Concert Time – Nashville.

May 18, 2018May 14, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.4 Comments

With everything that has been going on at home, I didn’t think I would make it out to the various concerts I have had tickets for for months. It was touch and go as usual and I just made it in time for the start, but make it I did to the Nashville Farewell Tour. These guys are incredible, such fantastic musicians, wonderful vocals and they can act as well. Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Chris Carmack and Jonathan Jackson. What a team of performers with almost tangible love and respect for each other. I think they are all brilliant but I do have a favourite, Jonathan Jackson has one of the most amazing vocal ranges I have ever heard. His version of “Unchained Melody” dedicated to his wife, was just perfect.

I have a few pictures and video’s to share. It was a super show and of course now I’m hoping for the “Nashville Reunion Tour” at some point. I’m only half way through series four of the TV show so hopefully I’ll have caught up by the time of another tour!

Jonathan Jackson. — Jonathan Jackson – Avery in Nashville.

Charles Esten and Clare Bowen. Deacon and Scarlett in Nashville.

I love these guys so much, the happiness, the music, the TV show, they have brought so much to our family. This is the only TV show that Mom will now watch all the way through without issue and that in itself is worth millions to me. I’m not that good at taking video’s at concerts but I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

I wish you all a life that’s good with plenty of sparkle xx

All photo’s and video’s on this post are mine.

The Music Sparkle.

Home Free.

April 9, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.4 Comments

A few months ago I discovered Home Free. As usual I am late to the party. I am now however completely obsessed and I mean OBSESSED. I cannot get enough of listening to these guys sing, such wonderful harmonies. I completely forget that every sound is made just by their voices, no musical instruments at all. I believe they may be about to announce a European tour and I really hope Birmingham is on their list…I keep tweeting them to include Birmingham within their schedule. Did I mention that they are kinda hot too!

I’ll share a few of my favourite songs below. I’ve limited myself to four otherwise this could be my largest blog post ever and you wouldn’t need to visit their You Tube Channel. If you’d like to check them out yourself you’ll find them at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTFuNYrqAcsmSjgqYMvxOqw

Home Free

This is just so perfect, the voices, the hymn, the scenery. It is well with my soul.

The Home Free guys usually inject some humour into their video’s. All About the Bass…oh those voices!! My junk is in all the right places 🙂

I so want to meet these guys for a beer on a Friday night.

Such a beautiful song and a wonderful video. The guys asked seven couples to chose a photograph from their past, their memories…love is Timeless.

Well I have happily had a Monday morning fix of Home Free which has set me up for the day. Just another reason why Music is my salvation and my heart and soul are Country. To be able to escape into these video’s, sing the songs and dance just uplifts me and I can take on whatever the day throws my way…which as you know can be just about anything as a full time carer to my parents.

Proud to call myself a Home Fry!

Happy Monday, wishing you a totally sparkling week ahead.

Life Sparkles

All At Once.

April 1, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.Leave a comment

Nothing for ages and then a flurry of activity in a short space of time. I was very lucky in that once again some of my favourite Irish Country Music stars were appearing in Birmingham and I was able to attend. My fabulous boyfriend stayed in with Mom and Dad so that I could get out to see my absolute favourite John McNicholl.

It was the Eve of St Patrick’s Day that the dance was on hence the heart shaped, shamrock tattoo ☘️

My friend and I had a little Snapchat fun before we left for the dance, I just love how it removes wrinkles.

We also celebrated Mom’s birthday that weekend, so many flowers, just beautiful and they are still around the house looking good.

Derek Ryan, absolute class singer, songwriter, entertainer had a sell out concert on the Sunday night and it was just fantastic. A great mix of his old material and the newer material and we were up dancing in the aisles. I hear he will be back in November for a dance so that’s a definite date for my diary.

The beautiful Tipperary Songbird, Louise Morrissey, who celebrates thirty years in Country Music this year is touring with Derek Ryan. A real treat to see and hear her amazing voice.

No further gigs now until April. I have three planned; Nashville, Daniel O’Donnell and Michael English. I make the plans in the hope I get to carry them out. As you know, if it wasn’t for Country Music I might possibly go crazy!

Snapchat Hippie Mode…

The Music Sparkle.

New Music.

