I really don’t know what I was expecting when I rolled up to The Grand one recent Saturday evening, my knowledge of County Music is well… limited. A bit of Dolly, (thanks to the years of Christmas parties) and the greatest hits of Johnny Cash. I didn’t have high hopes, or a cowboy hat and I was pretty sure six seasons of “Nashville” on TV were not really going to help me out if the audience were asked to sing along to anything other than “Jolene”. Pushing my doubts aside and determined to enjoy the evening regardless, I took my seat and for the next two and a half hours was whisked away to a lively little Honky Tonk somewhere on Lower Broadway, Nashville and I never wanted to leave!
Dominic Halpin and his band have been touring their act in the UK and been delighting audiences here and around the globe with their flawless performance of some of the all-time greatest Country anthems, old and new, that even a novice like myself could recognize and enjoy. The incredibly talented frontman Halpin was the inspiration for “A Country Night in Nashville”. Stuart Littlewood, the managing Director of Handshake Ltd. spotted the crooner and built a whole stage show around his act and together they found some of the finest musicians in the country to make up “The Hurricanes”. They have created pure music magic on stage. The show is carried by Halpin’s gentle humour and back stories about his love for the genre.
Shelly Quarmby makes up one of the two female vocalists in the band, for most of the performance she is centre stage with Halpin. At times the chemistry between the pair is lacking but in no way does this detract from the energy they put into the performance or the clear passion they share for the music. Quarmby’s effortless jump from full band backing to solo has all the trademarks of a pro and some of the highlights in the show are when she sits down behind her keyboard and captivates the audience with her voice.
The rest of the band, the three Johns (Jonathan Price, Jonny Booth, John Bailey) Ben Wiltshire and Donna Marie are not only masters of their instruments but share in a joy for country music that radiates from the stage and is carried through to their audience. We are treated at times to renditions of some of Donna Marie’s favourite country classics; she commands the stage and dazzles us wih her lively persona and impressive vocals.
To my delight I recognised more songs than I thought I would (sadly for the people sitting near me this meant I could join in the singalongs!) I was introduced to some artists I had never of heard before. I didn’t expect to enjoy the show as much as I did and was disappointed that it was only a one-night event. I don’t think I have ever seen such a diverse audience at The Grand and everyone left with a smile on their face. If this rodeo ever rocks up in town again I will be sure to book my ticket on their Stage Wagon and if you get the chance to catch Dominic Halpin and The Hurricanes on the road, whoever you are and whatever you are into I promise you, you will be glad you did.
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