John's next guest had emailed the programme looking for some advice. Jean Hartnett, in her thirties, feels she has hit a brick wall in recent times. Jean, from Sligo, sings, plays guitar & writes her own music. Jean's gigs have recently dried up, along with her confidence. Jean wishes to ask our listeners whether to give up music or not.
John's next guest in studio is Nathan O'Regan, a songwriter from Inniscarra in Cork who has his first EP 'Long Way Down' on release today. Nathan is here for a chat & performance.
American singer, songwriter, musician, actor & record producer, Josh Groban joins John this morning for a chat & to select a couple of his favourite songs.
Joining us from our Limerick studio are The Unthanks who bring something to the folk tradition that is theirs alone, they understand their roots in Northumberland & that allows them to shape something original & adventurous. Members, Rachel & Becky talk to John.
Johin is joined in studio this morning by Icelandic group, Of Monsters & Men, who described their own sound as 'BIG - like a mountain with lots of caves to hide in.'
Tracy Thorn has achieved popularity as part of the music group Everything But The Girl & Tracey joins John on the line from London to talk about her music & about writing her memoir, ' Bedist Disco Queen, How I grew Up & Tried to be a Popstar'.
Normally my next guest is wearing scrubs, has a scalpel in his hand & is operating on veins & arteries, but this morning, he's warming up his vocal chords. Joining John in studio is Professor Austin Leahy, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Beaumont Hospital for a chat & performance.
Tim Edey and Brendan Power have played with some of the world's great musicians & composers - from Kate Bush, Sting, Christy Moore, Van Morrison, John Williams, The Chieftains, Sharon Shannon and others. They won the BBC Radio 2 Best Duo award for their 'Wriggle and Writhe' album last year & both are in studio with John this morning.
Fresh Ré are a young 5 piece band from Celbridge Co. Kildare, who got together after two of their members went viral on Youtube. Robert Scanlon & Harrison Dhodo covered Rihanna's 'We Found Love' which was viewed by millions on youtube. They have since expanded their repertoire & band members & are in studio with Neil this morning.
This morning Neil speaks to Sir Tim Rice, who has written lyrics for musical theatre & related enterprises for more than 40 years with such successes as Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Chess with Bjorn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson; and The Lion King and Aida with Elton John.
The Lion King will open in Ireland for the first time at Bord Gais Energy Theatre in April. For tickets plese click here.
Walking Club News
