0:00:04 > 0:00:08In Ireland, country music is more popular than ever.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13A host of new country music stars have tempted a generation to turn
0:00:13 > 0:00:16their back on the nightclub, don their Stetsons and jive the night
0:00:16 > 0:00:19away, from Ballymena to Ballydehob.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22This week, we're hitting the dance floor and taking to the stage with
0:00:22 > 0:00:24the townies turning culchie...
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Dublin is ballads, trad, not country.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..from a husband and wife duo starting jiving classes
0:00:32 > 0:00:34- in the city...- I really think yous all should try it,
0:00:34 > 0:00:36cos it's bleeding deadly.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38Been a long time, baby.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41..to an Elvis impersonator swapping the jumpsuit for a Stetson.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43As soon as I put that on stage, I become myself.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Country is coming to a city near you.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52But is Dublin really ready to jive?
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Any interest in jiving, dancing?
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Oh, no.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Will the Belfast music scene be all shook up by a former tribute act?
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Cos I want people to leave here as if they've actually went to a country show.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06And can a man who's never seen the likes of it...
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- Bizarre.- ..really become a pro-dancer on Ireland's
0:01:10 > 0:01:11toughest floor?
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- I'm really nervous. - Welcome to the brand-new world
0:01:14 > 0:01:15of Irish country music.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34# Well, you get down the fiddle and you get down the bow
0:01:34 > 0:01:36# Kick off your shoes And you throw 'em on the floor. #
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Now, country music in Ireland has always been
0:01:39 > 0:01:40a predominantly rural affair.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Barn dances, tractor runs
0:01:44 > 0:01:47and agricultural shows are the heartland of the scene.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53But as the popularity of the music grows so does its fan base.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Pat and Patricia run a garden centre on the outskirts of Dublin...
0:02:00 > 0:02:03..and in between the fuchsias and the petunias,
0:02:03 > 0:02:04country music is blossoming.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08# I beg your pardon
0:02:08 > 0:02:11# I never promised you a rose garden. #
0:02:11 > 0:02:16Country music, to me, is life now.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21I can't believe I went 50 years, or 40 years, without actually dancing,
0:02:21 > 0:02:22but we found it eventually.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27It's giving us a great social life,
0:02:27 > 0:02:33we're up and down the country, we've friends all over the place now.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36We're actually like teenagers again and that's being honest with you.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Just putting a bit of music on, a bit of real music.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Bit of jiving going on, you know, just get a bit of rhythm going.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Ya boy, ye!
0:02:45 > 0:02:47With the music never off the stereo,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50unsuspecting customers can even get a jive.
0:02:50 > 0:02:51Did you ever jive before?
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Come on, we'll give it a...
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Let me show you here now. Just step out onto the floor.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01But not all Dubs are fans of country and Irish.
0:03:01 > 0:03:07It's very unusual in Dublin for two inner-city Dubs to enjoy country
0:03:07 > 0:03:09music. It's not heard of up here.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13They say, "Country music, what's that?"
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Their love of country music has only grown over the last year,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20when Patricia asked Pat to go with her to jiving class.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22It is a good fun.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Keep coming towards me. She wanted me to take up dancing and I'm going,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- "Yeah, right, dancing?" - HE SCOFFS
0:03:28 > 0:03:30"I don't think so."
0:03:30 > 0:03:33And she says, "Country dancing." I says, "You're mad, I think.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- "Would you go away with that?" - Initially, he just didn't dig it.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Champions League, how am I going to see the matches when I'm dancing?
