Daniel Byrne has got country music in his soul. The 19-year-old from Belleeks (situated between Crossmaglen and Newry) has just released his new single, Tryin’ To Fall In Love, a catchy up-tempo Toby Keith number that perfectly suits the style of the young Armagh man. A debut 12-track album will be released in the coming weeks, ahead of the launch of Daniel on the circuit. It was produced by David Arkins in his studios in Athboy and features a mix of self-penned numbers and American standards.

A video for the new number, which has attracted several hits on YouTube, was recorded in Carlingford, Co Louth, and also in the GAA Centre in Oram, where Big Tom rambled along to lend his support to Daniel and is featured in a number of shots in the video. Traditional country music will form the basis for Daniel’s new band and he has already performed a number of guest spots in recent weeks from Donegal across to Down.

“We intend to have a solid country band featuring the kind of music that always goes down well with dancers. I am delighted with the response to Tryin’ To Fall In Love, which is being very well received on stations around the country,” says Daniel.

SOUND BITES

Matt has a winner For Somebody Special

Galway singer Matt Keane has released his For Somebody Special collection of songs. The album features 19 songs comprising of material from his previous two albums, Out In The Fields and Pictures in Time. It also includes three of his most requested songs, which up until now were only available as singles.

“Somebody Special, Blue Kilkenny Eyes and Ireland For The Summer are songs I am asked for all the time. I have included all three on the album due to the volume of requests I was getting for them over the last three years,” says Matt Keane.

Other favourites from previous albums include Awake Awake, The Roseville Fair, The Moon On Clancy’s Wings, The Woodlands of Ower, Summer of My Dreams and Mise Raifteirí An File.

Matt and his brothers Sean, Pat and Noel, headlined their annual Citizens Keane nights in Claregalway last weekend. Both shows were sold out in advance. The guests included Orlaith Keane, the Hernon family from Connemara and David Connor from Claremorris.

Matt Keane’s new CD, superbly titled For Somebody Special, is now available in record stores and the usual outlets. More information can be had by emailing Matt at matt-keane@hotmail.com or by visiting his Facebook page.

Jordan is on a good country rolL

Country Sound is nominating Jordan Mogey from Antrim as the one to watch in 2015. Jordan, who celebrated his 21st birthday during the Christmas, has released his debut four-track CD. For those who yearn for the true traditional sounds of country music, this is the real deal.

Jordan’s rendition of I’ll Leave This World Loving You resonates in a special way with country aficionados. He handles the Don Williams standard, We Should be Together, with the ease of a true professional.

A brilliant debut concert performance in the Salthill Hotel in Galway in November was followed by another guest spot on the Irish Country Sound and Sky 191’s Phil Mack Country Show at the Armagh City Hotel awards night a week later. Jordan has just completed work on his debut album, which will be released over the coming weeks. Here is a singer in touch with the heart and soul of real country music and who has a huge respect for the heroes and icons of the scene from over the years. The young man from Ballymoney looks like he’s on a good roll right now.

Pat Hayes celebrates silver jubilee in Kilkenny

Kilkenny man Pat Hayes is celebrating 25 years on the country circuit. The Springhill Court Hotel in Kilkenny is the venue for two nights marking the occasion and these will be staged on Monday and Tuesday, 19 and 20 January.

The concert takes centre-stage on the Monday night show, which starts at 8.15pm.

The Ryan Turner Band will provide the music and the guest performers are John McNicholl, Shaun Loughrey, Seamus Moore, Dave Lawler, Tom Healy, Derek Veale, Glen Flynn, while Pat will also perform on the show.

Hayes and his band will entertain patrons at a dance on Tuesday 20 January, when their guest will be Derek Veale from Waterford.

“I am delighted to host the shows in my home county,” says Pat who hails from Windgap.

“I am also pleased to have so many good friends perform at the concert. We go back with them a long way. There are very attractive hotel packages available to cover both nights.

“People also have the option of coming along on the nights. There will be a very warm welcome for all who join us for the celebrations in the Springhill Court Hotel,” says Hayes.

A special night in Knock

Mayo singer and songwriter Gerry Carney hosted a special night in Knock House Hotel to tie in with his 27 years on the circuit. Gerry was joined by friends from around the county for the celebrations.

His self-penned song, Paddy, has become his signature number in recent years. It has been recorded by a number of artists, but is still synonymous with the man who wrote it.

Gerry was a regular guest performer on the Gerry Kelly Show on UTV in former times and he also recorded and toured with Niamh Kavanagh, who represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest. His album, Safe Hands, includes several of Gerry’s own songs.

The man from Bekan maintains a busy schedule on the regional circuit and he has plans for a concert tour in the coming months. Other overseas trips are also on the cards.