By John McCusker
OMAGH singer-songwriter Gary Quinn has secured a support slot to American country songstress Carlene Carter at this year's Belfast Nashville Songwriters' Festival.
The five-day festival, which runs from February 24-28, also features a headline gig for locally-based duo The Lost Brothers who play the Black Box on Thursday, February 25.
Gary secured the opening slot for Carlene Carter after a self-composed song he entered in the songwriters' competition impressed judges and he was awarded the runner-up position.
"I get a free pass to the songwriting seminars and to perform a selection of self-penned material acoustically on February 24 and 25," he said this week. "On the Wednesday I will be opening for Carlene Carter (daughter of June Carter) in the Empire Music Hall."
To round off the week, Gary will also be performing at a showcase gig in the John Hewitt Bar on Thursday, February 25.
The Lost Brothers continue their climb with a headline slot at the Black Box on February 25. It comes hot on the heels of a number of performances this month at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow and a support to Richard Hawley at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
This year's Belfast Nashville Songwriters' Festival features a host of artistes including the likes of Nanci Griffith, Ralph McTell, Andy White, Mick Hanly and Midge Ure. Further information from www.belfastnashville.com
