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Randy Travis celebrates 60 in Nashville
Country star Randy Travis will make a special appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage on Saturday 4 May to celebrate his 60th birthday. Randy has continued to make steady progress after a stroke and illness some years ago left him facing a difficult health journey.
Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith and Braving the Storms of Life will be released on 14 May and is available for pre-order now at foreverandeveramenbook.com. Randy Travis fans Charles Esten, Josh Turner and Charlie Worsham are all scheduled to appear on the Opry on Travis’s birthday, as is his fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Don Schlitz, who co-wrote a number of Travis’s biggest hits, including Deeper Than The Holler, Forever And Ever, Amen, Heroes And Friends, On the Other Hand and Point Of Light.
Late Late Country Show
The popularity of the RTÉ Country Music Late Late Show is reflected once again in the decision of the national broadcaster to host their third annual show in a row on Friday night, 3 May.
Many of the well-known names from the country circuit will feature on the top-rated show which gets underway after the main 9pm. Show host Ryan Tubridy will also be joined by various guests as Ireland goes country in style.
John was founding member of Bagatelle
The death took place last week at St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, of John O’Brien, founding member of the famous Bagatelle. The Bray native died peacefully following a short illness. He was the lead guitarist with the band. Bagatelle soared to national fame with their massive 1978 hit, Summer In Dublin. Other major songs for the group were Second Violin and Raining In Paris Tonight. John will be sadly missed by his daughter Susan, step daughter Tyffani, brother Joe, son-in-law Peter, grandchildren Saul, Luke, Jake and Emma and by a wide circle of friends.
Rachel makes her debut
Rachel McConnell from Derrygonnelly makes her recording debut with an uptempo country song, You are the One. The Fermanagh girl comes from a family steeped in the country tradition. Her father Dermot and brother Fergal are well-known performers on the country circuit.
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