Ole Opry date for Live Issue

The local musicians are also set to host major broadcasts in Nashville, including a date at the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree - the second-longest running radio show in the world.

And one of the most eagerly anticipated events is a scheduled appearance with Joanne Cash, sister of the late Johnny Cash, at the Texas Troubadour Theatre.

This will be Live Issue’s third visit to the United States since they reformed in 2006 and the group is still the only band from Ireland (and the second from the UK) to appear on the stage of the famed Grand Ole Opry.

As well as appearing in Nashville, Live Issue will be performing concerts in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Alabama, while in LaGrange, Georgia - which is twinned with Craigavon - the band has been invited to take part in the city’s 4th July celebrations.

The group’s bass player and vocalist, Colin Elliott, said everyone was “delighted” to be heading back to America, the home of country music, for another tour at the invitation of the Grand Ole Opry.

“We’re also delighted to be offered the opportunity to represent our local area by appearing at the LaGrange Independence Day celebration,” added Colin. “It’s not practical to tour America every year, but as demand increased, we felt the time was right to return.”

In February 2012, the group’s position in country music was further solidified when members were invited to perform at the ‘International Festival of Country Music’ in the Odyssey Arena in Belfast,

Live Issue’s latest album ‘On The Line’ is now available in Christian bookshops or online at itunes or www.liveissuemusic.com

For further information, visit www.liveissuemusic.com