February 21, 2018February 20, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.4 Comments

It’s been ages since I posted any new music video’s from our fabulous Irish music stars and we have had some great new music releases over the past month or so. There are one or two included which date back to the end of last year and which I didn’t get an opportunity to include on my blog.

First up is a couple from Nathan Carter. Last year Nathan held his first Arena concerts, one in Dublin and one in Belfast. Both were sold out and the Belfast concert has been voted as the Arena Concert of the Year by voters for the SSE Live Awards. I recently purchased the Live DVD of the Dublin show and it is absolutely fantastic. Mam, Dad and myself sat and watched the concert and we all sang along. As I had only seen Nathan live in concert in Birmingham the week before I was really buzzing. Below is an extract from the show with the Glen Campbell Medley. Also below is the video to Nathan’s latest song written by Nathan and Don Mescall. Released for Valentine’s Day it has a lovely message of eternal love with a connection to Alzheimer’s. Just beautiful.

Derek Ryan is one of Ireland’s most successful singer/songwriters of the current time. His latest release is a fun offering “Down on your Uppers”. I think he could write a song about anything!

Lisa McHugh had a huge hit last year with “Girl with a Fishing Rod”. This is her latest release “Country Girl”. It took me a few plays and I really quite like it now. Of course the video’s help, I love to see the story unfolding.

Michael English is another fabulous singer/songwriter and last year Michael filmed his first Live DVD at the INEC Killarney. The night was a fantastic success and seeing the clips on his weekly TV show and on other shows, it looks like an amazing night with big bands, Irish Dancing and a great mix of music. Below is the video for “Ten Guitars”.

I hope you have enjoyed this small selection of music, more to follow…

The Music Sparkle.

Dancing Feet and Cowboy Boots.

November 21, 2017 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.12 Comments

It’s a while since I managed to post a catch up blog, it’s on my to do list. However, last night I managed to get out to see my favourite Irish music star, John McNicholl and I just had to post a few pictures tonight.

John doesn’t visit Birmingham too often and as I am unable to travel to see him in other parts of the UK or Ireland, I have to wait for him to play my city and hope I can get out to the dance. It takes some strategic planning these days to do so, especially as it entails a late night but things worked in my favour last night and Cinderella did go to the ball. Cinderella also checked her phone every five minutes but that’s how it goes these days. I was so glad I was there. John has a fabulously rich voice and sings not only Irish and Irish Country music but also some Rock and Roll, Sixties and last night we had some Neil Diamond too. John has boundless energy on stage, a real entertainer. He has a great band of musicians with him, the music is wonderful. I was up on that dance floor almost all night, I made the most of the freedom I was enjoying, I felt like me again, if that makes sense? My knees are paying the price today though…

There are a lovely bunch of people I meet at John’s gigs and I’ve made some wonderful friends over the past four years. I was really feeling the love last night from them all. They had missed me posting on Facebook (I had no idea I hadn’t posted there since August), they were concerned about me, was I ok? Was I getting out? I’m still feeling emotional from the genuine concern and caring about me from these friends. I feel so loved by them and that feels so warm and comforting.

John himself is a true gentleman and I am so happy to count him as a friend also. Rumour has it that he is back in Birmingham in January so fingers crossed I’ll be pulling on the cowboy boots and heading for the dance floor again then.

So, a few photos from last night, I was so happy, I made them all have their photo taken with me.

John McNicholl

Shane who plays Guitar in John’s band.

Johnny who plays the drums in the band.

My friend April and myself.

I’m wearing the dress I bought for my Graduation which I ended up deferring until next year. However, I’m so happy with how I look for a change, that 22 lbs weight loss makes such a difference. No wonder I was a diva on the dance floor, I had the energy to do so!!

The Music Sparkle.

A Happy Night Out.

October 13, 2017 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.7 Comments

I’m a little late in blogging about the Stars of Irish Country concert I attended at the end of September; it’s been a challenging couple of weeks on the sleep/home front but I’ll leave that for another blog post.
The concert was fantastic. Four very different artists, different styles of singing, different types of songs and a wonderful backing band in Keltic Storm made for a fabulous night of Irish/Country music.

