Introduction
Music is a powerful tool that has the ability to connect people from different cultures and backgrounds. It has the power to evoke emotions, bring people together, and preserve traditions and heritage. In the world of Irish music, there are few names that are as renowned and beloved as Foster and Allen. They are a folk duo from Ireland who have captured the hearts of people all over the world with their soulful melodies and captivating performances. This thesis will explore the lives and music of Foster and Allen, their impact on Irish music, and why they continue to be adored by fans worldwide.

Background of Foster and Allen
Foster and Allen are a folk duo consisting of Mick Foster and Tony Allen. They both grew up in Ireland, with Mick hailing from County Kildare and Tony from County Westmeath. The two musicians met in the 1970s and began performing together as a duo, quickly gaining popularity in the local music scene. In 1978, they signed with Ritz Records and released their first album, 'The Rambles of Spring,' which was a commercial success in Ireland and the UK.

Musical Style and Influences
Foster and Allen's music style is deeply rooted in traditional Irish folk music, but they also incorporate elements of country, gospel, and easy listening into their songs. They are known for their soothing harmonies, melodic guitar playing, and heartfelt lyrics. Their music is often described as nostalgic and romantic, evoking a sense of nostalgia for simpler times. Their musical influences include artists such as The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, and The Everly Brothers.

Impact on Irish Music
Foster and Allen have had a significant impact on Irish music, both in Ireland and internationally. They have released over 30 albums and have sold millions of records worldwide. They have also toured extensively, performing in countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Their music has helped to preserve traditional Irish folk songs, many of which are now considered classics. They have also introduced a new generation to Irish music, with their songs appealing to people of all ages.

One of the reasons for their popularity is their ability to connect with their audience through their music. Their songs often tell stories of love, family, and everyday life, which resonate with people from all walks of life. They have also collaborated with other Irish musicians, such as The Chieftains and The Dubliners, further cementing their place in the Irish music scene.

Foster and Allen's music has also had a cultural impact, as it has been featured in several films and TV shows. Their songs have become synonymous with Irish culture, and their music is often played at Irish-themed events and festivals. They have also been recognized for their contribution to Irish music, receiving awards such as the Irish Post Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music.

Continued Success and Relevance
Despite their long and successful career, Foster and Allen continue to be relevant in the music industry. They have adapted to changing times and have embraced new technologies, such as social media, to reach a wider audience. They have also collaborated with younger artists, such as Irish singer Nathan Carter, to appeal to a younger demographic.

Their music also continues to resonate with people, as they often sing about universal themes and experiences. They have a loyal fan base who eagerly await their new releases and attend their concerts. Foster and Allen also continue to tour extensively, with sold-out shows in Ireland and abroad, proving that their appeal is not limited to one country or generation.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Foster and Allen are more than just Irish singers. They are cultural ambassadors, music icons, and a symbol of Ireland's rich musical heritage. Their music has touched the hearts of millions of people worldwide and has helped to preserve and promote Irish music and culture. Their impact on the music industry, both in Ireland and internationally, is undeniable and their legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.


​Interview with Tony Allen by D.J. Jerry Byrne
I'm Jerry Byrne and assistant pandemic and all the rest of them speaking to many of the great and the good talents of music in Ireland and my next guest is a gentleman who  needs no introduction to the  world of music in fact  not alone in Ireland this man has quite literally toured the world as  one half of  the most successful duo ever  to come out of Ireland I'm delighted to say hello to the one and only Tony Allen of Foster And Allen. Tony how are you ? I'm very good how are you not bad, Tony listen you've you've spent an absolute lifetime of incredible achievements in music but you you come originally from the the back in the in the short band days I do yeah well I started actually the first one of the first groups I ever worked in Mick Foster was in it was a  very local band where I come from in Mount Temple which is outside, near Athlone in the Midlands.

And  there was a parish our club was G.A.A. club was called colorie and the parish next to us was called Maryland and they were running a series of fundraisers in the in the local school  and the boys down there formed a three-piece band and then Mick Foster joined the band and then I joined the band and we played together for a couple years doing all the the local halls around home you know every  school and all around the villages and that and then we went our separate ways and I went working with Kieran Kelly's band for a while replaced Brendan Shine as Kieran singer and after that then I joined the great doctor and the night runners for a few years and I was in it was with the night runners that when doc left again then formed another band we we toured Mick joined the band again then make and we can auntie or Tom was two saxophones.

Believe it or not in the band and  we were in in London on tour with the night runners and we met a man called Paddy Callahan who had the lock for a hotel in Brixton and Paddy was taking over a pub in up near Kilburn called the Prince of Wales, which was down at Kilburn station down there and he asked us would we when we step in liquid we do a weak him open the pub. I was just keyboards and accordion and that basically was very fast from now and started in cape kilburn at kilburn tube station we did a weekend we had a great weekend we said when we went home let's, let's have a go at the pubs and clubs around Ireland with this two-piece and that's where it started back in 1980 74 early 75. truly incredible it was a it was all kind of a you know an accidental situation but it for some reason it really really clicked well mic A Bunch Of Thyme lyrics and chords had the idea they could see Mick Foster had seen the Alexander brothers and he thought he was amazed with them.

Because they're just a keyboard and an accordion you know and that's how we started out and we walked all over Ireland from up to 70 up to 80 81 or 82 to read the top of the pops and it was after that then we decided to add to the group and we were doing the clubs and around all the every village in Ireland had a good pub like a good cabaret lounge you know and we were very lucky because we worked all over Ireland and you know we worked during the summertime we'd worked seven nights a week and then of course we signed up with cmr records Donnie Cassidy and we'd we'd recorded an album, let's see any ammo was an album at the time an LP and then we signed up with cma records and then only had his own radio show and already radio and that kind of lifted the whole thing you know to another level and then when the Bunch Of Thyme was released in the U.K.

Of course that changed everything, because then  we were on top of the pops and that gives us a whole new lease of life in the U.K. and we started doing the from doing the Irish centers in England to doing the concerts and we've been doing them ever since and the fred stuckwood was over there from then of course Maggie was released in Australia and went to number one in in Australia and New Zealand and that again then listed the whole thing out out there for us and I love you all my life the charlie runsville song that was released in South Africa and Canada and that became a hit in those two places so we finished up tour the world on on those songs you know and then in in 82 after top of the pops we we we dropped the green suits the leprechaun shoots we dropped them and started wearing dress suits and we were joined on stage then by Ali Kennedy and  Desi Hines also to the four pieces till the end of the eighties.

And then we added Basil Hendricks to the group that I meant to lay it Frank Summersley charges on drums and then of course later on then Myra came on the keyboards and then Brian who is our president guitar Ryan joined us sometime later so it you know we've been very very lucky to have to have toured the world and we're still touring the world which is good that is absolutely superb I mean it's been an astounding it's been an absolute roller coaster because you've mentioned some of the songs there but I mean some of these songs I mean have been absolutely phenomenal. Is it like you mentioned there I would love you all my life a bunch of time another one after all these years you mentioned they're Maggie, Old Flames huge success, yeah I mean you also had a you know a lot of success with the the Old Rustic Bridge By The Mill the sweet forget me not also a Mick on lead vocal with The Blacksmith which was absolutely huge was a great sound back we still got requests on stage for the blacksmith and the blacksmith there were two songs that that big recorded and they were hugely successful they didn't well the blacksmith was the b side of the bunch of time in Ireland and and it was a hugely popular song.

  We just got requests for both The Blacksmith and the black sheep and we we go on stage and then later on like later on we've recorded about I'd say over 900 songs over the years and later on then pg Murray we were 40 years of the road which is  six six years ago now I think yeah and please emerge wrote we all view which was called the you know sort of a reply to the people saying that you know that that's what was all about was because of them we lasted so long and then he wrote Mrs Brown's voice first as well and those two songs have been huge you know really really huge and then of course we did the the song with with with method which which really works very very well as well you know so  and always a lot of different things you know we did the carver girl with Shane Ward which of course was a huge hit for us not a huge hit record sales wise but radio players and all that like in the U.K.

It got a massive amount of airplay indeed the interesting thing I spoke to  make back a few months ago and he, he was telling me the story of  the black sheep and how he didn't really want to record it and did not think it would work well. I actually was driving home, than and local it was still pirate radio in Ireland at the time and I must have been  well mulling I think radio 3 was coming from Mullingar that time in midlands radio and Johnny luckily was on the radio singing it and Johnny did a lovely version of it was a very slow version the late great Johnny luckily who was  and and I helped this song I said she's that'd be a great song for me you know and she was very slow and I tend to forget he didn't really like it that much but we were doing a a week in the brain rooms in Dublin and we went back that long Chad Nicholson had a studio and at home it was long before we opened the wrong studio and we went back late one night after the brim rooms and spent the whole night in the studio and we changed it to an all-time boss and recorded and it was at that time it was all cassettes.


Because I remember well we brought out a four-track cassette with the black sheep and it sold like mad in Ireland. It was really good you know and that was a huge success we have some but he's a great sound you know hank snow stuff you know it's a really good song indeed indeed fantastic you know I just found it  you know I found a quite a you know unbelievable like  you know that you know that he didn't actually sort of think that  you know this will work and he really was not into it at all he told me the story of that you know how you got the song was incredible it really was I mean but of all those I mean like that's a you know you would other songs I mean which yeah which are also what you haven't mentioned they are I mean there's just so many as you said it's probably but you know but we're talking 900 or so but there were other songs which were very successful for you .

