RTÉ Irish Country Music Awards in Association with the Irish Farmers Journal
The stars of Irish country music will gather for the inaugural RTÉ Irish Country Music Awards, in association with the Irish Farmers Journal, on Friday 24 June, live from RTÉ studios. Daniel O’Donnell will host and perform at the star-studded event.
This live ninety minute broadcast on RTÉ One is organised in partnership with the Irish Country Music Association (ICMA) -the body that represents the biggest names in country music –and promises to be one of the biggest ever celebrations of Irish country singers and performers to take place in this country.
Coming live from RTÉ studios, the awards will also feature special performances from some of Irish country music’s biggest acts including, Nathan Carter, Big Tom McBride, Derek Ryan, Michael English, Mike Denver, Lisa McHugh, Jimmy Buckley, Jim Devine and Philomena Begley.
Awards host Daniel O’ Donnell commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting the first ever RTÉ Irish Country Music Awards. It will undoubtedly be a great night of celebration for the stars for Irish country music and also importantly for all our loyal fans. I’m looking forward to gathering in RTÉ with the biggest names in the business to recognise the best of country music past and present.”
Awards up for grabs on the night include: Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Live Act of the Year, Video of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Winners will be decided by an independent committee overseen by the ICMA.
The highly-coveted ICMA Entertainer of the Year will be one of two categories open to a public vote. The nominees are: Nathan Carter, Derek Ryan, Mike Denver and Jimmy Buckley. You can vote now on the Irish Farmers Journal website.
The nation will also have the chance to choose Ireland’s All Time Favourite Country Song, a category that reflects an array of hit tunes over the past years. The four nominations in this category are: Pretty Little Girl From Omagh, One Day At A Time Sweet Jesus, Four Country Roads and Wagon Wheel. You can vote here.
The pioneers of the Irish country music scene will also be honoured at the ceremony through the RTÉ ICMA Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement awards.
There will be 13 awards given out on the night and 10 live performances. The awards will be presented by some of Ireland’s best known personalities.
Head of Comedy, Talent Development and Music for RTÉ television Eddie Doyle said: “I’m delighted to be announcing the inaugural RTÉ Irish Country Music Awards on RTÉ One in partnership with the Irish County Music Association. It’s an opportunity not only for a great show but also to recognise some of the country’s greatest acts for their achievements in music. This live televised event will be an exciting night of one-off performances and unique musical collaborations in a music genre that is enjoying a huge revival.”
Mairead Lavery, Irish Farmers Journal said: “The Irish Farmers Journal is delighted to be the sponsor of the RTÉ Irish Country Music Awards. These awards are a welcome recognition of how popular country music has become with all ages and right across the country. It’s going to be an exciting few weeks and we want country music fans to get voting for their all-time favourite country song and artist of the year.”
***For images of individual artists nominated for awards please contact: sarah.neville@rte.ie***
In the run up to the event, RTÉ Player will present a special Irish Country Music Awards Collection featuring all six episodes of Stetsons and Stilettos and performances from some of the nominees. Watch Daniel O’Donnell sing a medley of the four contenders for Ireland’s All Time Favourite Country Song and some of his favourite moments plucked from the RTÉ archives. Viewers can then relive the magic of the night on RTÉ Player with clips of performances and awards here: http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hsim58Wwug&feature=youtu.be
Full list of awards and nominees:
Live act of the year
Mike Denver
Derek Ryan
Nathan Carter
Johnny Brady
Michael English
Male artist of the year
Nathan Carter
John Mc Nicholl
Jimmy Buckley
Gerry Guthrie
Derek Ryan
Female artist of the year
Lisa McHugh
Margo O’ Donnell
Philomena Begley
Louise Morrissey
Sandy Kelly
Newcomer of the year
Cliona Hagan
Shane Owens
Jordan Mogey
Barry Kirwin
Niamh Lynn
Video of the year
Áine Crehan (Gravy)
Jim Devine (You Belong To Me)
Robert Mizzell (Day Job)
Niamh McGlinchey (These Boots Are Made For Walkin’)
Cliona Hagan (We’re All Gonna Die Someday)
Album of the year
Mike Denver (Cut Loose)
Nathan Carter (Stayin’ Up All Night)
Lee Matthews (It’s A Great Day To Be Alive)
Lisa McHugh (Wildfire)
Derek Ryan (One Good Night)
Ireland’s All-Time Favourite Country Song – Public vote
Pretty Little Girl From Omagh
One Day At A Time Sweet Jesus
Four Country Roads
Wagon Wheel
ICMA Entertainer of the year – Public vote
Derek Ryan
Nathan Carter
Mike Denver
Jimmy Buckley
Country dance act of the year
Eamonn Jackson and band
Michael English and band
Robert Mizzell and the Country Kings
Declan Nerney and band
Ray Lynam and the Hillbillies
Additional categories:
Hall of fame award
Lifetime achievement award
Industry award
Songwriter of the year award