Showing posts with label Irish Country Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Irish Country Music. Show all posts

Sunday, 14 October 2018

Derek Ryan & Lisa McHugh release new single ‘Honey Honey’



Debut #1 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart

“Honey Honey” out now: http://smarturl.it/DerekLisaHoneyHoney

Irish Country-Music super-star heavyweights, Derek Ryan and Lisa McHugh, combine forces to unleash their fizzing new fuzzy love song; Honey Honey. The latest single released on October 12th (iTunes) to coincide with an exclusive live duet in Belfast at the SSE Arena for the annual mass gathering for Country fans - the ‘Farmer’s Bash.’

iTunes Success! 

Debut #1 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (#106 UK iTunes all-genres, then #67)
Sat Oct 13: #1 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (#119 all-genres)
Sun Oct 14: #2 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (#287 all-genres)

Taken from the upcoming album TEN, the song was written by the established poster-boy of Country-Music, Derek Ryan. Honey Honey displays the vintage country song-writing craftmanship and signature bouncing rhyming couplets commonly associated with Derek’s music, with the added sprinkled magic of Lisa’s delicately enchanting vocals.



Lisa and Derek both began their solo careers at a similar period in Ireland. Derek traded the smog of London to return home to the lush rolling hills of Ireland. Lisa meanwhile, relocated from her native Scotland in order to chase her country-music dream. Both musicians began their careers with humble surroundings, performing relentlessly in small venues to limited audiences across the live circuit. In the space of as little as six years, they now face a mouth-watering duet performance at the SSE Arena to over eight thousand country-music fanatics as part of the ‘Farmer’s Bash,’ the latest unmissable event on the Irish country music calendar.

Since his return to Ireland, Derek has amassed a legion of fans, gathering shelf- filling awards. God’s Plan, a song Derek had previously written in his London bedsit, became a huge hit in Ireland. A combination of supreme, God-given talent and a magnetism for creating and performing new music continues to propel Derek’s career to incredible new heights. Derek is constantly performing.

Accommodating his fans’ enormous appetite for fresh Irish country, Derek has previously released nine best-selling albums: A Mother’s Son (2010), Dreamers and Believers (2011), Country Soul (2013), as well as two Number One chart-topping albums – The Simple Things (2014) and One Good Night (2015). In 2016 Derek audaciously released two albums in a single day; Happy Man and This is Me. Most recent album, The Fire (2017), released last September, spent several weeks at Number One in the iTunes Country Chart.





















Lisa boasts a similarly illustrious resumé. Her seductive and enticing live performances soon accumulated an army of fans and has seen her become the most touted and talked about heroine in country music.

Lisa has won a number of awards throughout her stellar career including the prestigious ‘Outstanding Achievement on the World Stage,’ ‘Female Entertainer’ and ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ for five consecutive years.

Lisa is a prolific recording artist, boasting an extensive discography containing 7 albums including best-seller, Wildfire which reached number 7. Her latest album, Who I Am went straight to the top of the iTunes chart featuring the co-written stand-out song Country Girl. #Country peaked at number 3. #LisaLive, accompanied her first live DVD, was recorded live at the packed-out Marketplace Theatre in Armagh.

Lisa is an all-round entertainer. Alongside her celebrated music career, she is also a highly accomplished TV presenter. The multi-talented artist has previously had her own smash hit TV series On The Road With Lisa and she also co-presented the Irish TV awards broadcast live Worldwide.

Both musicians continue to tour and will come together to create the ultimate power-duo exclusive performance of Honey Honey on its release on the 12th  October 12th at the ‘Farmer’s Bash’ in Belfast at the SSE Arena.

To pre-order the single via iTunes, follow the link below;
http://smarturl.it/DerekLisaHoneyHoney

For full tour listings please visit Lisa’s website at: www.lisamchughmusic.com
Alternatively, visit Derek’s website at: https://derekryanmusic.com/

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

Hot Country TV Awards 2018


Tuesday 1st May saw the annual Hot Country TV Awards take place in the lovely Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell in Co Cavan. It was hosted by Hugh O’Brien and the event was filled to capacity.
The night featured many top artists including Nathan Carter, Jimmy Buckley, Dominic Kirwan, Derek Ryan, Mike Denver, Declan Nerney, Louise Morrisey and many more of Irelands Top Country Stars.

