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Three decades after he launched on the country circuit, Dominic Kirwan is still doing what he loves best; singing songs that are close to his heart. A new album, Time of My Life, celebrating 30 years in showbiz, has just been released and Dominic is taking this latest milestone in his stride.
The Tyrone man has shared the stage with many top artists including Charley Pride, Tammy Wynette and Kenny Rogers.
“You can always learn something new and fresh by watching and observing the way in which these professionals communicate and establish a rapport with their audiences. They have been around the block and are the best teachers of all,” reflects Dominic.
Music was always a part of the Kirwan family home since Dominic can remember. “I grew up in a home with a brother and sisters who all enjoyed listening to their favourite artists so from an early age I had the privilege of listening to a wide range of music.
“Over the years I have included a wide variety of songs and music on my concert shows ranging from so many of the great country legends to Tom Jones and Elvis and many others. We have been fortunate to establish a large and loyal clientele over the years especially on the English and Scottish concert circuits.
“The 12 tracks on my new album could nearly paint a picture about how I listen to music, who I listen to and, although I am not the writer of any of the songs, I would still try to identify with the lyrics and sentiments within the songs I’ve picked, to my own life.”
The album, a follow up to his acclaimed My Country Favourites album of 2017, is a collection of songs that showcases Dominic’s diverse musical styles and reflects his musical influences over the years.
These include Southern Nights and Wichita Lineman, huge songs for Glen Campbell, That’s the Way Loves Goes which comes from the Merle Haggard songbook, Lady (a huge hit for Kenny Rogers), and a duet with his son Barry on the Paul Brady and Ronan Keating song, The Long Goodbye.
The album was produced and arranged by Peter Ware and musicians featured include Charlie Arkins, Sarah Jory and Phil McDonough.
The annual Dominic Kirwan Music Weekend will be held in The Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh from the 26-28 July. This is a gathering of friends and followers from around Ireland and across the Irish Sea.
“It is a special weekend for me as I welcome our loyal friends here to Omagh. We will have Jimmy Buckley and his band with us on the Friday night and Shawn Cuddy and band on the Saturday night. We are also having a 30th anniversary gala concert on the Sunday afternoon with various artists and Barry and I and the band will bring the weekend to a close on Sunday 28 July.
“I am very grateful, thankful and blessed that I am still recording 30 years later, performing live and working with the knowledge that I am one of the lucky ones who gets to share with people the music that I love,” says Dominic.
Time of My Life, the new album from Dominic Kirwan on Rosette Records, celebrating 30 years in showbiz, is now available in music stores and from www.irishcountrymusic.shop
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