Record Shop Keepin 'er Country


Record Shop

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In Ireland, country music is more popular than ever.

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A host of new country music stars have tempted a generation

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to turn their back on the nightclub, don their Stetsons

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and jive the night away, from Ballymena to Ballydehob.

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This week, we're forming an orderly queue

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at Ireland's leading country music record store.

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We've been here for four hours, waiting to see Derek Ryan again,

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and we're really excited.

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CHEERING

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In a world of streaming and downloads,

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Stewart's has stood steadfast for 40 years in Dungannon town centre.

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There's a feeling you get that you don't get anywhere else, you know?

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This is the place to be.

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And with a very special birthday on the horizon,

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store owner Raymond is planning to celebrate in style.

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The shop's there 40 years, it's something special.

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I want to have the biggest collection

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of Irish country artists ever in the one place.

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But is a small store in a town centre

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prepared for the most impressive country music line-up

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Ireland has ever seen?

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Philomena's on at the minute.

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Big Tom - he's arrived, we can't get him out the car

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because everybody's around him, wanting photographs.

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Derek Ryan's in here, eating all the buns,

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and I can't even get a cup of tea!

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Welcome to the celebratory world of Irish country music.

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Stewart's Record Store in the heart of Mid-Ulster is an institution.

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# Sing your heart out, country boy... #

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Legendary singer Gene Stuart

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opened the store in 1975,

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and with a bone fide icon in charge,

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there's no surprise it became a country music Mecca

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for generations of fans.

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# Sing your heart out, country boy... #

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Over the years, the shop has withstood bombs and changing tastes.

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Still in the Stewart family, the shop is run by Gene's brother,

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Raymond, and his daughters, Olivia and Mairead.

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# Singing all his stories to the crowd... #

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Country music has always been popular in Ireland.

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I think it's in the DNA of Irish people.

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Our shop's there 40 years, it was opened by people like Brendan Quinn,

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Eileen King, Bryan Coll - all of those people.

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# Sing your heart out, play your guitar... #

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The thing that has happened in recent years,

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it's the new young people coming into the business that have

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really brought it on, and they have encouraged the new generation

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of country music fans to come in.

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They're all good-looking, great artists, great songwriters,

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and that has given the whole industry a spike.

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-FANS:

-Whoo!

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With country music undergoing something of a renaissance,

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the shop is busier than ever,

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but being a fan wasn't always something to shout about.

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Before, country music wasn't cool with young people.

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I remember a girl coming into the shop many years ago

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and buying a country album, and she asked for it to be put in two bags

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so she could walk round the town and people wouldn't know.

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She probably told them she was

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buying the Bay City Rollers or something.

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Now, young people are coming into the shop and they're loving to buy

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country music, they're buying Derek and Mason and Mike Denver

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and Johnny Brady and Lisa, all those people.

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So it's cool to be country now.

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But there's more to this record store than meets the eye.

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Above the shop is where the real operation takes place.

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Dungannon might be a small town, but it can rightly claim to be

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the epicentre of country music in Ireland.

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It's home to Raymond's Sharpe record label, through which many of

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the top artists record and release their music.

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A lot of the new Irish country stars,

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we bring them out on the Sharpe Music label.

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Well, inside the next couple of weeks, we'll be able to set

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a release date for the album, and then will be able to get it up

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on social media and notify all the dealers and distributors.

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'Behind the scenes, we work very closely with all the artists,

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'working on the tracks, working on the recording, the artwork,'

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and then I suppose, eventually, getting it out to the shops,

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which is a very important part.

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We supply all the shops in Ireland, all the big stores.

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But Stewart's don't just ship records the length

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and breadth of Ireland.

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We send parcels all over the world.

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Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Brazil, Spain, Portugal.

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And it seems they're fond of artists like Big Tom

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in some unexpected places.

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We even send them to Libya, believe it or not,

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so it is popular all over the world.

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# Why'd you come in here looking like that?

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# In your high-heeled boots and your painted-on jeans... #

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She may not be a household name in Libya,

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but Lisa McHugh is one of Ireland's most popular country singers,

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and Raymond is busy finalising the details of her new album.