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- Jesus.- But Patricia's plan came up smelling of roses.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50But he actually loved it and I was surprised.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52He was as into it as I was.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56With this new-found passion for the music and dancing,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00Pat and Patricia are determined to sow the seeds of country in Dublin
0:04:00 > 0:04:06- city.- Myself and Pat's mission is that we could bring country music
0:04:06 > 0:04:08and jive into Dublin cos I really don't think they know what they're
0:04:08 > 0:04:10missing, to be honest.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15They're convinced that by setting up a weekly jive class in the city,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17they can get the Dubs into the music.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20If we can even get 10% of Dublin jiving,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23I really think yous all should try it, cos it's bleeding deadly.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30Like their Dublin cousins, Belfast folk have yet to fully jump on board
0:04:30 > 0:04:32the country music bandwagon.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Being from Belfast, you know, obviously everybody's city folk
0:04:34 > 0:04:37and the likes of city centre are still all about pop music.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40# When I heard Big Tom in the Galtymore
0:04:40 > 0:04:42# With the dancers crying out for more... #
0:04:42 > 0:04:44But that wasn't always the case -
0:04:44 > 0:04:47before pop took over Belfast, folk loved their show bands
0:04:47 > 0:04:49and their country music.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Back in the day, in the '70s, every club in Belfast,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55if you were a band that didn't do country, you didn't get a gig.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57So, it'd be great to bring those days back again.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02James Lynas is hoping to bring back the glory days of country.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04I'm not going to stop until I have
0:05:04 > 0:05:09actually got Belfast loving country music again. That's my goal.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11# And if I got an encore
0:05:11 > 0:05:15# I'd go home feeling like a king. #
0:05:15 > 0:05:17James works as a cleaner...
0:05:17 > 0:05:18This isn't a bad old job, you know,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21but it's a long way from being on stage, you know.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25..but he has dreams of becoming a king of country music.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28When you've all the gear on, you know, the studded shirts, the jeans,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30the boots, it gives me a buzz.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32There's no better feeling in the world, you know.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34And then on the Monday morning, you come back,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36get your spray bottle out and continue on.
0:05:37 > 0:05:43# Oh, it's crying time again You're gonna leave me... #
0:05:43 > 0:05:45And before he found his country calling,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48James performed as The King.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52# Cos, baby
0:05:52 > 0:05:55# Baby, you know
0:05:55 > 0:05:58# You know that I can... #
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- Been a long time, baby. - HE CHUCKLES
0:06:00 > 0:06:02I did look pretty funny, to be honest.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Elvis had a nice, swarthy skin and I was white as a ghost.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07But...a few sunbeds fixed that!
0:06:10 > 0:06:13They want to see and think that you're Elvis Presley on that stage.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16But pretending to be someone he wasn't
0:06:16 > 0:06:19had this tribute act singing the blues.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23If somebody said to me, "I'll give you a million pounds to stick an
0:06:23 > 0:06:25"Elvis suit on and go and do it again," I would still say no.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27I want to be a country artist.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32James has now swapped the jumpsuit for a Stetson.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33This is the real me.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37And I've never felt so comfortable in all my life,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39dressing up in all this gear.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42And as soon as I put that on stage, I become myself.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48If he wants to make it as a country singer, it's now or never.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51For me, this is sort of make or break,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54I would love to just be able to leave work and go full-time at the
0:06:54 > 0:06:56singing and dedicate my life to it.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01# They're laying people off down at the factory... #
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Like The King before him, James has some legendary writers on board
0:07:04 > 0:07:06to help him break the big time.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09You know, you've got talent, you've got a really unique voice, you don't
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- sound like anybody and it's going to happen eventually.- Cheers.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Jon Philibert has written songs for the likes of country legend
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Bobby Bare and Tom Jones, and he hopes his new track
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Whiskey Get Busy will have James toasting success.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Hopefully I'll have that track to you by Thursday evening and you can
0:07:24 > 0:07:26let me know Friday, then, what you think, sure,
0:07:26 > 0:07:27and we'll take it from there.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- Excellent, looking forward to it, big time.- No problem, Jon.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38# Dancing about the Liffey
0:07:38 > 0:07:40# Going through old Dublin town. #
0:07:40 > 0:07:43In Dublin, Pat and Patricia have hit the streets
0:07:43 > 0:07:46to try and convince city folk to come to the jive classes.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Have yous ever thought of jiving? - Oh, not a chance.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- Have you ever thought of it? - Oh, no, no.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Any interest in jiving, dancing?
0:07:52 > 0:07:53- Oh, no, thanks. - SHE LAUGHS
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- No?- Would you be interested in taking up a jiving class?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- A which?- Jiving class.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00But this is Dublin city...
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- Jiving?- Jiving, yeah. - Oh, I thought you said diving.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- Jiving, a bit of this... - It'll keep you fit.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07..they haven't seen jiving here since the early '70s.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- We're starting a jiving class.- Yeah?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12And we're just wondering would any of yous like to come along?
