Donegal singer Trevor Loughrey will host two nights for the launch of his new live video and CD.

The inaugural launch takes place in the Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown, on Thursday 21 May, where he will be joined by the Ryan Turner Band and special guests Hugo Duncan and Boxcar Brian. The action will switch to the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, on Saturday 23 May, where Trevor and the Ryan Turner Band will be joined by Jacqui Sharkey on the night.

Trevor has just released his new 19-track album, This Is Country Music.

Two of the songs were recorded in Nashville while the others were recorded and produced by Terry McGinty at his studios in Ballybofey. Watch out for Trevor on a number of upcoming Phil Mack Shows on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Wild West hoedown comes to north Meath

The spirit of the Wild West will be invoked at the Hoedown in Lobinstown on Saturday 23 May at the Meade Potato Company Farm in north Meath.

Complete with country music, a pig roast BBQ, bull riding (the mechanical variety) and a showdown by local footballers all aiming to win a prize for their club, the Hoedown has all the elements of a rip-roaring night on the frontier.

“We are on the border of Meath and Louth so this is frontier country. And you know from watching cowboy movies how much fun they have in frontier towns,” laughs Hoedown committee member and Syddan GAA Club chairman James Sheehy.

Wild West, the popular country outfit, will be joined on stage by special guest Mary Duff who has taken a break from her busy UK tour with Dominic Kirwan to help out her local club, Syddan, who are staging the night. Mary comes from a family steeped in the GAA tradition.

The show starts at 8pm and tickets cost €25 which includes all the entertainment and a pig roast barbecue.

BBQ pork, burgers and salads will keep all the cowgirls and cowboys well fed and a bar is also available on the night.

Tickets are available from outlets in Lobinstown, Rathkenny, Drumconrath, Nobber and Ardee, and on the night.

American Bluegrass evening at Ballymaloe

An Evening of American Bluegrass and Country Music, starring Jeff Scroggins and Colorado and the Petersen Family Bluegrass Band, will be staged at Ballymaloe Grainstore, Shanagarry, Co Cork, on Tuesday 19 May at 8pm.

This will be a real treat for bluegrass aficionados. Jeff Scroggins and Colorado are very highly regarded on the American bluegrass scene and have picked up numerous accolades for their mesmerising take on bluegrass and country classic.

Front man and guitarist Greg Blake has twice been nominated for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America’s traditional male vocalist of the year award, and has secured five consecutive wins as guitarist of the year.

The Petersen Family Bluegrass Band hail from Branson, Missouri, and features sisters Ellen on banjo and vocals, Katie on fiddle and vocals, and their bother Matthew on guitar/bass and vocals, all playing a variety of bluegrass, country, and gospel favourites.

Tickets for the evening cost €20. Book online at www.ballymaloegrainstore.com or call 021-4651555.

Kieran and the Sligo dancer

Tubbercurry native Kieran Lundy is stepping it out in style these times. A new single, The Sligo Dancer, is the latest song from the man whose ability to perform various genres of music to the highest level is well known and respected in his home province.

Kieran performed the song on The People’s Debate with Vincent Browne on TV3 recently and was thrilled with the response. It was written and produced by Lal Lee from Granard. Jim Reeves is one of Kieran’s all-time favourite singers and he recorded his own album of Jim’s songs in recent years. He has also performed Jim Reeves tributes on various concert shows to much acclaim.

Kieran is now planning to become much more active on the music scene in the coming months, with shows around the country. Monix Music is handling the diary. Call 044-9343169 for more information.

George keeps it country

George Langan, a retired member of An Garda Siochána, has just released his own 13-track album called Cold Hard facts of Life. This is traditional country in the real sense of the word, with four ballads thrown in for good measure. There are tributes to fellow Limerick people as well as standards like Wild Side of Life. The album is available direct from George on 086-3186629. ==================