|
The N.I. Country Music Awards were held last night in Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena. All the main stars in the Country Music Biz were there. From the greats like Philomena Begley, to the newcomers like John McNicholl and The Benn Sisters. The massive, 1000 plus audience were enthralled by fantastic performances from Jimmy Buckley, Louise Morrissey, John McNicholl and Mike Denver, who flew in via helicopter to pick up his award and perform live in front of a packed house .
 It was literally standing room only as the massive hall in Tullyglass filled to capacity. The multimedia show (prepared by Whinbush Multimedia) was broadcast over the three 12 foot tall screens, giving the audience the details of nominees and sponsors during the awards ceremony. The business side of the industry was well represented as well, Paul Martin’s Country Radio Show, Angle PR, Tullyglass Hotel (one of Northern Ireland’s major country dance venues), Sharpe Music, Sunday World and the Alpha Newspaper Group, not forgetting JW Promotions and James McGarrity, the organiser and man responsible for making the show such a success.
The band took to the stage and set the tone for the evening with a blisteringly hot country number and backed all the artists appearing, some travelling fantastic distances to appear at the prestigious event, and included Eamon McCann, Thomas & Fhiona, Kieran McGilligan, Stephen Smyth and Warren Smyth. The band then announced Pio McCann of Highland Radio as our compere for the evening’s events.
Fr Brian D’Arcy’s appearance was one of the big surprises of the evening, he believed he was there as a guest but he walked to the stage through deafening applause to pick up the Special Recognition Award, a wonderful gesture to a wonderful man.
A more comprehensive report with video footage shot by Whinbush Multimedia will follow shortly, so check back on these pages regularly.
Clip shown courtesy of JW Promotions and UTV
|
