The number one country'n'Irish singing idol Jimmy Buckley is back from his brief visit to America, where his new DVD 'Live in Concert' was screened on the US and Canadian television channel PBS.
Jimmy's debut DVD was filmed live on stage at the Iontas Theatre in Castleblayney, where he was joined by a fourteen piece augmented band sound. The singer was born in Doon, Co Limerick and lives in Galway.
Jimmy hit the road in 1991, and with Henry McMahon promoting his career he has become the hottest name on the bandstand with hits from 'Tennessee Border', to 'Diggy Liggy Lo' and from 'Her Husband and Her Lover' to 'Your Wedding Day'.
These songs helped launch his recording career, and are included on 'Live in Concert 2006' along with a Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond medley. The DVD was directed and produced by Michael Bracken and seems set to kick start Jimmy's showbiz career on the other side of the Atlantic. The PBS television network also featured television specials from The Irish Tenors, Tommy Fleming and Daniel O'Donnel. PBS is broadcast coast-to-coast in America with millions of viewers tuning in to the shows. Now Jimmy's DVD is set for the star treatment from the executives at PBS.
TRADITIONAL STYLE
The 13th Frankie Kennedy Winter School will be launched on Wednesday, December 27 and will run on Tuesday, January 2, offering the best in traditional sounds. On December 28, the Glackin brothers – Paddy, Seamus and Kevin - are on stage at Ionad Cois Locha, in Dunlewey. Friday, December 29, the West Ocean Quartet with Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill will preview 'Oilean na Marbh', new songs from Nial Martin and Cathal O'Searchaigh. Saturday night sees Teada, one of the up and coming traditional bands, on stage while on January 1 and 2, Altan return for their annual sellout concerts and will preview their new concert material featuring Mairead and the lads.
GARY ON THE BOX
Popular entertainer and Daniel O'Donnell impressionist Gary Gamble will be joining Ballydung's most famous bachelors Podge and Rodge on New Years Eve. Gary recently voted 'New Kid on the Block' at the Irish Entertainment Awards, will be visiting the housewive's favourites on the set of RTE Network 2 for a chat and a song or two. The singer, who hails from Sion Mills, is currently recording his second album due for release early in the New Year. His most requested song, 'Freckles', is included and will be issued as Gary's new single in mid-January. I wish to add on behalf of Donegal Centre for Independent Living our sincere thanks to Gary, John Dolan & Off the Cuff, Seamus McGee, The Quigley School of Dancing, the Country Boy Tommy Rosney, Deirdre Bonner and Morgan who provided superb entertainment to our Leaders and Personal Assistants at our Christmas night out at the Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny last week.
SOUND BYTES
Country music hot-shot Mick Denver was in town recently to launch his new single' Christmas Time's A-Coming', a good up-beat number. Mick has also released a new DVD 'The Galway Boy'. His arch country style rival, the Louisiana lad himself Robert Mizzell, competes for media attention singing 'A Country Music Christmas', an original number. The Bansha songbird Louise Morrissey has recieved radio airplay with her latest number, 'Till the Season Comes Around Again', a song with much listeners appeal. Michael English is back in the recording spotlight with 'Vision of Knock', a song he penned himself. Pauline Glackin includes six songs on her EP 'O Holy Night', including her superb version of 'Silent Night'. The most popular Christmas song of all time 'Fairy Tale of New York' has been revived by country duo Thomas Maguire and Fhiona Ennis.
IN CONCERT
Two of finest crooners hit Letterkenny next week to preview their latest albums at the Mount Errigal Hotel. On Wednesday, December 27, Co Sligo's most popular balladeer Tommy Fleming is back by popular demand. Tommy is back in the hit parade with his new CD 'A Life Like Mine' which enjoyed rave reviews. On Friday, December 29, Belfast-born singer Brian Kennedy returns for his annual visit. Having enjoyed UK chart popularity with 'A Tribute to George Best' and singing at the Eurovision, Brian ends off the year with his new album 'Homebird' and his book of short stories 'Everybody's Married Now'.
CHARTWATCH – IRISH DVD'S.
LIVE AT WEMBLEY............WESTLIFE
LIVE AT DOLAN'S..........SHARON SHANNON
LIVE AT THE POINT'06.....CHRISTY MOORE
NEWSROUND
Yet another major accolade for 2fm dee-jay Larry Gogan,, when he will be presented with the Irish Music Industry Award for his contribution to Irish music at Meteor Ireland Awards'07. Larry is celebrating forty-five years behind the microphone.
U2's Vertigo Tour, which ended in Honolulu some weeks back, grossed a cool $377 million at the box office, the second highest earners after the Rolling Stones according to the American Billboard magazine. Almost the end of another year and time to wish our readers the Joy's of Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
