Charley Pride has returned to Ireland for his latest tour. The man from Mississippi has had an amazing relationship with Irish audiences, stretching back over four decades. He loves performing here in Ireland.

The Aiken family has played a central role in cultivating and maintaining that link with one of country music’s most enduring superstars.

Back in the 1970s when no major act would perform in Belfast during The Troubles, Jim Aiken jetted out to America and personally convinced Charley to come to Belfast. The two men shook hands on the deal, no papers were signed, and thus began a friendship and bond that has lasted down through the years.

Charley Pride is second to Elvis Presley on RCA Records sales, a true reflection of the popularity of the man who had his first US No 1 with All I Have To Offer You Is Me back in 1969.

Over the next 15 years, he topped the US charts on over 30 occasions. Among his classics are Kiss An Angel Good Morning, Crystal Chandeliers, Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone, and I’m So Afraid of Losing You Again. He picked up almost all the top awards in country music in the USA back then.

Charley started his tour in the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran last night (Wednesday) and tonight (Thursday) sees him on stage in The Waterfront, Belfast. He takes his show to the Bord Gais Theatre in Dublin on Sunday, 19 April, Mullingar Park Hotel on Tuesday 21 April, Cork Opera House on Wednesday 22 April, the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, on Friday 24 April, the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney, on Saturday 25 April and the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny, on Sunday 27 April.

For more concert information, see www.aikenpromotions.com.