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# You're almost giving me a heart attack... #

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Lisa!

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How are you? Thank you.

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# I just can't stand it... #

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Since breaking onto the scene in 2011, Lisa has introduced

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a whole new generation - particularly young men -

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to country music standards.

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-You were lucky to come in today and meet Lisa McHugh!

-I know, wasn't I?

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-What will the girlfriend say about this?

-I don't know.

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With the album launch only weeks away,

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Raymond has final sign-off on the artwork.

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The cover's great.

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I love the title, #Country, nobody's ever came up with it before.

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'This will be my third album released with Raymond,'

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and there's no-one here in Ireland that pushes an album

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quite like Sharpe do.

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And Raymond in particular, he's very hands-on.

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And there's a nice space there for you to sign your CD

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when you're finished. When it's put out on all the stores,

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I think that cover's going to stand out.

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-What do you think of the cover of your new album?

-Is it ready?

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-Of course it is.

-It is not, it's paper.

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No, we haven't got the digipaks in yet. They'll be in soon.

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# Oh, baby, tell me the truth

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# What in the world's coming over you? #

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The shop has seen some changes since it first opened in the 1970s,

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and nowadays, you can't sell records

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unless you have a slick social media campaign.

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Hi, guys, Lisa here in Stewart's Music Shop in Dungannon.

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Cannot wait to launch my brand-new album, #Country,

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right here in store. See you then.

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Perfect.

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Lisa's album launch isn't the only event Raymond has on the horizon.

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He's determined to mark the shop's 40th anniversary

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with a massive country music bash.

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I might be a bit ambitious what I'm planning to do, but I want to invite

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all the artists who were at the shop when it opened,

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and I want to invite all the new artists

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that's came along in 40 years. I want to have

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the biggest collection of Irish country artists

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ever in the one place, at the one day,

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I want to have them performing in the shop as well.

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Probably never been done before, and a bit ambitious,

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and I don't know where they're going to go or whatever,

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but it will all sort itself out.

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One of the store's most loyal customers is 71-year-old Isaac.

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There's something relaxing about country music,

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and the lyrics speak to me in a very strong way,

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of certain songs on the record, you know?

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There's something there and it gives you a buzz.

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If I come in here, a member of staff would say to me,

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"Isaac, there's 200 new LPs came in today."

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Bang - right away, I'm over here. And I'm looking through them.

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But, for a pensioner, record collecting is an expensive business.

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Morning, Brian, my friend, I've just picked some more stuff out there.

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-A few more for the collection.

-A few more for the collection.

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'I can select a pile of LPs from here and I can go over and say,

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' "Brian, if I give you a fiver deposit, I'll have the rest

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' "of the money for you at the end of the month, will that do?"

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'And Brian will say, "Of course you can. That's OK, Isaac." '

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It's the only story I know around Ireland where you can do that.

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-Thank you very much, Brian.

-Any time, Isaac.

-I'm away now.

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-To go home, put my feet up and relax.

-Good man.

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And, as the shop's most loyal customer,

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Isaac has his ear to the ground, and he's heard rumour of the party.

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I'm not really supposed to know, but I got a wee whimper, you know?

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From Brian, that certain artists had been asked, like Nathan Carter,

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Jimmy Buckley, Lisa McHugh, all the big artists like that.

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I'm looking forward to it, you know?

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# Oh, that little-bitty, teeny-weeny thing they call the love bug... #

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Isaac's small flat could be mistaken for a record store,

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given his impressive collection.

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# It all started with a little-bitty kiss and a hug... #

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Day-in, day-out, listening to my country music, this is the life.

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I hope in the near future to have 1,000 records, maybe more.

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If it's 2,000, 3,000, so be it, I'll have them here.

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But it's not only records.

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Isaac has collected a whole country-music-inspired wardrobe.

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As you can see, it's a beautiful jacket. It means so much to me.

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Everything country I like.

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Country shirts, country guitars, country boots. Anything country.

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This LP, as you can see, is Philomena's greatest hits.

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Blanket On The Ground, and also this one,

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Susan McCann's Down River Road. Brilliant.

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Charley Pride, Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger?