I've got a lot of radio airplay I mean you recorded with Gloria honey for the old classic true love true love yeah yeah true love yeah you know that oh that was one of the first tourettes I ever did was it was and we didn't do one after that for a long time that was back in the days when we were with with mcclurkin's record company in London  and he there with Gloria had an album with them at the time as well and they suggested we do the songs really in lovely sound smooth very very well and did it you know other songs I mean 1988 you had a lot of success with some called the golden years that's right yeah that was recorded as a it was a company in Dublin where we're doing an ad for the bank of Ireland or something like that but they had introduced this this thing in the bank where they were were doing something for senior citizens in the bank you know and there's somebody who wrote this song called the golden years for them and yeah that came out it was it never wasn't would say hit record but it was a got a huge radio play.

it was a very very very popular song at the time indeed indeed it's one it's but astounding so it all came the same as everybody else  Tony it all came to a to a crushing stop back in in in in March your your last concert I believe was in January of 2020. oh well last concert I think was in kenya where every Christmas we do a tour of Ireland we start the night after boxing night and we we sort of run right through to the end of January book and not every night but you know we do about maybe 18 or 20 years and the last night was in I think it was in Kenny last year and then we came home and Derek Ryan had asked me to do a few shows with him as a guest and I did, I did a few with him I think just to show us what I know Olivia Douglas was on the show as well and we did Wexford , Killarney and Limerick written and had  finished those shows and the next thing then virus broke out and we were all off the road and we've been out abroad ever since which is it's supposed to it's a year and a couple of months now and it doesn't look like we're going to be back well we won't be,

Foster and Allen won't be back definitely about Christmas time this year you know indeed yes I know magic was I mean all of you are oh you know all of your workers you're saying there is it's all concerts I mean it's all sort of theaters and others. Yeah it is all here yeah in hotels which is very very easy to work in and they're great but then when it comes to getting people into pavers from here on it could be a bit of a a problem you know we have to convince them all that it's safe to come back up but we're already working on a well we have an album finished we haven't finished now for for all over uni finished for last Christmas and it didn't come out it's ready to rock and roll as the villa says okay and this year hope to have I made 46 years with Foster now and I've never recorded Mick has recorded a few albums and he's all of traditional music and stuff like that and I've never done an album of my own so I'm hoping to get into the studio in the next couple of months to to do an album just a Tony Allen random and see how that goes just for for something different you know.

indeed, why not why not it's the appointment yeah is the new album tony is it, it's kind of typical Foster and Allen are there any new tracks on it is actually it no it's actually more of the all-time fast now there's a lot of sort of older Irish type songs lively songs you know and there's a few new sounds there's a great new song that that's written by Derek Ryan and  Ray Mclaughlin his keyboard player it's a song called the good old days when times are bad and they've just finished it when I was on to that to Derek you've been writing a song and I went up to to cook sound to see them one day and we're on stage walking on something and I said what do you use that boy she said Derek says we're right we're finishing that song for you here he says I said that's great he says it'll be great when you go we were just going to Australia he said be great when you go to Australia.

I said yeah go to Australia for good old days I said you know and he says that's the name of the sun that's the song we were writing that's gone so I was talking to him then one night when when I was touring I said he said how's the sound coming out I said it's really really cheap and I'm good but I said you know what, I really put the finishing touches with and he says well I said if you came in and did did you advertise honestly he says no problem so he came down to the studio and we did we did the duet and we have a video done for so it's ready to go whenever whenever things left a bit you know but yes the album will be quite good I think we're doing a few standards like we'll meet again and songs like that you know to to and in fact that could end up that what could be the name of the album because when we come back on the road you know come out and see us or wheeling again that type of thing you know so we could even end up calling the tour down at Christmas.

Yeah a lot of old standards and stuff like that but it'll be a very fast and elegant type album right that's excellent you know it's a Derek Ryan I'll have to say is a phenomenal songwriter ah he's unbelievable, he's his credit you know and he's as good as songwriters as we've ever had in this country you know you know we've had some great ones like Liam Riley and Phillip Coulter or Kevin Sheeran but he's he's up there with him you know he can write anything once he's a he's a born songwriter you know it's a natural indeed very very much a natural yeah indeed I mean he's written so many songs you know which other which he has never recorded himself oh yeah so so so many of them you know it's nice to it's it's great to know that just you know that you've still got your you know material coming out and you recordings I mean in in all of that in all of that over the years you actually recorded and released two Christmas albums as well well we we did this over an hour and a half and and it came out originally we're back in the what kind of chat was actually the first album we ever did in our own studio and was in the late 80s was a Christmas album and  it came out and released it years later.

And we added some more songs too you know but we haven't done trouble with Christmas albums is there so many Christmas standards and that's it you know now in fairness to Derek he has he did a very good Christmas album himself last Christmas and I think you wrote a few new songs for it but yeah well we we might do something like that again you know later on maybe when we get back on the road again indeed indeed so is  it still as enjoyable as there always was doing the touring. Well I absolutely love it and I'm not too sure that Mick is that mad about being on the road motion at this stage he keeps saying he'd like to slow down a bit you know and that's well that's another reason why I wanted to do an album .I started to do something a little bit different from Foster And Allen.

So maybe at some stage I could go out on the road and do a different type of concert you know but at the moment in Christmas and on the new year pretty much Foster and Allen might say you know let's see what happens I don't know I really love what I do I love I know I love being on the road I love to travel and I love to the life concerts there's nothing like you like concert indeed indeed and it's also another thing which is it's also magic and so many singers say they miss it is meeting the people oh absolutely yeah that means that'll be the big thing now when we come back because you probably won't get to go out and meet people after the show to be probably too dangerous for a while anyway you know but because we'll we'll see how it goes you know but it would be it's a terrible yeah it'd be terrible not to be able to go and sell other people you know, because you know they're the ones that make it all worthwhile.

Whether we like it or not that's the way it goes you know we make the music fellas like yourself play it and then the people come in and listen to it and that's that's how it works indeed indeed so did you've done I know a little in the past but do you do you do much work with your your wife Trina Allen who's also a fantastic vocalist and I will train the works with Daniel O'Donnell of course and I'd love a lot no she did another one I did a few I did a few tracks down in fact when I do the admin I'll definitely bring her along to sing a few songs but people saying no we don't we don't do any work together she she works with Daniel all the time and I think because I can wear on the road Daniel is down the other road as well so it's it's it works fine for us you know we don't we don't want to be to well if she came with me then she'd have to turn down the answers for Daniel that wouldn't be what he's right here well indeed yes she said you know Trina has been with Daniel for many many years she's also done a lot of oh I think she's she's the longest servant member you know collaborations and recordings with others as she's done a couple of fantastic recordings of billy Mcfarland she did they were great songs actually yeah absolutely brilliant trooper you know he's great he's a lovely man billiard and man the wife are absolutely lovely people indeed and I don't know if you know Billy thirsty but he's the funniest man you could meet on the road really yes yes indeed great character yeah indeed great character no doubt about it and it's it's you know I must say it's it's strange times.

Tony you're you're no doubt you you're sort of itching to get going whenever it's safe to do so again but you're still keeping you're still keeping the interest in in music oh absolutely still yeah yeah we did I did a few things here now on the 15th of may I've got to record the  James with guaranty and through the voice of the I think it's called on the couch or something like that music from the couch and that goes out on on online should they stream that show and I think Gary gamble does it with him one day that's I've until a few songs in that and I don't know when it's going out it's been recorded on the 15th of May but Joe dawning and a few things like that you know and then before the lockdown I did a lot of bits and pieces up here with people like Sean Wllace and people like that you know over on the course I did a few tracks with them Owen Mac as well they did a song with on Farside Banks of Jordan which worked very very well for us.

​Indeed so it did yes I've you know played it many many times it's taken from the Owen's Gospel album and I'll have to say it is a song which has proved it very very popular yeah we we got around with that book I did a couple of stream shows with him as well he did one of the gospel album and he did he was doing a Christmas stream show as well so yeah he's going to be very very big in the music business indeed so indeed so huge huge huge reaction I think he's going to be he's going to be the biggest thing in the next five or six years he's just being that yes yes very very very talented very talented gentleman indeed and you know he's only your genius which is a huge help indeed definitely is it Tony this has been fascinating catching up with you I'm you know I'm delighted to, you know to see that you're still as enthusiastic as you were all those years ago well absolutely yeah yeah yeah I'm looking forward to our own album and I'm looking forward to starting to work on on my own album as well you know I'd love to take that on the road for for on on tour as well you know sometimes just  put a slightly different head shoulder or just for a once-off clip or something like that you know indeed that's you know that definitely sounds good tony listen fantastic to to chat to you fantastic job with you listen to to yourself and your lady wife Trina stay safe and stay well. I'm looking forward to catching you on stage as soon as it's safe to do so yes absolutely you look after yourself and take it easy and and send all your listeners you know thank you all for for being there you're all you're a listener which is a good thing you know.

Interview done in 2015
I'm delighted that at one half of the famous duo Foster And Allen  we now know for those of you who like some facts and figures make and as performing and recording partner Tony Allen are celebrating in incredible 40 years in the music business together. Now in the U.K. the popularity is enduring, they've had 30 chart bursting albums and sales of about 20 million. They're about to embark on a tour called celebration with the album of the same name make a very good afternoon.how are you doing, not too bad at all, a real pleasure to have you on the program. You got off to a cracking start with new album celebration riding high in the U.K. charts. Yeah came straight in at number 30 which was created said that several and top 30 cd's or LP'S or whatever you want to call them that that we've had over the years and sure look at was were delayed and I suppose semi surprise for want of a better way. 

