The Michael English Take Me Home tour hits the road this week. This is Michael’s first Irish concert tour since he returned to the dancing circuit almost three years ago.

During that time, Michael has surged to the top league and he and his band were the recipients of the best country dance band of the year award at the inaugural ICMA accolades night in June.

Michael is excited about the tour as he returns to a format that has long been an integral part of his outlook on the showbiz scene.

“I love concerts and the special rapport with audiences. When all goes well, concert shows tend to bring out the best in many of us.

“Before going back on the dance circuit, I had been doing concerts for a good many years. Now I’m really up for the challenge this time. We have expanded the band for the concert tour and we also have a new lighting system to complement the show.

“I’ll be doing a good mix of songs, with many of the old favourites as well as some new and fresh material,” says Michael.

Expect to hear the now well established standards such as The Nearest To Perfect, Locklin’s Bar, High Five for Long Island, Friday at the Dance, Tears of An Exile, The Band Are Back In Town, and his latest single, The Tuam Beat, which was composed by Padraig Stevens from Tuam. It was previously recorded by The Sawdoctors and Christy Moore.

“I sang The Tuam Beat on The Late Late Show a few weeks ago and we got a terrific response to it. I like to vary the styles of music and I think we have a good blend that’s now well received across the board.”

The special guest on most of Michael’s concert shows over the next month is the talented Brendan Shine.

“I am delighted to have Brendan join us on the tour. He has been a good and supportive friend of mine for many years and he is a consummate entertainer. Brendan has a string of hits that go back to the 1970s and the people love to hear him sing them again.”

Still Crazy Over You is the newest composition from Michael, who is joined by Tyrone singer Cliona Hagan on the brand new release.

“We performed it together at the Opry an Iúir show a few weeks ago and it got a fine response from the audience. The show will air towards the end of October. Cliona will be joining us for the show in Derry on 27 October.”

Meanwhile, Michael English is spending a few days in Portugal with Paul Claffey Tours this week and he is also working away on a brand new album which he is recording with Jonathon Owens and Wayne Thorose. There is also a series of concert shows in Scotland on the way.

Michael English Tours

  • • 13 October: An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny.
  • • 14 October: Charleville Park Hotel, Co Cork.
  • • 15 October: Theatre Royal, Waterford.
  • • 16 October: Tullamore Court Hotel, Co Offaly.
  • • 19 October: Radisson Hotel, Sligo.
  • • 20 October: Carrickdale Hotel near Dundalk.
  • • 27 October: The Millennium, Derry.
  • • 2 November: The Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick.
  • • 3 November: Town Hall, Galway.
  • • 9 November: Dolmen Hotel, Carlow.
  • • 10 November: Midleton Park Hotel, Co Cork.