Louise Morrisey celebrates 30 years in the business

Celebrating 30 years in the country music world and ahead of her upcoming show in the Gleneagle Ballroom on Saturday March 31, Louise Morrisey talks to Fergus Dennehy about her start in music, how lucky she feels to still be in business and what people ca

WE’RE just over a week out from Louise Morrisey’s country music show in the Gleneagle Ballroom and the artist says that she can’t wait to return to the venue.

Hailing from her native Bansha in Tipperary, Louise - who is this year celebrating 30 years in country music - will perform in the Gleneagle Ballroom for the first time in almost four years on Saturday March 31.

The night of country music and dancing will see Louise joined on stage by a number of fantastic artists, including Paddy O’Brien, Gary Gamble, TR Dallas, Dermot Moriarty, Sineád Moriarty and the Ryan Turner band.

“I couldn’t even count the amount of times that I’ve played Kerry at this stage. I’ve played and visited Kerry so many times now - I love it as a place to play and to visit when I need some time out or a breakm” said Louise, speaking to The Kerryman on Friday morning.

“My husband and I, we’d often go to Killarney and to Dingle for a few days for a couple of days. I love Kerry, it’s scenery and more importantly, its people, they are very special,” she continued.

It’s been a long road to this night for Louise. From her humble beginnings learning to play guitar at the age of eight, to having fans flock to see her in countries such as the USA, Denmark and the Lebanon, Louise is delighted to just be doing what she’s always done - playing music.

“I come from a very musical background. Both of my parents were very musical. Music was always something that was encouraged in the house. It’s something we grew up with, I myself learnt to play the guitar from the age of eight and there was always sing songs and that kind of thing in the house. We couldn’t escape the music,” she laughed.

Way back then, Louise admits that she never could have anticipated the success she would have her in her career - telling us that the last 30 years of her musical have been an absolute joy to experience.

Despite her success in the business however, there was every chance that the world might have lost Louise’s talent verty early in her career, after she was imvolved in a serious head-on car crash when travelling to a concert in September 1993.

Thankfully, she survived but due to the severity of her injuries, Louise was unable to perform for over six months; so, it is when Louise acknowledges how lucky she is to still be able to do what she is doing, you know that she means every word of it.

“30 years! Can you believe it? It’s been fantastic. It’s just brilliant to still be here and still playing music after 30 years. Starting out and putting the babnd together in 1988, it was all very exciting of course, but extremely daunting at the same time - my whole body was just a mixture of nerves and excitement!” she laughed.

“This was something that I had never done before. I had come from a folk music background and didn’t know what to expect. Thankfully though, it all worked out and I was literally welcomed with open arms into the country music scene here in Ireland and further afield overnight.”

“Here I am 30 years later, I’m lucky enough to still be able to do what I love, I’m still able to enjoy it and that there’s still an audience

out there that still want to come and see me. It’s something that I really appreciate, I’ve made great friends over the years and long may it all continue,” Louise continued.

Promising a great atmosphere and a great fours of dancing and music, Louise is confident that everyone who comes to see her show on Saturday, March 31, will leave with a big smile on their face.

“We’ve got an absolutely great line-up on the night. Some of the acts will blow you away and I think what will make it extra special for the audience is the chemistry that we all have on the stage. We are all great friends and I think that is nice for the audience to see,” Louise continued.

“It just adds that something extra to the show for them when they know the band is having as much fun as they are. It’ll be a great night,” she finished.

Tickets for the show are currently on sale from the INEC box office and are set to cost just €15; the night will from 9pm to 1am.

Don’t miss some great music!

Here I am 30 years later and I’m still lucky enough to be to do what I love. I’m still able to enjoy it and that there’s still an audience out there that still want to come and see me. It’s something that I really appreciate. Long may it all continue over the next few years