Castlederg’s man is looking forward to performing on Glór Tíre

Gerard Gormely is many things – a family man, a truck driver… a country singer.

And all three elements will perfectly come together when the Scraghey, Castlederg, man appears on the new season of Glór Tíre tomorrow (Tuesday, March 26) at 9.30pm.

The 45-year-old is among eight contestants taking part in season 20 of TG4’s long-running, hit country music series.

Gerard, himself, has been steeped in country music all his life – a passion he attributes to his parents.

“They would have played country religiously, wherever they went,” he reflected. “My mother and father would have been out jiving three nights a week, and I would have followed them to dances and got into the jiving.

“That’s where it started for me.”

Sadly Gerard’s parents have both passed away, so his upcoming appearance on the show tomorrow nighth, will be, in a sense, a tribute to them.

Ever a family man, he also wants his performance to ‘make my wife Donna and our children, Cara, Daithi, and Fainna proud’.

Appearing on Glór Tíre is something of a personal milestone for Gerard.

“I watched it all down through the years – even the repeats,” he recounted. “It’s like a bucket list… It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

“It’s good to be here.

“Glór Tíre is massive.”

When he steps on stage for the show, Gerard will be mixing work with pleasure. In his professional life, he is a farmer and HGV driver – “Anything that moves and anything there’s no money in, I’m at it,” he jokes – so for Glór Tíre he will perform two trucking songs: ‘Truckers Wallet’ and ‘Truck Drivin’ Man’, the latter as a duet with fellow Tyrone man, Jim Devine – a popular name of the Country and Irish circuit – who will also be Gerard’s mentor for the series.

“‘Trucker’s Wallet’ is a song I first heard from Jimmy Buckley,” he says. “I fell in love with the song. When I’m out driving I’m often singing it to myself.”

‘Truck Drivin’ Man’ is a country classic. Written by Terry Fell in 1954, it has been covered by such country luminaries as Wille Nelson, Conway Twitty, George Hamilton IV, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Charlie Pride.

“Jim suggested this song,” says Gerard. “It’s one of those songs you’ve heard before, but when you really start listening to it, you discover how good it is. I’m very happy to do it.”

The chance to appear on television, singing beside Jim Devine, is an opportunity Gerard is relishing.

“He’s been very supportive,” said Gerard. “There’s a video of my daughter when she was five – she’s 13 now – of her and I jiving to Jim’s song, ‘Lianne Loves To Dance’, and it means a lot.

“I’m looking forward to being on stage with him.”

Gerard Gormley will be performing on Glór Tíre on TG4 tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9.30pm, along with Donegal singer, Chelsea Evans and Jim Devine of Tyrone, who is mentor for both contestants. The judges will be RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta’s Jó Ní Chéide and Caitriona Ní Shuilleabháin, with guest judge, Country and Irish legend, TR Dallas.

For more information on Glór Tíre, see www.tg4.ie and follow @glortire on social media for all of the latest news and updates.