It was a fantastic star-studded night with the cream of Irish Country Music entertaining the massive audience.
(L-R) TR Dallas, Cliona Hagan, Derek Ryan, Louise Morrissey & Marty Morrissey
Hot Country TV Awards - 1st May 2018





















Hot Country TV award winners 2018

Male Entertainer of the Year: Mike Denver
Female Entertainer of the Year: Cliona Hagan
Best Country Music TV Series - Nathan Carter Show RTE TV' - Nathan Carter
Female Vocalist of the Year - Sandy Kelly
The Authentic Voice of Country Music - Jimmy Buckley
Country Music Icon Female - Margo
Irish Country Music of the Year - Dominic Kirwan
Country Roots Award - Ray Lynam
The Authentic Tribute Music Award - 'The Jimmy Shand' Story Brandon McPhee
Hottest Act in Irish Country Music Male - Barry Kirwan
Hottest Act in Irish Country Music Female - Olivia Douglas
Irish Country Music's Personality of the Year - Declan Nerney
International Country Music Artist of the Year - Max T Barnes
Male Vocalist of the Year - Derek Ryan
Lifetime Achievement Award in 'Irish Country Music' - Philomena Begley
International Songwriter of the Year - Don Mescall
Personality of the Year - Marty Morrisey RTE
International Country Music Artist Recording of Irish Album - 'The Irish Collection' Marisa D'Amato
Celebration 30 Years In Irish Country Music - Louise Morrissey
The Country Music Icon Award - TR Dallas
Gene Stuart Music Inspiration Award: Paul Kelly
Johhny Loughrey Music Award - Kerry Fearon
Horizon Irish Country Music Award - Liam Kelly
Best Social Dancing Artist - Stuart Moyles
Video of the Year Award - 'I'm Gonna Love You Through It' by Allan Clarke & performed by Robert Mizzell
Exciting New Country Band - Ciaran Rosney & Band
Album of the Year Award - LIVING THE DREAM - Nathan Carter
Irish Songwriter of The Year Award - Derek Ryan
DVD of the Year Award - Mike Denver 'Entertainer Of The Year'
Original Single of the Year - 'Old Friends Are Best' Written by Billy Morrissey & performed by Trudi Lalor
The Larry Cunningham Music Award - Annette Griffin & John Stauton
For Services to Irish Country Music - Hugo Duncan, Big T, Tommy Rosney, Promotion FX, Glenn Rogers, Eddie Caffrey, Pio McCann, Brendan Farrell, David James, Bob Brolly
'Young' Video Producer Of The Year: Daniel Bloor
Pre Show Artists: Larrisa Tormey, Simon Donegan, Colin Kenny, Alex Roe

Mike Denver Male Entertainer of The Year & DVD of The Year Awards
Hot Country TV Awards - 1 May 2018














































Nathan Carter had the crowd eating out of his hand with his 3 songs Good Time Girls and then his brand new single Give It To Me which he sang live for the first time. He finished off with what has become his signature tune he had the crowd on their feet rocking to Wagon Wheel.
Nathan was then presented with 2 very well deserved awards: Album of the Year & TV Series of the Year.
Nathan Carter wins Album of the Year & TV Series of the Year.at Hot Country TV Awards - 1 May 2018














































Cliona Hagan shared: Delighted to have won “Female Entertainer of the Year” at the Hot Country Awards last night! Special thanks to Hugh O’Brien for having me! Such a great night! #happygirl #hardworkpaysoffs Hot Country TV. 
Her dress has sourced  by one of her favourites Crystal Boutique Armagh

Cliona Hagan (L) & Gemma McKeigue (R) Galway Irish Crystal Award sponsors
Hot Country TV Awards - 1 May 2018














































The flower of Ferbane Olivia Douglas (Facebook) took home Hottest Act in Irish Country Music Female award. Last year Olivia had the honour of receiving the Gene Stuart Musical Inspiration Award (presented by Billy Morrissey and was delighted to be part of this year's show again.

Kerry Fearon was awarded the prestigious Johnny Loughrey Music Award at the Irish Hot Press TV Awards for her dedication and services to country music as a country artist, radio presenter and TV host.
Former editor of Maverick Magazine and 2008 Wesley Rose recipient Alan Cackett wrote: Every once in a while, seemingly out of nowhere, a singer crosses my radar and just about knocks me sideways. One such singer is petite Kerry Fearon, a genuine down-home Irish country girl raised in a loving family on a diet of music, fun and hard work. Her great passion is country music, mainly the more traditional sounds with pedal steel guitar and fiddles and lyrics that pack an emotional punch as they explore the kind of relationship issues we all face in our lives.

