Country Sound: Louise still flying the Tipp flag

The Tipperary lady has taken it all in her stride and today she is as busy as ever on the circuit, doing shows all around the country and overseas.

“I can’t believe how quickly the years have gone by,” reflects Louise. “Time moves on and there’s nothing we can do about it but just embrace each day and thank God for our health.”

Three decades down the line, Louise is grateful that her diary is top-heavy with dates.

“The country scene has been so good to me. There is a loyalty among followers of country music that is enduring and way beyond that associated with the pop scene.

"I think there is also a good loyalty among the trad and folk people, who always have a great respect for tradition too.”

This month saw her perform as guest on the Derek Ryan UK tour, with seven shows in America with Donegal singer Gary Gamble coming up next month.

These include the ever-popular Irish Village in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Louise will also be a guest on Jimmy Buckley’s country holiday in Spain in October and is scheduled to play a five-date concert tour in Newfoundland in October.

On top of all that is an 18-date concert guest spot with The Stars of Irish Country tour in the UK in September and October.

Tipp to Derry

In two months’ time Louise will journey from Tipperary to Derry, where she will feature on Opry le Daniel at the Millennium Forum on 19 May.

The show is a special tribute to Loretta Lynn, the legendary American country singer whose song The Coalminer’s Daughter, later became an award-winning movie.

There have been numerous highlights down through the years, but singing at Croke Park for the Tipperary fans at the All-Ireland hurling final in 1988 was right up there with the best of them.

“It is one memory that always stays with me.

It was my first time in Croke Park and to lead the Tipperary people with Slievenamon was incredibly special.

"They sang like linnets on the day. However, the day belonged to Galway, but we came back the following year and won the Liam McCarthy Cup,” says Louise.

Another stand-out memory was playing support to Kris Kristofferson in Newfoundland around 11 years ago.

“The big concert was in St John’s and I recall Kris and his wife sitting side stage watching me perform my set of songs.

"I had a lovely chat with them afterwards. I was so honoured to have been chosen to sing on that show.

"Many people in Newfoundland have such a natural affinity with the Irish people. There are strong ties between them from over the years.”

Three-CD boxset

The record company, irishmusic.co.uk, has just released a three-CD boxset album featuring 38 songs to celebrate Louise’s 30 years in country music.

The title of the collection is What’s Another Year, named after the Shay Healy composition which secured Eurovision honours for Johnny Logan back in 1980 and which Louise recorded last summer.

The collection features many of her popular songs from over the years, as well as some new recordings, including Another Day which was written especially for Louise by Tipperary native Nick McCarthy.

Meanwhile, she will be joined by some friends from the circuit for three special nights in Killarney, Midleton and Clonmel.

The Killarney show is a dance and takes place at the Gleneagle Hotel on 31 March, with guests Paddy O’Brien, TR Dallas, Gary Gamble and Dermot and Sinéad Moriarty.

It starts at 9pm. On 1 April Louise will host a concert show at the Midleton Park Hotel, where she will be joined by John Hogan, Crystal Swing, Paddy O’Brien and Keelan Arbuckle.

Her guests for the concert at the Minella Hotel, Clonmel, on 2 April are Philomena Begley, Foster and Allen, Gerry Guthrie, Gary Gamble and Marty Daniels. The Ryan Turner Band will feature on all three shows.

Thirty years down the line, Louise Morrissey is still the Tipperary lady taking her country songs around the world.

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