Why in tarnation is Scotland so fascinated with country music? What makes Caledonian hearts seemingly beat in perfect four/four time on hearing songs about dead dogs and dead-eyed relationships? What in the name of Tammy or Travis do we have in common with simple three chord tunes with lyrics featuring blue moons, red necks and yellow roses?

The fact is, we love country more than cowboys love campfire beans, dramatic sunsets and big bosomed ladies who own their own truck. And here’s the recent evidence; country musical theatre show Wild Rose opened at the Lyceum in Edinburgh and The Stage described it as the best musical played out in Scotland in the past 10 years. Yes, Dawn Sievewright in the lead role and Nicole Taylor’s book both shone like a rodeo rider’s buckle, but from curtain up the audience were yee-ha-ing like their DNA was formed in Denver.

Last year, the response to Charlene Boyd’s tribute musical to Carlene Carter was louder than a rooster in heat. And writer Morag Fullerton’s homages to such as Patsy and Dolly continually play to full theatres. Meanwhile, the nation loves country radio, whether fronted by Ricky Ross or Bob Harris. And since 1974, the attendants of the Grand Ole Opry have convinced themselves, (checked shirts, cowboy boots n’all) they’re in Nashville, rather than the Govan Road.........

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