Shane opening for Max T Barnes in Cork Opera House

Well it is my own blog so might as well advertise my good news this week.

On March 19th I get to open for the legendary country songwriters Max T Barnes & Craig Curtis on the Cork Opera House stage. Max T, who has written countless hits for many of my idols,(Collin Raye,George Jones,Gene Watson,Randy Travis,Diamond Rio,Joe Diffee, Jodee Messina,Trace Atkins & so many others) has had nine number 1's in the USA.

Max has been a staff writer and producer in Nashville for nearly thirty  years. Working under contract for Sony, Warner Brothers, Polygram, MCA, Island Bound, Curb And Ray Stevens. Early on however he also played lead guitar. Touring with Bobby Bare,  Shelly West,  Joe Sun, Linda Davis and Tanya Tucker to name a few. He did tours with Reba, Garth Brooks, The Judds, Merle Haggard, George Jones and too many more to mention.

Maria Butterley

This week I had the chance to chat on the phone with Maria Butterly, the Irish Songstress, has returned to Ireland from Los Angeles where she has resided for several years. With two independently released albums ‘Its Just Me’ & ‘Nashvillain Days’s, Maria has teamed up with Bill Shanley who has produced her upcoming album, to be released later this year 2013. Her new single ‘Angel’ awaiting release, produced by Bill, speaks volumes of what to expect from this diversified artist. Ireland AM (TV3) cited her as “One of Ireland’s most talented Singer – Songwriters. Multi-instrumentalist, self taught on Guitar, Mandolin & Piano. Her original style of music draws on influences from the Celtic/Irish Folk genre, American Country genre winning her accolade audiences around the country.

Ray Lynam

This week I had the chance to chat on the phone with a legend in the Irish Country music scene Mr Ray Lynam. Ray was born in Moate, County Westmeath. Ray Lynam played saxophone with a local group, the Merrymen, while still at school. He was so greatly influenced by the recordings of George Jones and Buck Owens that in his early career, he carefully reproduced their vocal styles in his own singing. In 1969, he became front man for the Hillbillies, a band led by lead guitarist Kevin Sheeran that also included Billy Condon (both later members of Daniel O’Donnell’s band). In 1970, a recording of ‘Busted’ attracted attention, while the follow-ups, ‘Sweet Rosie Jones’ and ‘Gypsy Jo And Me’, firmly established Lynam on the Irish country scene by their chart success. In 1971, 

Lana Gibson

Country Music touches and tugs at the hearts of all and listening to pioneers in Country music such as Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves are Lana Gibson’s earliest musical memories. Her parents were avid fans of those country greats. Like most singers Lana starting singing at a young age in local talent shows. She then joined a local folk choir and in her late teens and taught herself to play the guitar. Lana married her husband John in 1983. John also plays guitar and has a passion for Country music and introduced Lana to many new singers in the Country genre. That's where her love of country music really began. The couple went on to form a two piece band in early 1992 called “Two of A Kind”. The duo gained moderate success until 2000 playing pubs and small dancehalls around Munster (Southern Ireland).

Roy Buckley & Eli O Keeffe

This week we had the double pleasure of two of Corks most talanted musicians joining me in studio. Roy who has been on the show everal times and Eli who we have spoken to over the phone but this was her first live visit to the studio. We started by talking to Roy about his Song writer Sessions and how they are going. We then talked to Eli about her work, her music and how involved she is in the music scene in Cork. She plays along at a lot of live sessions and you can see her backing many other great singer songwriters in the Cork area.

Vincent Lynch

Well its almost 2 years since we spoke with Cork singer songwriter Vincent Lynch. So we caught up with Vincent this week. In a week which saw Vincent release his new song for Suicide awareness in Cork , The song Shine a light is available to buy on I tunes and other online digital stores. Vincent was approached and asked tow rite a song for this worthy cause and he duly obliged with this new song which was recorded in Claycastle Studios in Youghal with the help of John Burke and Warren Tivy.

