The Walter Raleigh Hotel was the venue for the inaugural Community Radio Youghal ( CRY Local Radio) Country Music Awards 2009. By Youghalonline Music reporter / Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

There was much speculation over the last several weeks as to who would win what award and voting was by phone requests to Community Radio Youghal. There was a huge crowd in the hotel on Monday night many waiting for the doors to open from six o’clock. When the doors did open at seven within half an hour all the seats were filled.

At eight o’clock MC on the Night Tommy Collins from Community Radio Youghal started proceedings with the first award Most Popular Duo going to The Dreamers featuring Gay Brasil from past bands Tweed &  The Whole Shebang and young Derek Greenslade who entertained the crowd with three musical numbers before handing back to the fantastic Paddy O Brien Band  of Connie Casey on guitar, Michael McAndrews on drums and Anthony Slevin on keyboards.

The next award went to Pat Daly for Best Local Country Album 2009 Pat accepted his award and much to the delight of his many fans sang a few numbers to entertain the ever increasing crowd

This was followed by The Beginners Country Music Award which went to young brothers Padraig and Conor O Sullivan on drums and guitar sons of Patrick O Sullivan, played a few songs to delight the crowd who by now were dancing away on the dance floor.

The award for Most popular local country singer then went to the mighty man Pat Tobin, many people on the night have spent countless hours dancing and listening to this great performer, Pat who has had hits with several o0f his own songs sang a few songs to keep the crowd on the floor.

This was followed by the award for most requested local singer on Radio which went to Patrick O Sullivan who is currently staring on TG4’s Glor Tire shows in the country music singing competition. Patrick who had played a few songs with his two sons earlier on in the evening then went on to sing a few of his more popular songs.

The next award to be handed out was to Popular singing sister duo The Benn Sisters for the award Popular Female Duo on the Irish Music scene The sisters Carrie and Leanne currently living in Enniskillin but from London both sang songs from the new album which pleased the huge crowd.

At this point in the proceedings a short break was called to give the backing band a chance to take a well earned break and also for members of community radio Youghal to sell raffle tickets. As soon as the break finished the mighty man from Aglish. Country Music star Paddy O Brien and his band went back on stage and entertained the crowd with many of his big hits before returning the microphone to MC Tommy Collins.

The first award of the second half of the show Best Irish International Country singer went to the mighty man of Country Music Paddy O Brien. Paddy then sang a few songs with his band and got the large crowd on the floor dancing.

The second award of the second half of the show Best Irish Female singer went to the very popular and entertaining Trudi Lalor who was backed, as all singers were by the Paddy O Brien band. Trudi in fine voice continued to entertain the dancers with a great selection of songs from her old and new albums.

this award was followed up with the award for Best Irish Entertainer which went to young and upcoming country singer Damien Bowe who had traveled from Laois to accept his award, Damien was new to many and they enjoyed his performance on the night.

Then the award for Best Solo Artist went to non other then Sam O Doherty who has written many great songs over the years Sam dressed in his white suite sang some of his best loved songs and entertained the large crowd with some stories of his life on the road.

The award for Showband Hall of Fame went to local star and entertainer Art Supple for his outstanding work in the music business over a lifetime He was not present on the night but was ably represented by his son Shane Supple who thanked everyone on behalf of his dad, then Tommy Collins asked Shane to perform a song or two himself on behalf of Art which Shane did with ease.

The award for best Local songwriter went to Kerry man Peter Burke for his work in songwriting and Peter took to the stage and sang many songs to the delighted crowd, Peter who is also an accomplished musician played the keyboard

The award for Best Group went to the Michael Collins band for there work in the music scene over the last number of years, Michael then sang a few songs to the crowd and kept everyone in great spirits and in an upbeat mood himself giving young Anthony Slevin a break

Nearing the end of the night with many people still dancing away the award for Best Male singer went to Shaun Loughery who mentioned his father while accepting the award, Shaun then went on to sing some songs and keep the dancers out on the floor.

It came to the final award on the night and much to the surprise of Paddy O Brien he won the award for Best overall Performer this was followed by a surprise Birthday cake which was carried up to the stage for Paddy to blow out the candles When paddy finished that part of the the surprise he and the band continued to sing for another half an hour bring the whole night to an end some five and a half hours after it started.

Mention must go to all the staff at Community radio Youghal and of course Tommy Collins MC on the night but a big well done must go to Theresa and Maura Joyce who had planned the whole event and of course Mags Carey who was involved in organizing everything. To the Walter Raleigh hotel for providing
great facilities and to all the people who voted for the artists and the large crowd who turned up on the night a big well done to all.

Award List
Beginners to Country Music: Padraig & Conor O Sullivan
Most Popular Local Singer: Pat Tobin
Most requested Local Artist; Patrick O Sullivan
Country Songwriter: Peter Burke
Best Female Duo on the Irish scene; The Benn Sisters
Best Group on the Country Scene; Michael Collins
Best local album 2009: Pat Daly
Most Popular duo: The Dreamers
Best International Irish Artist; Paddy O Brien
Best Male Irish Singer: Shaun Loughery
Best Female Irish Singer; Trudi Lalor
Best Irish entertainer: Damien Bowe
Hal of fame Award; Art Supple
Solo award: Sam O Doherty
Best overall performance: Paddy O Brien

Click on image to see the CRY Awards 2009