The most prestigious night of the year in Irish country music is almost here again. The annual Country Sound awards night will take place in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, on Monday, 9 March.

We are delighted to present a great array of talent on the night, many of whom are receiving long-overdue recognition. With the show almost sold out, the Irish Farmers Journal is delighted to be a central player in the country music revival of recent years. We are recognised as one of the leading supporters of the Irish country music scene, providing weekly information to our readers.

No concert will come close this year to the spectacular Country Sound show that the Irish Farmers Journal has organised.

New and rising stars will perform beside some of the most established names on the circuit. We are always delighted to acknowledge some of the great performers who have embellished the scene with their talent over the decades. Tipperary man Sam O’Doherty is a worthy recipient of our Hall of Fame award. Sam is one of the most naturally gifted entertainers in the country. He is a truly amazing stage performer who, in many ways, has never got the true recognition he deserves on a countrywide platform. This will be put right on the awards night.

Dominic Kirwan and Mary Duff are currently celebrating 25 years in showbiz and are undertaking a nationwide concert tour. We will mark their achievement with a special award. Tony Kerr from Antrim is being honoured with the Country Concert Singer of the Year award. He has one of the truest country voices on the circuit.

Country comedy comes in the form of those rascals from west Waterford, the Bachelors in Trouble (Tony Coffey and Sean Murphy). They are men of the soil and they know how to raise the roof with their brand of humour.

We are also very happy to acknowledge and showcase some of the ladies of country music. Muriel O’Connor from Limerick, Bernie Heaney from Kildare, and Kathy Crinnion and Maria Butterly from Meath are all first-time recipients of awards at the concert. This will be a special night for them and their families and friends. Louise Morrissey, a former winner, will also perform at our big show.

Gerry Guthrie and Johnny Brady, two busy men on the circuit, bring great energy and enthusiasm to their shows and they are worthy winners again this year. Paddy O’Brien, John Hogan and TR Dallas have been real stalwarts of the traditional country scene over the last 30 years and they are assured of a very warm reception on the night.

One of Ireland’s most talented young country singers Jordan Mogey (21) from Ballymoney, Co Antrim, will receive his first major award on the night. It will be an unforgettable night for Jordan and his family.

The Murphys from Kerry, a very talented family who are currently hosting their own show on Sky 192, will perform their big hits, The Streets of Promise and The Empty Room, when they entertain the patrons. The Moynihan Brothers from Ferns in Wexford, celebrating 45 years on the road, are first-time award recipients on this occasion.

Ciaran Rosney from Offaly, Pat McKenna from Derry and Des Willoughby from Wicklow have all enjoyed a great year on the music circuit and will provide entertainment on the night. We are also truly privileged to have one of the true legends of Ulster with us for the first time. Billy McFarland from Co Antrim is 80 years of age and has made an enormous contribution to the music scene going as far back as the showband era. He is regarded as one of the true gentlemen in the business and we are absolutely thrilled that he is coming to Athlone.

One man who will have a short journey to make on the night is Johnny Dawson from Athlone. For close to 50 years, Johnny was drummer with the Brendan Shine Band. He will be the recipient of a special award on the night.

The mighty Conquerors from Galway will provide the best of music for the artists on the night.

The 2015 Country Sound Awards night gets underway at 7.30pm at the Hodson Bay Hotel near Athlone on 9 March. Please contact hotel reception for tickets on 090-644-2000. We expect the show to be sold out by the weekend.