By Roger Ryan. President Country Music Association Of Ireland.
Despite the current recession, quite a lot of international stars have already agreed to visit Ireland this year. That's good news indeed for the country music fans here in Ireland who have now become accustomed to seeing most of their favourites perform here over the years. Time was when we rarely saw any of the top country acts here but now, thanks to the growing demand and the provision of some outstanding venues, Ireland is always top of the list of most touring acts. Last year saw a huge influx of country artists into Ireland and the coming year promises to be equally as good.
Nanci Griffith kicks off this year's invasion with two show in February. On Feb. 14th. she will perform at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, and the following night Feb 15th, she will be in the beautiful Millennium Forum, Derry City.
The Queens of Country, starring Billie Jo. Spears, Jeannie Seely, Philomena Begley, Louise Morrissey and Dee Reilly, will begin a lengthy tour at The Helix Theatre, Dublin, on Thursday Feb.26th, followed by Fri. Feb. 27th, University Concert Hall, Limerick. On Sat. Feb. 28th, they will be at the Premier Hall, Thurles, Co.Tipp. March 1st. will find them at the INEC, Killarney, and the following day they make the long trek north to the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, before moving on the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblaney, for a show on Wed. March 4th. The following night Thurs. March 5th, they head further north to the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. Sat. March 7th. the venue is St.Joseph's Hall, Omagh, and the final show is on Sun. March 8th at TF Royal, Theatre, Castlebar.
One of the most exciting acts in country music right now Sugarland, will pay a short visit to Ireland for three dates in March and they are, March 20th. The Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Mar. 21st. The Mount Errigal, Letterkenny and Mar. 22nd they will be at the Premier Hall, Thurles, Co.Tipp.
Pam Tillis has quite a long tour lined for here in April and Collin Raye will make a welcome return here in May. Robert Mizzell will be supporting Pam Tillis while Justin Mc Gurk and Ben Glover will appear at some selected venues with Collin Raye. You can check out the full details of these and other shows at www.jwpromos.com .
That great favourite of Irish fans, Kenny Rogers will be here also for four dates in March and they are Mar. 19th. INEC, Killarney, 20th. Cavan, 24th. The O2, Dublin, and 25th. the Odyssey Arena, Belfast.
The man with the unusual singing style and more unusual hairstyle, Lyle Lovett will visit the Olympia Theatre, Dublin, for a one off show Tues. March 31st. Once a regular visitor to these shores, Lyle now leads a busy life between singing, songwriting and acting, and we rarely get to see him perform here.
That's quite an impressive list of visitors, I'm sure you'll agree, and that only takes us up to March. We also have the huge UTV Festival at the Kings Hall, Belfast on the August weekend of 1st and 2nd. This will be a colossal event with headliners Randy Travis, Martina Mc Bride and Ray Price joined by a further 50 plus Irish and American country stars. I still have fond memories of the old Wembley International Festivals, and this UTV Fest certainly comes close to repeating those halcyon days.
The Mike Denver Concert Tour still keeps rolling on visiting halls throughout Ireland. Mike is the star attraction ably supported by special guests Roly Daniels and Ray Lynam. Following his debut concert tour last year Mike has gone from strength to strength and this year's event is selling out venues all over Ireland. Some of his dates fro February are Sat. Feb 21st. Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, and Fri. Feb. 27th. the Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel, Co.Tipp. You can see a full list of dates and venues by logging on to www.themikedenverband.com .
The Green Isle Hotel, Dublin, is certainly pulling out all the stops to cater for the Valentine's Day Weekend with a fabulous programme of events and a special deal on catering and accommodation. Bob Wootton will head up the impressive list of performers with his tribute to the great Johnny Cash. And if anybody knows how to pay tribute to the man in black, then Bob surely does as he stood on stages playing guitar and singing with the Man In Black for over 30 years. Johnny's sister Joanne Cash reckons that Bob is the ideal man to carry on the legacy of her dear departed brother Johnny. Bob Wootton, will be joined on stage by his wife Vicky and their talented daughter Scarlett, and they head up a list of talented Irish artists including Robert Mizzell, Louise Morrissey, Damien Bowe, Shaun Loughrey, Martin Cuffe, Trudi Lalor, Marty Daniels, Pat Mc Cool, Benn Sisters and Joanne Donnegan. The Hotel is offering very good rates for a weekend package which includes accommodation, food, leisure facilities, and 5 hours dancing each night as well as afternoon shows on Sat and Sun. Call Becci @ 01-5043979 for full details
Paddy O’Brien has assembled a huge line-up of top class acts for his annual get together which will be held over two weekends at Lawlors Hotel, Dungarvan, Co.Waterford. The first weekend will take place on Feb. 20, 21 and 22 and will feature Paddy and his band, Louise Morrissey, Marty Daniels, Stephen Smyth, Jimmy Buckley and others.The second series of shows will take place on the weekend of Feb. 27, 28, and March 1, and among the artists performing are John Mc Nicholl, Robert Mizzell, Declan Nerney and lots more. Check out full details of special weekend deals at 058-41122.
Mary Duff, regular singing partner to Daniel O'Donnell is currently on a solo tour in Ireland. She will be in the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig, Co.Cork on Sun. Feb 22nd.
Michael English, now under the management of Louis Walsh, is currently on a major tour of Irish venues. On Feb. 12th. he will be in the Briery Gap Theatre, Macroom, Co.Cork. On Feb. 27th he will also be in West Cork at the Rossmore Theatre, Clonakilty. On March 5th, he will be in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, and will perform at the Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, Co.Cork, on March 21st.
On Sunday Feb. 12th the Cork Opera House will stage a show called The Man In Black. It is being advertised as the No.1 Johnny Cash Tribute Show from America but doesn't list any of the cast.The Opera House will also present Showband Nostalgia on Sun. Feb. 15th featuring Hugo Duncan, Tony Stevens, Frankie Mc Bride and Art Supple.
And while we're on the subject of Johnny Cash, there will be a San Quentin 40th commemoration gig at the crane lane on Thurs. 19th Feb. The Southern Bluegrass Union will kick off the show at 8.30pm. and local band Strictly Cash will pay homage to the great man in their own inimitable style.
On March 13th, 14th and 15th, the 2nd Annual St.Patrick,s Country & Irish Music Dancing Festival will take place at The Maritime Hotel, Bantry, Co.Cork. The Hotel has laid on quite an array of stars and bands to keep the patrons happy over the weekend, as well as providing top class accommodation and food. The impressive line-up of talent includes Louise Morrissey, Larry Cunningham, John Hogan, Trudy Lalor, P.J.Murrihy, Marty Daniels, Patrick O'Sullivan, Eddie Lee & Catriona and to round each evening off you have Tommy's Country Roadshow. For details of a special weekend offer ring 062-63773.
