Derek Ryan promises fans ‘One Good Night’

The Life is a River hitmaker will perform in the Bannville Hotel, Banbridge on Friday September 25 and the Iveagh Cinema on Thursday October 8, where he will treat fans to a mixture of the old and the new.

Derek has just released his sixth album, ‘One Good Night’, featuring 15 tracks carefully chosen by Derek himself, which was released on Friday September 4.

Having had a whirlwind year packed full of touring, television and radio appearances as well as a few self penned singles, Derek is excited for fans to hear his latest offering.

The eagerly awaited album is made up with a mix of his own self penned songs including new single ‘Bendigo’, with some country favourites and current hits, with bonus track, ‘Shut Up and Dance’, which is going down a storm at Derek’s shows - it is sure to contain something for everyone.

Speaking to the Leader about his upcoming shows, Derek said: “I’ve played the Iveagh Theatre before, not with my own band, but it was one of my first spots as a country artist and I got my first standing ovation in Banbridge, I always remember that.”

With his latest album just released, Derek said he is “excited” for people to finally hear it.

“There are six original songs on the album,” he stated. “It’s my most progressive album for songwriting.

“I’m getting excited now for people to hear it.

“You always get a bit nervous but at the same time, you’ve put time into it and you have to let people decide whether they want to buy it, you can’t force people to like it, but hopefully they will.

“I always look at an album like a set list, it needs balance, and it’s all about what suits the album, rather than what songs I’ve written. It’s a mixture of originals and covers.

“When I wrote the song One Good Night, I just wanted the excitement and buzz you get at gigs. It’s probably an opener for the show. It’s got big guitar, it’s a real jamming song and the band can get into it.

“It suits the whole outlook of the shows,” Derek explained.

And will fans in Banbridge be having ‘One Good Night’ when they see Derek live?

“Hopefully!” The Carlow man replied.

And with work constantly keeping him busy, what is Derek’s idea of ‘One Good Night’?

“Good food, so a nice dinner, just relaxing in a restaurant by a fire. We’re always around lights and sound, noise and crowds, it’s nice to get away and have some peace and quiet.”

And what are Derek’s plans after he finishes his latest shows?

“Once the album is promoted I’ll take a bit of a break. I’ll be doing a lot of writing, I have writing sessions in the UK booked for mid-October and I have a project coming up that I can’t say a lot about yet, something different for February or March.”

Sending a message to his local fans before the shows, Derek said: “I suppose people always tell me after the shows that you don’t have to be a country fan to enjoy the show. So come along, get a bit of dinner before the show, have a bit of a sing-song and it’ll put you in good form.”