Norman Borland

NEWS

Press Release via AS Written, May 2023

NORMAN MAKES HURTING A LAUGHING MATTER WITH NEW SINGLE

If the title of his new single is any indicator of things, then country music recording artist NORMAN BORLAND is really ‘in the wars’ these days. The Donegal man will release IT ONLY HURTS WHEN I LAUGH – his second offering of the year – at the beginning of June. And Borland has certainly had plenty to laugh about and keep a smile on his face so far in 2023. 

His new record was the title-track of Jann Browne’s 1991 album and also featured on Rick Trevino’s eponymously titled sophomore major-label collection three years later. Co-written by one of American country’s most noteworthy songsmiths, Kostas, together with five-time Grammy winner and a man seen by many as a guardian of country music’s culture and history, the stellar figure that is Marty Stuart, IT ONLY HURTS WHEN I LAUGH once again showcases Borland’s love for country music that is unmistakably that: country music in every way. 

“I find myself constantly being drawn back to the kind of songs that country music was all about in the 90s”, reveals Norman. “Or to newer original songs that are written in that same style, where you know it’s a country song from the first few notes. That’s why I’m such a big fan of writers like Jon Philibert, who wrote ‘She Don’t Look That Lonely To Me’, a song that was huge for me last year.”

Norman continued, “This song is one I remember loving from the minute I first heard it. Even the title has that classic country music feel about it, in that it mixes some of life’s good in with some of life’s bad! You can’t have one without the other. Sure, you’re laughing, but that’s what’s making you hurt more at the same time. As a singer, songs like these are just gold to be able to record and have in your catalogue”.

Going back to why the cowboy-hat wearing Borland has had so many reasons to be grateful of late, and his last record is a good place to start. An irresistible rendering of Rhonda Vincent’s Teardrops Over You – released back in March – prompted the Grammy-winning Bluegrass legend and member of the Grand Ole Opry herself to comment, “Love it!” on Norman’s Facebook page. And the Missouri native wasn’t the only one who loved it, either, as the song went on to spend a fortnight in the the#1 spot on the British & Irish HotDisc chart, while spending several weeks more as a fixture in the Top-Ten.  

Jump ahead to April, and Norman returned to the stage of the annual Hot Country TV Awards Concert, the biggest night in country music in Ireland for fans and artists alike. Having made his debut at the 2022 event, Norman found himself being presented with the Johnny Cash Music Inspirational Award just twelve months later, an honour he described as being, “Overwhelming, and certainly one of the proudest moments of my career in country music”.

With multiple nominations at this year’s Fair Play Country Music Awards in Holland, including in the categories of Best Country Voice and Best Traditional Country Cover for his singles You Lied To Me (Bill Anderson) and Too Cold At Home (Bobby L. Harden), there’s every chance that the year still holds a few more memorable moments in store for Norman. 

But, for the man who says he’s just, “a country singer singing country songs”, the only things that really matter are getting a chance to perform in front of fans who love country music just as much as he does, and, of course, spending as much time as he can with his long-time producer, Brian Kerrigan at Harmony Recording Studio in Donegal, where the duo have been putting the finishing touches to Norman’s new long-player, scheduled for release later this summer.

“It’s already been an unforgettable year for me”, states Norman, “and I mean that in the most humble way, because I’ve never expected any of this. So I’m truly grateful for all of the support that’s come my way. I love to sing, and I see it as a privilege to entertain folk. IT ONLY HURTS WHEN I LAUGH gives me another chance to do both. And that’s got to be a reason to smile in any man’s book!” 

~ IT ONLY HURTS WHEN I LAUGH, the NEW single from NORMAN BORLAND, will be available across all digital platforms from FRIDAY, JUNE 2nd. 

ENDS