Willie Collins

Well this week in the hot seat in studio was singer songwriter Willie Collins from Fermoy. I have known Willie for a long time now and about 2 years ago he sent me on a CD of some songs he had written himself and recorded in Fiona Studios in Fermoy. Between his busy schedule and mine it took that long to get him into the station. Today was a nice day looking back over previous times, talking music and having a chat about the scene today.

John Blek & The Rats

On this occasion I was joined in studio by members of the John Blek and the Rats band, in the hot seat were John and band member and fellow musician Robin. This week we were talking about their upcoming gig in Coughlans Bar in Cork a new venue for bands songwriters and musicians which Cork musician Edel Curtin has taken on herself to run in association with Coughlans, its for bands to preform in a new warm venue. While in studio the lads preformed a few songs and for those that have not heard from them "John Blek and the Rats are a six-piece folk and country group from Cork City whose infectious brand of Americana influenced balladry has travelled up and down the roads of Ireland, the UK and Europe for the last two years."

Brendan Shine

Music was in Brendan’s family from an early age. His father, the late Paddy Shine, had his own Country Band, with whom Brendan made his musical debut, playing twice a week, at an open air dance called the Maypole in Summerhill. Whilst still at secondary school, it became clear that Brendan had a unique singing voice, and was a very talented musician, and it was only a matter of time before he was to become one of the biggest stars Ireland has ever produced.

Brendan joined “Kieran Kelly’s Ceili Band” along with school friend, Johnny Dawson, (who, to this day, is still playing drums with Brendan, in the “Brendan Shine Band”). He stayed with the ceili band for six years. By day, Brendan ran a successful market garden farm, and had a tremendous name as a carrot producer. Brendan later made his own traditional song, “Carrots”. By night, the van became his first tour bus. He then formed his own band, which included Johnny and Brendan’s younger brother, the late Owen Shine on keyboards. Playing pubs and clubs around his hometown of Althlone most nights of the week, it was time then to move on from the farming job to concentrate on his musical career.

Art Supple

Art Supple didn’t grow up with the ambition to be a professional singer. He was quite content to work on his father’s farm in the East Cork village of Gortroe, Art started life singing in the local village hall with a local talent group called The Barony Aces and as he grew a little older he started singing with a semi professional group led by local musician Pat Irwin. He might have continued to do this for a few more years but a new professional band called The Victors were starting. Acting on a tip from a local ballroom owner the Victors manager Terry Louge decided to ask Art to join as lead vocalist. Art & the Victors first hit single was a number called “Showbands on Parade” and it was the biggest selling single on the Irish Decca label Rex in 1965. It was a also year which saw Art voted in the top 10 Showband Singers of the Year, top ten personalities of the year and The Victors were listed as one of the top ten Favourite recording show bands in The New Spotlight Music Magazine.

Linda Welby

Linda Welby a native of Loughrea in Co Galway, Linda, is many things, singer, songwriter, radio presenter but first and foremost a mother of eight children. Her first album 'A Story to Tell' as the title suggested was a collection of self penned songs which she sang herself, Due to the success of the first album she went on to record her second 'The Best of Times' a collection of contemporary songs and music again, written and composed by herself. On meeting Linda she is very quite, almost shy, very unassuming, and very much un aware of her gift in writing songs. When you hear Linda sing there is no pretence, she sings with a natural voice, her native Galway accent strong. She has no airs or graces and sings from the heart. One of the reasons why she has become so popular over the last few years and one of the reasons why she has travelled to so many countries singing her own songs in her own style.

Gene Stuart

Gene Stuart - A welcome return to Co Waterford.

Country singer Gene Stuart hit the Irish music scene over thirty five years ago. In his first band Gene sang the country songs with ‘The Dynamic Sounds’ a talented local pop group. Because of the lack of work in Ireland Gene traveled to England and spent some time on the construction Sites in Birmingham. He stayed for awhile but returned home where he found work with Ken Kennedy’s band from Monaghan, He then moved onto the Mc Geogh brother’s band before securing his big break.