Though Kerry is a relative newcomer to the music scene, she’s experienced a lifetime of ups-and-downs. This energetic bundle of talent seemingly never stands still.

A qualified Business Studies Teacher, Kerry holds down a full-time vocation as a Special Needs Teacher. In addition to this, she presents the Homegrown Hour on Downtown Country Radio every night at 10pm and Ireland’s Hot 7 chart which goes out on both Downtown Country and Downtown Radio on a Sunday night. 

She also hosts her TV show Kerry’s Gold Country on the Keep It Country TV channel every Friday evening.
In a few weeks time Kerry will be releasing her long-awaited debut album, HONKYTONK GIRL, a superb collection of traditional-slanted country with a modern sheen. Keep a watch on Kerry Fearon, she’s the real deal in the age of imitation pretenders!

Country Music Singer-Songwriter Max T. Barnes Wins “International Artist Of The Year” Award At Hot Country Tv Awards In Ireland

Country hitmaker Max T. Barnes was honoured as the “International Artist of the Year” at the Hot Country TV Awards in Ireland on May 1.
The award is based on the artist’s popularity and the number of requests per week for the artist’s music. The Hot Country TV Awards is the largest annual country music event in Ireland. Max performed at the awards alongside Irish country artists Nathan Carter, Trudi Lalor and Margo O’Donnell.
“I am honored! I spent my whole life on music row writing songs and now I am having a blast singing them all around the world! What a crazy life. I am blessed,” said Barnes.
Max just finished his Spring tour of the UK and Ireland. In May and June, he will be performing in Branson, Mo., and Nashville, Tenn., before heading back to Ireland in July.
Max T Barnes (R) with Irish country star Trudi lalor (L)
Hot Country TV Awards - 1 May 2018

























About Max T. Barnes
Max T. Barnes is a second generation hitmaker and the son of Max D. Barnes, who wrote some of country music’s most iconic tunes such as “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” by George Jones, CMA Song Of The Year “Look At Us” by Vince Gill, and of course, CMA song Of The Year “Chiseled In Stone” by Vern Gosdin. Between father and son they have had 33 #1 hits and have sold over 70 million records. Barnes wrote his first major song at the age of 19, Vern Gosdin’s “Way Down Deep," and has been topping the charts ever since, writing “Let Go of the Stone” (John Anderson), “At the Sound of the Tone” (John Schneider), “Before You Kill Us All” (Randy Travis) and “That’s How Your Love Makes Me Feel” (Diamond Rio), to name a few. “Love, Me,” the career-launching hit for Collin Raye, scored Max T. a CMA Song of the Year nomination. He most recently scored a cut on Trace Adkins new album titled “I’m Gone.” Max frequently tours in Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Scotland, England, Sweden, Norway, Canada and the U.S. He recently released his newest album, “Steamboat,” and is currently playing shows across the UK and Ireland on his international “Steamboat” Tour. For more information visit maxtbarnes.com.


Pictured Left

Olivia Douglas with her award for 
Hottest Act Female
at the Hot Country TV Awards
1 May 2018

Wednesday, 18 April 2018

Legendary Irish country music singer Big Tom McBride dies aged 81






















Birth name: Tom McBride
Also known as: Big Tom
18 September 1936 (Born: Castleblayney, Monaghan, Ireland) - 17 April 2018 (aged 81)

The “giant in Irish country music” died in the early hours of Tuesday morning
His family confirmed the news hours after he “passed away peacefully” in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father Big Tom McBride (RIP) this morning,” a statement on the singer’s official Facebook page read.
“Dad passed away peacefully in the company of his family. He will be sadly missed by all who new him. “May he rest in peace.”

McBride, whose wife Rose died in January, was hospitalised in Nov 2006 after suffering a heart attack, at the age of 70, which had put doubt into whether he would ever tour again with his band

Tributes quickly flooded in from famous fans and politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who hailed McBride a “giant in Irish country music”.

Daniel O'Donnell (L) with Big Tom


















Singer Daniel O'Donnell branded him a “king” as he paid tribute. “It's just so sad,” he said. “On the other hand, he was probably heartbroken without his wife, Rose. Maybe for him, it's a gift from God.