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- Me? I've two left feet and a wooden leg.- You haven't!
0:08:14 > 0:08:16If you get into this, you'll be hooked, guarantee it.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19If you can't get something in here, you might give up.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Watch the mules, now.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25Can yous teach us?
0:08:26 > 0:08:30With hundreds of flyers handed out and at least one on-street lesson,
0:08:30 > 0:08:32interest starts to pick up.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- Have you ever danced?- I have.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Take that leaflet. Great for your mind, body and soul.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- It'd be great to see there.- Yeah.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40Great, you'll enjoy it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43After a long day of traipsing the streets, Pat and Patricia
0:08:43 > 0:08:47will just have to wait and see if anyone in the city
0:08:47 > 0:08:49wants to learn to jive.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52I know they'll stay if they come.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56At least they know about it now and hopefully they might just try it,
0:08:56 > 0:08:57even, you know.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02# Too-ra-loo and a too-ra-lay It's in my DNA... #
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Pat and Patricia's new classes are too far away for wannabe jiver,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Toura.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11He moved to Belfast from Zimbabwe back in the '90s.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I'm almost as local as...
0:09:14 > 0:09:16an Ulster fry, you know.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22# Oh, there's Irish in America There's Irish in Berlin... #
0:09:22 > 0:09:24From a Northern Ireland perspective,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27we just all love having the craic, like.
0:09:30 > 0:09:31Initially when I came,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34the longest time I was going to stay was two years.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42I met an Irish girl and fell in love, the rest is history.
0:09:42 > 0:09:4523 years later, we have three daughters, so...
0:09:47 > 0:09:48..Ireland stole my heart.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54Since he's been in Northern Ireland,
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Toura has tackled everything the local culture has to offer,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00from learning Irish to perfecting traditional dance.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05A few years ago, I was in Donegal and I saw this guy dancing sean nos
0:10:05 > 0:10:08and I thought, "Wow."
0:10:08 > 0:10:12And then I decided that moment that I was going to learn the dance.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14There's an old Native American saying -
0:10:14 > 0:10:18when you see us dance, you see our spirit.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22That is what the dance of Ireland is to me.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29I'm a cultural vampire, I love to immerse myself in culture.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33With country music and jiving now
0:10:33 > 0:10:35such a part of people's social lives,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Toura wants to get his teeth into the scene.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41The country music scene is huge.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45Young people who would normally listen to pop music,
0:10:45 > 0:10:47they are going out
0:10:47 > 0:10:50dancing to country music.
0:10:50 > 0:10:51Like...
0:10:52 > 0:10:55You know, that's just bizarre.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00It's a whole new world
0:11:00 > 0:11:04and tonight Toura is going to experience it for the very first
0:11:04 > 0:11:07time at the Ryandale hotel.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12I'm going to get a sense of what the country music scene
0:11:12 > 0:11:13is all about.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Get a feel of what the craic is.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23I normally dress quite casually but
0:11:23 > 0:11:26from what I've heard about the country music scene,
0:11:26 > 0:11:27the guys love to dress up.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33The most important part of a dancer's wardrobe are his shoes
0:11:33 > 0:11:36and Toura's confident he's got the right footwear.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40I'm making an effort to look the part and
0:11:40 > 0:11:44if the shiny shoes help me blend in,
0:11:44 > 0:11:45so be it.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52I'm a novice, but I'm willing to give it a go.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Time to go country dancing.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59If you want to become an accomplished jiver,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02there's nowhere better to watch the pros in action than the Moy,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06County Tyrone, the best spot in the land for a bit of country and Irish.
0:12:17 > 0:12:18He might be handy at the Irish dancing
0:12:18 > 0:12:20but jiving's a different game altogether.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25And it seems shiny shoes aren't welcome here.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27It's my first time, man.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I can tell that by that attire.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31What's wrong with what I'm wearing?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- Well, you haven't the brown shoes on, like.- No.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38I wouldn't go to the back door with them on.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39What a night I've had!