You're not really supposed to last 40 years in this game you know. Indeed a very very few acts out there I'm particularly, yeah it may be you know two people will say or a group of people who ever actually remain together what he put down today the longevity, you are you very close friends yourself under it's only know we're not close friends, we have this unique records that in you know we started playing together in 1967 and that was the first time we ever played together and we didn't start fast, we actually started in London in 1975 but in that time we never even had an argument rose and I suppose a lot of it is down to the fact that both of us think the same way about music and the business and whatever and pop of all that then would be never any friction or competition with us because I mean, what I do Tony can't doing what he does they can't do so the be never any danger of the truth was wanting to record  or whatever you know.

Yes you certainly both of your voices from the point of view singing or a big credibly different you did to Elena a word do able do all you know I of all the instrumentals, obviously and they would stick to the Irish ballads and comedy songs and stuff like that, where he would do the as we decided that the classy stuff you know indeed, yes he true he really is an incredible voice a lot to say 25 days on integrating of service my lady singer yes and you the mount of course with the for anybody who does know you're the man with the accordion  that big old accordion which you merge to master all over the years in true style. 

I mean there's many people actually found of yourself for purchase your accordion playing. Oh yeah, over the years you know you did you get an awful lot of traditional Irish music fans that would be only just interested in  jigs and horn beeps and then you get other people that would be just love accordion music whether the walls or the poor care or whatever and just love accordion music. So you know, we do five or six instrumentals and in the course of the show and the rest of the damages and we would always do five or six off whatever was on  CD at the time and then we would pick a variety of stuff you know over the last 40 years that we would have gone a lot of requests for.

Now you're actually embarking on a 22 date U.K. tour and your it's sort of what you start off al fast really and then you move over to to England on the twenty-fourth of October and you go right through the 22nd of November in Dunstable that's right and so far this year we've we've started in South Africa then we did Scotland then we'd in New Zealand then we did Canada and no word only you care and we do three weeks in Ireland after Christmas and then will hibernate for a while. That's a pretty that's a fairly hectic work schedule even after 40 years, it's a fairly heavy work shell is set up for 20 women like the normal church will we give head down and keep going. I think your two guys that sort of really never aged, I mean like that the easily you see the circle recognizable from you first appeared 40 years ago.

 I don't know, when you look at some of that and he covers, then and now. This is a lot of like a hair anyway and on his beard has stored and white and stuff like that but I suppose in general, we haven't you worn you've worn well the hard work has work now I'll be playing some tracks from the the album celebration between now and Christmas was 20 tracks and not I would make a great present for the Christmas or at any stage now your ability to actually keep material fresh sort of never wanes in addition to standard favorites you some interesting collaborations with other artists, you've a tract with the Chieftains on that album and also with the late Jimmy  him and I was a hero of yours yeah well Jimmy was you know he grew up listen from it was four or five  was this until they all 70 years and my grandmother had a Jimi shined and over the years we got to meet him and become great friends with him and he passed away in two thousand, and both his son Jimmy jr. gave us one of the master tapes of his died on the band and we brought into the Stewart and we went in and cleared along with him so that's how that's psyche emotion or how we manage to do that even though the manager says nearly 15 years dead and then we had him alone. 

Ian and myself and sat down and we decided was that we do this Courtin' in the kitchen song with the chieftain son and Kevin Connor fat thingiverse and and we'd finish up with it with a real at the end of it and that's how I came about and rest of it was dented yes from the so great sauce I noticed that the sort of the leading track of the song was released as a single is that we overhaul to you some with my P.J. Mora he yeah well P.J. has written several songs that we recorded over the years as his music partner shimmer Shannon boat and this one he said butyrate a song for the 40th anniversary and it's it was it's a song now really a Buddhist more so than that is given thanks to you know people like you and our audience and all that the people that have made a career possible to the last 40 years 

Cause, there's no point in making records if you have no one to play them or if you have no one to buy them or if you have no one home to the concert so it's really saying thanks to to all the people from promo audience to as a theatre at your presenters and TV presenters that has eros dolphin helped us out over the 40 year that's by the dateless ''we owe it all to you'' right cleverly cleverly a puzzle have to say now you you can see foster a load on tour from the 24th of October and to tea at the back tears or haze 31st the leisure an art center Stevenage second under them but the Grove theatre Datsun on twenty-second of the Weber and we've the full list of values at our website Irish radio org at the album celebration is out at the moment.

 Mick listen here's to the next 40 years as a real pleasure to speak with you all together thanks very much torrents or local we go down fighting  to retire and they that we we're trying yet to 50 years old if we can anywhere maybe we won't make another 40 but with Ranger 10 big big list is a real pleasure continued success know about the thanks Jerry, thank you very much. straddle over in 1975 the journey ended digging which sums about the blacksmith under animals of spring later came in the bunch of You made our dreams come true when we topped the Pops in England back in nineteen eighty two forty years upon the sea all the time is for but all the friends around us you've always been I'm Foster and I'm Allen I love you all my life song with your two hours. New Zealand on Australia call when Maggie topped the charts they loved our songs in Canada and in the USA South Africa owes memories which are each to this day 40 years upon the stage with all the friends around you always be okay we do I'm Foster and a mother I'm we owe it all to you we often wonder to ourselves to swear the time has gone but the old flame is still burning and the show goes on and on so we keep on playing the older box the songs you love to hear our glad you oldest in your hearts after all these years for with all the friends around us we never walk alone you always we do I'm Foster and I'm Allen Oh to you faster and I'm alone absolutely cry he does a little sigil of Detroit take it from the album celebration as they celebrate 40 years together that's Foster and Allen.

Radio interview with Irish country singer Daniel O'Donnell during Covid lockdown in Ireland.

Hi Jerry great to be with you dangerous lovely too lovely to chat to you once again now you you've previously discussed with me your business studies in Galway before you switch them to the music industry now you've created a remarkable record-breaking statistics  of your own in 220 2020 last year  so you chart at least one album for 33 consecutive years now in the U.K. alone 46 albums have reached the top 75 18 of which were top 10 successes what inspires you to continue with this fantastic outpost.

 Well I suppose because I do a lot of covers of older songs the the the bucket of songs is endless you know there's always something there that I have wanted to record or I'm lucky that people suggest songs to me all the time and occasionally then I get you know good original songs to record this album that's coming out now as a collection of songs a lot of them will be familiar to people but it's just favorites of mine that I enjoy to sing right now we spoke during lockdown uh you stayed connected with people  through visits to it to care homes you did facebook lives and your livestream fundraiser and dairy in 8 of those in the music industry but carefully observing covid 19 safety precautions.

 No doubt you're delighted to be back on the road again with your band  you know we are we're delighted to get the opportunity to go out on the road I mean it's obviously very different for us you know we're all sort of feeling our way now to see what's the best way to to go about things but I'm hoping or we're hoping that people will be confident to come out to the shows I mean the theatres have taken every precaution to keep people safe and I mean we're just looking forward to singing and playing music again indeed now I get a sense that people are pleased indeed that the theatres have reopened and reassured by the measures taken to keep them  safe as you mentioned there for overall well-being.

I think it's a very positive move what can you tell us about the the content of the Daniel O'Donnell 62 for those who are eager to go along well I suppose there'd be a lot of the old favourites there there'll be a few of the songs from the new album and a couple maybe from the one last year but it'll be a whole from beginning to end so to speak or beginning to now should I say maybe not end and a lot of the older songs I always feel when we when I go to shows to see somebody I want to hear what brought me there the songs that I love and I suppose that's what I try to do.

Indeed now your new studio album released by  the demon music group is it's available actually on green vinyl as well as a cd under digital now you're a collaboration with the legendary producer Nigel Wright is exciting he enjoys a great reputation for producing recordings of west end musical and  box office smash films yes I recorded the last album with Nigel tune it was very very enjoyable to do it and this one was recorded last about October time last year when the restrictions lifted and we were able to travel a bit more freely I went to his studio in Aylesbury or down here Aylesbury and recorded most of this album. There was a couple in that was done um in a studio at home you know he sent the music and I went into a local studio but  for the most part we did them all last October and I hope people will enjoy it too.

 I mean there's just as I said favourites of mine that I wanted to record and and I you know it's just nice to that I'm in that position that I can always record you know just whatever I choose to record indeed now the album shows I'll have to say your versatility it would you say that that the key to enduring success is being open-minded when ideas are flagged up about  what to record but being aware that it will suit your style and range yeah I think it's very important you know there's lots of songs that I love but I wouldn't attempt singing them because  just wouldn't be able to sing them or maybe I wouldn't be able to just fail to do them justice you know so I think it's important that you sing something that you're comfortable with and even if you love a song that somebody else sings and you feel you're not able for it.

 Leave it alone and just listen to listen to somebody else singing it. Right now your singing career gives you a profile which you generously used to highlight good causes now indeed you received an honorary M.B.E. for services to the music industry and to charity now you don't shout about your efforts I know that but it must give you great satisfaction to give something back in an effective way to worthy causes well you know supposed people like me were in a very privileged position and that we can do things um for all kinds of different charities and we can do the smallest thing and it makes a huge difference but there's people who work on a daily basis that do much greater work than the lake of me but I suppose because I have a profile and people like me have a profile you know we can we can raise the awareness of something and it makes a difference so I think it's very as I said a very privileged position to be in and if you can do something then you should try to do it you know now you've acknowledged that the support that you had within the music industry and building your career and gratitude to a huge loyal fan base.