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Isaac can't wait for the celebrations,

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where he'll get to meet his idols.

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Well, I'm looking forward to this 40th anniversary party

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up in Gene Stuart's.

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I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of them stars

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and maybe having a chat with them.

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And getting to know them better, you know?

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Anybody that says country music is rubbish, I tell them,

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"Take a hike. Listen to it."

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And once you've heard this, I would say you'll become

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a Nathan Carter fan overnight,

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and I'm convinced the next time I'm talking to you, you'll be

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saying to me, "Oh, Isaac, I'm a big Nathan Carter fan now after that."

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So here goes, just sit back, relax and enjoy it.

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MUSIC: Wagon Wheel by Nathan Carter

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And with so many country artists in his front room,

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Isaac will never be stuck for company.

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Country music, it stops me from being lonely.

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When I'm down, I put on a bit of country music,

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sit back and listen,

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and something in that song helps me to relax.

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And it helps when I'm getting depressed. Why be depressed?

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Listen to a relaxing piece of country music,

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it lifts your heart up. It lifts me.

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Before any celebrations,

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the shop has to keep this on selling records, and Raymond takes

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a traditional approach to supplying stores with his artists.

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Our van sales delivery system is a very unique thing

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to Sharpe Music, we been doing it now these past 30 years.

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We're the last of it, and it's something

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as a tradition I would like to keep going.

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# And play the Truck-Drivin' Man... #

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There's not as many record shops in the country as there used to be.

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Downloads are a new thing now, a lot of people's buying downloads.

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But there's one genre of music that people still continue

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to want to buy a physical CD.

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Every week, Stewart's deliver only the finest country produce,

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fresh from the van, to dozens of independent stores all over Ireland.

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-What have you got on that list there for me?

-Right, Raymond, let me see.

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Could you give me half a dozen of Big Tom, please?

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-No problem.

-That new Tony Kerr CD.

-Oh, aye.

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-And Lee Matthews.

-Oh, yeah, yeah.

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Do you know what it reminds me of?

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It reminds me of the grocery van used to go around

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the country years ago.

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My mother used to write the note for the van, so I'm back to

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writing the note again, so maybe I've gone full circle.

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# I climbed back aboard my old semi... #

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Being on the open road has Raymond reminiscing

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about his famous brother.

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Our brother, Eugene, sadly died this year on the 11th of February.

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He had a great career in country music,

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part of that Big Tom, Larry Cunningham, Brian Coll era.

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They carried the mantle for Irish country music for years.

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Drove all over Ireland on bad roads, in bad vehicles, to huge crowds.

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Had some great records, some hit records,

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recorded in Nashville, packed dance halls all over Ireland.

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He had a great career in country music,

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and he's left a great legacy behind.

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We've landed in Donegal Town.

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Like every other town, it's full of traffic and no parking spaces.

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-Good to see you, sir.

-How are you?

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What way are you fixed for a bit of gear?

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I could do with a bit of stuff.

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I've a wee list here, mate, if you want a look at it.

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-Let's go.

-Good man.

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Do you know that our shop was opened 40 years this year?

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You'll come down maybe, if you're knocking about.

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-I will definitely come down.

-It'll be a good old day.

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I've never known to miss a party yet.

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THEY LAUGH

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He may already be inviting guests, but delivering CDs to Donegal

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means Raymond hasn't had time to actually plan the party.

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I have most of the artists still to call,

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I have to announce it on social media, to advertise it,

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get all the posters done, get the cake.

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In fact, I've an awful lot of work to do.

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# Play a song for me, Apple Jack, Apple Jack

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# Play a song for me and I'll sing

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# Play a song for me, Apple Jack, Apple Jack... #

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In two weeks' time, the store will potentially host

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the most impressive musical line-up Ireland has ever seen.

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But today, singer Lisa McHugh is the star attraction,

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as she launches her new album.

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# Time still not forgotten... #

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But whilst the army of fans who have turned up to get selfies

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and signed CDs is great for business,

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it's left Raymond with a problem.

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Just wondering what we're going to do on the 40th birthday party,

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cos we has Lisa here on her own and the shop was packed,

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people couldn't get in.