0:12:39 > 0:12:42The craic is absolutely amazing.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47My plan now is to go and get some lessons.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49I need to get my steps in check.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50I need to learn how to dance.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58Dancing is the most important skill necessary if you want to really
0:12:58 > 0:12:59enjoy a country night out.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02# Going out for the craic Guitar on my back
0:13:02 > 0:13:03# Gonna sing and dance all night... #
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Jive classes are popping up all over rural Ireland
0:13:06 > 0:13:08as beginners get to grips with the moves.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13In Dublin city, husband and wife dance teachers Pat and Patricia are
0:13:13 > 0:13:16anxiously waiting to see if anyone will turn up
0:13:16 > 0:13:18to their new Monday night jive class.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22I hope people really do turn up now.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25This is the big test. This is the big push, so
0:13:25 > 0:13:28if we can get a bit of movement here tonight, we can work on it.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30You know, you can put notices up and you can give leaflets out
0:13:30 > 0:13:32but people say they'll come, but will they come,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35do you know what I mean? I've been there myself saying,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38"Oh, yeah, I'll go," and then, "No, I'm not going to go." So, yeah,
0:13:38 > 0:13:42so hopefully they'll just get the courage to walk through the door.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45How you doing, ladies? How are you? How are you doing?
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- Are you here for the jiving, are you?- We are indeed.- Oh, happy days.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Enjoy yourselves. You'll have a good old night. Enjoy it.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53After a slow start,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56the hall starts to fill up with would-be jivers from the city.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58It looks like great fun, so here we are.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00In for a penny, in for a pound.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07And before long, they're learning their first country dance steps.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Right, two, three, kick.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Left, two, three, kick.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15# Going out for the craic Guitar on my back
0:14:15 > 0:14:18# Gonna sing and dance all night... #
0:14:18 > 0:14:23Best friends Sean, Leanne and Tanya are a former disco-dancing trio.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25I was the champ, so I came...
0:14:25 > 0:14:26I always used to come first.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30It just gives that more ability, you know yourself...
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- God!- But these former disco dancers
0:14:33 > 0:14:36are struggling with the country moves.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- Two, three, four...- They'll do all right, in fairness.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41I've seen a lot worse dancers than what's here tonight.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Just once they get their steps right.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45That starts with the rhythm and the count.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Everything else will come after that.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50And the trio were finding out you need a good pair of lungs to jive.
0:14:52 > 0:14:53I'm like the Liffey in Dublin.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57I swear to God, the sweat is rolling off me.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01I've never done a work-out in the gym or anything in my life, just not into it. Like,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04this is something good for me, cos I'll end up taking the banger one of these days.
0:15:04 > 0:15:10The banger means a heart attack, just to let you know.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Meanwhile, Patricia has a spring in her step about the good turnout.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17It's great to have a crowd so, yeah, I was delighted so many people came.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Like, it's great. I'll make jivers out of them yet.
0:15:20 > 0:15:21Dublin can jive.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27And it seems the disco dancers are country converts.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31In my flat this week, I'm going to be practising,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33getting all the country music up on my telly.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36That's it. Got to get costumes and all now it's practising.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Dress sense on this scene is no laughing matter.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48These boys and girls take their fashion seriously.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Would-be jiver Toura from Belfast is preparing for a big night out at the
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Four Seasons in Monaghan and, if he's going country,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00he needs to dress country.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02I'm going to a country gig next week.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Last time I was there, I was not dressed right.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06Can you get me sorted?
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Oh, definitely. Know what you're after, nice brown shoe, brown belt,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11double-collared shirt, 100%.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12- Come on this way.- OK.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19On this scene, you can have any colour of shoe you like...
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- Now you're talking! - ..as long as it's brown.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23No, no, no, no, no, no. Definitely not.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26What you want is a nice brown shoe. See, something like that there?
0:16:26 > 0:16:27That's tidy, that'll do, that's nice.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- They are a bit plain, like. - Listen, that's what all the guys
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- are going for.- 'They are stylish.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34'They're not really me in the sense but...'
0:16:35 > 0:16:37..I'm game for it, like, you know.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Yeah, that's a different style altogether, like.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42That's pure class, pure country.
0:16:49 > 0:16:50Oh, yeah.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53You're not going to know me now.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54You're 100% country.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00One, two, three, four and one, two...
