For the first time, TG4 is taking its Opry series, The Millennium Forum, to four nights. The previous shows in the hit series have all come from the Town Hall in Newry. Now, it is the turn of Derry to experience a week of some great country music and the people here sure know how to row in behind a good venture when it comes to their city.

Opry Dhoire gets underway on Wednesday night, 30 August, when TG4 pays a special tribute to Ireland’s best-loved country singer of all, Big Tom McBride. This will be Tom’s first show in Derry for many years and his visit is creating huge interest with the venue, expected to be sold out in advance.

TG4 is recording two separate shows on Wednesday night. Big Tom – A Celebration, will open the night at 8pm. A crew from Big Mountain Productions has been busy in recent weeks filming material for inclusion in the show, when it airs towards the backend of the year. They visited Big Tom and his wife, Rose, and family in their home in Oram, Castleblayney, and viewers will be in for a real treat when this special show hits the screens.

Demand for tickets for the opening night soared once it became known that Big Tom was on the bill and heading for Derry.

The second part of the night will feature some of the stalwarts of the scene from over the years. Brian Coll, Susan McCann, Dickie Rock and Frankie McBride will take patrons on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

All four enjoyed huge success over the years with Dickie Rock representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest of 1966, Frankie McBride making it into the UK charts in the same decade with Five Little Fingers, Susan McCann scoring a number one in the Irish Top 20 in 1977 with Big Tom Is Still The King, and Brian Coll, one of the legends of the country scene, being the first Irish singer to record a double album in Nashville. Brian is sure to sing one of his most requested numbers, Hometown On The Foyle, written by the late Johnny McCauley, who spent his formative years in Derry before leaving for London.

The Thursday night show is a tribute to the late Larry Cunningham from Longford, lead singer with The Mighty Avons. It is good to see the memory of Larry being honoured on the second night of the Opry series in Derry, and Declan Nerney, Philomena Begley, Mike Denver and Hugo Duncan are all part of this special occasion.

The second show on Thursday night will feature John McNicholl, who hails from Foreglen near Dungiven, on stage in his home county, along with Cavan-based Niamh Lynn, who has just returned from performing on a show with Emmylou Harris in France.

Patrons on Friday night can look forward to a special show, with the focus on some of the young stars of the country circuit stepping into the limelight for Opry Dhoire. On the bill are Jordan Mogey, Richie Remo, Gráinne Gavigan, Shane Owens and Ben Troy.

Mick Flavin from Longford is celebrating 30 years on the circuit and the second half of the Friday night concert will honour Mick’s contribution over three decades. His special guest is Mary Duff.

Wrapping up the series on Saturday, 2 September, will be a special concert featuring Una Healy (The Saturdays), who will perform songs from her new album The Waiting Game. Una is a niece of Declan Nerney. She will be joined by special guest Moya Brennan of Clannad fame.

The shows over the four nights will be hosted by Daniel O’Donnell, who will also perform a number of songs, and Lynette Fay of Radio Ulster. Also featuring on the series are some regional singers who will perform a song in the Irish language on each show.

Daniel is delighted to be co-hosting the Opry again: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been invited back to present Opry Dhoire this year. For many years we’ve enjoyed the Opry from Newry, and now the people from Derry and the surrounding area will be able to come out to enjoy all the shows. There’s a great lineup this year, with plenty up-and-coming singers and several familiar stars that we’ve all enjoyed through the years.”

Tickets are now on sale through the Millennium Forum, Derry, and Box Office: 048 7126 4455 (028 prefix from the North). CL