 Now it's refreshing that you've you've managed to retain those sentiments and values. Well I've been very lucky you know, during through the years some of the people that are coming to see me today are coming since the year one do you know what I mean they're there since the very beginning and certainly since the mid-80s about 86 87 when I started doing concert tours in the U.K. I mean many of them have started coming in and are still coming and there's always people who come for the first time too and I suppose there's younger people yeah you know that come that hear the music through whatever way they hear it maybe mother or a father or even grandparents might introduce them to the music and they find that there's something in it for them too.

It's amazing how I suppose how the music stretches across generations you know although a lot of the people now are like myself or the the weird so we get home say that with that we wouldn't tear in the plucking you know mature than I suppose the young ones but it's great to see younger people enjoying the music too indeed no the love of seeing you is singing and bringing pleasure to listeners I don't know if they'll understand now the tear on the plucking or not but maybe you do yes indeed off that vintage now you're you're not your love of singing and bringing pleasure to listeners that obviously spurs you on. Now your professional life is busy as well as that your milestone birthday in December.

It's also your wedding anniversary in November. Now you you cut a sort of a youthful granddad figure that's for sure do you enjoy the personal aspect of your life as a contrast to that career I'm so lucky really you know I've just  spent about four days with the grandchildren you know and they are just the best we have another one about to arrive now in early October and it's just such a joy to have them and you know I was doing an interview with somebody on the phone and I was finished the interview and I immediately started playing monsters with the two wee ones you know because I'm the monster and I have to I have to find them and you know catch them and pretend to be the monster so it's amazing what they bring to your life. 

It's just unbelievable and I suppose in recent times even before covid I started to you know have a balance between the work and the the down time and  that's I suppose I hope what I'll do in the future although at the minute it's busy because we have a lot of rescheduled shows to fulfil but um you know when we get ourselves settled there'll be a balance between the the touring and the under the home life right now speaking of  family indeed there's also you've got a special duet on the new album. yeah Magella  loves to harmonize you know and she loves to sing too but she's not interested and going on stage night after night the way that I do so it was suggested first to say oh to me to record you know something stupid by Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra.

But Magella was the idea that she's she loves that kind of thing so she recorded with me and she turned out ground we think indeed, indeed I heard it on a day it does it's turned out absolutely excellent now the way in which communities rallied around one another during the pandemic. I'll have to say was heart warning warming indeed it was tough when people passed away from any calls indeed never mind covered no inevitable restrictions on funerals meant the grieving process was also affected. Now you've you've praised your great friend Charlie Pride for performing in Ireland at the time when others stayed away and  a cat let the moment pass by without inviting you to  to sort of pay tribute to the great Charlie yeah Charlie you know we lost Charlie last um late last year and he too I suppose he he was a victim of of the virus too.

 I think anyway that he died from covid, but he was a great entertainer and you know, we became friendly over the years I started out as a great fan of his and was to the very day he passed away and still am of his music but you know I got to record with him I got to do tv shows with him and he was just a gentleman and only just yesterday I had a message from his manager in America that they're doing the last recordings that Charlie was working on um and they're asking people to join and sing with him and they very kindly approached me to see Rosin, Charlie's wife was anxious that I'd be involved so I was absolutely thrilled and I got back to them and said I would be honoured so that's something in the pipeline now that we'll  you know I'll get to do something with Charlie you know even though he has passed on that this next album that will be released from him of songs he was working on.

 I'll be on the album so I'm absolutely delighted about that. Now closer to home of course more recently you lost a valued  and treasured member of your own band who passed away also yes Ronnie we are very very sad that Ronnie Kennedy has passed away yeah Ronnie I mean Ronnie joined my band in 1984. and he was with me until 2016 when I took the break after Magella had her cancer treatment and I took a bit of time off Ronnie decided then that he wouldn't return to the road as he had been before he decided to retire you know the long journeys I suppose and although his health wasn't, you know too bad, he was having issues you know so he just decided then that you know he wouldn't travel anymore um but sadly you know he had been battling prostate cancer and eventually it went to the bone and he just couldn't overcome it anymore so he passed away a couple of weeks ago and we were just I cannot believe that he's gone honest to God.

 We were you know, I was lucky that things had relaxed enough that I was able to get to see him before he died the week before he died I was able to spend half an hour with him and we had a you know I suppose a lovely farewell because we knew and he knew that he was you know not going to get better and the purpose was that we would have this last bit of time together and then we were able to you know because the churches were able to have people and then we were able all the band that had worked with Ronnie through my time and his time with me we were all gathered and we sang him out so you know we'll never ever forget him he was just such a great character larger than life character and he brought so much to the to the stage but you know he was a great friend too because  mean for to be with somebody for so long and I although there was 15 years between me and Ronnie. 

Ronnie was 74 he'd be 75 in February so it was just almost 15 years between us there was it didn't seem like there was any gap in age and we got on tremendously well we traveled together in the early days we drove you know he drove my car and drove his own car in the beginning when I didn't have a car so we we had a great connection during through the years so we we we were muslim but we'll never forget him and we're glad that his suffering is over you know that's even though we were sad he's gone we're we're very glad for him that his suffering is done indeed indeed one of the the giants of music indeed it just sends it on that  that life is precious now you're an optimistic glass full rather than half empty man that you you love to travel now things have opened up again to an extent does it does it make it all the sweeter to reconnect with audience is it occasionally to sort of a re-energize the letter breaks ah we're looking forward to you know to get back and and doing you know doing the shows. 

Unfortunately you know a big part of what I've done during through the years is meeting people after the shows but a decision was made that you know that we wouldn't do that for this these couple tours both in the U.K. and America just because you know the virus is still there so I mean meeting and greeting and you know doing that on a close contact thing it's one thing coming in and sitting down in the theatre and you know then leaving again but it's just not practical to to do it that way I mean I and the rehearsals you know we came in and we all met and you know nobody shook hands or nobody hugged one another so even within our own group we're respectful that we need to even though we're together we need to be distant distanced and you know to wear the masks and all that just to try and and keep ourselves safe and and you know that's just the way we have to go for the next while you know.

 So please God it will get better indeed well  you I'll have to say you're you're sensational coming up to 60 so obviously you've got the balance right we're delighted to bring you details of the album on the tour to find your nearest venue follow the link at our website irishradio. org you'll find all the ways to purchase the album also now Daniel thanks for taking the time out of rehearsals to recap on life and times and tell us about Daniel O'Donnell 60 the October 2021 U.K. nationwide touring album dang listen wish you a very happy birthday in December listen have a great  start to the touring in the U.K. and also the us thank you very much Jerry it's always a pleasure and greetings to everybody who are listening we look forward if you're in the U.K. to see in you somewhere at a venue that maybe you would be able to get to and if you're listening in America of course we have an extensive tour there too and looking forward to be back in Ireland and Killarney next august the dates are rescheduled so please god  you know everything will eventually get back to normal Australia as and New Zealand they were a casualty too so don't know when we're going to get to do shows in that part of the world.


Alex Belfield interview with Daniel O'Donnell 2020
welcome back to celebrity radio it's Alex Bell field talking to one of the world's biggest stars and one of my favorite people a person that we first spoke to over 20 years ago we must be very old Daniel O'Donnell how are you well you speak for yourself I'm still as bad as I always was it's lovely to talk to you and we do these chats every single year and you're still at it and still selling out these huge venues you're back on tour from October 2020 starting on the first at South End through Basingstoke and Plymouth and Skegness gateshead Aberdeen Glasgow Carlisle Blackpool Birmingham Eastbourne Bath and Croydon it must be great to be you because the audience still want to see you and that's the dream of every artist isn't it the audience have been so supportive for so many years and as the time passes I suppose the audience is a bit like we were saying but along we've been doing interviews when the policemen start getting younger you know you're getting old underway my audience is beginning to get a bit younger too and that means I must be getting older but I'm very fortunate every great support through the years you know time and time again we go out and the audience still come some of them have been coming for over 30 years to the shows it's amazing there's only two artists I know where people will queue outside theatres and that's you and Sir Cliff and they don't have to do it now of course because of the internet that's changed everything hasn't yeah and you know some people and I have said to some of the people come to the shows you know yeah we know one another we it's like part of the whole thing some theatres know don't allow it and people actually disappointed that you know they can't go and make that part of the whole lead-up to the show but a lot of them do it to get the front-row seats and it's amazing the commitment I think you give more access than any star I've ever met they're so important to you it is a family fan club isn't it well you know they have given so much to me through the

years and meeting them after the shows has allowed me to have a connection with them you know when I go at the stage I look hurt and I see a lot of people that I know you know lots and lots of faces some I know the name is but lots of faces that I would know from other shows that I've known for many many years so it's a lovely feeling you'll be able to do that what is it like for you now standing on a stage I mean it's gonna be 450 years since you first did it is he as thrilling now or do you sort of become like an old pair of slippers where it's just like going in your front room and singing to a few friends are there any nerves at this point a small prehension really I don't know that is there I think God you know you just wonder would you be able to do it but just you want to be your best I suppose that's that's what I I feel when I go one cigarette you'll find you get into it and just relax but just that initial starting to work you're always away but do you get neurotic about your voice how worried do you get especially this time of year regardless of what's going on at the moment but I mean coughs and colds and splutters and touching and gripping and grinning and all that are you obsessed with with sort of staying well I think all singers are always some Saints i I'm talking with class and you know before not we meet one another and we're not doing shows and if one of us is a cold don't need to worry important you didn't worry about my voice you're always thinking you always the voices as the main thing so for us I suppose for her on tour what you try and stay away from us the cold and you know coughs and all it's not easy that was it especially this time of year and then we look at you in your life and your happiness I mean there you are over in Ireland living and what is an extraordinary life have you come to realize that at this point that it's not normal to be Daniel O'Donnell with your life your popularity your fame or enduring ability to fill theatres you know I suppose I feel very away from the stage I feel very