0:17:00 > 0:17:02With the wardrobe sorted,
0:17:02 > 0:17:03Toura just needs to work on his moves.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10He's been attending a jiving class in Banbridge, along with 60 others
0:17:10 > 0:17:12keen to learn.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17This is my third lesson.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20I'll still have to get my footwork sorted,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23so I'm getting there but I'm not yet there.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28Oh!
0:17:28 > 0:17:31OK. So just watch the wee things like that there.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35The Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan hosts the very best jivers every
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Sunday night, and if Toura's serious about mixing with the best,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41he'd need to learn fast.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44You're not driving a two-handed saw.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- Hey! - SHE LAUGHS
0:17:46 > 0:17:47OK, bring me up for a spin.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Woo!
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- Oh, OK.- Well, maybe not too fast.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54You need to calm down just a little bit there.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56He's a very eager dancer,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59so he can sometimes get overexcited and use a bit too much force when he
0:17:59 > 0:18:01is leading a lady, which can be quite sore on her wrists,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04arms and shoulders, and I definitely know that from experience.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07One, two. Remember, not too many, not too big a step,
0:18:07 > 0:18:08just a small kind of little pivot.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Yeah, very good. Just kind of get your whole body into the rhythm of
0:18:11 > 0:18:15it cos you don't want to exert yourself too much by going crazy.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Other wee thing is that when you're leading the lady's hands,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21make sure that you're leading it maybe a beat or two beforehand.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Especially, remember the very beginning, where we go one, two,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27three, four, one, on two, the hand is raised...
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- Ah.- So that, on three, the lady begins to spin
0:18:30 > 0:18:31and then brought back in.
0:18:31 > 0:18:32OK?
0:18:36 > 0:18:38It's a different dancing style than he's used to.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40Oh, what was that?
0:18:40 > 0:18:42I don't know.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45But he's got rhythm and the moves are improving.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48Much better.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Calm the arm down just a little bit.
0:18:51 > 0:18:52You're doing really well.
0:18:56 > 0:18:57Was that OK?
0:18:57 > 0:19:00That was really good. You just need to remember that
0:19:00 > 0:19:02when you're going up like that, you could be going up for a set that's
0:19:02 > 0:19:05maybe two, three, four, maybe five songs long -
0:19:05 > 0:19:08if they're doing a medley, it's going to be a very long dance.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11You could be up on the floor for 15 minutes, just doing a jive,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13so you don't want to exert all your energy just at once
0:19:13 > 0:19:16and then be, like, mad jiving, crazy jiving and then all of a sudden
0:19:16 > 0:19:18being like, "My goodness, I can't jive any longer!"
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Shuffle, shuffle, left. Shuffle, shuffle, right.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23He's come on quite a lot since he's first started out,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26so we're looking forward to seeing the finished product.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Right, left, right, clap.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- Hips, hips...- Woo!
0:19:31 > 0:19:32I've had an amazing night.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37That's the beauty of this scene, you know, that people just help you.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39They dance with you.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43And I tell you what - I'm ready for the Four Seasons.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51# The more I get to drinkin'... #
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Former Elvis impersonator James Lynas is recording his new single.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57# So, whiskey
0:19:57 > 0:19:58# Get busy
0:19:59 > 0:20:03# I'm depending on you. #
0:20:03 > 0:20:04What did you think of that, Frankie?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- SPEECH INAUDIBLE THROUGH GLASS - # You! #
0:20:07 > 0:20:08# You! #
0:20:08 > 0:20:13# I'm depending on you! #
0:20:16 > 0:20:20James hopes this new song will propel him to country music stardom.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23All I'd hope, in about a year's time,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26that we'll be down there with the likes of the Robert Mizzells,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Nathan Carters. That's my aim, is to get up there with those guys.
0:20:29 > 0:20:35# Whiskey, I have heard your reputation. #
0:20:35 > 0:20:38That's a wee Belfast twang. It sneaks in there now and again.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39You can't take...
