Olivia’s launch victim of bad weather

Ferbane songstress Olivia Douglas became one of the victims of the recent snow and bad weather, when she had to cancel her big night in The Well in Moate last week. All was in place for the launch of her second album, Forever Country, but the weather alerts led her to call off the launch in the interest of the safety of artists and patrons making the journey to Moate.

“It was just an unfortunate clash, but safety always comes first and I think we did the right thing in postponing the launch. Due to the weather warnings that were in place, I thought it was best in the circumstances. We have now rescheduled the launch for The Well, so roll on 10 April,” says Olivia.

The talented piano accordion player and singer has picked up a number of major awards over the last two years and has been making steady inroads on the music scene, especially in the midlands.

Joining Olivia for the celebrations in April will be Michael English, Robert Mizzell, Gerry Guthrie, Seamus Moore, John Hogan, Simon Casey, Stuart Moyles, Matt Leavy, Carmel McLoughlin, John Molloy, Joe Rabbitte, The Back Axles and The Sheerin Family.

St Patrick’s Eve show in Loughrea

The Keane family and friends will perform at a special St Patrick’s Eve Concert in the Meadow Court Hotel in Loughrea on Friday, 16 March, at 8.30pm. The show will feature brothers Matt and Pat Keane, as well as Orlaith Keane.

Joining them for this special night of trad and folk music will be Colm Naughton, Maria Fahy, Catherine McHugh and Conor Connolly, as well as their special guests, the Hernon family from Cara, Connemara. Tickets are €25 and can be had from the hotel on 091-841051.

Busy times for Offaly family

These are pretty hectic times for the Rosney family from Pullagh in Co Offaly. Ciarán will launch his new band at a big night in the Glencarn Hotel in Castleblayney on this Friday night, 9 March, under the management of Joe Finnegan.

They move to the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris on Saturday night and will be on stage in the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan on Monday night.

Meanwhile, his brother, Stephen, who fronts the country, bluegrass and trad band The Back Axels, have two singles on release.

The Brown Bread Song has been followed in recent days by I Ain’t Gonna Drink No More, another song from the pen of Stephen.

The talented songwriter has teamed up with Max T Barnes and has co-written a number of songs with the man from Nashville over the last year. No rest for the folks from Offaly.

Frank gears up for party

Frank Nelson will celebrate 30 years on the recording scene with a major dancing weekend in the Abbey Hotel in Donegal Town from Friday to Sunday, 28-20 September. The man from Strokestown has his own steady following around the country and over in England, where he plays regular dates.

Frank is a real traditionalist when it comes to country music and remained loyal to the great songs from the golden era of the genre. He has also penned several songs which have been recorded by some of the well-known names on the Irish circuit.

Joining Frank for the big weekend in Donegal will be Mick Flavin, Kevin Logue, John Glenn, Dave Lawlor, Kevin Prendergast, Seamus Moore, Brian Kerrigan, Michael Howard and others.

Details can be had from the hotel on 071-9633522. CL