Lee Matthews releases new single before Nashville adventure

Remember, remember the month of November!

Castlederg’s own singing sensation, Lee Matthews, is back this autumn with not only a new single, but news of an exciting adventure in the home of country music – Nashville, Tennessee.

Lee’s new tune, entitled ‘Irish Whiskey on the Shelf’, is the latest in a string of hits by the Castlederg crooner, including ‘The Farmer Wants A Wife’, ‘There’s Irish in Our Eyes’, and his own version of the Rednex 90s floor-filler, ‘Cotton Eye Joe’.

The new song, an Irish-style ditty which is reminiscent of Lee’s roots, has been gestating for a while. It was one that he wrote a while ago and decided it was time to dust the tune down and see where it went. Working with long-time producer Jonathan Owens, they finished the song and released it.

Described as an ‘upbeat, sing-along floor-filler’, ‘Irish Whiskey on the Shelf’ was inspired by hornpipe tune ‘The Boys of Bluehill’.

The ditty tells the story of a man needing to get away from the pressures of modern-day life and embracing the social culture represented by the real Irish pub, something Lee knows resonates with Irish people both at home and abroad. It really is reminiscent of Lee’s style of imbuing American country songs with a signature which is ostensibly Irish.

The pandemic gave Lee a long time to work on things, as touring was out of the question, which led to an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Lee’s manager, Paul, sent a finished song to a longtime music contact in London, David Howells.

Liking what he heard, David suggested the song would be ideal for country music legend Tim McGraw and sent it off. After a few nervous weeks, Lee got the news that a major Nashville publisher wanted to speak to him, and by March, Lee had signed the deal on his first-ever pitch to a Nashville publisher.

What really impressed the publisher was Lee’s lyrics and production elements which really captured life in the US.

Lee has since delivered another song using the services of top Nashville musicians and Grammy-nominated Nashville producer, Matt Troja. “The plan now,” Lee says, “is to get over to Nashville and work on the next few songs I’ve already completed.”

‘Irish Whiskey on the Shelf’ is available to download and stream now.