0:20:39 > 0:20:41# I guess I'll get to... #
0:20:41 > 0:20:44You can take a boy out of Belfast but you can't take the Belfast out
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- of a boy.- It's class.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Son, your voice is fantastic.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Excellent.- Cheers. Happy days. - Very, very good.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54# I'm depending on you Yeah! #
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I would say I'm obsessive about country music.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02It's actually become like a disease and I can't shake it off
0:21:02 > 0:21:05and I won't. I don't even want to try and shake it off, to be honest.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08I eat, sleep and breathe it.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Even the kids are starting to eat, sleep and breathe it.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14James and his new band have struggled to get gigs
0:21:14 > 0:21:16in and around Belfast.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Because Belfast is hard to get country venues, you know,
0:21:20 > 0:21:21and it's very rare.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27But they've secured a headline gig ten miles down the road in
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Carrickfergus, but that's as close as the music gets to the city.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34We're rehearsing like mad, just making sure it's going to be right.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38The last thing we want to do is go to a country venue and
0:21:38 > 0:21:40not be country.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47In Dublin, country music and jiving is proving popular
0:21:47 > 0:21:48with the city slickers,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52as Pat and Patricia's class goes from strength to strength.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- You enjoyed last week anyway? - Yes.- That's your first night in. That's good, yeah.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Each week, more and more new faces are showing up to learn to dance.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03I haven't danced in ages.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- I know, but you'll be grand.- I've not been to a dance class in years.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Turn, two, three, left, right...
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Amongst the new recruits, there are some regulars as well.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16The former disco dancers, Sean, Tanya and Leanne, are back for more.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18# Up the jive
0:22:20 > 0:22:22# Yeah, up the jive... #
0:22:25 > 0:22:28As Patricia puts the 40-strong class through their steps,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31the local women's Gaelic team decide to pitch in, too.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- How are you?- Grand. - You're interested in coming in?
0:22:34 > 0:22:35- We are, yeah.- Lovely, lovely.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- The more the merrier.- You'll be well able for yous are well fit.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39Oh, I don't know about that!
0:22:39 > 0:22:43The fancy footwork shouldn't be an issue for these girls.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45# Up the jive... #
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Woohoo!
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Kind of tough after you've just done a Gaa workout
0:22:50 > 0:22:52and then you're into a jive workout.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53Instead of the hands being up here,
0:22:53 > 0:22:58it's all this motion and getting my hands and the feet together and...
0:22:58 > 0:22:59Yeah.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03As the footballers tackle the basic moves,
0:23:03 > 0:23:07the former disco dancers are jiving like old pros.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09# There's flirtin', courtin' Who knows for certain
0:23:09 > 0:23:11# Who's with who tonight
0:23:11 > 0:23:12# Up the jive... #
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- Tonight went brilliant. - Oh, yeah, it went brilliant.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17I think cos it's the second week, you know the steps, it's easier to get into, like.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20You know, we could be teaching our own classes coming up.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- You never know.- Have a jive and...
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Having a jiving class in Coulagh.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30Garden centre owners Pat and Patricia are delighted with how
0:23:30 > 0:23:33things have blossomed.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36I think our mission to countrify Dublin is going to work
0:23:36 > 0:23:39and we're going get them all jiving so, yeah, it's brilliant.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43At the end of the day, that's our goal,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45bringing jive and dance back to Dublin,
0:23:45 > 0:23:48and I think we're going to get there, do you know that?
0:23:48 > 0:23:49# I'm gonna
0:23:49 > 0:23:52# Roll out the red carpet When you come home... #
0:23:52 > 0:23:57Bringing the music back to Belfast is James Lynas' ultimate goal.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Tonight, him and the band are in Carrickfergus
0:23:59 > 0:24:01for their biggest gig yet.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04It's not the Grand Ole Opry, but it's a nice venue, you know,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07and we're getting closer and closer to doing it in the home city.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11The nerves are starting to kick in.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13But, sure, that's all part of the fun.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15If there are no nerves, you can't perform.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18That's how I feel about it, you know.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Well, that's my Elvis tattoo
0:24:20 > 0:24:22I got a few years ago. It says TCB.
0:24:22 > 0:24:23That means taking care of business
0:24:23 > 0:24:26and that's hopefully what we'll do this evening here.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28As well as playing the standard country tunes,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32James will be testing out his brand-new track on the crowd.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Good old-fashioned honky-tonk country song.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Typical country song about women and beer, you know.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38A nice wee story to it.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42With a quick costume change, James is ready to hit the stage.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Sure you wouldn't know I was from Belfast.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47THEY CHEER
0:24:51 > 0:24:54# Stop the world and let me off
0:24:56 > 0:24:58# I'm tired of going round and round... #
0:25:00 > 0:25:01He's absolutely amazing.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Really, really enjoying the night so far.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06It's great. And it's great to see a fantastic crowd in there.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07This place is buzzing.
