American country singer Joni Harms returns to Ireland for a fourth time, to join the Sheerin Family Band for a special night of quality country music in The Well, Moate, on 8 May at 8pm.

Joni recorded her first live-in-concert album, From Oregon to Ireland, in Moate in 2015 and is back by popular demand.

“I had been planning for years to record a live album and when I met the Sheerin Family Band I knew these were the guys to record with. This band is just a pleasure to work with, such great musicians and lovely people,” says Joni.

The Academy of Western Artists in the US named her as Female Vocalist of the Year in 2003, and she has been honoured with numerous awards since then. She is a strong advocate for the promotion of traditional western music.

Let’s Put Western Back In Country, the title track of one of her albums, has become a mission statement of her views about trends in American country over the last three decades.

She continues to build audiences through appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and has even performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The talented singer and songwriter is very much in tune with the rural heartlands of America and has a special fondness for the farming fraternity.

She lives on a ranch in Oregon with her family, that was homesteaded by her great, great grandfather in 1872. This love of place and connection to the land has been an inspiration for many of her songs.

“I always want the songs I sing to be a good representation of who I am,” says Joni.

One of her compositions, Buddy and Me, was recorded by John Hogan and is now one of his most-requested numbers. Many of her songs have been covered by leading artists in the US. Her chief influences have been Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard and George Strait.

The Sheerin Family band consists of seven family members out of 11.Their unique sound and crisp harmonies are a joy to behold. Their parents, Dan and Mary, usually join them for their shows and the result is pure magic on stage.

A great night is in store in Moate when Joni Harms and The Sheerin Family perform. Doors open at 7.30pm and admission is €18.