Scottish singer Isla Grant is loud in her praise of the role played by Irish people in her success story. The country and folk artist is currently visiting these shores on her Ireland 2020 tour and feels so much at home on Irish soil.
The unmistakable lilt of the Scottish accent blends sweetly with all her songs and anchors her in a special way to the Lowlands and the Highlands and the Western Isles. Her love of her homeland is celebrated in a number of her songs and one that always comes to the fore is The Old Accordion Man, which is a haunting tribute to the legendary Jimmy Shand.
“The kind of music I love and perform lends itself to story songs and those that connect with the heart and emotions,” says Isla. “I have written songs about places in Ireland as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand where I also love to tour and meet the people.
“Ireland holds a special place in my heart. While I had been performing in Scotland and a bit in England, it was really in Ireland that my career took off. Three of my songs from the early days resonated in a special way with Irish audiences and were also recorded by a number of Irish singers. They were Mother, Cottage In The Country and Mother’s Chair.
“The response to these songs in Ireland was a huge source of encouragement to me to pursue my songwriting with fresh enthusiasm and it has taken me around the world since then.”
Isla is renowned as one of the most prolific writers of songs over the last two decades and has a few hundred to her name.
There are always some songs that stand out in every writer’s repertoire and Isla is no exception.
“The song Mother will always be special to me. I hadn’t been able to grieve properly for my mom for years. I missed her so much.
“When I wrote the song, I poured everything into it. It resonated so much with audiences and radio listeners and struck a chord in a special way in the hearts of so many. It was also the song that opened so many doors for me.
“You’re The Best Friend That I’ve Ever Had is a song I wrote for Al [her husband[. It seems a lot of people like to dedicate it to the special people in their lives and a lot of other singers have enjoyed success with this song too.”
Inspiration
There is no sign of the fountain of inspiration drying up as Isla continues to pen songs on a regular basis.
“I am still writing as much as ever. I have lots of songs on file that I have done nothing with at this stage.
“Sometimes I hear a good line or sentence or an idea comes into my head and I’ll get the guitar and start working on it as soon as I can. That may be 3am at night or anytime at all. I love writing, telling stories and expressing feelings.”
Sell-out tours in Australia and New Zealand remain the norm for Isla who will be heading back there next year. This June sees her set off to Canada where she has a hugely loyal fan base. In October, she will commence a new chapter with her first Inspiration Journey with Isla Grant Tour, featuring a wide selection of gospel music as well as some other relevant songs.
She singles out her Irish promoter, Tom Kelly from Ballina, for special mention. “Tom has promoted all my shows since I first met him 21 years ago. I did two gigs up north and my first one down south was in Westport. I got a standing ovation from the Mayo people that night before I even sang a note. They were aware of my songs through Midwest Radio.
“Tom took over the diary shortly after that and he has been such a special friend to Al and I over the last two decades. He also managed Brendan Grace and others and he is just one of the truly good people in this business.”
Joining Isla on stage for the Irish tour are Al, who will be singing a few Jim Reeves songs, and Glen Flynn from Tullamore. The show runs from 8pm to 10.30pm.
The 12-date tour got under way in The Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, last Thursday night and continues in the Árd Rí Hotel, Tuam, this Thursday, 13 February, the Canal Court, Newry, on Friday, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, on Saturday and Sligo Park Hotel on Sunday. The final four shows are in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh, on Thursday 20 February, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, on 21 February, Roscommon Arts Centre, on 22 February, and concluding in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Sunday 23 February.