CATHY GOES SOLO
Cathy goes solo
Noel Welch talks to the Vard sister who's now doing it for herself and reports on a little rock'n'roll history
SCHOOLDAYS hold fond memories for Cathy Vard - not that she was an outstanding academic, but she was tops in the music class. "I had a lot of leading roles in school concerts," she recalls. "I received early encouragement from successive teachers, and I have benefited from, those early singing lessons."
Along with Wendy and Lisa, Cathy was a member of the Vard Sisters, but wanted her career to change direction and so she has decided to go solo. Her new album, Follow Your Heart, contains 13 superb tracks, including two Paul Simon compositions, Old Friends and Bookends.
"I wasn't a long time fan of Paul Simon, but I did go to see him in concert in Dublin a few years ago," she says. Cathy's own favourite on the album is songwriter Liam Lawton's A World Within.
Cathy is a big fan of Eurovision and each year she invites people round to watch the show. "I've been a big fan of Eurovision winner Brendan Graham and am delighted to include a track written by him on my album."
Her current single on the Sony label, Ave Mundi, is receiving plenty of airplay on the nation's stations. "The song is about Our Lady and is written by acclaimed Portuguese composer and poet Rodrigo Laeo," she says.
Cathy will be taking time off over Christmas to spend with her children Jason, Alison and Geoff and her husband Greg in their home in Dundrum. "My family have been very supportive and Greg is my No 1 fan."
Cathy Vard's excellent album is available in music stores nationwide and sounds like an ideal present for Christmas.
The rock'n'roll clock went back in time recently in the Royal Arms Hotel when a star-studded line-up gathered to support the Omagh fund. Among the artists appearing was a baseball capped gentleman by the name of Sean Hamilton.
However, to many who frequented dance halls north of the border and down south, Sean was known as 'Speedy' Hamilton, former lead singer with the Plattermen. He performed the Chuck Berry classic Little Queenie.
By all accounts it was a marvellous night of nostalgia, where a little bit of Ulster rock'n'roll history was made. Backing Sean for the first time on stage in their distinguished careers were two of the province's greatest rock guitarists, Artie McGlynn (ex Van Morrison band) and Henry McCullough (ex Wings).
The ballroom in the Royal Arms was packed to capacity and raised thousands for the Omagh Fund. Among those who took part were: Frank Chism (former Elvis sound-alike), Dominic Kirwan, Brian Coll, Ray Moore, Pat Sharkey and Tony Hutchinson.
Two more Stars in Your Eyes contestants from the ITV talent show pay a visit to the Rochestown Park Hotel on Thursday next.
Kenny Highland, who plays country music superstar Garth Brooks to perfection, will be joined by Sonia Dawn, whose impersonation
of Karen Carpenter is incredible.
All the hits will be included in the show, like Close To You, Rainy Days & Mondays, On Top of the World, Yesterday Once More, and from Kenny: Not Counting You, If Tomorrow Never Comes and, of course, The Dance.
Two songs from the pen of Cork-man Jimmy McCarthy are featured on the current single from Finbar Wright. The Contender, a song about Irish boxing legend Jack Doyle, and Wonder Child are tracks on the first recording under Finbar's new management.
Recorded at the famous Abbey Road studios, it features Robbie Mclntosh on guitar, Mo Foster on bass, Rod Argent on piano and.is produced by Peter Van Hooke,
This week's Top Ten singles;
1. (1) I Believe - Cher
2. (-) Hard Knock Life - Jay-Z
3. (-) When You're Gone - Bryan Adams ft. Melanie C
4. (-) No Regrets - Robbie Williams
5. (-) Big Big World - Emilia
6. (2) I Love The Way You Love Me - Boyzone
7. (-) Take Me There - Blackstreet/Mya ft. Mase
8. (5) Heartbeat/Tragedy - Steps
9. (4) Up and Down - Vengaboys
10. (3) Miami - Will Smith
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Noel Welch talks to the Vard sister who's now doing it for herself and reports on a little rock'n'roll history
SCHOOLDAYS hold fond memories for Cathy Vard - not that she was an outstanding academic, but she was tops in the music class. "I had a lot of leading roles in school concerts," she recalls. "I received early encouragement from successive teachers, and I have benefited from, those early singing lessons."
