Local musicians unite for mental health

Musicians from across the locality have pooled their talent to produce an album in aid of mental health services.
'Down in Andy's Bar' is the name of a 15-track album that includes quality covers contributed by some well-known musical locals. The songs were recently recorded live at Andy's Bar on Sarsfield St.
Among the contributors are Robbie Glennon (Nenagh), Leanne Rafferty (Ballingarry), Pierce Ryan (Capparoe), Mairead Slevin (Shinrone), Matty Ryan (Nenagh, of the band Outta Diesel), Aoife Kelly (Templemore), Derval Morrissey (Nenagh), Caroline Fallon (Portumna, sister of Mike Denver), Jamie Lee Forde (Cloughjordan), Bernie O'Dwyer (Nenagh), Tom Fitzpatrick (Nenagh), Billy McNamara (Nenagh), James Reilly Byrne (Nenagh), and Philip Mulqueen (Silvermine Bar, Nenagh). The songs span a wide range of genres, from 'Bring Him Home' of 'Les Misérables' to Mundy's 'July' and 'I Gotta Feeling' by the Black Eyed Peas.
The album also features an original single from Kilkeary based singer Martin Grace. 'That's the Way I Write a Lovesong' is being used as the promotional song for the album and is receiving widespread radio play.
Proceeds from the sale of the album are to go towards local mental health services. Martin pointed out that mental health issues are like cancer; everyone knows someone who is affected. He said he knows a lot of people in the local community who have depression and need to talk about it – men in particular.
But, as Martin says, often people experiencing such difficulties don't know where to turn; they are unaware of the services available locally or how to access them. The album therefore is as much about raising awareness as it is funds for mental health services.
Martin's 'That's the Way I Write A Lovesong' has received positive reviews and has helped him land talks with some major Irish stars of country music, who are interested in recording some of his other material. He also learned this week that his song is destined for widespread radio airplay in the US.
The Kilkeary based singer-songwriter is well known in music circles having recorded several songs of local resonance over the years with his brother Ollie Grace of Moneygall. Many will recall their 2001 hit 'Dromineer Bay', or the 'Hospital Song' of 2009, which the Grace brothers wrote over concern for the future of Nenagh hospital.
Martin has hit a golden patch of late with his new material, which has featured on radio stations up north in Newry, Omagh and Strabane as well as in counties Tipperary, Clare, Limerick and Kerry. Martin's recent composition 'She's Back in My Arms Again' – described by its writer as a “catchy country shuffle” - has been featuring regularly on Tipp FM's 'County Cafe' with Fran Curry, while Strabane Radio hostess Marie Maguire counted it among the 10 most-requested songs on her station jukebox.
Martin was amongst those performing at last Sunday's hugely successful family event in support of mental health services at Buddy's of Capparoe. He said a target has been set of raising €5,000 through sales of the album, which is priced at €5. It is available in local shops as well as Andy's Bar and the Silvermine Bar on Silver St.