DECLAN Nerney is set to reach another milestone in his distinguished career as a country music entertainer when he hosts 'The Ulster Hooley' at the Ulster Hall, Belfast on Monday April 6th and the Millennium Forum, Londonderry on Tuesday 7th April.
Declan and his band will top the bill at what promises to be a stunning double bonanza for country music in the province.
And while Declan will bring his own special magic to the occasion, he will also be joined on stage by a plethora of household n
ames.
Philomena Begley, Gene Stuart, Larry Cunningham, Hugo Duncan, T R Dallas, Brian Coll and John Hogan will be among those performing while adding a touch of humour to the proceedings will be comedian Big O.
Declan, indeed, has deliberately chosen some of the most venerable names from the country music sphere to join him.
He explains: "I would love to see people coming out to pay tribute to these artistes all of whom have been part of our entertainment culture overall for many years. This is an opportunity for them to appear in what I personally regard as two of the best venues in the North and I know that the shows will have particular appeal."
Declan, of course, has long since been synonymous with the now-famous 'Hooley in the Sun' under which banner he takes hundreds of his fans, and others, to different continental resorts every year for a week long feast of country music featuring his own band and guest artistes.
"I felt that maybe I could replicate the Hooley theme here at home and we decided that we would do just two shows in Ulster to show it to best effect. Initial reaction has been most encouraging and I'm optimistic that the venture will prove a big success," says Declan.
