It is full steam ahead for the Northern Ireland Entertainment Awards night, which will be staged in the Armagh City Hotel on Monday, 10 November.

The big night is in association with Irish Country Sound in the Irish Farmers Journal, The Phil Mack Country Show and the Armagh City Hotel.

The show, which looks set to attract a full house, will have a host of well-known names from the music scene and several awards will be presented on the night.

Among those already confirmed are Philomena Begley, Derek Ryan, John Glenn, Robert Mizzell, Jim Devine, Gene Stuart, Tony Kerr, Farmer Dan, Johnny Brady, Pat McKenna, John McNicholl, Lisa McHugh, Sean Wilson and Tony Mac, Stephen Smyth, Ben Troy, The Indians and Showbud.

A number of others will be announced in the coming days.

Tickets have now gone on sale from the Armagh City Hotel and early demand has been very brisk. The show will start at 7.30pm. CL

Honky Tonkin’ down Offaly way

The Honky Tonks from Tullamore have just released their debut single, On The Stage Underneath The Lights. The lively song comes from the songbook of the late Theresa O’Donnell from Kildare, who penned many country songs, including Ireland’s first Eurovision entry, Walking The Streets in The Rain.

The five-piece band is bringing a fresh impetus to the local scene and they are thrilled with the early response from dancers. Cathy Boland is the lead singer, with Baethean Bolton on piano and keyboards, Padraig Campbell on lead guitar, Johnny O’Sullivan on drums and Ted Dunican on bass.