Ballina people have a great fondness for the jewel in their crown – the grand old River Moy. Gerry Guthrie was born and raised in the town where the best-known salmon river in Ireland sweeps out to Killala Bay.

While others of his generation pledged their loyalties to other musical genres, Gerry always had a calling to the country trails. Sharing a surname with one of America’s most famous folk singers, Woody Guthrie, love of story songs became embedded in his psyche.

Music soon became his life and he took to the highways and byways as a member of the Sandy Kelly and Louise Morrissey bands as well as others who found their true calling along the trails that had been blazed by the big stars from the golden era. Gerry felt at home with this music and the people for whom it had become a way of life.

After some years as a solo artist playing mainly around Mayo, Sligo and Galway, Gerry was spotted by Henry McMahon, band leader with the famous Mainliners, and soon was fronting his own band under the guidance of Henry.

This week sees Gerry release his fourth album and the Mayo man is delighted with where things are at just now.

“The last few years have been the best so far. I’ve done things I never dreamt I would. Recording with Brendan Quinn, touring again with the wonderful Sandy Kelly and I even got to be a Mainliner for a night – how lucky am I?

“It is hard to believe that this is album number four. It is amazing how quickly the weeks, months and years roll into each other. I hope all of you who come to see us and who support us at our shows and request my songs enjoy the songs chosen for this album.

“I want to express a sincere thanks to all the musicians who worked on bringing it to fruition. They have done a splendid job,” says Gerry.

New Moon Over My Shoulder is the title song on this 12-track collection. They range from Sing Me Back Home, one of the most recorded of the Merle Haggard classics, to Lucille, which was a mega hit for Kenny Rogers. Throw into the mix others like Battle Hymn of Love, Gene Autry My Hero, and his recent single, Don’t She Look Good When She Smiles.

Gospel is represented by Joseph Built The Cradle while Gerry also does a revival on the Dermot Henry chart-topper from the 1970s, If Those Lips Could Only Speak. His duet with Brendan Quinn, You’re Talking To The Wrong Man, is also included here.

Gerry, a previous accolade winner at the Irish Farmers Journal Country Sound Awards in Athlone, has a busy season ahead with dance dates with his band as well as concert spots. He is also a mentor on the new series of Glór Tíre which will shortly commence on TG4.

• Gerry’s new album is now on general release on KMR Records. You can see Gerry and his band in The Red Cow Hotel, Dublin, this Thursday 24 November, and in the Greville Arms in Mullingar on Sunday 27 November.