ROBERT MIZZELL and The Country Kings are back in Mayo this weekend for a dance show in Digger Jay's of Ayle on Friday night. These are hectic times for the Louisiana-native who has just released his latest album, ‘Thanks a Lot’.
With a trip to America just a few weeks away, where he will be joined by many of his regular followers for the Johnny Cash Tribute tour, another venture is already being planned for the end of July.
Robert and the band are doing a show in The Galtymore in Cricklewood, London, on Saturday night, July 26 – the eve of the big London-Irish Festival Day in Roundwood Park, Willsden. Big Tom and the Mainliners will headline the latter, which is expected to attract thousands of supporters. Also on the Sunday show are Ray Lynam, Philomena Begley, Seamus Moore and a host of other well-known entertainers.
A special weekend package is being put together by Robert and his management team for the London weekend.
The trip is arranged in association with Driftaway Travel in Letterkenny. The flight is to Stanstead Airport, with accommodation in The Crown Moran 4 Star Hotel in Cricklewood.
A special itinerary has been planned for the weekend, including sight-seeing trips around London. Dancing in the Galtymore and the London-Irish Festival will form the centre-piece for loyal country fans.
Places are limited and anyone interested in the details of the weekend package can contact Eugene on 086 8035558 or 087 3170057.
Catriona O’Sullivan’s new CD
YOUNG ’n country. That’s Catriona O’Sullivan from down Kerry way. The talented singer and musician recently released a new 18-track album that has been picking up substantial plays on the airwaves around the country.
Catriona is one half of the duo, Eddie Lee and Catriona – a popular combination on the country circuit in the south of Ireland. Eddie is also a member of the Johnny Reidy Ceilí Band and plays shows all over the country with the well-known ceilí outfit.
An accomplished accordion player, Catriona has already recorded a full album of ceilí music herself. Her latest CD sees her very much back in the country field. Among the numbers included here are ‘Heaven’s Just a Sin Away’, ‘Swinging Doors’, ‘The Tennessee Waltz’, ‘I’ll Get Over You’, ‘I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love’, ‘What’s Wrong With The Way’, ‘She Broke Her Promise’, and ‘Look At Us’. The more traditional style of songs are catered for with such numbers as ‘Faraway in Australia’, ‘Go Lassie Go’, ‘False Hearted Sweetheart’, and ‘Come Back Again to Ireland’.
Eddie and Catriona are regular performers at the overseas Fleadh Ibiza and Fleadh Portugal.
They are returning to Ibiza for a week at the end of April to join several other entertainers for the island’s eleventh Fleadh.
21 years of singing in Glinsk village
THE small East Galway village of Glinsk will host its 21st Song Contest on Sunday, July 13. It is a remarkable achievement for those associated with the event to have kept it going year after year against all the odds. Today, it is probably the longest running Song Contest in the country.
The homely atmosphere and the warm welcome extended to all finalists and supporters over the years has contributed enormously to the popularity of the contest, especially with song writers. The fact that the contest embraces such a wide variety of musical styles has also helped greatly along the way. All kinds of songs, from pop to country and traditional, have emerged as winners over the years.
The winning song last year was an environmental-crusade by Jody Gallagher called ‘Day’s Gonna Come’. The song is now country singer Brendan Quinn’s current single. Denis Allen, Niall Toner, and John Duggan are just some of the well-known winners of the contest in the past.
The contest is easy to enter, just get your song on cassette, CD or mini-disc. Include two copies of the lyrics with the entry form, and the rest will be taken care of by the musical director. This year, there’s a prize of €1,500 for the winning song, €400 for the runner-up, and €300 for the third-placed number. The main sponsors are IMRO.
The closing date for entries is April 4 (tip: there’s usually a few days grace!). The finalists will be notified by June 1.
Entries should be sent to Martin Ward (Director), Glinsk Song Contest, Glinsk, via Castlerea, Co Galway. Further details can also be had from Martin at 094 9655257. Alternatively, e-mail glinsk@eircom.net for more information.
