Farmer Brendan on tour again

The sparkle has never left Brendan Shine. It is now all of 51 years since the Taughmaconnell farmer took to the stage in his home area near Athlone. Five decades on, he still does regular shows from Ireland to America and from the UK to Spain.

“I can’t believe that 37 years have passed since The Lobby Song went to No 1 back in 1979. It was huge for me at the time and spent 37 weeks in the charts. It is still part and parcel of every show we do,” reflects Brendan who, along with his wife Kathleen, still farms their Angus beef herd on their south Roscommon farm.

“I’ve been blessed with an excellent run in this business and the great thing is that I look forward with the same enthusiasm to each show now as I’ve ever done in the past. Music and farming have been my way of life all down the years,” says Brendan, as he prepares for The Lobby Tour, which starts in Cork Opera House this Thursday night, 9 June. The other dates are in The Hawks Well Theatre in Sligo on 16 June; Galway Town Hall on 17 June; the National Concert Hall, Dublin, on 19 June, Theatre Royal in Waterford on Friday 24 June, Tullamore Court Hotel on Sunday 26 June and Glór, Ennis, on Tuesday 28 June. Tickets are on sale at the venues.

Carlene Carter for Ballymaloe

Ballymaloe Grainstore in east Cork will play host to American country singer and songwriter Carlene Carter on 15 June. Carlene is daughter of the late June Carter and stepdaughter of the legendary Johnny Cash. Born in Nashville in 1955, Carlene has toured extensively over the years. She brings a rich tapestry to her music styles and her shows are peppered with anecdotes about her family and their role in the music of America. The Ballymaloe Grainstore, owned by the Allen family, is a 300-seat performing arts venue 20 miles from Cork city. Tickets can be booked online at www.ballymaloegrainstore.com or by phoning 021 4651555. Carlene is also playing Whelan’s in Dublin on 14 June, and Glór in Ennis on 16 June.

Dancing at Dixies

Dancing at Dixies takes place at the well-known Napper Tandy’s premises in Stradbally every Friday night. Thomas Maguire and Fhiona Ennis are there on 10 June, with Michael Collins and his band on stage on 17 June, followed by Ciarán Rosney and TR Dallas on the following two Friday nights in June.

New manager for Caitlin

Country singer Caitlin (Murtagh) has a new manager. Hugh Rogers from Co Donegal is no stranger to the scene and has managed several acts over the years. The Co Down singer is available for concerts to work dances with two- or three-piece bands.