John Hogan

Sometimes known as 'Ireland's Prince of Country Music', John Hogan celebrates his 25th year of success within Ireland's music scene this year, as well as an ambassador to Ireland and Irish Country Music around the world. John Hogan is one of very few singers that can claim to have had a hit record before ever performing at a gig. Although music was a big part of his life growing up, he secured a good job with Board-Na-Mona. However he often took his guitar to work and entertained his workmates with his singing. He was eventually persuaded to record a single, and chose his mother's favourite song, 'Brown Eyes'. Radio West presenter Don Allen gave the song great airplay, and the single took off from there. It soon went up to the top-ten charts.

Nathan Carter

Nathan Carter is the brightest young singing star to hit Ireland for many years.  Nathan was born in the City of Liverpool. At the age of four he found his love for music and was given a piano accordion, which he quickly mastered.  At seven, Nathan started to enter Fleadh Ceoil Competitions in Accordion and Singing.  At 15, he won the All Ireland Title for Traditional Singing.   Nathan was determined to seek a career in the Music Industry, and at the tender age of 16 years, decided to leave school and follow his dream. 

Mick Flavin

Mick Flavin

Irish country singer Mick Flavin has been a favourite at the dance halls singing Irish & Country songs for over 20 years, celebrated his incredible journey from Drumlish to Nashville via Wembley Stadium with the release of a double CD As Good As I Once Was. Recognised by his pure, deep voice and for his reputation as being a 'big, friendly giant', Mick has accumulated a large fan base throughout the years.

The Champions

Gina, Dale Hayes & the Champions,

The original lineup of Gina on vocals , Jerdie Mackey known as Dale Haze on vocals, Mossy Walsh on keyboards, Pat Walsh on guitar, Eddie Fitzgerald on bass and Tony Hornibrook on drums, hit the road as the Herdsmen in early 1973. The band released their first single “Paper Mansions” and was playing the smaller circuit, when they signed with Tony Byrne. When Cork beat Galway in the 1973 All-Ireland Final in Croke Park, they had their new name, The Champions. Their first single recorded as the Champions, Dreams Are Good Friends, climbed to Number 12 in the Irish Charts. The Champions had their first hit and were off and running.

Louise Morrissey

Louise Morrissey

Louise Morrissey has long been one of Ireland's best loved singers and entertainers.

She has achieved great success, and has brought her easy style of country and folk to many other countries around the world. She has toured extensively in Ireland, Europe, America, Canada and Australia as well as nearly every country in Europe. Louise a former member of The Morrissey’s Folk Group along with her brothers Billy & Norman, toured for many years until 1987

Robert Mizzell

Robert born on 21st July in Louisiana has made Ireland his home for over 20 years. He served his apprenticeship in Country Music since he first arrived here and is now one of the top Country artists in Ireland, his popularity spreading with extensive airplay into Europe and to such distant territories as Australia. As anyone who ever attended a Robert Mizzell show will testify, Robert with his band The Country Kings put on an energy filled show. Brimming with Country flavour his shows appeal to audiences in Nashville and wherever Country Music is popular.

Paddy O Brien

This year marks Paddy O Brien’s 25th year touring with his band

To mark this special occasion country star Paddy O Brien from Aglish Co Waterford and his band have organised several country music spectacular shows throughout the year. The next big festival of country music for people in this area is taking place on Fri 18^th, Sat 19th and Sun 20th May in Lawlors hotel Dungarvan Co Waterford. Paddy has been performing with his band for the last 25years and in that time has gained a huge fan base locally here in Cork and Waterford as well as fans from all around the world. This is never more evident then when he holds his weekends for his fans every year.

Hot Country Awards

The 3rd annual Hot Country 'country music' awards show was a huge success on Wednesday night last May 3rd, 2012 staged at the Hazel Hotel Monasterevin Co Kildare in front of a capacity crowd, it featured the 'best' in Irish country music. Backing band for the occasion were award winning Conquerors, presenters Hugh O'Brien and Pam Jackson kept the show moving with no delays which meant everything ran on time. Lighting and audio was provided by Spain AV Nenagh Co Tipperary.