Johnny Brady will host his first dancing weekend in the Clayton Hotel, Galway, on 20-22 February. The show gets underway on Friday night with Johnny and his band and Mike Denver and band. There’s a big line-up for the Saturday night show as Johnny will be joined by Philomena Begley, Louise Morrissey, Brendan Quinn, Barry Devlin and Bitz and Pieces. Ciaran Rosney is on stage on Sunday afternoon.

Watch out for new albums from Hugo Duncan and Barry Doyle. Both are currently laying down tracks in Gene Stuart’s Studios in Dungannon.

Jimmy Joe Dolan has been associated with the music scene for over 50 years. A native of Manorhamilton, Jimmy moved to London in the 1960s, where he later formed his own band and played all the Irish dance halls. He moved back home to Leitrim in recent times and has just released a four-track CD, A Tribute to Larry Cunningham.

Shaun Loughrey has opted for an old standard, Mr Jones, as his latest promotional single. Keep an ear out for more news about Shaun on the dancing circuit in the coming weeks. His late father, Johnny, is regarded by many as one of the real great singers of country music in Ireland and the UK.

The Old Achill Line, a lovely song with a real bluegrass feel, is proving popular in the west for Mayo-based duo McGrady, featuring Eddie and Breda. It recalls the old railway line that once ran from Westport to Achill and has become the award-winning Greenway.

Seamus and Enda McGlone have just released a new album, The Country Collection, featuring all original songs penned by the brothers as well as three songs with lyrics by George Mack, produced at Percy Robinson’s studios in Ramelton.