Keepin 'er Country On The Road Again

Derek Ryan and Lisa McHugh get ready to take to the stage for the annual Farmers' Bash – a sold-out show at the biggest venue in the country. After nearly two years of postponements, the fans, many of whom work in the agri-sector, are ready to swap their wellies for their dancing shoes.

Derek Ryan is one of the biggest names on the country music scene and his string of hits and number one albums means he is a massive draw for fans of all ages. Headlining such a massive gig after nearly two years of nothing is as exciting as it is daunting and the band are busy rehearsing their set in between regular gigs all across Ireland.

Lisa McHugh hardly picked up a guitar when music venues were closed. That's because she was busy picking up her new-born son. Now things are back up and running again, Lisa is getting used to being a working mum, juggling childcare and her touring schedule. Determined to put on a good show for her army of fans, Lisa is ready to get back on that stage.

Nathan Carter travels to Spain for a week of performances in the sun with hundreds of fans from all over the world, and Philomena Begley heads to Bundoran for a special gig to celebrate two milestones, her 80th birthday and her 60th year on the road.

Nathan Carter is a household name, he is adored by legions of fans and regularly sells out theatres and venues across Ireland and the UK. His annual trip to the Costa Blanca in Spain was postponed during Covid but now it's back bigger than ever and the fans have travelled for a week-long festival of music and craic. This crowd aren't interested in lying by the pool, they want to line dance by the pool.

Philomena Begley is known as the 'Queen of Country' and it's not hard to understand why she has been given that crown. Celebrating her 80th birthday and 60 years on the road with a special gig in Bundoran, we follow her preparations and hear from some of her superfans in the build-up to a memorable occasion.

Jimmy Buckley has been singing and performing for over twenty years and has built up a loyal fanbase. Daughter Claudia is still a relative newcomer to the scene but already she's showing that country music talent runs in the family.

The Clonmany Festival in Donegal is in its 55th year and is one of the highlights of the festival calendar. This may be the first time that a father and daughter have taken to the stage for separate performances. Well aware of the significance of the occasion both Jimmy and Claudia are determined to put on an amazing show for their fans.

With hectic touring schedules since the end of the pandemic, Jimmy and Claudia don't get to see as much of each other as they would like and the trip to Donegal is a chance for father and daughter to catch up, sing some songs they love, reflect on their careers so far and plan for the future.

Robert Mizzell and Johnny Brady play the biggest country festival of the summer – the Cowboys and Heroes Festival in Co. Leitrim. It's a weekend that celebrates all things country and Americana, and it can get a little ‘wild west' when the music and the dancing starts!

Johnny Brady is one of the hardest-working stars on the circuit and when things shut down during Covid he started working harder in the gym. Now, he's fitter than ever and it shows with his energetic on-stage performances. Such is his dedication to fitness, he's invited his personal trainer to the festival with him.

Robert Mizzell arrived in Ireland from Louisiana over twenty years ago and since then his unmistakable southern drawl has wowed audiences all over the country. Taking to the stage at a festival that celebrates all things Americana is the perfect gig for Robert and he's brought along his custom-built stars and stripes guitar especially for the occasion.