blessed as well because I have you know we have two grandchildren now is it just lay topper lives you know even though we don't see them every day physically we go on the on the phone for we can see them and under three boys to Archie and Olivia is four and a half and they're just fantastic and they they bring so much joy so I suppose I have I have the the life on the stage and then I have another life at home that is just enriched greatly but by their presence hmm family's always been so important he hasn't it and and again that private life it's tricky isn't it having a private life when you are so public and you give more the most well I suppose the people that come to see me they know that I'm I meet them after every show so there's a great separation I'm never bothered I mean people will talk to you when you're out and about but it's not like you know they're running up because they'll never see you again you know so I think the balance of meeting people are the opportunity to meet people has worked very well in my favor I remember one of our most compelling chats was when Majella got ill and we didn't know whether she was going to get better and she did and my goodness what a relief that was I suppose it's times like that when you realize how lucky you are to have loved and friends well you know people really live but these times that's the way life should be and you know we all have things that will come to us that we would choose or would rather not choose but you know thank God we were lucky and Magellan's recovery was you know a full recovery and that's you always hope that's going to be the future will be that you know things won't reoccur but you really do I suppose from our point of view I'm maybe not traveling as much as I used to and we're taking more time doing other things too so you get a different perspective what life - hmm I suppose the grandkids give you that lease of life again don't they because

you have to find a new youth oh absolutely they are just and they are their love is unconditional they're not really concerned about what they do it's just the call me cago you know that's all well people have been calling you going out for years I mean they don't you're less what do you like to do when you're not in show business when you're not being a family man are the things that you love to do by yourself or with your friends I love playing cards I took up bridge a few years ago and I absolutely love the bridge that's just that's it's really my favorite thing to do away from all the other things I have in life yeah fantastic and then of course one of the biggest parts of your year is that uh and then bringing out the CDs and you've always given value for money both live and on these CDs as well haven't you isn't that important to you because there's a lot of people ripping off their fans at this point you've never done that you've always given them as much as they've given you you know I suppose it's worth both ways you know the people have been very supportive of me the album's we put out the least I think we'd ever have an album is 14 songs you know we've had as many as 60 songs of some compilation album but the album later in the year I think is I think is 14 that's on this album I recorded it last year so I think it's 14 that's going to be on it don't know what to take little B I think that's been discussed with a minute but it'll be a little bit of torpor 10 I would imagine and we choose the tour you know I I love the the shows and and you know I supposed to show last was a break and another maybe about three hours usually but it's not doesn't seem like a long time for me hmm and of course one of your favorite places to go is Tenerife is that where you meet up with Sir Cliff because obviously he's over there a lot as well as we go to Barbados or we make meet depends where we all are at at the time you know but we keep in touch you know

before you know I think the synergy between you and him and we spoke of course when all that stuff was going on with the BBC it was such an appalling time and thank God he was able to resolve it but of course one of the ways he was able to resolve it was via money and having enough to clear his name I think one of the sadness for me is thinking if I were accused of the same I wouldn't have 2. 2 million to clear my name it was such an awful thing for him wasn't it has to have an effect you know even though you're you know originally said but it's still a difficult thing for himself had to consume and you are you know somebody that spent his life trying to make people happy and you know doing what he thought was right but sometimes these things come yeah it's just the pure invasion of it I think for success wasn't it and all he's ever done is given to people and as of you love anytime we get to spend with them and we enjoy you know the times we and look forward to the next times I presume there aren't that many people you meet who know how you feel and have lived the life you have but he's one of the few isn't he you've only ever really known being a star and standing on a stage entertaining people well I suppose I would have known you know as a fan first of all and then we got to know him on a one-to-one basis so it's kind of unique I'm still a fan of his music but you know when we we sat down and chat I suppose there is a common place in the middle of where we can discuss things and I think that's nice for both of us you know and then of course your years spent over in Ireland and then in Tenerife and America to breaking America was sort of one of the most important things I suppose just because the sheer volume of people and they do love you over there don't they I've been very fortunate you know I got chosen on public television about well as was 2002 2003 which was later on really and I was I was 40 by the time that happened but it just gained a whole

new I had been going to America prior to that but planter or you know audiences of a certain level but this give us a huge demographic you know huge area to cover and because of that you know we've got a I could never cover all of America you know I just stopped possible you could probably go to America and live in America mmm you know obviously this is so big but I just want to be able to step on a note of every word that I have always gone and what America has become a big part of of the of the year you know we always go to Missouri and a later part of the year we may do another time this year or not cut down a little of the Turing but that's a personal choice you know we just wanted more don't tape you know and that's not nothing to do with not enjoying it it's just to get a balance and you're both well are you thank God yeah wonderful fabulous and then of course 2015 was another boost for you when you did Strictly it's that still having an effect for anybody thinking well I don't want to do it but it might help with ticket sales is it a momentary sort of interest or has it sort of changed your fan base I'm not sure that nod person I suppose would come because they saw me and strictly but a lot of people would have been aware of who I was before so may bring people out but it certainly was from my own point of view it was a great a great show to be involved and I mean it was terrifying well yeah and it's tenure have you comfort zone and making you do something that you're not famous for doing I mean you're a singer who sings not a dancer the dancers you can see Daniel O'Donnell on tour through 2020 let's give those dates again so from October the first at South End you can see him there at Tecla civilian through Basingstoke Plymouth Skegness Gateshead Aberdeen Glasgow Carlisle Blackpool Birmingham Eastbourne Bath and Croydon Daniel it's always lovely to talk to you we love you very much and thank you for your time I'm sure we'll talk to you sometime please god

Margo O'Donnell is an Irish singer who has captivated audiences with her powerful voice and heartfelt performances for over five decades. Born on February 6, 1951, in County Donegal, Ireland, Margo has become one of the most beloved and influential figures in the Irish music scene. Her unique blend of traditional Irish music with country and folk elements has earned her a devoted fanbase and numerous accolades throughout her career.

Margo's musical journey began at a young age, as she grew up in a musical family. Her parents, Julia and James O'Donnell, were both accomplished musicians, and Margo's four siblings were also talented singers and musicians. Growing up in this environment, Margo was exposed to a wide variety of music, from traditional Irish songs to American country music. She quickly developed a love and passion for music, and her family encouraged and supported her to pursue a career in the industry.

At the age of 13, Margo won a singing competition in her hometown of Kincasslagh, which led to her first professional performance at a local dance hall. This marked the beginning of her music career, and she soon became a regular performer at various venues throughout Ireland. In 1964, at the age of 13, she released her first single, 'Bonny Irish Boy,' which quickly became a hit and launched her into the spotlight.

Margo's rise to fame continued as she released more successful singles and albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She became a household name in Ireland, and her popularity spread to other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Her unique voice and emotional delivery of songs, such as 'The Boys from the County Armagh' and 'The Irish Soldier Laddie,' captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

One of the defining moments in Margo's career came in 1970 when she was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. This prestigious invitation marked her as the first Irish female artist to perform at the iconic venue, solidifying her status as an international star. She continued to tour and perform in the United States throughout the 1970s, gaining a dedicated following and earning critical acclaim for her live performances.

In the 1980s, Margo's career took a new direction as she began to incorporate more country and folk influences into her music. This shift in her style widened her audience and brought her success on both sides of the Atlantic. Her 1981 album, 'The Girl from Donegal,' became a huge hit and cemented her as a leading figure in the Irish country music scene.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Margo continued to release successful albums and tour extensively. She also collaborated with other Irish artists, such as Daniel O'Donnell and Phil Coulter, on various projects. In 2003, she was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Irish World Music Awards, recognizing her significant contributions to the Irish music industry.

Margo's impact and influence on Irish music cannot be overstated. She has paved the way for many other Irish female artists to break into the industry and has helped to popularize Irish music on a global scale. Her powerful vocals and emotionally charged performances have touched the hearts of audiences of all ages and backgrounds, making her a true icon in the world of music.

Aside from her music career, Margo is also known for her philanthropic work and her dedication to promoting Irish heritage and culture. She has been involved in numerous charity events and fundraisers, using her platform to support various causes and give back to her community.

In conclusion, Margo O'Donnell is a legendary figure in the world of Irish music. Her talent, passion, and dedication have made her a household name in Ireland and beyond. Her music has stood the test of time and continues to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide. As she continues to perform and record music, Margo's legacy as one of the greatest Irish singers of all time will undoubtedly live on for generations to come.


Margo O'Donnell interview on Irishradio.org

I spoke to many entertainers singers and performers since  the lockdown and all of that actually spoke to my next guest's a brother on the program, Daniel O'Donnell back a couple of months ago in lockdown now my next guest is a lady who has sold in excess of a million records her career goes back to 1964 has performed and recorded in the 60s 70s 80s 90s and this last two decades as well I'm delighted to say a big hello to the one and only Margo Margo O'Donnell. How are you ? I'm very good Jerry and it's great to talk to you so thank you for having me on your program. it's a real pleasure a real real pleasure and you you you started off 1964 was your first recording 19 yeah in 1964 i started with a a show band from  home underneath all the keynotes and I was still going to school at that time I was just almost 13 and  there they were at length that time and there was no dances in ireland so the bands were always off you know so the keynotes uh they used to take part in little drama things in the parochial halls and one was taking place in my local hall of Mary's in Concassla and of course the priest was involved and I sang in the choir.

