MUSIC From Westport to Las Vegas with Barry Manilow

TALENT SPOTTED Amie Stone with her group Sweet Sensation.

From Westport to Las Vegas with Barry Manilow


Henry McGlade

When new singing sensation Amie Stone got up to sing at a small gig in McCarthy’s pub in Westport, little did she know that her performance would result in her supporting Barry Manilow in a Las Vegas show.
The Limerick native, who has taken the Irish music scene by storm over the last few months, was performing with her band Sweet Sensation – led by showbiz impresario and musician Desi Egan – in Westport, where American music promoter Colin Lewis just happened to be on holidays with his family.
By chance, Lewis went into McCarthy’s pub, owned by Mike Foy, on Quay Street and heard Amie play. He was bowled over by her singing and invited herself and the band to go to Las Vegas to do some work at the International Hotel, in the entertainment capital of the world.
After the show, he offered her a special guest spot on the upcoming Barry Manilow Vegas shows – not an offer many artists could refuse.
Amie, who is from Adare, Co Limerick, has been singing since she was six years old. Two years ago she was a finalist in the Australian version of the X-Factor TV show, reaching third place. Amie, who writes most of her own material, also performs some great songs by artists like Adele, Katie Perry, Norah Jones and Diana Ross.
Desi Egan, Amie’s musical director, has played with some of the best-known singers at home and abroad, including Cliff Richard, Roger Whittaker, Ray Lynam, Mike Denver and Paul Brady. He said they were stunned by the offer to go to Stateside.
Amie Stone and Sweet Sensation will be back in McCarthy’s Pub, Westport on Friday, August 24, prior to the Las Vegas trip.