Lifford singer hoping to impress Glór Tíre judges

LIFFORD singer Kenny Crawford is hoping he has what it takes to wow the judges on country music talent show Glór Tíre.

The local man will be mentored in this year’s show by star performer Johnny Brady.

Now in it’s 18th year the Glór Tíre winner will receive the much sought after title and a cash prize of €5,000. In addition the winner will join country music star, Mike Denver and friends for one week of shows and performances in Portugal in 2022.

Presenters Aoife Ní Thuairisg and Séamus Ó Scanláin will once again engage with contestants, judges and mentors and entertain TG4 Glór Tíre audiences at home.

The new format features eight contestants in an initial four concert programmes when their mentors introduce audiences and fans to their contestants for the first time.

At the end of each of these programmes the judges will choose four contestants who are safe in the competition and four who will face the intense public live vote as part of the first elimination. Voting will only open live during the first elimination programme and all votes are zeroed after each elimination. Ultimately five contestants will make it to the semi-final and three will go on to the final when the winner will be announced on February 22.

Competing for Season 18’s TG4 Glór Tíre Title and prize are Katelyn Molloy from Galway who will be mentored by Ciarán Rosney who will also guide Galway girl Deirdre Keane. Country artist Mick Flavin will be the guest judge for Ciaran concert shows.

Rachel Goode who hails from Ballinasloe will be mentored by Mike Denver who will also put Aishling Rafferty from Tipperary through her paces. Louise Morrissey will be the guest judge of Mike aspiring stars.

Hailing from Fermanagh is Rachel McConnell who will be mentored by Olivia Douglas who also supports Colin Kenny from Tipperary as he aspires to win the Glór Tíre title. Doyen of country music Susan McCann will be the guest judge for Olivia shows.

Leading country artist Johnny Brady will mentor Tracy Brennan from Dungannon and Kenny Crawford from Lifford. The Sunday World’s entertainment columnist Eddie Rowley will be the guest judge for Johnny Brennan’s shows.

Reigning TG4 Glór Tíre title holder Emma Donoghue is not looking forward to relinquishing her title, “I’ve had an amazing year, since winning the Glór title, I’ve learnt so much about the country music industry from my mentor Mike Denver, I’ve grown in confidence and built a fantastic, loyal fan base and it’s all thanks to the brilliance of TG4 and the Glór Tíre series,” says Emma who wished all of the contestants every success and encouraged them to savour every moment of the competition.

• Glór Tíre returns to TG4 on January 11.