First up was Frank McCaffrey, a lovely man with a long career in Irish music and a gentle, musical voice. He sang traditional and modern songs; “When I was a Lad”, “I’ll take you home again Kathleen”, “The clock in the Tower” and “Look at us” to name a few of his hits over the years.

Then came the Tipperary Queen Louise Morrissey. Oh what a voice this lady has. Not a note out of place. Next year celebrating thirty years in the business Louise sang songs new and old from her latest CD, “What’s Another Year” a three CD set each celebrating a decade in the world of Irish music. I got a signed copy for Mam and Dad and it is just heavenly to listen to the voice of such a beautiful songbird. Louise is touring with Derek Ryan next year and I already have my tickets for that concert in March.

Next up was Mick Flavin who is this year celebrating his thirty year anniversary in the business. He spoke to people in the audience who have been attending his concerts and dances in Birmingham for thirty years. Mick has a wonderfully deep voice and can hit extremely low notes with little effort. “Wildflowers don’t care where they grow” and “The old schoolyard” are favourites of ours at home and he sang both.

Next up was Stephen Smyth who I knew nothing about but wow, was I blown away by this man’s voice. He was incredible. He sang, he danced, he played the fiddle and the tin whistle. He sang new songs, old songs, songs from the Irish Showband era of Joe Dolan and Brendan Bowyer. It was extremely difficult to stay sitting in my seat I wanted so much to dance. His rendition of “Noreen Bawn” gave me goosebumps. I would most definitely go to see him perform again.

And of course a couple of pictures of me with Louise Morrissey and Stephen Smyth.

It was a very happy night, I’m so glad I managed to get out to attend the concert. My next Irish music date, all being well, is with the gorgeous gentlemen that is John McNicholl which is in November. Fingers crossed there will be plenty of dancing that night.

The Music Sparkle.

I fell into a…

September 26, 2017September 29, 2017 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.23 Comments

Burning Ring of Fire!!! No, I haven’t just fallen in love but I have fallen headlong into a song. An absolutely iconic song originally from Johnny Cash and sang by many artists throughout the years. I love dancing and singing to this when I get the opportunity to attend an Irish dance as the artist usually sings this as part of a medley.

Over this past year I’ve become a huge fan of the US TV show “Nashville”, I’m a confirmed, totally obsessed #Nashie even though we are way behind on episodes. We’re on Series three and I believe Series six is due to air in the US in January. In Series one, Clare Bowen who plays Scarlett O’Connor sang her version of the song, “Love’s Ring of Fire”. I love it!

Regular readers of my blog will be aware that I love to sing; it is my escape and I so enjoy visiting my wonderful vocal coach and stretching my vocal range, I’ve been amazed by my abilities over the last couple of years. I can’t visit her as often as I’d like to and sometimes even practising the vocal exercises is impossible as time just flies and I can’t get twenty minutes to myself to sing. When I do though it feels so good, a total uplifting release of stress for those few minutes, it is pure bliss.

I like to try out songs I wouldn’t usually sing and recently whilst looking up a karaoke version of “My Life” by Billy Joel, next in line to it was a karaoke version of “Ring of Fire”. I couldn’t resist singing it.

Now, I am being extremely brave, I’m posting my version here on my blog. It’s a rough version, recorded on my iPhone, in our conservatory. It makes me unbelievably happy to sing this song and up until a week ago I wouldn’t have dreamt I could sing it.

I’d love to know what you think but please be kind. One of these days I’m going to get confidence enough to get up on a stage and sing…one of these days…

@aurorasparkles

The Music Sparkle.

New Music Friday.

August 11, 2017 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.7 Comments

There have been a few new releases on the Irish Country music scene in the past couple of weeks so I though I would share some of my favourites with you.

Firstly a wonderful singer, Patrick Feeney and “Step it out Mary”, I love the girl Irish dancing on the beach and throughout the video. Patrick Feeney is known for his humour and often dresses up as characters for his video’s. For me, I’m not sure it works so well in this video but I love the song and the video all the same.

I am a fan of Stuart Moyle, absolutely love his music, especially “Westport Town”. The video to his latest release is beautiful, the magnificent Irish scenery is shown in all it’s glory and the song is a good one! The video was made by Alan Clarke and apparently this took close to twelve months to plan and implement.

