Derek Ryan takes part in our Q&A

Age: I’m a young man

Where you are from: Carlow

Bit about yourself: I’m a country singer/songwriter. I’ve been on the road with my band for over three years now. I have five studio albums, one live album and a live DVD and another DVD out as well. Busy touring with concerts and dances all over so come and see me.

What do you like doing on your day off?

I like going for walks, jogs if I can, I like going to the theatre, I like going to comedy shows, just regular things, cinema, takeaways, the usual stuff.

If you were to choose your favorite meal what would it be, where and why?

There’s a Tapas restaurant in Carlow where I live and it is one of the top attractions in Carlow, it is sensational. Anytime I’m off we always go there. My actual favourite meal would be garlic prawns they’re really nice.

What has been your proudest moment?

Probably my number one album, ‘The Simple Things’. Also certain times when my songs have got reactions at live shows, they would be proud moments as well.

What was the most frightening moment of your life?

I don’t like flying and I was coming back from America and we’d really bad turbulence and the captain announced that it was going to get really really bad and that they couldn’t do anything about it. They went up to avoid it, they went down to avoid it, they couldn’t get out of the airstream and a plane ahead of them had radioed them and said it was going to be really bad, and it was. That probably was the most frightening moment.

How would you describe your taste in clothes?

Some people would say really bad. I like to keep up with the trends but you probably come to an age where you have to stop doing that. I don’t know if I’ve got to that age yet but I do like high street stuff like Topman and Zara and all those kinds of shops.

What would you do if you won a million pounds?

I love the sun so I would still work and I would still tour but I would probably spend half my year doing nothing in the sun.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

There’s been lots of those. I embarrass quite easily actually. I remember quite I while back I was in the gym and I fell off the treadmill, that was pretty embarrassing.

What music do you like?

Obviously I like country music, I like traditional music. I like stripped back music of any genre, just maybe with the guitar and it’s all about the vocal, I like that, and people singing with passion. I’m a sucker for 80’s rock, like Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, I love all that kind of thing.

What sports person do you most admire?

I like guys who have longevity in their career and good idols for young people. A great work ethic, like David Beckham, I really admire him because there’s lots of guys who become footballers and lose the run of themselves and act nasty on the pitch and all that kind of thing. I think he’s a really good role model for people. And also Brian O’Driscoll, obviously he’s a legend. I wouldn’t be into rugby as such but I admire him. Also Rory McIlroy, what a guy.

Describe your best ever holiday. What would your dream holiday be?

My best holiday was recently. I went to New York, which was fine, I wasn’t crazy about New York I have to say, but afterwards we went to Mexico for five days and it was amazing. I like the sun anyway. It was the first time I’ve treated myself to a really nice holiday and it was just sensational.

What is your greatest remaining ambition?

I’d like to have a hit in America with either a song that I’ve written or my own song, so that’s an ambition.

If you could spend a day with a celebrity whom would you choose?

If he was alive it would have to be Johnny Cash. When I listen to him he sounds like a very deep character so I’d like to ask him a few questions.

If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you want with you?

A guitar, a notebook and a pen.

Favourite things

Car:I have a Mercedes and it’s quite nice so I’d say my own car. I spend so much time in a car, I spend more time in my car than I do in my house.

Film: Saving Private Ryan

Comedian: Peter Kay

CD: Bryan Adams MTV Unplugged

Book: Roy Keane’s autobiography

Actor: Tom Hanks

Actress: Nicole Kidman

Drink: On a winter’s night, on a night off it’s nice to have a pint of Guinness and it’s not too bad for your voice.