Paul Kelly from Donegal has long harboured an ambition to front his own band on the circuit. That dream comes true in the Allingham Arms Hotel in Bundoran this Saturday, 12 October, when Paul will launch his new band.

In the best Donegal tradition, friends and supporters are rallying to the cause. All accommodation at the hotel is booked out in advance. It is a huge boost to the young man from Pettigo, on the border with Fermanagh.

“I was overwhelmed when they told me that all the rooms are booked for my launch night. It just makes it so much easier for the lads in the band and I to concentrate on our dancing programme for the night. We are also expecting a big walk-up at the door…so it really has the makings of a full house in Bundoran,” says Paul.

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Country music has always been part of the Kelly home.

“I grew up listening to it. Most of my influences are Irish singers, especially Mick Flavin who was played so much at home. I recall hearing Maria Is Heading Out To California the first time it came out. That was a great song for Mick. In later years, it was great to get the chance to meet some of the people I had heard on the radio.”

Paul’s first real memory of the music scene was when he was asked to join a local talent competition in Potter’s Bar at the age of nine.

“I managed to win it and that Christmas Santa arrived with a keyboard. Soon after its arrival, and following a few hectic days of flamboyant keyboard playing, the novelty wore off and I found myself strumming at mum’s guitar again. So off to guitar lessons I went and soon after I was playing music at a session in my grandfather’s house.

“When I was 12, mum and I started a two-piece band. That year was a hectic one as, along with the gigging, I also started secondary school. That was the beginning of where I am today.

“I stayed with mum for a couple of years, but as time went by my ambitions grew and I grasped the opportunity when I was asked to join a five-piece band. I played keyboard, accordion and also did backing vocals. Together with two very good friends of mine, we launched a wedding band which, to this day, is still one of the most sought after in the region.”

When Paul’s neighbour, Andy Cox, told him that he had written the lyrics for a number of songs, Paul called over and began to work on some melodies. The first fruit of their collaboration was So In Love, an up-tempo country number that Paul released as a single and which garnered excellent airplay around the country.

Others followed and the debut album of the same name, So In Love, contains five of their songs. When Andy Cox met Georgette Jones after one of her Irish concerts, he asked her if she would sing an original duet with a new but mainly unknown Irish singer. From the moment she heard the song, she agreed. The end result was Lost Love, a song also included on Paul’s debut album produced by Jonathan Owens in Granard. A crowd of 700 people attended the album launch night.

Outside of music, Paul has a special interest in old cars. He has two Morris Minors which he has been working on and off on for some years.

“I get the parts from the Birmingham Morris Minor centre. I’m nearly eight years working on one of them that dates back to 1953. It’s just a hobby, we all need a little diversion every now and then,” jokes Paul.

“I can’t wait to get on stage on Saturday night. We are looking forward to meeting so many new friends around the country in the weeks and months ahead.”

The stage is truly set for a brilliant night in Bundoran on Saturday. His mother Bernie will also join him for two duets during the night. Dancing is from 12 midnight to 2am.