Matthew to launch new country band in Claremorris

Connemara singer Matthew O’Donnell is back on the road again. He launches his new band in the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris on Tuesday night, 15 May, with a promise of staying close to the traditional roots of the genre.

With two albums behind him, Matthew feels the time is right to take his music around the country and overseas. He has assembled a fine band of musicians and Castlebar-based E and P Promotions is in charge of the booking diary.

The Longer The Waiting was the song that first hinted that a new talent was blooming out west. And you can’t go much further west than Furnish, Lettermullen, unless you head to the offshore islands.

It was not from the wind young Matthew took it. His father Bartley is a well-known sean-nós singer and is equally at home singing ballads, as he is country and Irish. Indeed, he did exactly that for a number of years when the family resided in London.

While Matthew has a huge respect for the sean-nós tradition of Connemara and for the country and Irish scene, he rates Garth Brooks as one of his major influences. He recorded an Irish language version of the Brooks classic, Baton Rouge, and the video to accompany it became something of a YouTube sensation, clocking up in excess of 200,000 views.

Guest appearances on concerts and shows followed in the aftermath of the release of his two albums with songs like My Connemara Home leading the way. He journeyed to England on a number of occasions where he was warmly received by appreciative audiences.

Next Tuesday night marks a new milestone for Matthew as he launches his own band. Lending support as guest artists will be Gerry Guthrie, TR Dallas and Carmel McLoughlin, for a night of non-stop music and dancing. Early dancing on the night will be to Pat’s Country Road Show. Further details can be had from manager Eugene McDermott at 094-9023663, or on 086-8035558.

Tony Kenny among Navan guests

Tony Kenny is one of the guest performers at a major fundraising night in support of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie Foundation that takes place in the Newgrange Hotel in Navan on Tuesday, 22 May.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which gives practical support to the children of families affected by cancer in Ireland. This includes respite weekends for families, trips to concerts and shows, emergency overnight bags for unplanned hospital stays and financial support when needs be.

The night of cabaret and dancing also features local singer Karl Lesley, a new and emerging talent on the circuit, and his band, with further guest appearances by Mary Duff, Cliona Hagan, Bernie Heaney, Jim Devine, Lime Lite and Brendan Jermyn.

The venture is being coordinated by Padraig Walshe and the Ardboyne Monday Club and they are hoping for good support for this special night in Navan.

“We mentioned the idea to a few a good while back and there was great support for it from the outset. Karl Lesley is a young man whom we believe has a fine future ahead of him and he and his band are providing the music for the night. We are so pleased to have secured the services of our guest performers and I’m sure the visit of Tony Kenny will especially bring back many happy memories. He was always a great artist,” says Padraig.

Tickets are €20 and are available at hotel reception and on the night.

My Maria is debut from Mickey

Cookstown singer Mickey Devlin has released his debut single this week. My Maria, the Brooks and Dunn song, showcases the voice of a singer whose influences are Bruce Springsteen, Tom Jones and Elvis, as well as local artists Brian Coll, Gene Stuart and Philomena Begley.

Mickey moved to New York when he was 20, playing as a DJ in various bars.

He later moved back to Brighton in the south of England where he performed his first live gig. He formed a Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band after his 1997 appearance on Stars in Their Eyes.

My Maria marks the latest phase in the growing showbusiness career of the Tyrone man. CL