LOTS OF NEW RELEASES TO LOOK OUT FOR

■ ‘Yesterday’s Wine’ is the new duet from two friends Pat Hayes and Ray Murtagh. It was written by Willie Nelson and released by him as the title track of an album in 1971. George Jones and Merle Haggard released it as a duet in 1982, charting for them at No.1. It is one of Nelson’s most iconic songs dealing with regret, the passing of time, and about what could have been. Pat and Ray’s version captures the sentiments of the song with great depth of feeling.

■ Mike Denver chose the track ‘High Cotton’ from his current album ‘Travellin’ Soldier’ as his new single. The good news is that the album has now reached No.2 in the U.K and Irish Charts. ‘High Cotton’ was originally released by the American Country group Alabama in 1989, and reached No.1 in the Hot Country singles chart. Congratulations to Mike on receiving the Award for ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ at the recent ‘Hot Country TV Awards’ in Letterkenny.

■ John Hogan’s new single ‘Our Love’ is a great lively sing-along number. It’s a fusion of traditional and modern sounds with a hint of Cajun thrown into the mix. It was originally released by American Country singer Ricky Van Shelton in 1998.

■ Longford’s Mick Flavin has taken time out from touring Ireland, U.K and Scotland to launch his new single ‘Ladies Man’. It was originally a chart hit for the late Canadian American Country Music Guitarist and singer, Hank Snow, in 1952.

■ From Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone, Paddy Canavan is a well known singer/ songwriter. He writes about the people who have influenced him in the past and also songs about the times we are living in now. His latest single ‘Blonde in the Black Skirt’ is another of his compositions. It’s an uptempo number about a man’s love for a pint of Guinness.

■ Jimmy Buckley goes back to the 1950s for his latest release. Entitled ‘Pretend’, it was originally released by Nat King Cole in 1953, charting at No.2 in U.K. charts and also in the Billboard Best selling charts. Brenda Lee released it in 1960.

■ Another ‘Amigo’ Patrick Feeney has a new single entitled ‘The Last Shanty’. Patrick gives the song an Irish Country twist which makes for an interesting interpretation. The song was composed by Thomas John Lewis who was born in Northern Ireland. He joined the Royal Navy at 16 years of age and spent most of his service of twenty four years as a submariner. He had an interest in song in sea shanties in particular and won a silver cup for his song ‘The Last Shanty’.

■ When I spoke with Stacey recently she was very excited about recording one of John Farry’s compositions ‘Everyone Loves a Winner’. It’s a track that is very suited to Stacey’s voice. John is gifted at marrying the song to the singer and he certainly succeeded with this combination.

■ With its founding members from Offaly and Tipperary ‘JigJam’ are making big waves in the United States. Jigjam are a high energy band whose music is described as traditional Irish music meets American bluegrass. They have just launched their new album ‘Across the Pond’ with a return visit to the iconic Grand Ole Opry and concluded an eighteen venue sold out concert tour throughout the U.S. In March 2023 they received a standing ovation at their debut appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.