NEWS
Press Release via AS Written, June 2022
TRAILBLAZER TRUDI TULLAMORE BOUND
Country music trailblazer TRUDI LALOR is Tullamore bound. Trudi will join the legendary MARGO when ‘the Queen of Country and Irish’ brings her 70th Birthday Celebration Concert Tour to the Tullamore Court Hotel on July 20th.
For country fans in the midlands, the chance to see Margo return to the stage will certainly be one of the highlights of 2022. And with Trudi as one of the special guests on the bill (plus Mick Foster, Moyra Fraser, and Alex Roe), the night will be a magical and memorable experience for all in attendance.
Already a much loved and admired performing and recording artist, Trudi is regarded by many as having one of the most powerful and pristine voices ever to grace a country record – or the airwaves – in Ireland. But over the last few years, the Laois native has transformed herself into a veritable virtuoso of the country scene, becoming one of its most influential figures in the process. In fact, if Ireland can boast of anyone who comes even close to the phenomenon that is multi-talented American country star Reba McEntire, then Trudi has the strongest possible claim on that crown. And here’s why.
Not only has she maintained her recording career at a consistently stellar level, Trudi – already a noted radio presenter of long-standing as well – has also founded a brand new radio station. And, on top of that, she has been appointed editor of a groundbreaking magazine dedicated exclusively to the world of country music. However, despite having checked each box on that astounding list of achievements, it’s something much more down to earth – very like the lady herself – that perhaps best highlights the heights she has soared to, and the affection in which she’s held by those on the country scene.
And it’s this one simple fact. Like Reba, like Margo, and indeed, like Dolly too, Trudi is known to one and all as just that: Trudi. One word says it all.
It’s often said that every major moment in history will somehow find or reveal the individuals capable of rising to the challenges those moments present. Well, when Covid slammed on the brakes of the ‘live’ music industry in 2020, it certainly found Trudi more than ready to meet that moment head on. With husband and manager Billy Morrissey, Trudi organised the Reach-Out project, connecting some of Irish country’s biggest names – including Nathan Carter, Mike Denver, and Cliona Hagan – with fans all around Ireland, and well beyond these shores as well.
During a time when all of the normal means of connecting with each other suddenly became impossible, Trudi and Billy’s Reach-Out project found a way to bring people back together. And for many fans, it was these special moments that helped them to hold everything else together too.
That initiative has since blossomed into Reach-Out Radio, a national and global online station fully dedicated to country music, both Irish and American, with a sprinkling of Irish ballads and folk music added in for good measure. As well as Trudi’s own self-titled show, the station features Billy Morrissey’s Ballads and Folk Show, The Nashville Connection with Max T. Barnes, Marc Roberts with Country Roads, and Kelly’s Country with host Paul Kelly. And the station is adding to its already impressive line-up of presenters all the time, with Tony Brook and Kerry Fearon also coming on board recently.
Sealing the deal on Trudi’s standing as a virtuoso beyond compare in Irish country, was her appointment to the role of Editor on the groundbreaking RSVP Country magazine, which has just celebrated its fourth edition.
Returning to Reba for those who may not know much about the Oklahoman, she is – without question – one of the biggest names of all time in American country music. She has been among its leading-lights for decades now, having signed her very first record contract way back in 1975. Since then, Reba has gone on to become one of the genre’s all-time greats with more than thirty studio albums to her name. But her natural creative talents, coupled with a sense of ambition, drive, and work-ethic that perhaps only Dolly could ever match, have also led to Reba becoming a familiar face on both ‘the silver screen’ and Broadway.
All in all, Reba has established herself as an artist, an innovator, an entrepreneur, and a businesswoman. And all the while, staying Reba. So as you can see, she and Trudi really do have a lot in common. Whether it’s Reba, or whether it’s Trudi, one word says it all.
For country fans who make it to the Tullamore Court Hotel to join Margo in her belated 70th birthday celebrations next month, the opportunity to also enjoy the company of Trudi Lalor will definitely be the icing on the cake!
~ MARGO’S 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION CONCERT TOUR comes to the Tullamore Court Hotel on July 20th, with Margo joined by very special guests TRUDI LALOR, MICK FOSTER, MOYRA FRASER, and ALEX ROE. Tickets are on sale now from hotel reception, or by calling 05793-46666.
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