Country music might not be very big in Meath,although Mary Duff hit the big time, but the Royal County is home to potentially one of the brightest new stars in Country and Irish music.

Shannen Carroll, from Duleek in the east of the county, is among the eight contestants taking part in season 20 of TG4’s long-running, hit Country Music series, Glór Tíre.

The 25-year-old will appear on the April 2 episode of the show. Indeed, being on Glór Tíre is something of a family tradition and the realisation of a long-held ambition.

“It’s a really special thing for me to be on this show, as my dad, Gerry Carroll, was on it around 2007,” says Shannen. “I have really fond memories of being in The Quays in Galway city, where the show was being shot at the time, and watching him. I knew at that age I wanted to sing Country music, and I remember telling my parents I was going to do Glór Tíre when I was older. So it’s come full circle and it’s a really lovely moment for me to be back here.”

This is perhaps not surprising, given that Shannen has been steeped in Country music since childhood. “My earliest memories are sitting in my parents’ car, in the back, on the booster seat, making up my own lyrics to Shania Twain and The Chicks,” she says. “My parents are big fans and they always had Country music on.”

The Chicks have remained a formidable influence on the Meath woman. For Glór Tire, Shannen will perform ‘Am I The Only One (Who’s Ever Felt This Way)’, the Maria McKee penned number from The Chicks’ 1998 album, Wide Open Spaces.

“It’s from the year I was born, and is one of the songs I would have listened to in the back of my parents’ car,” she says. “There’s a powerful vocal on it. Lyrically, it’s kind of a sad song, but it has major chords, which means it’s also really upbeat. It’s one I’ve been singing in gigs for the last few years and I wanted to honour The Chicks as well as I’m such a massive fan of theirs.”

Mentoring Shannen for this series of Glór Tíre will be Co Antrim Country singer Johnny Brady, one of the most popular names on the Irish Country circuit.

“I have been a really big fan of Johnny since I first saw him when I was 19,” she says. “I thought he was incredible – his stage presence, his showmanship was just insane – I remember thinking, I want to be like him. I want to do what he does.”

Now the two are working together, Shannen appreciates the opportunity. “Johnny is an amazing musician and an incredible songwriter,” she says. “It’s amazing to get any bits of advice from him. I

love talking about music with him. He’s inspiring.”

Each contestant on Glór Tíre will duet with their mentor, so Shannen and Johnny will perform the Jason Aldine/Carrie Underwood number ‘If I Didn’t Love You’.

“I’ve long wanted to duet with him so it’s exciting we’re going to do that on Glór Tíre,” says Shannen. “When he asked me what song I would do, I told him, I’ve one in the back of my head, it’s a big belter of a ballad. He was like ‘Let’s do it.’”

Glór Tíre is regarded as a vital platform for aspiring Country and Irish musicians and as essential to the lifeblood of the genre – a fact not lost on Shannen.

“Some musicians have come up to the top of the Irish Country scene by starting on Glór Tíre,” she says. “Lisa McHugh got her start on this show. It’s a great way to be seen and heard, to get your voice out there, especially for people like me, on the east side of Ireland, where Country isn’t as popular. It’s an amazing platform. Glór Tire is really important for Irish Country Music.”

 

Shannen Carroll performs on Glór Tíre on TG4 on Tuesday 2nd April at 9.30pm,