Another favourite of mine is Lisa McHugh. This girl works so hard and is now enjoying great success on the Irish music scene. I love her version of “Girl with a Fishing Rod” and the video is just fabulous.

Not quite a new release as it has been out a little while but I thought I would include it in order to showcase another young artist, Ben Troy, this time singing the Springsteen song “I’m on Fire”. I’ve seen Ben Troy live twice when he has been on tour with Derek Ryan in the UK. A beautiful voice, I think he has a great future ahead with his music.

Robert Mizzell has a fabulous voice; an American singer who has settled and made his life in Ireland and doing brilliantly on the Irish music scene. I love this song, “Two Rooms and a Kitchen”, it reminds me so much of being a little girl going home to Ireland on holiday with my parents to visit my grandparents.

Lastly for today, Jimmy Buckley, another great Irish singer/showman. Part of the Three Amigo’s with Patrick Feeney and Robert Mizzell, Jimmy Buckley has a huge following in Ireland. This is Jimmy’s latest dancefloor hit “A Pencil Full of Lead”.

I hope these have got your toes tapping or even got you up for a bit of a dance.

Happy Friday, share your sparkle.

The Music Sparkle.

It’s Friday!

July 28, 2017 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.14 Comments

In the words of Derek Ryan…It’s Friday! This is one of our favourite Irish country tunes and Mom and I sing it each Friday and we sing along to the video when we watch it on You Tube. Another favourite is from Michael English “Friday at the Dance” made especially enjoyable as my cousin is in the video (such a name dropper).

So, as it is Friday evening, it is pouring with rain here in Birmingham and I’ll admit, fairly chilly for a Summer evening, I decided to share with you some of my favourite, get you on your feet, Friday night, Irish country music songs.

Mam and I will be singing along to this one as Dad joins in when he can.

Yee Haw!!

An absolutely wonderful gentleman, with a great heart and a fabulous voice. I love the Irish dancing in this video…Let’s Dance!

My favourite Irish country song of last Summer – just love the Summer vibes all over this video.

Thankfully I’ve had many a good night out in Temple Bar on my visits to Dublin, a great song from Nathan Carter.

A fantastic toe tapper, get up and move it tune from Lee Matthews.

I hope you have enjoyed my selection of Friday night Irish Country songs and I hope too that they have uplifted your inner sparkle and put a spring in your step. Turn the music up and keep it country.

The Music Sparkle.

A Little New Music.

July 19, 2017 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.5 Comments

As you know I love Country Music and I love Irish Music which means that I also love Irish Country Music. We regularly watch Keep It Country TV and the pleasure it brings to my parents is fabulous. As well as the newer songs and artists, which I have to admit, Mom has a great eye and ear for the talent, we have been introduced to American Country Artists and sometimes we hear the old songs, the songs of bygone days in Ireland which my parents remember well. You Tube is also a regular in our home, we really think there isn’t anything you can’t locate on You Tube. Any song from the past that my parents think of, we can locate someone singing it on You Tube!

I thought I’d do a little round up of the latest Irish Country releases and share them with you. You may already be a fan or perhaps I will introduce you to some of the fabulous talent currently taking the country music world by storm. I hope you enjoy.

First up is Lisa McHugh and “Girl with a Fishing Rod” – very catchy song and I just love this video.

Derek Ryan is the most amazing singer songwriter, we have so many of his albums, all filled with his own compositions and a few covers. I’ve seen Derek three times, twice at a dance and once in concert – excellent nights out. This latest song is another huge hit for him and captures the magic of a festival night where he is appearing.

This is my song of the summer – such a happy video, everyone is smiling broadly and the sheer enjoyment of the dancing is plain to see – absolutely love this. Michael English is another fabulous singer/songwriter. Michael also has his own show on Keep it Country TV, Monday night at 11pm, repeated on Sunday afternoon at 5pm.

No round up would be complete without the fantastic Nathan Carter, I’ve now lost count of the times I have been to see Nathan perform! This is a real chill out, summer holiday vibe kind of song and I have found myself “na na, na na na na na” at random times throughout the day.

This is a beautiful song from Johnny Brady, a wonderful sentiment and sang with real meaning.

I hope you have enjoyed my selection of the latest Irish music releases; I think Cliona Hagan and Michael English both have new singles coming out soon so some more new music coming soon.