McBride enjoyed a career spanning five decades which saw him hit the charts with Big Tom And The Mainliners.
The band, formed in the 1960s, were famous for songs including “Broken Marriage Vows” and “The Sunset Years Of Life”.
www.irish-showbands.com

Band: "Big" Tom McBride (lead vocals, saxophone, rhythm guitar), Seamus McMahon (lead guitar, fiddle, vocals), Henry McMahon (tenor sax, vocals, bandleader, percussion), John Beattie (keyboards, piano), Cyril McKevitt ( trombone, vocals), Ronnie Duffy (drums, vocals) and Ginger Morgan (Bass guitar, vocals)

Originally named as "The Mighty Mainliners Showband", the band achieved fame after appearing on RTÉ Television's Showband Show broadcast on 21 May 1966 performing “Gentle Mother” which subsequently reached No.7 in the pop charts of Ireland. In the early 1970s, the band changed their name to "The Mainliners", however soon afterwards they adopted the name "Big Tom and the Mainliners" in line with other Irish Showbands where a single man was used to take centre stage.

Although the band did not gain prominence until the mid to late 1960's, in an article in Spotlight in May, 1970, Tom McBride told reporter Donal Corvin that he formed the band with Henry McMahon when Tom returned to Ireland in 1963 after working in England for two years. Henry had also been in England.

Born in Oram, near Castleblaney, Tom McBride was one of four siblings. Reared on a farm, he left school in his teens to help out at home. In the September 30, 1976 issue of Starlight magazine, Tom told his story in his own words.
"I suppose it must have been five years that I remained working on the local farm because I was about 19 when a pal and myself headed for Scotland. Actually, it was the friend who took the notion and I fell in with the idea." Tom and his pal stayed in the Scottish Highlands for about four months before returning home to Castleblaney. He was only back for two months when he started traveling again, this time to England. "I got fixed up with Walls, the ice cream factory and there I remained for a year and a half working the night shift all the time." Tom continued, "it was around that time that I started fiddling around with a guitar, playing it at parties, things like that." Soon after, Tom headed for the Channel Islands where he got work picking tomatoes, a job that lasted another year and a half. "I liked it there," said Tom. "They had this country group whom I grew to like. They called themselves the Mainliners." Read More + Photos at www.irish-showbands.com

In 1980, Big Tom was presented with a Gold Award for sales of more than one million records.
Big Tom suffered from a fear of flying. In 1980, apparently, he undertook a sea voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to record his BLUE WINGS album in Nashville.
He later reunited with The Mainliners in 1989 and continued to perform live, appearing on the first Late Late Show Country Music Special, among other shows.
In 2000, Big Tom underwent a nodule operation on his throat.
In November 2006, Big Tom suffered a sudden heart attack at the age of 70, which had put doubt into whether he would ever tour again with his band. on 24
On 8 July 2005, a plaque was erected by the local community in Big Tom's home village of Castleblayney, County Monaghan.
In early 2016, Big Tom and the original Mainliners went on tour to mark 50 years since the release of their most enduring hit "Gentle Mother". From May until September, Big Tom and the Mainliners continued their summer tour to celebrate 50 years of "Gentle Mother"


















Top 10 hits on the Irish Singles Chart:

"Gentle Mother": #7 (Jan 30, 1967) Big Tom and The Mainliners
"Old Log Cabin for Sale": #4 (Oct 21, 1967) Big Tom and The Mainliners
"The Sunset Years of Life": #3 (July 23, 1970) Big Tom and The Mainliners
"Broken Marriage Vows": #1 (Feb 19, 1972) Big Tom and The Mainliners
"I Love You Still": #1 (Jan 4, 1973) Big Tom and The Mainliners
"Old Love Letters": #1 (May 16, 1974) Big Tom and The Mainliners
"Four Country Roads": #5 (May 16, 1981) Big Tom
"Streets of Dublin City": #7 (Nov 15, 1981) Big Tom
"If I Needed You": #10 (March 18, 1984) Big Tom
"Jealous Heart": #9 (April 7, 1984) Big Tom

All About The Mainliners (1963-1982 and 2004-2018) 
DISCOGRAPHY: www.irish-showbands


He was inducted into the Irish Country Music Awards Hall of Fame in June 2016.
He leaves behind four children. Tom's wife of more than 50 years Rose died in February.

