Singing sensation, Mary Black, has opened up about suffering from stage fright early in her career and admits she used to get "very nervous".
The 67-year-old music legend is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards in Vicar Street, Dublin, next week.
Speaking on Friday's Late Late Show on RTÉ One, Black said she is "really honoured" to receive the prestigious accolade.
"I mean, it feels great. You know I'm really in good company with Christy [Moore] and Andy Irvine, Steve Cooney and Moya Brennan. I'm really, really honoured," she said.
Black, who was born into a musical family on Charlemont Street in Dublin, said she is thrilled her son - Danny O'Reilly of The Coronas and her musician daughter Róisín O - are able to tour the world together.
"They're flying it now," the proud mum said. "They are off on tour around the world. They were in Europe last month, they flew to Canada, and now they are over in the US going through America on a tour bus and having the time of their lives. They are heading to Australia in a week or so - so yeah, it's a proper tour.
"Róisín is opening the show on her own and then she plays keyboard in The Coronas. They're getting a double whammy from her," she laughed.
Toronto/Boston/NYC/DC/Chicago done!! Next stops Dallas/Austin/Denver/Seattle/Vancouver/San Fran/LA before Australia/Dubai & home for Christmas..https://t.co/X4501ugdlb
— The Coronas (@TheCoronas) November 10, 2022
Discussing how she gained confidence throughout her successful career, Black said "it took a while" to feel comfortable performing on front of large crowds.
"I would sing no problem in a little bar or at a small party. That was no problem to me, in fact, I loved it. But as soon as I stood up on front of a stage, it was different. I used to get very nervous.
"I really had to talk to myself and say 'look, if you're really going to keep on doing this Mary, you're going to have to deal with this!'
"I was surrounded by great musicians, and I had a wealth of great songs from particularly Irish songwriters. I've a lot to be grateful for," she said.
The No Frontiers hitmaker explained how she made sure to give her kids advice as they tackled the difficult music industry.
"I talked to the kids when they were starting out in music - Danny and Róisín - and I told them that success is about how lucky you are and not just about talent. Talent is good, you have to have talent, but you have to be lucky and be in the right place at the right time too. It's tough," she said.
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