Festival organiser David Spain, Hugh O'Brien of Hot Country TV, and Mike Denver at the launch of Obama Fest 2016.

Win tickets to Obama Country Fest in this week's Guardian

Nenagh Guardian readers are being offered the chance to win tickets to the Obama Country Fest, which takes place in Moneygall on Sunday July 3rd.

Launched at the Obama Plaza last Wednesday, the Obama Country Fest is a perfectly balanced combination of well-established household names mixed with rising stars and artists who have already experienced success outside of Ireland. With the inaugural event taking place last year, the open-air Obama Country Fest is proving a popular draw with fans.

 

When this year's concert takes place in Moneygall on July 3rd, country music fans can look forward to a day of being entertained by some of the genre's most beloved acts, including Mike Denver, Trudi Lalor and Robert Mizzell.

 

But fans will also have the opportunity to see newer artists such as Olivia Douglas, who has really been making a name for herself since her appearances on TG4's Glór Tíre show at the beginning of the year. Fans will also get a first chance to see Pete Kennedy at this year's Obama Fest. During his time in Nashville, Kennedy has written with some of the most successful songwriters in modern country music, including some who have penned hits for Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, and Rascal Flatts.

 

Another artist who'll be making his way to Moneygall for the first time is the boy from Burnfoot in Donegal, the teenage sensation Keelan Arbuckle. He has yet to blow out 16 candles on a birthday cake, but over the last 16 months or so, Keelan has exploded onto the Irish country scene. With the well-known music video producer Steve Bloor guiding him on his way, it's no surprise that Keelan has already put together a list of achievements that would have many who have been in the business twice as long looking on with just a little hint of envy.

 

Keelan has hit the number 1 spot on the iTunes country chart on no less than three occasions since February of 2015. Not only that, but the Burnfoot youngster has performed on the same stages as Nathan Carter, Derek Ryan, and even Daniel himself! But it doesn't end there, either, because Keelan is also the host of his very own show on the Keep It Country TV channel, 'Keelan's Country'. He also picked up the Newcomer of the Year Award at this year's Hot Country Awards. And remember, this is all before he's even 16 years old!

 

The boy from Burnfoot will be hotfooting it to Moneygall to perform at the Obama Country Fest on July 3rd, and there'll be many's a country fan making that same journey to see Keelan take to the stage!

 

Tipp FM and Hot Country TV will also be at Obama Country Fest 2016. Organised by Spain AV with Moneygall Development Association, the festival will take place at the Moneygall GAA grounds. Admission €20 and children (under 12) are free. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and on the day. Gates open at 12.30pm, first act onstage at 12.45pm. Free supervised parking. See facebook.com/obamacountryfest and Moneygall.ie for more information.