Duncan Warwick, editor and owner of Country Music People (from 2009-2024), passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday 17 November 2024, with his family at his side following a very short but serious illness. He was 63 years old.

Duncan really got into country music after hearing Dwight Yoakam’s 'Guitars, Cadillacs Etc Etc' album but would say that even as a child he had always enjoyed listening to country music.

His passion for country music is well known and for readers of CMP magazine it is well documented. Not known for holding back, Duncan gave, and owned, his views on the efforts of the great and good of country music as well as the unknown up and coming artists, showing no fear or favour.

His interviewing skills are there for everyone to see, whether he was interviewing a legend or an emerging artist. It is clear from reading some of Duncan’s many, many reviews that he was very supportive and encouraging of those who stayed true to the roots of country music.

A fan of shuffles, honky tonk and anything you can dance to, his playlist was as huge as it was varied. That said, it was not just country music that held Duncan's interest, he had a wide range of musical likes which assisted greatly in his role as a radio promotion representative for Jive records. It was a natural progression for Duncan to move into music journalism and he took over as editor of CMP in January 2009.

Duncan’s contribution to country music through CMP magazine was recognised with the awarding of the Country Music Association’s prestigious ‘Wesley Rose’ (Foreign Media Achievement) Award. Readers new and old of CMP would not hesitate to say this was well deserved.

Duncan loved to travel and when asked where his favourite place on the planet was he would instantly answer Texas, and for many years he visited the state whenever possible. Nashville, naturally, was also a regular destination.

His love of music was only surpassed by his love for long time partner Kelly, son William and, he will forgive me for saying, pizza! “A good pizza is the food of the Gods!” he would say. My friend you are not wrong.

On a personal note, my wife and I have known Duncan for many years and he and Kelly have always been amongst the few people we count as true friends. We’ve had heated debates about many things, and not always music, but they never ended in anything other than a warm agreement to disagree. For that alone we love you Duncan, for your kindness and honesty we thank you, and until we meet again we will miss you.

If there is a next stop in this life of ours, Duncan will undoubtedly be in the Grand Ol’ Opry in the sky, lining up interviews with Ray Price, Haggard and Tammy Wynette, to name but a few. And truth be known, I’m sure they will be waiting in line to welcome him home.

Happy trails friend.