MUSIC Crystal Swing to play Castlebar

Internet sensations swing into town


Country Music
Michael Commins

Like it or not, Crystal Swing from Cork look set to storm the world. A Youtube video of the mother, son and daughter act (Mary, Derek and Dervla Burke) singing the country number ‘She Drinks Tequila’ became an instant internet sensation from the moment it was mentioned on Twitter by American comedian Ellen DeGeneres. It just took off like wild fire.
RTÉ heard about the unprecedented reaction (which ran the gamut from adulation to disbelief to dismay), and a number of producers from the station blazed a trail to Midleton. In the end, they opted for an appearance on the Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy where they once again stole the show. Last week, at the invitation of Ellen, they travelled to America to appear as guests on her show.
Back home in Ireland, the phone of manager Hugh Rodgers from Aranmore island off the Donegal coast has seldom stopped ringing since. Hugh has been associated with the showbiz scene for many years. He is also the current manager of popular country duo, Michael Cleary and Breege Kelly, as well as Johnny Haughey, who also hails from Donegal. He was the former manager of Conor McKay, the Singing Brickie. Hugh released his own ten track album in recent years, mainly country and Irish songs and a few ballads like the Rose of Aranmore. For the quiet-spoken Donegal man who has done so much work promoting the lives of islanders and supporting fishermen, Crystal Swing is a huge break.
Meanwhile, the Burke family has been flooded with requests for guest appearances at colleges all over the country and overseas. The trio are taking part in a major show in Galway University this week.
Mayo audiences will get a chance to see the family band when they perform at the TF Royal Theatre on Saturday night, May 22.