Pictured with late wife Rose

The singer Big Tom McBride, one of the icons of Irish country music, who died today aged 81, will be laid to rest in his home county of Monaghan Friday (April 20, 2018).
His funeral mass will be celebrated at 11am in Saint Patrick's Church, Oram, and he will be buried in the adjoining cemetery following the service.

There will be an opportunity for fans and friends to pay their respects between 12pm and 8pm (Thurs) in Oram Community Centre in Castleblayney (Facebook), where his remains will be lying in repose.
Mourners have been asked to respect that Big Tom's house is strictly private.
Shannonside-Northern Sound radio (96.3 FM | Northernsound.ie | Shannonside.ie) will broadcast the funeral mass at 11am on Friday.


‘He was a lifeline for a dispossessed people’: Big Tom remembered: Country star had a huge following despite being lampooned by critics as uncool Irish Times.com

Independent.ie: We referred to him as the king' - tributes pour in as country music singer Big Tom dies aged 81

FANS' FINAL FAREWELL Country music legend Big Tom McBride to lie in public repose for fans to pay tribute as family confirm funeral plans The Sun.ie

Big Tom McBride, Irish country music star, dies at 81 - BBC News

Hugo Duncan and Daniel O’Donnell pay tribute to Big Tom first broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster 17 April 2018



TRIBUTES

Lisa McHugh: Shocked and truly saddened to hear of the passing of Big Tom this morning. Ireland’s King of Country Music for so many years and his legacy will live on for many years to come. My sincere condolences go out to all of his family and friends at this terrible time. RIP

Mike Denver: So sad this morning hearing of the passing of my friend Big Tom. The gentle giant. Country music has lost a legend. RIP with your love Rose

Derek Ryan: This photo has always been special to me, but even more so this morning as I woke to the sad news of Big Tom's passing. His songs and unique sound will live forever in Irish Country Music. Rest In Peace. #KingOfCountry #Legend #BigTom  Twitter Photo
Pictured with Clionna Hagan (L)

Cliona Hagan: Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the King of Irish Country Music Big Tom! Your music or your unmistakable voice will never be forgotten!#BigTom #countryking #neverforgotten

Dominic Kirwan: I’ve just heard the sad news Ireland’s true #KingOfCountry music #BigTom (Tom McBride) has passed away, and so soon after his beautiful wife’s death, Rose. A humble man! I send my sincere condolences and prayers to Tom’s family at this time. Thank you for the music .. R.I.P. Tom

Lisa Stanley: So sad to hear of the death of the legend Big Tom McBride. I met Tom many times and he was such a gentleman both on and off stage. There will never be another like him. My sincere condolences to Tom’s family and friends. Rest In Peace Tom 🌹#legend #bigtom #theking

Rachael Anderson (Downtown Radio) : Very sad to hear this morning of the passing of the Irish Country legend Big Tom McBride. A very sad day for Irish Country music x #BigTom

Lynette Fay (BBC Radio Ulster) I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Big Tom McBride, Ireland’s King of Country- a National Treasure and Irish country music legend. Suaimhneas síoraí ar a anam uasal.

The Irish World: The Irish World are very sad to learn of the passing of the undisputed king of Irish country music, Big Tom. We send our condolences to his family and friends. Irish Times (Article)

The Late Late Show: We were very sad to hear this morning of the passing of Ireland’s King of Country, Big Tom. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans. He was a huge part of our Country Specials and we will be paying special tribute to him on this Friday’s show.

Keep It Country TV: We are saddened today to hear news of the passing of Irish Country Music Legend Big Tom. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends & many fans at this time. Pictured below is Big Tom being interviewed for @KeepItCountryTV Rest in peace Big Tom. #BigTom ☘️
Big Tom (R) talks with Phil Mack (L) in a Keep It Country TV Interview


















Hot Country TV: rest in peace big tom, the king of country , you will be sadly missed, thoughts and prayers are with your family,friends and fans Twitter Photo

Jonathan O'Brien: Big Tom joins the majority. Good story: Garech Browne once took Mick Jagger to a Big Tom gig in Castleblayney in the early 1980s. Jagger went backstage afterwards and introduced himself. Big Tom refused to believe it was him and ignored him. Jagger flounced off in a huff.