Local stars for Irish Country Music Awards

Meath's country music stars stars Mary Duff and Kathy Crinion will take centre stage this Thursday when they perform at the Irish Country Music Awards live on Irish TV.

Over 80,000 votes have already been cast for the awards, dubbed the Oscars of Irish Country Music, which will also feature headline performances from Roly Daniels, Niamh McGlinchey, Caitlin and Joe Moore, Honky Tonk Angels, Hurricane Highway, Mick Flavin and Cliona Hagan.

Nashville's Hall of Fame legend Larry Gatlin and one of its fastest rising stars Mo Pitney have been announced to perform at the awards on Thursday 19th May, which will be shown live on Irish TV from the Armagh City Hotel (8-10.30pm).

Grammy-winning Gatlin and hotly-tipped Pitney are flying in from Tennessee for a one-night-only live show, which also includes performances from Philomena Begley, Lee Matthews and Johnny Brady.

Country Music Hall of Famer Gatlin performed on 33 Top 40 hits with the Gatlin Brothers, and has written songs for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and Barbara Streisand.

Mo Pitney shot to fame in 2014 when his debut single 'Country' entered the Top 40 Country Charts in 2014 and stayed there for 19 weeks.

Categories at the awards include best male, best female, best video, songwriter of the year, country music venue of the year, single of the year, album of the year, country music DJ of the year, living legend award, best newcomer and hall of fame.