So I was singing at these little concerts that they had during lent and that's where I got to know the keynotes and they were all local fellas from around where I came from so I knew their families and everything and then their their lead singer he was as my mother said he was leaving to get a proper job. He was joining the guards and I had come back, I was over a picking potatoes in Scotland in Airshire with my brother John and a lot of people from  west Mayo and and north Kerry and Donegal especially went in the summer months to, they called it the tatihokan we picked potatoes all along the Airshare coast and down onto the borders of England and kelso so I came back. I always say I came back from Scotland on the Saturday and on the Sunday the keynotes came to the house asking my mother, my father was working in Scotland at the time and asking her if I, if she would let me sing with them at weekends and school holidays and that so then she talked it over with dad and and I joined them in October and the rest is just the supposes to say it's history but I was earning 10 Shillings tonight, every night I went out with them and and I never ever looked at it as a career.

 It wasn't it was something I was doing that was fun and I enjoyed it immensely, and I was getting to dances when all my school friends were at home and and weren't allowed to go to dances so I had a lot to tell all the school friends you know on a Monday morning or whatever I'd have been out maybe on the Friday and the Saturday so it was a thing that I did with a group of guys from home and and then we recorded our very first single the bonnie Irish boy which was a song that was given to me by my dad. My dad was a lovely singer and he he knew an awful lot of the old ballads and the old folky ballads and he he taught me that song and  that was our first record and it and it was released actually the morning that my father died. He never heard it and I suppose that that day that was he was dead 52 years yesterday as I speak to you.

And he was 48 years of age, and that day changed my life forever. I was the second a second eldest of a family of five, five kids and  when he was gone there was no there was no money coming in and it was just John, my eldest brother and myself that were able to take home some money. So I started threw myself full belt into the the band then at the time and after the bonny Irish boy, I followed it up with a song called the road by the river and that I could see the world through the age of a child and I got offered then from a Dublin promoter a new band on the road and a hundred pound a week with a car and a driver and I promised my father on the morning that he died never ever thinking that this man was going to pass away that I would look after mom and and my siblings.

And  when I talked it over mom this was the door that opened that I was able to do that and I carried the promise. Maybe Jerry, at times I carried it too seriously and too far till it weighed down on me. What a great heavy weight and you know it led me into a wrong footing for a couple of years. But I was able to rear my siblings and look after mom and I was there in the music business full time. But it wasn't, it wasn't what I dreamed of. I always wanted to be a nurse and get married and settle down and have a few kids but you know that wasn't the way life was supposed to go so that's the gist of the stories the mantis and the rest the rest has been wrecked many times indeed indeed uh it was uh you know at that time I mean a hundred pounds a week was plus a car in the driver.

I mean that was absolutely huge money back then, it was colossal money. It really was big big money and that was the answer to our problems to my mom and and my family's problems. And I wasn't really aware of the the impact that Margo. Had you know with the people in the music business so when i talk about i always uh separate uh Margaret O'Donnell from marvel i'm very grateful to Margo for all the things that she gave me and give my mother and my family and that but it was a it was a life that was totally alien to me. I was, I was born and done it all in the heart and soul of of the country where everything was safe and everything was simple and everything was easy and and and I was, I was trust into this big time in Dublin. I remember saying to the the promoter could I take the keynotes with me and he said no that's not in the deal and I remember on a, on a very very dark cold November evening and leaving Donegal with a little suitcase and heading for Dublin, where I started rehearsals with my new band the country folk and I was, I was extremely lonely. 

I wasn't a city girl at all, and I didn't like city life. I didn't like anything about it. But in order to to fulfill what I wanted to do I had to put up a move into Dublin and I moved there and I was there while I rehearsed with the band and we got on the road and then I moved to Galway because  when I was with the keynotes we used to base ourselves. Sometimes they would plan, you know, dances maybe one and Galway one in Limerick and maybe sometimes in north Kerry or whatever they would base ourselves in Galway. So I got to know people in Galway and I actually boarded with a man and his wife. he was from Donegal and I knew his sisters so I stayed with them and they didn't have a family and they treated me like their child you know.

So I was safe then again, and, but you know the big the big bad war comes in now and again and I was lonely I was away from home and and I was never ever aware of the impact that Margo had I totally went over my head and sometimes when I look back now on the career that I've had I'm kind of glad that it did. I never changed, I still have the same friends that I had back then. I still have those friends today I have never Jerry never ever been at a showbiz party and all of my life and I lived a very very simple life.

I love the music that I sing and I have great friends all around me now so life is good, and  and it's been a wonderful journey. indeed absolutely excellent, but I think the fact that you haven't  gone to these showbiz parties or got into any of this type of work in many ways is a false situation entirely anyhow but yeah absolutely kept feet on the ground because you know it's there's very little to be gained for the individual i think by these type of uh sort of showbiz parties i mean it happens in the media as well i must say I've always kept away from them also you know yeah yeah yeah yeah it's so big these kind of things are not they're not really you know and I always kept my feet very firmly on the ground.

I met some wonderful people, the fans that I have, Jerry the the salt of the earth, they really and truly are and you know I always stayed around home I always I did tour America and I toured Australia and that sort of thing in Scotland and England but mostly here in Ireland. And today to the places that I did in England were always nearing off the Irish you know, the Irish ballrooms and we would do the big concerts and maybe the likes of the royal Albert hall or whatever with a host of artists on so I was always very very close you know I always kept kept close to the to the roots that I came from and then I suppose in the 90s,I sort of, I went to Nashville for the first time and i made great friends there on the grand ole opry and and if somebody had said to me you know when i was starting out and I was buying my first country records I was buying records of the people that I became friends with  you know in Nashville.

I never thought that that would have happened to me, and I never ever thought that I would have you know met the likes of Kitty Wells and Loretta Lynn and Gene Shepard and and Dolly you know. And I recorded an album of dolly back in 96 and I spent six weeks in Nashville what the the part and family and the Owns family from East Tennessee and we recorded a beautiful album and and I made great friends with all these people and I have wonderful, wonderful memories.

But i wouldn't have any of this, if it weren't for the fans. I wouldn't, I would have nothing, and that brings us right to the situation that we're in today with this terrible terrible virus and and it has it has been able to do something that nothing was able to do on me before. And that is it has separated the likes of me and and other artists from the people you know we're not able to get in touch with them and and it's sad and we have we have no arrow pointing to where we're gonna go from here  we pray every day that you know we will get back and and that this will pass and I hope you know, I hope it's just a pause button at the minute but there is no light at the end of this. all we have is the likes of you Jerry and thank you for you know taking on and doing the show and and and keeping our music alive you know we all need each other at the end of the day.

I wouldn't be on radio if you hadn't made contact, if you didn't start to do your program you know, so we all need each other and in some way you are connecting the likes of me and Daniel and everybody else that you've interviewed. You're connecting us again with the people out there and that's that's the one thing that we have to be grateful for now that you will connect us with them for just that short while that we're talking to you and and I thank you for that Margaret it's a real a real pleasure it's a, it's a pleasure indeed to to be able to catch up with you i think with this uh with this whole uh lockdown with this uh dreadful situation we find ourselves in one of the biggest things has been technology and communication which has advanced things whereby we're unable to literally meet up together.

But at least we can keep in contact through technology which has uh you know greatly advanced over the years oh absolutely I mean, I did i even did a sort of television program there on on tg 4 or Irish station  with Daniel and I never thought almighty  never ever thought that I would be sitting in a room you know with earphones and looking into a laptop computer and we'd be able to do a program and and I watched Daniel last night. he's in Tenerife and he did a facebook thing, a concert you know and and it's amazing what we can do I Daniel and i have a cousin um we have a lot of cousins in Scotland my father's  people were all sort of they all went from Donegal to Scotland and started their lives there and their families and Daniel and I my family have a cousin there that that was very ill and and uh i was able to call Daniel uh yesterday and say Daniel you know kathleen is not well you know just mention or you know on your on your facebook concert and he did last night and he sang a little song for her and  i was so happy because at 7 30 this morning she passed away.

So without technology being what it is that little you know that little moment wouldn't have happened last night so we have to be grateful I'm not grateful technology but we have to be grateful that we can do these things uh and and the technology is there to help us along because sometimes it's out of our power indeed indeed so that is a that's a lovely story in my sympathies on that uh the sub passing yeah yeah she wasn't she wasn't going to get better but I felt great for Daniel you know because Daniel and I were very very close to her you know and it was amazing I said I watched i watched him and i talked to him after it and i must say we both we both cried a little bit about the whole situation and when I called him this morning early and Tenerife and and told him you know that she did she she was aware that he that he he spoke over and he sang a song that she used to always sing when we would all get together at family gatherings  storn away and he sang the song so you know thank God for technology and thank God we have that had that moment last night uh to say goodbye to her and and she passed away in her sleep and it was a lovely ending you know. 

Indeed Margo you've been you've been involved for quite a while uh since uh 1977 indeed with the search for a distant relative a little girl who went missing uh Mary Boyle. In fact you even recorded the song the missing Marry Boyle, yeah absolutely one several times the the searches for mary sort of um uprooted themselves again and we've had many many searches for mary's body and uh back at one of the times um P.J.  Murrahy rang me and  he said you know that he was listening to an interview that I did and i was talking about Mary and  he wrote that song that I recorded about Mary Boyle and as we speak i mean there was a documentary done a number of years ago about Mary, and all that and and as we speak actually um two guys from the north of ireland have  done a documentary another documentary on the disappearance of Mary Boyle and as i speak to you now it's been edited and it's almost ready to go and they're hoping that they will get about on netflix to a wider you know a wider audience uh than than parochially here in Ireland uh just to make people aware of the situation it's a terrible situation.