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There's going to be a wee bit of scratching our heads.

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I don't know how we're going to get everyone in, but we'll give it a go.

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But I want the shop to be functional on our 40th birthday party,

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I want people to come and see the record shop as it is,

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so truthfully, I don't have a clue what I'm going to do.

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As the tidy up begins, Raymond's daughters, Olivia and Mairead,

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who help run the shop, want him to be realistic.

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There's going to be people coming to the shop for the very first time.

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No, they're going to end up halfway down Irish Street.

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We want to get them in, we want to get the till ringing.

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THEY LAUGH

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# You've gone your way... #

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Brian, we're not in bad shape now, are we?

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# I've gone mine... #

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Daddy, we are going to have to think about this,

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we're going to have to make some plans,

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it's not just going to happen.

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It will be grand, we'll get it sorted out. We always do.

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I know, but people have to be comfortable and they have to

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-have a good time. We'll have to look after them.

-Don't worry about it.

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Everything will be fine. You'll be saying,

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"Raymond, that was some day."

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Daddy's an optimist, an eternal optimist, and he does tend to

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think that things will always work out OK, but we're going to

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have to rein him in a little bit this time and get some plans made.

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With his daughter's words of caution ringing in his ears,

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Raymond fires ahead nonetheless -

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his phone book reading like a Who's Who of the country scene.

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# Operator, won't you put me on through

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# I gotta send my love down to Baton Rouge... #

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PHONE RINGS

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-Hello?

-Hello, is that Brian?

-Speaking.

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Brian, it's Raymond Stewart here down at Dungannon.

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How are you keeping?

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-Hello?

-Hello, is that Margo?

-That's me!

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-Hello?

-Hello. Is that Johnny?

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-Hello?

-Marty Mone?

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-BRIAN:

-Oh, well, Raymond, how's things?

-The very best.

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Do you remember I was chatting with you, Brian,

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a couple of weeks ago about the shop being 40 years old?

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-You were there when it opened.

-I was indeed, aye.

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I would love it if were are able to come down for an hour on that day.

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-MARGO:

-Oh, absolutely, I wouldn't miss it,

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I'll be really, really thrilled to come down.

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Is there somewhere to leave Zimmer frames and crutches and stuff?

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Is there somewhere to leave that stuff?

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HE LAUGHS

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I don't want you to steal them when I'm talking to somebody!

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You're supple enough yet, boy.

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-Aye, no! See you then.

-Thanks, Brian.

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I'm really glad that you asked me. Thanks a million.

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-Thanks a million, Margo.

-All right.

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I'll be there, look forward to seeing you on the 10th...

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# Happy birthday to you... #

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HE LAUGHS

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I'm there. I'm already there, man, thank you very much for inviting me.

0:17:070:17:10

Thanks, Johnny. Thanks, see you then, bye.

0:17:100:17:12

# Tonight I'm moving on Just letting you know

0:17:120:17:14

# It's on to the whiskey I go... #

0:17:140:17:18

On the growing list of artists

0:17:180:17:19

booked for the birthday celebrations, one name stands out.

0:17:190:17:24

Derek Ryan is one of the biggest stars in the circuit.

0:17:240:17:27

# Tonight I'm moving on Just letting you know

0:17:270:17:32

# It's on to the whiskey I go. #

0:17:320:17:35

All right.

0:17:350:17:37

I don't even drink whiskey.

0:17:370:17:39

# Hold on to your hat

0:17:390:17:41

# And we'll drive this road together... #

0:17:410:17:44

Derek is a household name with three number ones

0:17:440:17:47

under his belt and a legion of dedicated fans.

0:17:470:17:50

His appearance at Stewart's is sure to draw a crowd.

0:17:500:17:54

# Hold on to your hat... #

0:17:540:17:57

The way it's taken off in the last five, six years

0:17:570:17:59

is just a dream come true.

0:17:590:18:01

I do have to pinch myself.

0:18:010:18:02

Not so long ago, you know, I was living in London,

0:18:020:18:05

and I remember playing one night in the pub to the barman, you know.

0:18:050:18:08

That was the only person there!