Along with Wendy and Lisa, Cathy was a member of the Vard Sisters, but wanted her career to change direction and so she has decided to go solo. Her new album, Follow Your Heart, contains 13 superb tracks, including two Paul Simon compositions, Old Friends and Bookends.
"I wasn't a long time fan of Paul Simon, but I did go to see him in concert in Dublin a few years ago," she says. Cathy's own favourite on the album is songwriter Liam Lawton's A World Within.
Cathy is a big fan of Eurovision and each year she invites people round to watch the show. "I've been a big fan of Eurovision winner Brendan Graham and am delighted to include a track written by him on my album."
Her current single on the Sony label, Ave Mundi, is receiving plenty of airplay on the nation's stations. "The song is about Our Lady and is written by acclaimed Portuguese composer and poet Rodrigo Laeo," she says.
Cathy will be taking time off over Christmas to spend with her children Jason, Alison and Geoff and her husband Greg in their home in Dundrum. "My family have been very supportive and Greg is my No 1 fan."
Cathy Vard's excellent album is available in music stores nationwide and sounds like an ideal present for Christmas.
The rock'n'roll clock went back in time recently in the Royal Arms Hotel when a star-studded line-up gathered to support the Omagh fund. Among the artists appearing was a baseball capped gentleman by the name of Sean Hamilton.
However, to many who frequented dance halls north of the border and down south, Sean was known as 'Speedy' Hamilton, former lead singer with the Plattermen. He performed the Chuck Berry classic Little Queenie.
By all accounts it was a marvellous night of nostalgia, where a little bit of Ulster rock'n'roll history was made. Backing Sean for the first time on stage in their distinguished careers were two of the province's greatest rock guitarists, Artie McGlynn (ex Van Morrison band) and Henry McCullough (ex Wings).
The ballroom in the Royal Arms was packed to capacity and raised thousands for the Omagh Fund. Among those who took part were: Frank Chism (former Elvis sound-alike), Dominic Kirwan, Brian Coll, Ray Moore, Pat Sharkey and Tony Hutchinson.
Two more Stars in Your Eyes contestants from the ITV talent show pay a visit to the Rochestown Park Hotel on Thursday next.
Kenny Highland, who plays country music superstar Garth Brooks to perfection, will be joined by Sonia Dawn, whose impersonation
of Karen Carpenter is incredible.
All the hits will be included in the show, like Close To You, Rainy Days & Mondays, On Top of the World, Yesterday Once More, and from Kenny: Not Counting You, If Tomorrow Never Comes and, of course, The Dance.
Two songs from the pen of Cork-man Jimmy McCarthy are featured on the current single from Finbar Wright. The Contender, a song about Irish boxing legend Jack Doyle, and Wonder Child are tracks on the first recording under Finbar's new management.
Recorded at the famous Abbey Road studios, it features Robbie Mclntosh on guitar, Mo Foster on bass, Rod Argent on piano and.is produced by Peter Van Hooke,
This week's Top Ten singles;
1. (1) I Believe - Cher
2. (-) Hard Knock Life - Jay-Z
3. (-) When You're Gone - Bryan Adams ft. Melanie C
4. (-) No Regrets - Robbie Williams
5. (-) Big Big World - Emilia
6. (2) I Love The Way You Love Me - Boyzone
7. (-) Take Me There - Blackstreet/Mya ft. Mase
8. (5) Heartbeat/Tragedy - Steps
9. (4) Up and Down - Vengaboys
10. (3) Miami - Will Smith
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Further Information
Publisher: THE EXAMINER
Ref: TEX/185
Published Date: 14-Dec-98
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