The Irish TV Country Music Awards night will be broadcast live on the Sky 191 channel on Thursday 19 May from 8pm to 10.30pm.

This is the second annual awards hosted by the Westport-based station. Many of the major names from the home circuit will be performing, joined by American singers Larry Gatlin and Mo Pitney.

The show, which will be staged in the Armagh City Hotel and hosted by Tyrone man Malachi Cush, also includes performances from Philomena Begley, Lee Matthews, Johnny Brady, Roly Daniels, Niamh McGlinchey, Caitlin and Joe Moore, Mary Duff and Kathy Crinion, Hurricane Highway, Honky Tonk Angels, Mick Flavin and Cliona Hagan.

This year’s winners will be determined by a public vote and Irish country music fans have until 13 May to vote for their favourite act on Irishtv.ie and in the local press.

Categories include best male, best female, best video, songwriter of the year, country music venue of the year, single of the year, album of the year, country music DJ of the year, living legend award, best newcomer and hall of fame.

The organisers are appealing to people to lend support to their favourites in the various categories by casting their vote and playing a central role in choosing the category winners. The winners will be revealed at the live broadcast from Armagh on 19 May.

Larry Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers is flying in from America for the show. The country and gospel singer has enjoyed a lot of success Stateside over the decades, especially with mega hits like All The Gold In California, Broken Lady, and Houston Means I’m One Day Closer To You. He has also written songs for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and Barbara Streisand.

In recent years, Larry has branched out into social commentary and is a regular contributor to Fox News, the top cable television network in the USA.

“When I was asked to come and sing on the Irish CMA Awards with Irish TV, it seemed like the perfect time to do just that,” said Grand Ole Opry inductee Gatlin. “I am honoured and grateful beyond words to travel to Ireland for this event.”

Mo Pitney hails from Cherry Valley, Illinois. The 23-year-old now resides in Nashville. While he has not yet had a Top 30 hit in the US charts, many see him as leaning heavily towards the traditional sounds of country and, as such, predict a good future for him. His addition to the Irish TV show in Armagh will certainly enhance the profile of this young American artist.

Tickets for the Irish Country Music Awards can be purchased from the hotel reception on 028-3751-8888.

The Irish TV Country Music Awards can be watched live at home and abroad on Irish TV on Sky TV 191, Freesat 400, Eircom’s eVision 191, all Free to Air boxes and online at www.irishtv.com.