Stars shine for Gene

Country legend Gene Stuart will be remembered at a gala concert in his home area of Killeshill near Dungannon, Co Tyrone, on Monday night, 6 March. Gene organised an annual fundraiser for various local causes in Killeshill Community Centre for many years. Now, friends of the great man are remembering their departed colleague with this special night dedicated to his memory and his legacy.

Among those who will perform are Margo, Phil Begley, Brian Coll, Mike Denver, Trevor Dickson, Crawford Bell, Cliona Hagan, Muriel Day, TR Dallas, Cowboy Larry, Vincie Soye, Barry Doyle, Aidan Quinn, John and Claire O’Neill, and The Session Band, who will back all the performers. The comperes for the night are Hugo Duncan, Fr Brian D’Arcy and Michael Commins.

Tickets are £15 and are available from Stewart’s Music Shop, Dungannon, on 028-8772 5286 (use 048 instead of 028 if dialling from the south).

Gospel song for Patrick

Over and Over, a big ballad gospel song, is the new single from Patrick Feeney. The song was composed by American writers Sue and Belinda Lee Smith. The Sligo man is currently on tour with Robert Mizzell and Jimmy Buckley as part of The Three Amigos.

Mainliners head for Ballymena

Big Tom and The Mainliners play their first date of 2017 in The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena, Co Antrim, on Saturday night, 11 February. It has been a few years since they last headed a major night in Ballymena and followers across the Ulster region and further afield are looking forward to this.

Radio nostalgia

Longford man Pat Rock recorded two CDs of Radio Nostalgia last year. They feature material from Radio Éireann and Radio Luxembourg as well as the famous pirate station, Radio Caroline. These are now available to listen to on Mixcloud. You can also contact Pat direct on 085-215 3627 for further details.

Singles rolling out

Country artists continue to be the mainstay of the studios in Ireland with many flat out recording new albums and singles from a host of artists.

Ciarán Rosney has chosen an old standard, Gotta Travel On, as his new single. Produced by Willie Dunne in his studios in Lanesboro, it is a track taken from his album due out later this year.

Murphy’s Bar is the new release from Limerick man Eddie Carey. It was produced by Tipperary’s Peter Maher.

Don’t Tell Me What To Do, a song written by American song-writing legends Harlan Howard and Max D Barnes, introduces John Molloy to the Irish country scene. John, who resides in Tullamore, hopes to have his debut album on release by May. It is being produced by Wayne Thorose at his studios in Ballyforan, Co Roscommon.