There is an almost Louisiana Cajun bayou country mystique to the series title Opry le Daniel. But when you bring it all back home, it is Daniel O’Donnell crossing over from Donegal to the Millennium Forum Theatre in Derry to host seven nights of country shows for TG4. The show moved from Newry to Derry last year and the city where the Foyle waters flow proved an excellent venue with the Big Tom Show – the crowning glory of what proved to be a major success story for TG4.
There is an almost Louisiana Cajun bayou country mystique to the series title Opry le Daniel. But when you bring it all back home, it is Daniel O’Donnell crossing over from Donegal to the Millennium Forum Theatre in Derry to host seven nights of country shows for TG4.
The show moved from Newry to Derry last year and the city where the Foyle waters flow proved an excellent venue with the Big Tom Show – the crowning glory of what proved to be a major success story for TG4.
Daniel O'Donnell with the late legend of country, Big Tom.
This is the biggest venture yet in the popular series, with the Millennium Forum being taken over for seven nights of country music. It reflects the vitality of the country scene and it is wonderful to see an entire week devoted to the genre in a city where music has always been a part of the soul. Ireland’s first Eurovision winner, Dana Rosemary Brown, is a proud native of this famed city. The series will feature two concerts each night and the shows get under way at 7.45pm. Charley Pride, second only to Elvis Presley when it comes to album sales with RCA in America, is the headline act on the opening night, Sunday, 13 May.
Charley has always had a special place in the hearts of people on the island of Ireland. He famously came to perform in Belfast during the height of The Troubles in the 1970s, giving some joy and respite to people on both sides of the divide in those times.
He is assured of a huge welcome and this is his only Irish date for 2018. Expect major audience sing-alongs to such classics as Crystal Chandeliers, All I Have To Offer You Is Me, Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone, Kiss An Angel Good Morning and Me and Bobby McGee.
Preceding Charley will be the opening concert with a new concept, Country Music Family, which introduces well-known singer/guitarist Brendan Quinn, performing with his sons, James and Stephen. The Quinn family hails from Magherafelt.
On Monday, 14 May, there is a tribute show to the iconic George Jones, with Jimmy Buckley and Robert Mizzell performing some of his best-known songs. The special guest is Georgette Jones, daughter of country music’s golden couple George Jones and Tammy Wynette, who is coming over from Tennessee for the night.
The second concert again features a Country Music Family, this time with Omagh’s Dominic Kirwan and sons Barry and Colm.
Carlow’s own Derek Ryan will be joined by his dad, Pat, and brother, Adrian, for the third of the Country Music Family shows on Tuesday, 15 May. This will be a real homely affair as midlands Ireland meets the northern stars.
The second concert sees some young emerging talent and will feature Stuart Moyles, Keelan Arbuckle, Olivia Douglas, Caitlin Murtagh and Brandon Mc Phee from Scotland.
Halfway
The series reaches the halfway stage with night four on Wednesday, 16 May, and nostalgia will be much in vogue as some of the stalwarts of the scene dip deep into the roots of real country music. The show features John Hogan, Kathy Durkin, Shawn Cuddy and Gloria. Appearing on the second concert on the night will be contemporary country performers, Donna Taggart, Jacqui Sharkey and Niamh McGlinchey.
Fans of the great Johnny Cash have a real treat in store on Thursday, 17 May, when Opry le Daniel pays tribute to the legend from Dyess, Arkansas. Sandy Kelly, Declan Nerney and Jordan Mogey are the guests on this part of the show.
Sandy recorded some songs with Johnny, including Woodcarver. It is hard not to notice the influence of Johnny Cash on the immensely talented young Jordan Mogey from Ballymoney, one of the brightest prospects on the traditional country circuit right now. Lisa McHugh headlines the second concert on the Thursday night in The Millennium.
The songs of Jim Reeves played a huge role in popularising country music in Ireland and one of the Friday night shows is a tribute to the great man from Texas. Leading the tributes to Gentleman Jim will be Al Grant, Tony Kerr, Patrick Feeney and Matt Leavy. This will be followed by an intimate concert with Scottish singer-songwriter, Isla Grant.
The closing night sees a major looking west night, as the emphasis is on paying tribute to two major female stars of American country music. Indeed, the ladies have the stage to themselves on Saturday, 19 May.
The opening concert pays tribute to Loretta Lynn, the Coalminer’s Daughter from Kentucky. Her granddaughter, Tayla Lynn, is coming over from America and will be on stage along with Leona Williams (ex-wife of the late Merle Haggard), who has performed with Loretta on numerous occasions, and also Louise Morrissey and Niamh Lynn.
The closing concert of the night welcomes Rita Coolidge, former wife of Kris Kristofferson. She was married to the man who wrote such classics as Me and Bobby McGee, Sunday Moring Coming Down, Help Me Make It Through The Night, Loving Her Was Easier Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again, The Pilgrim and For The Good Times, from 1973 until 1980.
The shows also feature interviews with fans of the artists and these will all be included in the final production when the shows air on TG4.
Tickets for the nightly concerts are priced at £20 and further details can be had by calling the Millennium Forum box office on 028-71264455 (change access number to 048 if calling from the Republic). Further details can also be had by checking Opry le Daniel on Facebook. Read more
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