Waterford native Richie Hayes is getting ready to take the country route. The runner-up on RTÉ’s The Voice of Ireland 2012 is currently rehearsing with a brand new country band and they are set to launch on 1 July.The man from the Deise County has been busy in recent weeks laying down tracks for his debut album later in the year. A promotional track, An Irish Waltz, has just been released and a video to accompany it will be posted on YouTube over the coming days. Richie was delighted to accept a request from Gertie Byrne to be among the guests on her famous annual Caribbean Cruise back in February, an event which introduced him to many of the well-known names on the circuit, as well as many people from various parts of the USA and Ireland. A number of guest appearances on shows and concerts in recent months have also served to enhance his growing profile. Well-known Cork manager Noel O’Keeffe of OK Promotions, Midleton, will handle the diary.