17 minutes | Monday, 2 November 2026
Send us Fan MailAmerican country singer Halle Kearns has been spending time in Britain, and it seems she's picked up more than a few British expressions along the way!Following our first conversation at Country Calling, Halle joined me again on The MarshyCast to talk about her latest single Could've Been, the stories behind her songwriting, her experiences in the UK and some rather unexpected behind-the-scenes moments.And this time, I had a game waiting for her!Halle Kearns is becoming a little bit British!When Halle and I first spoke at Country Calling, we discovered that the British way of greeting people can be a little confusing.After all, when we say "You alright?", we don't necessarily want a full rundown of someone's day. It's just our way of saying hello!So when we caught up again, I wanted to find out how much of Britain had rubbed off on her.We talked about her experiences at Country Calling, the differences between American and British habits, and how she's started speaking like a Brit in more ways than one.Having previously discussed how closely British country fans listen to lyrics, it was lovely to revisit her experiences of performing over here.Could've Been: a song about missed opportunitiesHalle's single Could've Been explores the feeling of looking back at a romantic opportunity and wondering how differently things might have turned out.It's a slower, lounge-influenced country track that captures the emotion of a connection that never quite became something more.But there's also an interesting story behind the promotional pictures.The images show Halle dressed in a glamorous ball gown beneath a spotlight, creating a striking visual to accompany the song.However, as Halle explained during our conversation, the reality behind those pictures was rather more redneck than you might imagine!It's a reminder that what looks polished and glamorous in a finished photograph can be a very different experience when you're actually making it.When songwriting reveals a little too muchCountry music has always been a genre built around honest storytelling.For Halle, that honesty can occasionally create some awkward situations!We talked about how writing from personal experience can mean revealing things that other people might recognise, or perhaps sharing details she'd rather have kept to herself.At one point, Halle even wondered whether she'd revealed a little too much during our conversation!It's one of the fascinating things about songwriting. Being open and honest can create a connection with listeners, but what happens when the people who inspired those songs hear them?And where do you draw the line between telling a great story and keeping something private?When is Halle coming back to Britain?After her time at Country Calling, there was one question I couldn't let Halle escape without answering.When is she coming back to the UK?With British country music audiences continuing to embrace artists from across the Atlantic, I wanted to find out whether another visit might be on the cards.You'll have to listen to hear what Halle had to say about returning!Playing Could've Been!To finish our conversation, I decided to take inspiration from Halle's new single and create a little game called Could've Been.The idea was simple: give Halle a series of awkward choices and find out what she would rather have done if life had taken a different turn.Of course, some of the options were rather less appealing than others!It's a chance to hear Halle away from the serious side of songwriting, thinking on her feet and dealing with some unexpected questions.From country music and British expressions to personal revelations and ridiculous choices, there's plenty to enjoy in this latest conversation.🎧 Hear my full conversation with Halle Kearns now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.Find me on all social media @paulswampymarsh