitar lessons later in life, John quickly discovered his natural affinity for country, blues, and bluegrass. The rich traditions and storytelling aspects of these genres provided the perfect canvas for his own musical expression. ‘Nashville Dreams’ become reality; In 2024, John released his debut album, ‘Nashville Dreams’, with his second album ‘So Far So Good’ following in 2025, both on Barrow based label Seahouse Records. These collections of songs represent not just a musical achievement, but the fulfilment of a lifelong dream and the beginning of an exciting new chapter. John will be performing with his live band.

Country Cousins

Country Cousins are real life cousins Carly Dacre (nee McGuire) and Katie McGuire. With generations of Northern Irish musicians behind them, it’s no surprise that Katie and Carly’s love of guitar folk and country music started early with both their fathers (brothers Mike and Vinny McGuire) performing with bands throughout the 70s and 80s. Family gatherings as children meant everyone either played an instrument or provided a harmony; both girls providing harmonies regularly to James Taylor classics with their brothers. Carly’s first real love for Country / Americana started when her father Vinny visited Nashville in her early teens, supplying Carly with a wealth of 90’s female country to inspire her future vocal sound such as Suzy Bogguss, Bonnie Raitt, Dixie Chicks and Little Big Town proving popular favourites and Katie soon caught the bug shortly after. 2020 saw collaboration with the McGerty Family Songwriters bringing the girls back together with new music and their first single ‘You Walk Beside Me’ reached No.14 in the UK iTunes Country Chart. Country Cousins influences include: The Shires, Ward Thomas, Wandering Hearts, Maddie and Tae, Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, Miranda Lambert and The Chicks. Country Cousins will be performing with their live band.

Moonlighters

From a passion for storytelling and a catalogue of original country songs, Moonlighters came together around the songwriting talents of Ash Nelson. After sharing ideas with Leanne Corbett—whose rhythms and harmonies bring depth through drums, cajón and vocals—the pair set out to create a band that could bring Ash’s music to life. With the addition of vocalist Sam Grundy in 2025, Moonlighters were officially formed. What began as a project to record original material quickly evolved into something more; alongside crafting and recording their own songs, they’ve embraced a selection of eclectic covers that showcase their versatility and musical curiosity.

Sugarfoot

For over 20 years, your hosts and headliners Sugarfoot have been bringing a taste of Nashville to the English Lake District and beyond through their alternative approach to Country song, richly blending Country and Americana covers with their original music. Sugarfoot are proud to be part of the Country music explosion that’s been happening in the UK in recent years, making Country the fastest growing genre on these shores. Sugarfoot features a sparkling female lead vocal duo of Sarah Capstick and Ailsa McIntosh; Leanne Corbett-Jones provides drums and percussion, with songwriter Graeme Park on keys and guitar. In October 2025, Sugarfoot were incredibly proud to curate and host the inaugural ‘Furness Country’ concert at Barrow Town Hall and are excited to be presenting ‘Furness Country 2026’ in September with a new bill of local Country Music acts. The band are currently promoting their album ‘Long Time Comin’ and singles ‘Long Time Comin’, ‘Fear of Love’ and ‘Jolene’, the latter having received critical acclaim.