The Late Late Country Special will host a feast of stars from the Irish Country firmament tonight in an annual fixture that recognises how big Country is in Ireland and how it's fast becoming the apex predator of pop.
Agus a thionchar le feiscint anois mar a thuigeann Beyoncé (ok, is as Texas di), Post Malone (upstate NY, not known as a C&W stronghold), Lana Del Ray (Manhattan, ditto) agus ceoltóirí móra eile domhain an pop, ag iarraidh an bóthar go Nashville a shiúil; níl áit ar bith is fearr le bheith i mbun ceoil anois, ach ar thailte na tíre - everyone's going country.
But we know they're only chasing the dream - they're not the real deal. Just ask Barbara Mandrell.
Seo hí Barbara le George Jones lena hit mór ó 1981, I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool, uair go raibh fás ag teacht in athuair ar an gceol tíre i Meiriceá toisc disco bheith ar an dé deirigh agus de bharr an scannáin Urban Cowboy.
Country is very definitely cool all over again, just ask Dolly.
Iarracht a bhí in Urban Cowboy macasamhail a rinne Saturday Night Fever do disco a dhéanamh don cheol tíre. Naturally, they got John Travolta to play leading man, Bud Davis, opposite Debra Winger's Sissy.
In the event that a case of line dancing breaks out tonight, here's a guide. (Tip: it's like walking, only with cowboy boots.)
Late Late Country Special aired on 4 October on RTÉ 1.