0:25:07 > 0:25:08It really is good to see.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14- To be fair, I'm not a country and western fan, don't really...- We're getting there, we're getting there.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Yeah, we're getting there, but it's actually a very, very good night.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24The paying punters are enjoying the well-known country tunes,
0:25:24 > 0:25:28but the big test is whether they'll like James's new single,
0:25:28 > 0:25:29Whiskey Get Busy.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31# I said, whiskey
0:25:31 > 0:25:33# Get busy
0:25:33 > 0:25:36# Do what you gotta do... #
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Whiskey Get Busy? I really enjoyed it.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Everyone seemed to enjoy it.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- If he's back here again, we'll be here.- Yeah.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- Definitely.- We definitely will be here.- Definitely.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49# Whiskey, I have heard your reputation... #
0:25:49 > 0:25:53To think that someone from Belfast is going to be singing instead of us
0:25:53 > 0:25:57having to travel down the country all the time, it's great.
0:25:57 > 0:26:03# I'm depending on you! #
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Oh!
0:26:05 > 0:26:06With such a great reception,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10country might just ride again in Belfast city.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14James, please bring the country music back to Belfast, please!
0:26:14 > 0:26:17- We need it!- I just love the old music and
0:26:17 > 0:26:19I just wish it was everywhere.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22If you can please Belfast people, you can please anybody.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Most Belfast people are hard to please, you know.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30The Four Seasons in Monaghan on a Sunday night attracts the very best
0:26:30 > 0:26:32country dancers to jive the night away...
0:26:33 > 0:26:37..and Toura is about to jump feet first into the evening.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41This time, I have made the effort to get the right shoes,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43the brown shoes and the belt.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48He might look the part, but the proof is in the dancing.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52I want to watch it a little bit and then I'll give it a go.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Before daring to step onto the floor,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Toura gets an idea of the standard the ladies expect.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Seeing some of the dancers, it really makes me nervous.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03I'm going to ask somebody for a dance now,
0:27:03 > 0:27:08so hopefully I won't make an idiot of myself!
0:27:08 > 0:27:10I've got to give it a go.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11It's the moment of truth.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Can Toura from Zimbabwe jive with the best of them?
0:27:15 > 0:27:17# Kiss me, Mary Kiss me, Mary
0:27:17 > 0:27:19# Kiss me one more time
0:27:19 > 0:27:23# I may be young and a little scared But I wanna cross the line
0:27:23 > 0:27:25# Oh, come on, Mary... #
0:27:25 > 0:27:27There's no doubt - the boy can jive.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31# Kiss me Let me walk you home tonight... #
0:27:31 > 0:27:33He's great. He's fantastic.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34And he just wanted to throw in extra bits.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38It's good to have something different and a bit of energy and he's a lovely, lovely person.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41He's bubbly and he's a bit of craic and, sure, that's what you want.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43# Life's too short Let's have some fun
0:27:43 > 0:27:47# There's good times here for everyone... #
0:27:47 > 0:27:50And having proved his dance floor credentials,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52there's no stopping him now.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57His humour, he's, like, in your eyes and his legs are like this here!
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Yeah, all you can do is laugh,
0:27:59 > 0:28:01but that's what makes it a brilliant dance.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04That's why you'd want to go back and dance again and again with him,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06because he's such fun to dance with.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09What a night I've had!
0:28:09 > 0:28:10Absolutely amazing.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14You know, it's family, it is a way of life for these guys
0:28:14 > 0:28:17and I think it might be a way of life or me, too, now.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22# So, whiskey
0:28:22 > 0:28:23# Get busy
0:28:24 > 0:28:27# I'm depending on you
0:28:27 > 0:28:29# Yeah, whiskey
0:28:29 > 0:28:30# Get busy
0:28:31 > 0:28:33# Well, I'm
0:28:33 > 0:28:38# I'm depending on you. #
0:28:40 > 0:28:41Keep it country, boys!
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Yeah!