American country star Leona Williams returns to Ireland this week for a series of shows along with Tony Kerr from Co Antrim. Once described by George Jones as “one of the finest lady country singers ever to step up to a microphone”, Leona has remained ultra loyal to the real traditional roots of country music.Born in Vienna, Missouri, she has been involved in the music since her teenage years. She grew up alongside many of the true greats of the genre after moving to Nashville in the 1960s.
American country star Leona Williams returns to Ireland this week for a series of shows along with Tony Kerr from Co Antrim. Once described by George Jones as “one of the finest lady country singers ever to step up to a microphone”, Leona has remained ultra loyal to the real traditional roots of country music.
Born in Vienna, Missouri, she has been involved in the music since her teenage years. She grew up alongside many of the true greats of the genre after moving to Nashville in the 1960s.
A fine songwriter, Leona has had her songs recorded by some of country music’s most popular artists, including George Jones, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Moe Bandy, Randy Travis, Hank Thompson, Tammy Wynette, Gene Watson, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price, Johnny Bush, Connie Smith and many others.
In the mid-1970s, she became the first female singer to record an album in a prison, following in the footsteps of Johnny Cash. San Quentin’s First Lady garnered huge publicity for her at the time.
In 1978, Leona married one of country music’s iconic stars, Merle Haggard. They had a number of Top 20 hits over the next few years.
Their marriage ended in 1983 and two years later Leona married Dave Kirby, a fine guitar picker and songwriter who composed one of Charley Pride’s million selling songs, Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone. They lived in Branson for some years.
Leona was inducted into the Country Music Association of Texas Hall of Fame in 1999 and also the Missouri Country Hall of Fame. She has made numerous appearances on the Grand Ole Opry over many years. Two years ago, folks in her hometown named a road in her honour – the Leona Williams’ Highway.
Recent years has seen Leona establish a huge bond with Irish audiences. Her brand new single, I Cry Every Time I Leave Ireland, was recorded and produced by Paul McNeilly in Pinegrove Studios, Ballymena.
Sharing top billing on the shows over the coming few nights is Tony Kerr, who was honoured two weeks ago with our Country Sound concert performer of the year award at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. Tony was a guest of Leona’s during a 19-date tour in America back in September.
“It was a brilliant experience,” says Tony. “You get to meet the true blue country fans and we had some wonderful shows. It was a great privilege for me to perform with Leona and Ron and others in various cities and towns and States in America.”
Tony’s brand new single, Are You In Love With Me Or Have You Lied, is being released this week.
Country patrons are in for a special treat when Leona, together with her son Ron, Tony Kerr, and Just Two from Kildare (Pat Whelan and Tommy Lawlor), appear together in concert in The Ramble Inn, Co Antrim, tonight (Thursday) 26 March, in the Armagh City Hotel on Friday 27 March and The Village Inn, Killyclogher, Omagh, on Saturday 28 March. They are doing a special show at Kilcullen Heritage Centre in Co Kildare on Sunday night. All shows start at 8pm.
Country enthusiasts attending the Leinster Entertainment Awards night in Killashee House Hotel, Naas, on 30 March, can also see Leona, Ron and Tony Kerr, who will all perform on stage during the concert.
Tickets for the three shows in Ulster will be available on the door each night.
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