0:18:080:18:10

# It's all part of God's plan... #

0:18:100:18:14

Like many a singer before him,

0:18:140:18:16

it was Raymond who helped launch his career.

0:18:160:18:19

God's Plan was my debut single.

0:18:190:18:21

I got CDs printed up and sent them out to every DJ

0:18:210:18:24

and sent it to Raymond.

0:18:240:18:25

I sent up, I think it might have been 25 copies of the single to him

0:18:250:18:29

and literally three days later, he rang again and said, "Look,

0:18:290:18:32

"it sold out and you need to come up and have a chat." So, I went up and

0:18:320:18:35

met him and just from that moment, just clicked with him, really.

0:18:350:18:38

Here we go!

0:18:380:18:40

HE SINGS

0:18:430:18:45

Raymond's always been, "You know, let's go for it, let's do this!"

0:18:450:18:49

And it's infectious, you know?

0:18:490:18:50

That's why I think myself and Raymond buzz off each other and

0:18:500:18:53

seven albums on and many years later we're still working great together.

0:18:530:18:57

# It only seems like yesterday... #

0:19:030:19:05

As the big day arrives,

0:19:050:19:07

it seems the country gods are smiling on the celebrations.

0:19:070:19:10

The sun's shining. Actually, the sun's in my eyes.

0:19:120:19:14

I couldn't have asked for anything better. It's perfect conditions.

0:19:140:19:17

So just have to worry to make sure that all the people that are here

0:19:170:19:20

enjoy themselves and all the artists enjoy themselves

0:19:200:19:23

and it's a successful day, and we sell loads of CDs.

0:19:230:19:27

# A yellow coloured ribbon... #

0:19:270:19:29

It's the most important day in Stewart's history

0:19:290:19:31

since the shop first opened 40 years ago -

0:19:310:19:34

four decades of great memories for Raymond.

0:19:340:19:37

-Stewart's record shop opening today.

-What age were you then?

0:19:390:19:42

I was only a cub, sure, still only a cub.

0:19:420:19:45

There's a handsome-looking young man there.

0:19:470:19:50

-The haircut on you.

-That's some haircut!

0:19:500:19:52

That's a very old photograph of the shop there.

0:19:550:19:57

You wouldn't even have been born then.

0:19:570:19:59

Look, see how dressed everybody was.

0:19:590:20:02

There's an early Gene Stuart album.

0:20:050:20:07

Gene Stuart And The Homesteaders.

0:20:070:20:09

I remember the day that album came into the shop.

0:20:090:20:12

Eugene was there and he opened the box

0:20:120:20:13

and he was shocked to see that his new album had arrived.

0:20:130:20:16

Declan Nerney, look at how young Declan is. Good album, that.

0:20:160:20:19

But I remember him on the day,

0:20:190:20:20

he was so pleased to see his new album, he wasn't expecting it.

0:20:200:20:23

Put it up there.

0:20:230:20:24

All these artists are the people

0:20:270:20:29

that cut the track for the artists today -

0:20:290:20:31

these people are the pioneers of Irish country music.

0:20:310:20:33

It came from the show bands,

0:20:330:20:35

and a lot of the songs that they recorded many years ago,

0:20:350:20:38

they've been re-released again by the new country artists.

0:20:380:20:41

It stands testament to them.

0:20:410:20:43

So we owe them all a great sense of gratitude.

0:20:430:20:46

It's amazing to have them all here today.

0:20:460:20:48

I don't believe there's ever been so many of the older...

0:20:480:20:52

Shall we call them "the previous generation"?

0:20:520:20:54

..and the current generation ever in the one place before.

0:20:540:20:58

On the other side of town,

0:21:030:21:05

store regular Isaac is gearing up for the day ahead.

0:21:050:21:08

# Sitting on the back boards having a beer

0:21:080:21:11

# Talking about his farm and his old John Deere. #

0:21:110:21:14

40 years of country music. You know, I'm delighted

0:21:140:21:17

that I've won a golden ticket to go up to this event.

0:21:170:21:19

You know, I feel like I'm a millionaire.

0:21:190:21:22

And I'm hoping to meet many stars that's going to be there.