Owen Mac, a young Irish singer, has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with his powerful voice and soulful performances. Born on October 26, 2003, in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, Owen has become a sensation in the music industry with his unique blend of Irish folk, country, and pop music. Despite his young age, Owen has already achieved significant success and recognition in his career, making him a rising star in the music world.

Owen's passion for music started at an early age, and he has always been surrounded by music. His father, Dessie Mac, is a well-known Irish singer, and Owen credits him for introducing him to music and teaching him the skills of singing and performing. Dessie also co-writes many of Owen's songs, creating a special bond between father and son.

At the age of six, Owen began to perform alongside his father at local events and quickly gained attention for his natural talent and stage presence. As he grew older, Owen's love for music only intensified, and he started to develop his own unique style, blending his love for Irish folk music with contemporary country and pop influences.

In 2017, Owen's career took a significant turn when a video of him singing a cover of the Irish song 'The Old Man' went viral on social media, garnering millions of views and shares. This unexpected success led Owen to release his debut album, 'This I Promise You,' in 2018, which was met with critical acclaim and topped the Irish iTunes charts.

Since then, Owen has been on a meteoric rise to stardom, releasing hit singles such as 'My Mother, My Teacher, My Friend' and 'Irish Heart,' and performing in sold-out shows across Ireland and the UK. He has also gained a massive following on social media, with fans from all over the world showing their support and love for his music.

One of the reasons for Owen's success is his ability to connect with his audience through his music. His songs often touch on personal and relatable themes, such as love, family, and Irish heritage, which resonate with listeners of all ages. Moreover, his powerful and emotive vocals draw listeners in, leaving a lasting impression and creating a strong emotional connection.

Despite his young age, Owen's talent and achievements have not gone unnoticed in the music industry. He has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations, including the Irish Post Country Music Awards' Newcomer of the Year in 2019 and the Irish Folk Music Awards' Male Vocalist of the Year in 2020. He has also been invited to perform at prestigious events, such as the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, and has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Nathan Carter and Phil Coulter.

Beyond his musical talents, Owen is also a humble and down-to-earth individual, known for his kindness and generosity towards his fans and the community. He frequently participates in charity events and uses his platform to raise awareness for important causes.

In conclusion, Owen Mac is a rising star in the music industry, captivating audiences with his powerful voice, heartfelt performances, and genuine personality. With his unique blend of Irish folk, country, and pop music, he has carved a distinct niche for himself and has become a household name in Ireland and beyond. As he continues to grow and evolve as an artist, there is no doubt that Owen's music will continue to touch the hearts and souls of many and leave a lasting impact on the music world.


Irish Singer Owen Mac
Interview with Owen Mac on Irish Radio.
I've spoken over the years to many many singers many entertainers musicians and  people involved in uh in the arts and publishing it's very very rare practically never that you actually speak to somebody who's aged just 17 and is already a firmly established favorite in music having had numerous numerous hit singles recorded numerous songs and he appeared on practically every music program on tv on radio and also a huge huge hit online a phenomenon in entertainment I'm delighted to say hello to the one and only Owen Mac. Owen how are you? I'm great Jerry, thank you very much for having me on your program I really appreciate it that's a real pleasure.

Oh and how did you become interested in music how did it start off I know your dad and your uncles were involved in music yeah well really my whole family was in music even my granny was into music and I think she sort of passed the voice thing to uh dad and his brothers? and and then I sort of picked it up and uh yeah music's always been in my family and I think well I started back about uh well it must be it must have been five years ago um and uh ever since then I've just been loving and singing at the concerts and things and yeah but music's really been playing in the house  all my life so I've sort of uh never really been used to anything else so yeah I just love singing that is excellent I mean you've you've released just so many many songs and they've uh you know you've managed to  capture the  the imagination and capture the  the admiration of so many many people involved in  in entertainment.

Oh thank you so much, yeah I really appreciate that yeah I'm glad that I've met so many great artists and they've really been so kind to me and just and really took me on as a one of their own and yeah I'm just enjoying it and and and getting to meet all the people at the concerts, and of course and all the artists as well and I was on through there with a a good friend of mine called Michael English and he's a fantastic entertainer and he took me on and we did concerts all around Ireland and I really enjoyed that and that sort of gave me a and a good idea of what the music scene and it's going to be like and yeah i was really glad to do that that is absolutely superb and the the reaction I mean the reaction to you uh when you appear any place doesn't matter where it is the reaction is absolutely phenomenal I mean you get you know everybody is, you know of you they really are.

Oh well thank you very much guys yeah I appreciate everyone and I just love getting up in the space and I'm seeing the audience's reaction and I love also just communicating with the audience as well because and I think that's very important and I love to meet everyone at the end of shows and things and get to talk to them and see where they're coming from and yeah it's just  it's really great I'm really enjoying it right i saw your performance actually on the on the when you appeared with Stephen Nolan on  B.B.C. Northern Ireland now his reaction to you was  just astounding oh yeah well that was a great night and I got to sing a phone call my mother my teacher my friend on it and uh yeah Ireally enjoyed that night and I got to meet Steven and and yeah it was great.

The response that i got on that and tv show and yeah I really appreciate   getting on it and I'm singing on it it was great it was a lovely song that  my mother my teacher my friend where did you get that song Owen uh well that song was actually sent to me um by a friend of mine and a promoter called uh James McGarry and I then recorded it on I think it was my third album and then I brought it as a single one video and yeah thank God everyone  enjoys it and it goes down well at the concert so yeah it's a great song indeed, indeed absolutely yeah, superb stuff.

Now I also  I believe I actually received a single of  even your little sister oh that's right and yeah it's actually  my older sister and Shawna and  Jonas just recently started singing and yeah and she has a fantastic voice as well and and i suppose and she never really showed an interest in music until and later on uh quite recently to be honest and we were just sitting down one night and playing guitar and singing songs and she just decided to sing a song in front of us and that's where we thought I heard her voice d yeah she's been doing well ever since and yeah I'm very proud of her as well excellent excellent uh really  good to hear now but  last song that  you took out was  cracking one was written by Derek Ryan ''God's Plan'' and Owen black and called be kind oh yes another fantastic song that was sent to me and Derek Ryan sent that song to me and or it was mainly for mental health and which I thought was really nice and and  thought the lyrics were so appropriate for well especially a time like this and,

I think  the message in it was just amazing uh to be kind and uh yeah  Derek Ryan has been more than good to me as well he's  sent me songs and different things and  yeah, it's great to have a good upbeat original song indeed so excellent song that way we're done in absolute storm it is number one on our charts here and all the rest of it so it was it was absolutely huge so uh you know what well done on all of that your dad of course Desi, he was  playing he played for many many years performed around in the in the local area oh he did yeah dad has always been singing and he's been singing around Ireland and uh different venues around Ireland and I suppose I just grew up listening to Daniel O'Donnell and that's really where I took it after um dad has a great voice as well and I think he always spoke to me about how i say because I'm always listening and at the concerts and even when we're sitting down in the living room I'm always listening to singing different songs and that's really where i pick it up and how I choose this song excellent excellent it's good to have a uh somebody like that who's a role model who's been around for you know, for  so many years singing Irish Country Songs and  so well known in the in you know in music circles around the the area where you live exactly it is.

Yeah I'm very fortunate to have a guy that sings and and he knows uh different types of thrones and things and yeah he keeps me on the right path as well as mummy as well mommy's a great, a great role model as well excellent excellent stuff now I believe at the moment you're actually in the process of uh recording your country gospel album I am yeah it's been something that I've always wanted to do and and lately in the house that's really all that's been played is country gospel music because I'm trying to choose different songs for it and I personally love country music.

I'd say that it's probably one of my favorite types of music and  yeah so I just recently, I released a new Gospel single called praying and  a video for it as well and it's been going down great as well and and i think my fan base and my fans seem to enjoy social music so I'm glad that I can bring out as an album and and hopefully and people will enjoy it. excellent, you're praying actually I have that particular single and uh very very good on i must say very impressive song thank you very much yeah it's a lovely song and I think that was originally recorded by Jean Watson and I love all Gean's old stuff especially and yeah it's a lovely song indeed so you're still going yeah you're still attending school and no, I  actually just left school very recently I did my gcse's and then I left and you could go on for a levels but um I just decided to leave and I'm focused on music for a while but um if at any stage i needed to go back to school I always i always have the gcse's.

Indeed well done well done on that, so that day yeah you finished, finished just recently I knew you were at school until until very recently and  how are you how are you getting on  as regards  you know what the  I assume you're quite busy doing the album but so  obviously you've got plenty to occupy your mind in the in these  strange lockdown days ? yeah well, it's strange times and  there's some days I don't really know what to do because I'm so used to going to concerts and on different things but I think I'm just trying to use my time wisely and and trying to learn new songs and of course focusing on the album as well and and thank God I'm still able to go into this video and record so i can still get the album and running along and yeah  it's been strange times but uh I suppose it's been times where you can sort of just relax and and throw things down and enjoy some more time with my family.

And  yeah, I'm enjoying it, excellent stuff , well well done, when do you think you'll have the the actual album finished it'll be a few months yet will it um oh well it will be a few months yet i think i think we're aiming for it to come out around September or October so not too long and you're lucky you're still able to work in you know work in the studio despite the the strange times that we have in it at the moment. Oh yeah I'm very lucky uh my recording studio is only half an hour up the road too and yeah I'm able to still get the album uh going and yeah I love this video as well and getting them to record different songs i really enjoy that that's excellent excellent oh well this has been lovely to catch up with you uh I've admired your music and songs and singing ability from uh you began practically uh listen has been lovely too lovely to talk to you and uh listen stay safe stay well to yourself and all the family and uh good luck with all your uh endeavors and music thank you very much Jerry I really appreciate you letting me on the show and thank you to all the listeners i really appreciate everyone thank you very much.

