Nashville country star Collin Raye returns to Ireland for a series of concerts this month, including a special concert in The RDS, Dublin, on Friday, 21 February.

Collin has developed a real love affair with Irish audiences in recent years and has amassed a regular and loyal following on these shores.

Joining him for some nights of country magic on the tour are Billy Yates, Roly Daniels, Brian Lawlor and Garth Pritchard.

Collin Raye stormed the Nashville scene in 1992 with his signature number, Love Me. It became a gigantic song for him and catapulted him to the forefront of country music in the USA. Numerous cover versions of the song have been recorded in many countries in the years since.

Over the past two decades, he has registered 16 number one hits, including such songs as Little Rock, In This Life, I Think About You, My Kind of Girl, That’s My Story, I Can Still Feel You, His Love Remains, Little Red Rodeo and many more. Raye has also enjoyed enormous success on country and pop charts. He was also honoured with several vocalist of the year awards.

Billy Yates

Billy Yates, through some good work by Declan Quinn from LCM Promos, has been carving out a name for himself on this side of the Atlantic.

Born into a musical family, Billy began singing on a local radio show before Sunday church.

In 1987, Yates’ first success as a songwriter came when George Jones recorded his composition I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair’ which won the 1993 CMA Vocal Event of the Year. Jones would later take the Yates-penned Choices into the top 30 in the country charts. The song earned Yates his first Grammy nomination. Billy’s songs have been recorded by George Jones, Willie Nelson, Gene Watson, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Sarah Evans, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys, Robert Mizzell, Jimmy Buckley and many more.

Roly Daniels

Roly Daniels commands legendary status on the Irish country circuit. His song, Hello Darling, is among the top 10 all-time favourite songs recorded by Irish country singers over the years. Born in India, he came to England in the 1960s and moved to Dublin, where he played with a number of the showbands that were in full bloom back then. A showman supreme, Roly can work an audience like few in the business. The hit songs roll out and fans especially love his interpretation of some of the Hank Williams’ classics.

He was conferred as the official Country Music Ambassador to Tennessee State by the Tennessee State Tourism Board on behalf of the Governor of Tennessee at a special night in Dublin back in November.

A new single called Tennessee, featuring Roly Daniels and Billy Yates, has received extensive airplay on both sides of the Atlantic over the last three months.

Roly leads a guided tour to Tennessee in May 2014. Contact Tour America on 01-8173592 for more details.

home of the stars

Tyrone has always been home to some great stars of country music. One only has to think of such legends as Philomena Begley, Gene Stuart, Brian Coll, Johnny Loughrey, Shay Hutchinson and Frankie McBride.

Gareth Pritchard is among the latest to join the trail. The young man is a nephew of Dominic Kirwan.

Gareth will launch his own band in March 2014 and is looking forward to playing many of the top dancing venues around Ireland and beyond.

Brian Lawlor

Also featuring on the Collin Raye Tour is Brian Lawlor from Co Wicklow. Brian spent many years in Texas and Tennessee before returning home to Ireland over a year ago. There is no mistaking his country credentials. One listen to his version of Amarillo By Morning says it all.

Among his influences are Merle Haggard, George Jones, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Alan Jackson. He also released a new album in recent weeks.

Matt Leavy from Meath is also among the guests for the show in Athboy.

Declan Quinn of LCM Promos says he is delighted to present such a quality show to Irish audiences.

“Patrons will be delighted with the substance of this show. It combines some great American and Irish acts and it is a privilege to stage it at the six venues. Collin Raye and Billy Yates are two exceptional artists. We all know how Roly Daniels can charm any audience, while we are delighted to give a major platform to Brian Lawlor and Gareth Pritchard. All venues are getting numerous enquiries and we are looking forward to a great tour.”

Tour dates

The Collin Raye and Guests show plays at the following locations:

• The Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran, on Wednesday, 19 February.

• The Millennium, Derry, on Thursday, 20 February.

•The RDS, Dublin, on Friday, 21 February.

• Darnley Lodge Hotel, Athboy, on Saturday, 22 February.

• Armagh City Hotel on Sunday, 23 February.

• The Riverbank House Hotel, Wexford, on Saturday, 1 March.

Tickets and special accommodation packages are available from the venues as well as Ticketmaster or from LCMPromos.com on 087-2909960. CL