Shawn Cuddy is all set to celebrate 30 years on the country circuit. The Laois man will be joined by friends from both sides of the Irish Sea for a major celebration weekend in the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny from Friday 29 March to Monday 2 April.

Back in 1989, when I had the wonderful privilege of introducing the legendary Johnny Cash on stage in the Royal Theatre in Castlebar, I was also honoured to introduce a young man from Camross in the Slieve Blooms to the audience that night.

“I remember it so well,” says Shawn. “I had only launched my band a few months earlier in Tullamore Harriers and it was a fantastic honour to play support to Johnny Cash that night. He was really one of the ultimate legends of country music and such a lovely gentleman,” says Shawn.

It has been a memorable journey for Shawn over the last three decades. He is a firm believer in the old adage that a good start is half the battle. “I started to work a lot in England from around 1990 and things began to fly for me in the UK, especially Scotland.

“My first album, On Second Thoughts, was released on the I & B label and did very well for us. Bob Condon, my manager all through the years, was friendly with Brendan Harvey from K-Tel and Harmac and they subsequently brought out my albums.

“Looking back now I suppose I was very fortunate to have concentrated so much on the English and Scottish scenes in the 1990s where we built up a big following and one which has been very good to me down the years.

“I got a major opportunity when I was asked to do a UK tour with Foster and Allen in 1991 and I did 40 nights with them on that tour. It was a great break for me and I got to meet so many people.

“I honestly believe that many people in Ireland don’t realise how huge Foster & Allen were in the UK at the time.

“I remember walking out on stage to open for them in the 4,000 seat Fairfields Hall in Croydon, London. That tour was my first introduction to English audiences and I developed a great rapport with them.”

Shawn has made many long and lasting friendships in the business. Another artist he singles out for special mention is Brendan Shine from Roscommon.

Role model

Big Tom was his idol growing up. “When I was a chap, my mother and father loved Big Tom and had all his vinyl records. I learned so many of them off my heart. They brought me to see him and the band one night in Borris-in-Ossory and it was the start of a life-long respect for the man we all knew as The King.”

The Shawn Cuddy weekend in Letterkenny sees three nights of dancing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the big celebration concert on the Monday night. Joining him for the festivities are Margo O’Donnell, Patrick Feeney, John Hogan, John McNicholl, Declan Nerney, Seán O’Farrell, Richie Remo, Anne Biddie, Seamus McGee, Keelan Arbuckle, David Jones, Owen Mac, David Craig, Stuart Moyles, the Grant Sisters, Katie Cuddy, Conor O’Donnell and Adrian Knight.

His latest album, Those Were The Days, contains 14 tracks. One of them, Pal of My Cradle Days, is being released this week as a promotional single.

Shawn Cuddy has always been one of the most genuinely nice people on the Irish country circuit. Ever since that night in Castlebar with Johnny Cash, he truly has walked the line in style. Warmest congratulations to Shawn on his 30 years on the circuit.

Full details on the Clanree Hotel celebrations and other dates and news can be had from www.shawncuddy.co.uk.

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