Saddle Up for nathan’s Naas Jamboree

The Saddle-Up Country Jamboree at Naas Racecourse is now under starters orders for Sunday evening, 6 August. The betting suggests that a lot of folks are looking forward to a special night in this pleasant Co Kildare setting.Nathan Carter tops the bill and is looking forward to a big evening down Naas way.

“I am sure the Racecourse will be an ideal setting for the evening concert and I’m all ready to go to post and stay the distance,” says Nathan.

The last few months have been hectic for Nathan with some major shows on both sides of the Irish Sea and an enjoyable trip to Nashville, where he recorded a special documentary that was aired recently on RTE 1. The Conquerors will provide some splendid music for the evening and other guests include Louise Morrissey and Patrick Feeney. The venture is in association with Toomevara GAA Club.

The jamboree gets underway at 5pm and runs through until 10pm. Patrons can look forward to an enjoyable evening at the Racetrack in Naas. Special plans are being coordinated to ensure a memorable evening for all who make the trip to the country show. Tickets are now available online and can also be had at the venue on the evening of the Country Jamboree.  

Walsh family fly the flag out West

Galway father and daughter, Seán and Andrea Walsh, return to the recording scene with the release of a 14-track album, The Little Thatched Cottage. This is very much a shared venture, with both singing seven songs each.

The title track, performed by Andrea, was composed many years ago by her grandmother, Nellie Walsh from Dunmore, and evoked memories of times gone by in the rural West.

Andrea is very much at home with Irish ballads and country and Irish, and this is reflected in the material she has chosen here. Among her songs on the album are The Red River Valley, Four Country Roads, Abbeyshrule, Satisfied Mind and Hometown On The Foyle.

Seán, who has had his own studios in Galway or many years, brings his own style and artistry to this enjoyable album that is sure to find favour with many music followers. Among his choices are such favourites as Mulroy Bay, They Wouldn’t Do It Now, The Irish Soldier Boy, Farewell to Galway and the rousing bluegrass number, Way Up On The Mountain.

Just two weeks after the release of The Little Thatched Cottage, the album has been picking up extensive airplay on the regional and internet stations.

“We are delighted with the response,” says Seán. “This kind of music is what we grew up with and we are delighted to maintain and pass on that tradition. The music is in the blood and has been part of my life for decades. It is great to have this project completed and the album on release now.”

As Requested from Eugene Doonan

Fermanagh man Eugene Doonan has made a major contribution to the country music scene over the years. The talented singer and songwriter, who resided in London, has penned some fine songs and many of them have been recorded by several Irish artists.

His latest album, As Requested, features 15 tracks and this is as country as you are going to get this year.

Among the classics featured here are Sunnyside of the Mountain, Before The Next Teardrop Falls, Streets of Gold, The Bluegrass Skirt, If I Didn’t Have A Dime and Old Love Letters.

His love for Irish country legends Big Tom and The Mainliners and Gene Stuart permeate this album, and he has included medleys of their hits along with his own tribute to the late Cyril McKevitt of The Mainliners. The Girl With The Lovely Brown Eyes and Ballybunion By The Sea, as well as an Irish waltz medley, also make it onto this album.

Eugene is a popular performer on the Irish circuit around the London region and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Irish country scene from over the years. This album is sure to prove popular with all who enjoy the traditional sounds of country music.

Loughglynn Festival

The annual Loughglynn Music Festival in west Roscommon takes place in the community centre over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The event gets underway on Saturday 5 August with the staging of the Queen of the Woodlands event, which will feature twelve finalists from the region. This will be followed by dancing to Barry Kirwan from Tyrone and his band.

Robert Mizzell and The Country Kings top the ill for the big Sunday night show on 6 August, while Derek Ryan and his Band bring the weekend to a close with the late dance on Monday night.

The venue will have a nightly bar exemption for the festival weekend. CL