Singer's 'insane' debut at C2C country music show

A young country singer whose "big goal" was to perform at the Country to Country (C2C) music festival said it was "insane" to appear before the audience at London's O2 Arena.

Olivia Lynn, 20, from Luton, was chosen by BBC Radio 2 and BBC Introducing to showcase her talent there on Saturday.

Host Bob Harris said C2C, which also takes place in Glasgow and Belfast, had become "one of the biggest events in the country music calendar globally".

"It was insane; I felt like I was really famous for one day and met so many amazing people," said Olivia.

"It went even better than I thought. I tried to be humble. I had low expectations and didn't expect floods of people coming to watch me."

Harris, who presents The Country Show on BBC Radio 2, said: "Country music is the fastest growing music genre in the UK right now. It's official."

Olivia said her talent came from her mum and grandma, who can both sing.

"I think my Nana sounds like Shania Twain. My Nana just never pursued it as a career. My mum wanted to, but she put all of that on hold for us kids," she said.

"Nan loves Dolly Parton and she is the reason I love country music.

"To see her with us [at C2C] was like watching a five year old. She was absolutely in her element.

"It meant so much for her to experience that with me."

Olivia's mum Peri, 45, said she "cries every time" her daughter sings "because it's been a journey".

"I was trying to keep the phone still to film her and sobbing at the same time," she said.

"We are so proud of her."

Olivia said she was proud of her English roots.

"Sometimes we get a bit of a bad rap, because there's such a stigma about being a country artist from the UK," she added.

"Anyone can sing, anyone can write, and it doesn't matter where you're from.

"So I'm proud to be from Luton and put it on the map - I absolutely love it."

Olivia is due to perform at the Bedford River Festival this summer, on the BBC Introducing stage.

"I would love to perform at Reading and Leeds festivals," she said.

"Fingers crossed - that's on my list, my next stop."

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