Max T Barnes for Irish tour

Along with his All-American band, Max T Barnes will embark on his Steamboat Tour taking in 27 shows in America, Ireland and the UK, starting at The Opry Backstage Grill in Nashville on 14 February.

His new album, I Can Sleep When I’m Dead, features Hen Party, Way Back In The Mountains and Button Box Boy, plus a brand new single titled Steamboat, which he wrote with his late Songwriters Hall Of Fame father, Max D. Barnes.

Their first Irish date on the tour will be in the Tullamore Court Hotel on 13 March. They will perform at a number of shows in the UK, hosted by the Phil Mack Show, before returning to Ireland for shows in the Landmark, Carrick-on-Shannon on 22 March; The Mellon Hotel, Omagh, on 23 March; the Glencar Inn, Letterkenny (24); Túar Ard Theatre, Moate (25); Kilworth Theatre (26); Ballina Arts Centre, Mayo (29); The Corner Bar, Ederney (30), The Seagoe Hotel, Portadown (1 April), Watters Old Coach Inn, Castleblayney (2 April), and The Mayfly Hotel, Foxford (5 April).

Stephen Smyth’s brother dies in Belfast

It was with much sadness that people in the country music fraternity learned of the passing of Dr Aidan Smyth in Belfast in recent days. Aidan (60) was a native of Portaferry and was a brother of well-known and highly regarded musician and singer Stephen Smyth.

The family commands huge regard and the passing of Dr Aidan, following an illness, touched the hearts of many in the general hinterland. Aidan is deeply regretted by his wife, Anna, daughter, Roslyn, and son, Donal, his parents, Joey and Patsy, his sisters, Kathleen and Mary Jo, and brother, Stephen, the family circle, neighbours and many friends.

Margo joins Mike Denver tour

The queen of country and Irish music, Margo, will feature as special guest on four of Mike Denver’s shows on his current countrywide concert tour.

Her first guest spot will be in the Royal Theatre in Castlebar on 3 February, and her other appearances on the tour will be in Limerick on 24 February; Killarney on 3 March, and in Letterkenny on 27 April.

There are 22 remaining dates in the Mike Denver 2018 tour, which will conclude in Letterkenny. CL