Natahn Carter launches his Derby gig at the Curragh this week

Feast of Nathan Carter this summer

DoneDeal, Ireland’s most popular online classified adverts website, has announced its title sponsorship of day one at the Curragh Irish Derby Festival. The ‘DoneDeal Derby Friday Hoedown’ takes place on Friday 27th June at the Curragh Racecourse.

The event features a major Irish country music theme, with country music star Nathan Carter performing live after the race meeting that evening.

The Irish Derby Festival is one of the most prestigious and high profile international horse racing events in the Irish sporting and social calendar. The ‘DoneDeal Derby Friday Hoedown’ will kick off the Derby festival in style, with an expected attendance of approximately 8,000 people enjoying a lively schedule of quality racing and entertainment on the day. The title sponsorship also includes two title races for DoneDeal, the DoneDeal Premier Handicap and the DoneDeal Apprentice Derby.

Friday is party night at the Festival, with great racing, the Derby Food Paddock and The Music Village hosted by much loved personality Hector O’hEochagain in full swing at the event. Nathan Carter will perform live with his band once the racing has ended. It’s the perfect opportunity to see Nathan live in advance of his upcoming supporting concerts for the Garth Brooks tour in Dublin this July.

 The ‘DoneDeal Derby Friday Hoedown’ takes place on Friday 27th June at the Curragh Racecourse. Tickets cost just €10, which includes entrance to the Nathan Carter concert after the racing. To purchase tickets, please visit www.curragh.ie

 

Meanwhile, Carter appeared on TV3's 'Late Lunch' hot on the heels of the announcement that he will be supporting Garth Brooks for two nights of his sell-out Croke Park gigs. 24-year-old Nathan knew that he was in with a chance of supporting superstar Garth Brooks but he told Lucy Kennedy and Martin King that it was only confirmed yesterday.

“I had an inkling the last couple of weeks but it was never guaranteed so I only found out yesterday that it was definite.”

He continued: “We got news from Aiken Promotions that he would like us to do two nights of the five nights that Garth Brooks is doing which is incredible that someone is doing five nights at Croke Park but we're doing the last two nights.'

Although Nathan does not know how long he will be playing, he is honoured to support someone he is such a huge fan of.

“Incredible fan and have been since this age [motions small height] and all my family are big fans of country music and Garth Brooks in particular and I remember as a kid watching the video of him flying in on these strings on to the stage and it was, you know, just as a kid watching this was incredible.”

Along with Nathan’s success inevitably comes female attention but the country crooner blushes at the sheer mention of it. He said that music is what he loves and everything that comes along with it can be strange.

“I would get embarrassed yeah but I wouldn't change it for the world. I get to do what I do and when I get on stage, I love it. I suppose I get more confident when I get on stage.”

Despite the hoards of female fans, Nathan is yet to find the girl of his dreams but he told Lucy and Martin that she would have to find him funny. She would also have to get past his biggest fan – his granny! He revealed that she used to drive him to gigs as a teenager and she’s usually the last one standing at a party.

“When I started, I was on the road and I couldn’t drive. I was fifteen playing in pubs and clubs around England and she used to run me to gigs so she was known as the roadie like. Granny roadie so she was really cool.

“She thinks she’s like 21, you'd wanna see her. I shouldn't be saying this but whenever, after a gig there would be a bit of an after party, she's the last to bed. She can drink any of the lads under the table and she's like 74 or something. She's crazy.”

Next on the horizon for Nathan is releasing more music but he said he will be back to Ireland very soon.

“I just signed a record deal in England with Décor Records who are part of Universal Music Group so hopefully going to release albums in Europe and Australia over the next year and England is the main target over the next few months. I'm going to release a single in England at the start of August.”

Carter appears at the Moynalty Steam Threshing this August.