American Grammy Award-winning Larry Gatlin will perform a special concert show in the Túar Ard Theatre, Moate, on Wednesday 10 February. Larry will be accompanied on the night by the renowned Sheerin Family Band.

The compact theatre is becoming a firm favourite for some visiting American artists in recent times. Joni Harms recorded her live album with The Sheerin Family last year and has been singing the praises of the band ever since.

In more recent months, Marty Haggard, son of American country icon Merle Haggard, also performed with the Sheerins at this venue. Gatlin, a native of Texas, is an internationally known American country music singer and songwriter and a former recipient of the top male vocalist of the year award from the Country Music Academy.

Along with his brothers Steve and Rudy, Larry and The Gatlin Brothers became one of country music’s most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s.

Their biggest hit was All The Gold In California, a chart-topping mega success for the brothers from Texas. The song was covered here in Ireland by legendary showband star, Brendan Bowyer from Waterford.

The song was performed by Larry and the brothers at an eve of inauguration of President Ronald Reagan gala concert in 1985.

President Reagan, whose ancestors came from Ballyporeen, Co Tipperary, loved the song and had a great affection for western movies and country music. These days, Larry also contributes some regular political commentary on the Fox News channel in America.

Gatlin has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles and has had a string of hit songs in both the country and pop charts. Broken Lady was another massive success for the band with the highly distinctive sound.

Seven members of the Sheerin Family will accompany Larry Gatlin. Anyone who has heard these guys before will know they are fully aware of the entertainment that lies in store. (Their parents Dan and Mary released their own debut album over a year ago). Tom Sheerin says they are delighted to welcome Larry to Co Westmeath.

“This is his first trip to the Irish midlands and we are honoured to have such an acclaimed American talent with us in Moate. Larry is sure to deliver a class performance and we honoured to be supporting him on this special night in Moate.”

Tickets are on sale from the box office on 090-6482-042 and priced at €18.