Smith releases EP as countdown to Blues Festival gathers pace

Navan singer, songwriter Paddy Smith has released a new EP - ‘Ran Out Of Road’ - as the countdown to the start of the first Meath Blues Festival continues.

Smith, who is a renowned harmonica player, is the chief driving force behind the inaugural Blues Festival which will take place on Saturday, 24th September at the Grove Gardens, Fordstown, Kells, starting at 1.30. Camping and parking is free and under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets available from Tierneys Newsagents, Navan and Eventbrite. 

 

The festival will feature a host of well-known blues bands including Crow Black Chicken, the Bree Harris Band, the legendary Business Blues Band, Dave King, The Stone Cold Hobos as well as “acoustic sessions with blues dancers.” Also among the performing acts will be Smith’s own ensemble - the Paddy Smith Blues Band.

Smith, who released an album called ‘Let Those Blues In’ also featured in an award winning documentary of the same name. The documentary, made by Navan film-maker Shay Casserly, was shown in festivals in Ireland the US and recounts Smith’s battle with alcoholism.

The Ran Out Of Road EP includes songs such as Born in Chicago, a cover of a Paul Butterfield number, Ramblin On My Mind (Robert Johnson cover), Ran Out Of Road (wrote by Paddy Smith and Robbie McDonnell) and Goinig to Louisian (Lightning Hopkins cover). The EP was produced at Sonic Studios Dublin and was produced by Al Cowan who has worked the artists such as Sinead O'Connor, Shane McGowan and Don Baker. 

Smith and his band are due to play in Taylors, Johnstown on Saturday, 3rd September.