Nashville star

Digger Jay’s hosts Nashville star

Country Roads
Michael Commins

DEE REILLY is as much at home in Belmullet town as she is on Music Row in Nashville. Her Mayo roots run deep, and her dad, who has lived in America for several years, still loves the town where he was born and raised with a fondness that has not diminished with the years.
The Reilly family are salt-of-the-earth Erris people, with roots going back to Iniskea island. Music has been a way of life for them, and now Dee is carrying on that tradition as she takes her country show to venues around America.
This months sees her on tour in Ireland, and, as previously reported, she’s heading to Digger Jay’s in Ayle on Friday night, April 25, for what should be a great night of music and dancing.
Last week saw the release of her brand new album, ‘Nothing’s Right and Nothin’s Left’.
The 12-track compilation showcases Dee’s many talents, from her fine interpretation of country classics like I’ll Leave ‘This World Loving You’, ‘You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man’ and ‘Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends’ to the catchy Waylon Holyfield composition, ‘Only Here For A Little While’ (also recorded by Sean Keane from Caherlistrane).
In an indication of the level of esteem in which Dee’s fans hold her, a lovely letter has come all the way from the Windy City, penned by Mayo native Pat Syron. A long-time country music follower, Pat loves to keep in touch with events back home in Ireland, and he has dropped us a line from his home in Chicago singing Dee’s praises. “I plan to be in Digger Jay's that night as part of my annual holiday in the Crossmolina area,” writes Pat.
A gifted entertainer, Dee is making big inroads on her current Irish tour, with excellent reports coming in from her shows around the Ulster region. Don’t miss her show this Friday – it’s sure to have the dancers out of their seats for a lively evening on the dance floor. And don’t forget to keep a look out for Pat!


Claremorris goes country

THE McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris is all set to host a four-night country-music festival and some of the top names in the business. The dancing starts on Sunday night, April 27, when Sligo singer Patrick Feeney and his band get the show on the road. Patrick has just released a new single, ‘Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Jenny’.
Jimmy Buckley and his band are the big attraction for the Monday night. Here’s another man who has also issued a new single in recent days. Jimmy has released his version of ‘This Time You Gave Me A Mountain’, a song recorded by Brendan Bowyer several years ago.
Longford man Mick Flavin and his band will take to the stage on Tuesday night, while Portumna’s Mike Denver will provide the music for the final dance in the four-night series on the Wednesday.
Many are eagerly anticipating the festival, and with special excellent-value packages available for accommodation at the hotel for the duration of the four-night event, it’s sure to be a huge success.

Country fans turn their backs on Tennessee

MODERN Nashville is being criticised by traditionalists who feel that country music has drifted too far from its roots.
Robert Ownby from the House of Smoky Mountain Music Historical Foundation, who recently released a song called ‘They Don’t Play Country Music at the Opry Anymore’, pulled no punches recently when he hit out at the hi-jacking of country music over the past two decades.
“I believe that when the Grand Ole Opry moved from the Ryman Auditorium, it left its roots and music behind. Not only did it move to a new location, but it moved musically to a new sound that has the irritating resonance of distorted, psychedelic, burnt-out musicians tripping on LSD,” the singer complained.
“It has become the kind of music a self-respecting human being would be ashamed to be caught listening to. The corrupt monopoly of music companies has force-fed this junk to the public, not giving them a choice, and I think the public has gotten wise to their craftiness and is now demanding to be heard…We support the public in this demand for change…We hope you are with us,” said Robert.
Disenchantment with the Nashville scene is growing, and the famous city in Tennessee needs to be careful it doesn’t lose its status as a number-one tourist attraction. Derry country music enthusiast Vernon Kelly, who operates the excellent Country Sounds mail-order company, says that he no longer finds Nashville has what he likes in country music.
“Texas is where it's at for me these times. I’ve been to Texas three times in the last year. They love their fiddle and steel in there, and they have never compromised on that. They have some great country shows in Austen, and I attended a lovely country festival in the small town of Brady on my last visit. More and more, real country followers are turning their backs on Nashville.”
When some of the best-loved names in American traditional country music – the people who made country great – can hardly secure airtime anymore, something is dreadfully wrong in the state of modern country music. Clearly, the straws are in the wind for Music City. It appears that Nashville has not learned one of the great rules of life – neglect the roots and the whole thing will eventually come crumbling down.