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Simon for Ballymahon show
The Sheerin Family Band monthly sessions in Cooney’s Hotel in Ballymahon have acquired a status of their own in this region of the north midlands over the last seven years.
Each month a guest performer joins the band for what is always a special and memorable night. The next session takes place on Tuesday 25 June, when The Sheerin Family will be joined on stage by the award-winning Simon Casey.
The Offaly man is a firm favourite with audiences and has enjoyed a major profile since bursting on the scene in the You’re A Star series in 2003. Simon has featured in numerous television shows and has garnered many awards over the last fifteen years.
Simon is part of the trio, along with Johnny Brady and Nigel Connell, together with The Sheerin Family, whose latest venture, Take It To The Limits, is enjoying great success around the country.
“Simon always goes down a treat when he performs with us in Ballymahon. He is a true professional and a real gentleman who always makes time for people.
“The Ballymahon gigs are all about good country music and there is always a homely and enjoyable atmosphere. All who come along are really into the music and many look forward to meeting their regular friends at the monthly sessions,” says Tom Sheerin.
The show starts at 10pm and admission is free.
Benbulben goes country
The award for the most scenic setting of a country festival this summer must surely go to the Sligo venue of Grange. With majestic Ben Bulben keeping watch and the Atlantic waters nearby, the area celebrated in poetry by WB Yeats is gearing up for its big day on Sunday 7 July.
The inaugural festival last year, staged in the local GAA grounds, was a resounding success and the organisers are confident that the upcoming event will be another runaway winner.
The line-up includes Michael English, Mike Denver, Derek Ryan, Philomena Begley, Jimmy Buckley, Robert Mizzell, Patrick Feeney, Gary Fitzpatrick, Paul Kelly and Aoife McDonagh. The show starts at 1pm.
Further details can found at www.benbulbencountrymusicfestival.com.
Rainy Days and Stormy Nights
Tyrone singer Jim Devine has opted for a country standard as his new single. Rainy Days and Stormy Nights was a sizeable hit for Billie Jo Spears in America while Ray Lynam did a memorable recording of the same song back in the 1990s.
Jim, who hails from a strong farming background, maintains a busy schedule between dance and concert dates.
The new single is taken from his new album which is due for release in the coming weeks.
Shannen kicks off in style
Shannen Carroll has released here debut single, Kick It Up, a song she performed on stage at the recent Cowboys and Heroes Festival in Leitrim.
The 21-year-old student from Duleek in Meath, who is currently studying for a music degree, won the Country Star competition at the Ballinamore Festival last year. Shannen recorded Kick It Up in recent weeks under the guidance and direction of Wayne Thorose in Ballyrose Studios in Co Roscommon.
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