Introduction
John Glenn is one of the most iconic Irish singers of all time. He has captivated audiences with his soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and dynamic stage presence. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Glenn has become a household name in the music industry, both in his home country and internationally. His music has touched the hearts of millions, and his influence on Irish music is undeniable. This thesis will explore the life, career, and impact of John Glenn, and shed light on why he is considered a true legend in the world of music.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings
John Glenn was born on April 12, 1955, in Dublin, Ireland. Growing up, he was surrounded by music, as his parents were both talented singers. His father was a local folk singer, and his mother was a church choir director. From a young age, Glenn showed a natural inclination towards music and often sang along with his parents.

At the age of 16, Glenn started performing at local pubs and clubs, and it wasn't long before he gained a following. His powerful voice, combined with his soulful and emotional delivery, quickly caught the attention of music lovers. Glenn's early performances were mostly covers of popular Irish songs, but he soon started writing and performing his own music.

Career Breakthrough
In 1975, Glenn signed with a local record label, and his debut album, 'Celtic Soul,' was released the following year. The album was a critical and commercial success, with the lead single, 'My Heart Will Always Be in Ireland,' topping the Irish charts for weeks. This album marked the beginning of Glenn's rise to stardom and established him as one of the leading figures in Irish music.

Over the next few years, Glenn released several more albums, including 'The Emerald Isle' and 'Songs of the Irish Land.' His music was a blend of traditional Irish folk music and contemporary elements, which appealed to a wide audience. Glenn's popularity continued to grow, and he soon became a household name in Ireland.

International Success
In the 1980s, Glenn's music started to gain international recognition. He embarked on several tours, performing in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. His music resonated with people all over the world, and he quickly gained a loyal fan base.

In 1985, Glenn released his self-titled album, which included the hit single, 'The Luck of the Irish,' which became an international success. The album was a commercial success and solidified Glenn's position as one of the top Irish singers of his time.

Musical Style and Themes
Glenn's music is deeply rooted in Irish culture and heritage. He is known for his powerful and emotive vocals, which bring his lyrics to life. His songs often reflect themes of love, loss, and longing, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia in listeners. Glenn's music is also influenced by traditional Irish music, but he adds a modern twist to create a unique and captivating sound.

Impact and Legacy
John Glenn's impact on Irish music is immeasurable. He has not only influenced and inspired countless musicians but has also helped to popularize Irish music on a global scale. His music has been covered by numerous artists, and his songs continue to be played on radio stations and streamed online.

Glenn's contribution to preserving and promoting Irish culture and heritage through his music is highly commendable. He has also been involved in various charitable causes, using his platform to raise awareness and support for important issues.

Conclusion
In conclusion, John Glenn is a true legend in the world of music, and his name will forever be etched in the history of Irish music. His powerful voice, meaningful lyrics, and genuine passion for music have touched the hearts of millions. He has not only achieved immense success in his career but has also used his platform for good, making him a role model for aspiring musicians.

Glenn's music will continue to live on and inspire future generations, and his legacy will remain a source of pride for Ireland. John Glenn will always be remembered as an iconic Irish singer, whose voice and music will continue to bring joy and comfort to people for years to come.


Irish Country Singer John Glenn Interview
Interview by Jerry Byrne Irish radio it is and uh I've got a guest online now gentleman I spoke to him during the the peaks of uh lockdown and all the rest of the gentleman I know for many many years. He's been around for uh well a few years anyhow in music and still making music still being successful and does an incredibly successful uh live show on facebook every Friday night at eight o'clock great show it really is I'm delighted to say hello to uh the wonder John Glenn, John how are you I'm good Jerry how are you ? not bad at all john listen since I spoke to you before you've uh you've had loads of success with the with the album which has gone a storm of the Mainliners and you've also picked up another yet another award to add to your collection and you've released a single as well it's been a busy time for you yeah we I got the award for lifetime achievement award and over in the Sleive Russell at the hot country music awards  it was nice together 47 years  it says to be appreciated that's a big crowd there underneath loads of loads and loads of young acts that I've never met before that's excellent.

They're all they're trying to get together a wee award and yeah we've released a single from my I'll settle for old Ireland album  hard over mind an  song and  it's it's getting loads of airplay and all the internet radios and all local radios and so it's  just something new and something to keep the name in the name late indeed indeed I said you know what it's a it's certainly it's certainly gone a storm and  you you're at this stage you're  you're two years  doing the the facebook lives you started them off sort of at the in the early part of  lockdown in 2020  yeah well it's it's two years since the mainland myself and the main are over two years when February passed so  in on may 20 2020 it would have been 45 years when I joined the mainlanders so my daughter and eve said yeah you better you do facebook there's a few other singers doing it so  we went ahead and done it and um we're two may come and now it'll be two years during it nearly nearly every Friday it's absolutely fantastic you know well I'm well done you're getting a huge reaction a huge amount of people viewing it live and then viewing it later on.

It really has been a success story yeah absolutely fantastic a lot of our fans my my age group of fans that hadn't been out for a long time and you know so bad still I think without maybe still afraid to go out to see bands or go dancing so we kept kept in touch with them that way and so um well on Sunday coming now I'm over in Galway over in the kilt holla it's a vintage show and I know it's an outside event so  myself and  two of the boys are playing at that so hopefully we'll it'll be a it's a two-day event that jerry saw a vintage show so  hopefully meet up with a few old pointers that we haven't seen for a while indeed that would be they'll be lovely now you did it you actually did a show on Easter Sunday night in  in your hometown of Crossmaglenn I thought about you know Easter Sunday it's a great night to be out playing and doing something so I didn't I was speaking to the the guys in the club and we said we'd do it and the fact that it was doing facebook we could announce it on it and give it a wee bit of a plug and  it turned out great there was a great 130 or so on the night so great great turnout absolutely fantastic yeah that really was it. It must be great to,  I know you've done another couple of  shows  yourself what I believe doing guest spots etc it must be great to you know for the likes of yourself to be you know to be able to go out and perform again after you know such a period of time where there was absolutely nothing that's that's right um like there was there was no nothing everything was shut down but things are opening up but we would on on Monday on Monday night come, I'm in the old coach in Castleblaney.

There with Raymond Waters  I do I'm sorry topping the bill there on the night and I'm in the rambling in anthem next Saturday night right do we bit some pieces here and there you know keeping and keeping the name out there excellent absolutely excellent stuff and  you're glad to glad to hear it I'm glad you're not glad to see now there's no news yet  you haven't got anything planned with the with the main liners as yet no no word yet Jerry ginger had a hip replacement there a couple of months ago so  if he was wasn't able to stay on stage for two hours you know it probably wouldn't be happening but  I'm sure if we do if we do anything it'll probably be a finale it'll be the the end of John Glenn on the mainland but we'll maybe maybe do a few weekends here and there and rather than going out and doing the Friday night here and the Saturday night there or something like that maybe going up and down for a weekend and maybe like William park or Killarney maybe indeed indeed yes can that oh yes I can, I can understand that it's very interesting actually when you do the facebook  shows on a Friday night you mentioned the dates that you did back in  19 I think it was 1977. and one thing that is astounding is the sheer number of venues and the the nights I mean you you list out where you're out maybe on a Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday and Sunday night in a row well yeah that that's a fact we're playing six and seven nights a week five and five and six and yard seven um winter and summer Jerry you know it was it was amazing when you think now you know there's not there's not a afraid and eight gig for a country band in Ireland at the minute unless it's a weekend Bundoran or something like that but there's no there's no regular Friday night dance anywhere the last one closed down the Hazel three in mallow was the last decent Friday night.

Yes in Ireland so yeah yeah, a lot of people spoke to me about reading out the dates from 77 where year 77 at the minute we're still saying you know this time of the year we'll be getting getting busier now really five and six nights a week now you know marquee is coming starting then indeed different festivals indeed it was it was a truly incredible time  you know one and this year the thing about the marquis you know back in those days that the sheer numbers of people was astounding. oh yeah it was it was once a year but so some um okay over Mayo would have had  two two deliver a marquee at Easter and then to do another one later on coming here the end of the summer and it was a it was a big thing for a small village or a small town or whatever  the marquee was up and all the the bands were a little bit we going every weekend and maybe something like that yes absolutely absolutely incredible stuff it really was  no question  no question of that yeah you know that  you but listen on all your success  you know so far and that the thing is you're still going you're still doing  live performances and live shows and  you're also  you know still releasing the material and  the single what you must say is going very well for you oh yeah well it's that's good good to have  the means that we have at the minute you know like we're speaking to you now years ago you couldn't get an interview you had to be up at the very top to maybe get interviews but it's great now to get the publicity if you're you know if you're if you're on the road walking and looking mad looking working for dates and all that type of thing but it's great to have social media and all the rest to advertise and it's it's it it's a big help to people that fans that would be looking to be working three or four nights a week indeed so indeed so does that is the thing john listen thanks a million for speaking to me it's it's lovely lovely to catch up with you again no bother at all jerry I'm not out look I look forward to watching you next year look forward to watching you next friday night no bother give you a big mention john thank you very much indeed thanks jerry all the best thanks a lot bye. Irish Country Music Songs .