0:21:220:21:25

# ..there be a John Deere beer

0:21:250:21:27

# You know, it's not that easy to farm out west

0:21:370:21:39

# But when you're driving a Deere, you're driving the best... #

0:21:390:21:42

You know, it'll be weird to meet these people,

0:21:420:21:44

they were very young then but

0:21:440:21:46

they've gone on about the same as myself.

0:21:460:21:48

It's good to see them not forgetting what happened 40 years ago.

0:21:480:21:52

I want to see all the hands in the air now.

0:21:560:21:59

# On a Sunday morning and I feel so bad

0:21:590:22:02

# My legs are tired and weak...

0:22:020:22:04

As country fans of all ages crowd Irish Street,

0:22:040:22:09

the musicians start to arrive,

0:22:090:22:11

including some who performed on the day the shop first opened.

0:22:110:22:15

Brendan Quinn isn't as young as he once was but he's still at it.

0:22:150:22:20

I can't believe it's 40 years since we opened the shop.

0:22:200:22:24

And there, look. That's me in all my glory there.

0:22:240:22:27

Brian Coll, Philomena Begley, Gene himself.

0:22:270:22:30

I was just a young lad at that stage, making my way in the game.

0:22:300:22:33

Very, very raw. But 40 years later, I've learned a lot.

0:22:330:22:37

So it's good to be here and good to be above the ground.

0:22:380:22:41

# I thought that you would be a perfect... #

0:22:440:22:49

Another those who performed that day in 1975 was Eileen King,

0:22:490:22:53

and Isaac gets a front row view as she belts out one of her classics

0:22:530:22:58

and Isaac's favourite song.

0:22:580:23:00

# But like a big red rose that's made of paper... #

0:23:020:23:10

'I remember coming down here to the shop, and Gene taking the records'

0:23:100:23:14

and telling me what to record, so it really means an awful lot to me,

0:23:140:23:18

and country music is my whole life.

0:23:180:23:21

# Wherever you go, I want you to know

0:23:210:23:26

# It takes people like you to make people like me... #

0:23:260:23:31

Hey!

0:23:340:23:35

And it takes dedicated people to make a 250-mile round trip,

0:23:390:23:44

just to see their favourite artists.

0:23:440:23:46

-Say cheese!

-Cheese!

0:23:460:23:49

But Paddy and Eileen have made that journey from Athlone

0:23:490:23:52

and are busy stocking up on autographs.

0:23:520:23:55

It's country music heaven. What more can you wish for?

0:23:550:23:58

All the stars are here - Tommy Cameron, when we came in the door.

0:23:580:24:02

-Yeah, Michael English.

-Marty Mone.

0:24:020:24:06

Marty Mone, and Margo, can't forget her! Margo...

0:24:060:24:10

The wee man from Strabane, Uncle Hugo. Johnny Brady.

0:24:100:24:14

And Johnny Brady. So we're not doing too bad!

0:24:140:24:17

-Michael, it's a pleasure.

-Thanks, Paddy. Great to see you.

0:24:170:24:21

-God bless you.

-God bless.

0:24:210:24:22

There's a buzz of enthusiasm here. Everybody is here in country music.

0:24:220:24:25

Only one day in my life bigger than today -

0:24:250:24:28

the day I married my wife!

0:24:280:24:30

He never told me that before, so he didn't!

0:24:300:24:34

# And we're all gonna die someday, Lord

0:24:340:24:37

# We're all gonna die someday... #

0:24:370:24:39

As the music continues outside, Isaac is busy inside,

0:24:390:24:42

catching up with his favourite stars.

0:24:420:24:45

-You want me to sign it?

-Yes, please.

-OK.

0:24:450:24:47

And who needs an autograph book when you have a guitar?

0:24:470:24:50

-Thank you very much.

-Not at all, great to see you.

0:24:500:24:53

When this guitar is signed and I hang it on the wall,

0:24:530:24:55

it'll have pride of place in my home.

0:24:550:24:57

When anybody comes in and sees this hanging on the wall,

0:24:570:25:00

I'll just have to be open and honest and tell them -

0:25:000:25:03

"Not for sale!"

