Traditional favourites Dervish will join Pat Kenny on the Late Late Show on Friday night to perform live their Eurovision entry, They Can't Stop the Spring, a song penned by journalist John Waters and musician Tommy Moran. Next week the Sligo the based band fly off to Helsinki to compete in the gala final of the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, May 12.
Dervish hail from Sligo and were formed back in 1989 featuring the talents of Brian McDonagh on mandola, Liam Kelly on flute and whistles, Tom Morrow the ace fiddler, Shane Michell accordionist, Michael Holmes on bouzouki, with Cathy Jordan feature on bodhran and vocals. They have appeared at gigs from the Great Wall of China to Rock in Rio and the Holy Land sharing the spotlight with names such as James Brown, Oasis, REM, Sting, Beck, etc. With nine superb albums and a video entitled Mid-Summers Session recorded over the past decade with much success, Dervish have a newly recorded album awaiting release to coincide with their Eurovision appearance.
As they set off for the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki next week Dervish are confident that this upbeat folksy ballad will bring them revived chart popularity and They Can't Stop the Spring will appeal to many of the Eurovision Song Contest viewers.
THE SEMI-FINAL
Forty-two countries will compete in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, 28 in the semi-final on Thursday night next. Presenters Jaana Pelkonen and Mikko Leppilamp will introduce acts from Bulgaria, Israel, Cyprus, Belarus, Iceland, Georgia, Montenegro, Switzerland, Moldova, Netherlands, Albania, Denmark, Croatia, Poland, Serbia, Czech Republic, Portugal, FYR Macedonia, Norway, Malta, Andorra, Hungary, Estonia, Belgium, Solvenia, Turkey, Austria and Latvia. The ten countries with the highest vote will join the other 14 countries in the gala final on Saturday, May 12.
ALL OVER AGAIN
County band Off the Cuff have recently released their debut 11-track CD All Over Again recorded at Ghostrider's Studios. Originally formed as Martin Cuffe's backing band, Off the Cuff have toured with the who's who from Logue and McCool to Bob Wotton. They backed Bob on the Late Late Show and will be joining the former Johnny Cash on his forthcoming nationwide tour in October. The multi vocal and instrumental band feature John Dolan along with his brother Chris, Stephen McBrearty and Aidan McLaughlin on the bandstand.
AT LARGE - DES AND ROSIE
Politicians, property developers, spin doctors, underage drinkers and others beware the comedy duo Des and Rosie are at large and will be live on stage at An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny from Tuesday to Saturday, May 8-12. After a seven year absence Des Keogh and Rosaleen Linehan bring their unique blend of song, satire and sheer fun back to the town. The show coincides with the run-up to the elections so expect some irreverent fireworks to explode.
SOUND BYTES
Gentle giant Big Tom has re-issued his popular album, Tear Drops in the Snow, on CD, with songs Old Pals to Sunday Child included. A Little Bit More brings Dominic Kirwin into the recording spotlight with Some Girls Do, If and It's a Heartache included. From country to Irish'n'evergreen is the latest move for John McNicholl with the release of Irish Collection, while Derrick Mehaffey goes gospel style on Lord Walk with Us and James Kilbane returns with his Life's Miracle.
NEWSROUND
Still little information available on a start up date for iRadio the group who won the franchise for the youth radio station in the North West.
U2 guitarist The Edge says his guitar fetched a cool $25,000 at a charity auction in America.
To celebrate 40 years plus in broadcasting Terry Wogan was conferred with the honour of Freedom of Limerick, his native county.
Shaun Cuddy welcomes his British and Irish fans to Letterkenny for their annual get together.
