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Barry Stuart launch in Fermanagh
Tyrone man Barry Stuart will launch his debut album at a gala gathering in The Corner Bar in Ederney, Co Fermanagh, on next Monday night, 27 May.
Barry, who is son of the late country legend Gene Stuart, will be joined by a host of artists for his big night up north. Among the guests will be Brian Coll, Hugo Duncan, Cowboy Larry, Trevor Dixon, Barry Doyle, Country Harmony and others.
The 12-track album, A Heart Full of Memories, features songs previously released by Gene over the decades and is a lovely and genuine tribute by Barry to his father.
It includes such standards as Sing Your Heart Out Country Boy, Dim Lights Thick Smoke and Loud Loud Music, Before the Next Teardrop Falls, Kiss an Angel Good Morning, Far from Erin’s Shore and Hello Blues and Down The Road I Go.
“It looks like we are going to have a full house from all the calls of support and messages of goodwill that have been coming my way in recent days,” says Barry. “Daddy had a hugely loyal following all over the country and a lot of his friends are heading to Ederney for the launch.
“All our own family will be there on the night and it will be great to meet up with so many of daddy’s friends again. He was a country singer through and through and always remained loyal to the roots of country music. That earned him a lot of respect. He was proud of that tradition and would defend it to the last.”
The new album is available from Stewart’s Music Shop, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, or by contacting Barry via email on barrystuart@yahoo.com.
Kilkenny on song for country hoedown
The Kilkenny Country Music Festival will be staged at Gowran Park on Sunday 14 July. Mike Denver is the headline act on this occasion.
This is the third year of the Country Fest at Gowran Park which is a fabulous venue as all facilities, indoor and outdoor are on site. Years spent catering for racing aficionados has ensured that every detail is taken care of when it comes to the comfort of patrons.
Kilkenny will in many ways be the music capital of Ireland on 14 14 as Bob Dylan and Neil Young are performing in Nowlan Park later that evening.
However, the promoters of the Country Festival in Gowran believe that the shows are catering for two different audiences and may in fact help showcase the Country Fest even more as people talk about the feast of music in the county that day.
Joining Mike Denver on the bill are Jimmy Buckley, Cliona Hagan, Michael English, Trudi Lalor, Patrick Feeney and The Conquerors. The show runs from 1pm to 6.30pm.
Tickets are €25 and are available on kilkennycountrymusicfestival.ie and the usual outlets including Porters, Kilkenny, and Rollercoaster Records, Kilkenny.
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