0:25:030:25:04

Seeing legendary artists onstage together is priceless,

0:25:040:25:07

but is Dungannon big enough for two Queens of Country?

0:25:070:25:12

Philomena Begley and Margo!

0:25:120:25:14

-Excuse me, you're the older one.

-No, no, no...

0:25:140:25:17

-She's trying to tell everybody that she's younger than me!

-Hey!

0:25:170:25:20

You were on the road younger than me.

0:25:200:25:22

You're getting a pension, I'm not!

0:25:220:25:24

LAUGHTER

0:25:240:25:26

They may be older than they once were,

0:25:260:25:28

but the songs are timeless.

0:25:280:25:31

# We make up with each other

0:25:310:25:36

# The way old friends do... #

0:25:360:25:41

With so many artists together in one place,

0:25:430:25:46

it's creating something of a logistical headache.

0:25:460:25:49

There's an awful lot of people here from all over,

0:25:490:25:51

the shop's deadly busy.

0:25:510:25:53

We haven't enough people on the till.

0:25:530:25:55

Philomena's on there at the minute.

0:25:550:25:57

Big Tom, he's arrived - we can't get him out of the car,

0:25:570:25:59

because everybody's around him, wanting photographs.

0:25:590:26:01

Derek Ryan's in here, eating all the buns,

0:26:010:26:03

and I can't even get a cup of tea!

0:26:030:26:05

Big Tom is known as the grandfather of Irish country music,

0:26:070:26:11

and public appearances these days are rare.

0:26:110:26:13

Given the demand for selfies and autographs,

0:26:130:26:16

he's late to the stage.

0:26:160:26:17

-CHEERING

-Thank you!

0:26:190:26:22

A lot of people have been asking me, what am I going to do?

0:26:220:26:25

I'm not going to do very much!

0:26:250:26:27

LAUGHTER

0:26:270:26:28

GUITAR PLAYS INTRO

0:26:300:26:34

# Oh, we're going out the same way we came in

0:26:360:26:40

# Don't matter who you know or where you've been

0:26:420:26:47

# Makes no difference who you are, Skid Row Joe or superstar

0:26:470:26:52

# You're going out the same way you came in... #

0:26:520:26:55

So far, it's going great, we're almost there, it's been fantastic.

0:26:570:27:00

I don't think I've ever seen a line-up like that before

0:27:000:27:02

in all my life, so I would like to be paying them.

0:27:020:27:05

Hold On To Your Hat, here we go.

0:27:050:27:07

Derek Ryan, back where it all started for him,

0:27:070:27:10

is closing the day's celebrations.

0:27:100:27:12

Let's see those hands in the air!

0:27:120:27:14

Are we ready?

0:27:180:27:20

# Hold on to your hat and we'll drive this road together

0:27:210:27:25

# Hold on to your hat, say you'll be mine for ever

0:27:250:27:30

# Ah, you know you are my sweetheart

0:27:320:27:35

# You're the apple of my eye... #

0:27:350:27:37

'What can I say? It's been one hell of a day.

0:27:370:27:40

'And I got to meet ones that I'd never met before,'

0:27:400:27:43

like Michael English, and who else? Um...

0:27:430:27:47

-Jimmy Devine.

-Jimmy Devine and Lee Matthews, who I'd never met either.

0:27:470:27:51

-Michael English.

-Yeah, I said Michael English. Are you listening?

0:27:510:27:54

It'll be a long drive back to Athlone for Paddy and Eileen, so!

0:27:540:27:58

CHEERING

0:27:580:28:00

Isaac is so overwhelmed by the experience.

0:28:000:28:03

He's already planning his next big day.

0:28:030:28:05

I hope, when they're wheeling me out in a brown box, that they're

0:28:050:28:10

playing a country song as I'm lowered down and put in the ground.

0:28:100:28:14

# Oh, you're going out the same way you came in

0:28:150:28:20

# Makes no difference who you know or where you've been

0:28:200:28:24

# Makes no difference who you are, Skid Row Joe or superstar

0:28:250:28:30

# You're going out the same way you came in

0:28:300:28:34

# Yeah, you're going out the same way you came in. #

0:28:360:28:39

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