Win two tickets to see Sandy Kelly in March 2024 and a CD.

Following a long hiatus from the recording studio, in October 2023, Sandy Kelly will release her first solo album in thirty years, in tandem with her self-penned life story, ‘In My Own Words’, published by O’Brien Press.

The second single, “Leaving It All Behind”, is the title track from her new album. It is a track written by super producer Ethan Johns (Paul McCartney, Kings Of Leon). Led by a powerful lead vocal, the piano-driven track has a laid-back and contemporary Nashville country sound bathed in steel guitar and lush backing vocals.

The album, ‘Leaving It All Behind’, was recorded at what was Johnny Cash’s personal studio, Cash Cabin in Nashville and produced by five-time Grammy Award-winning producer John Carter Cash, alongside Sandy’s son, Willie Kelly and an A-list Nashville session band. Mastered by Pete Lyman (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker, John Prine) at Infrasonic Sound, Nashville.

Twelve tracks, traversing the lines of classic country and contemporary folk, including re-cut acoustic versions of Sandy’s duets with Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, ‘Woodcarver’ and ‘Against The Wind’, the latter featuring Marty Stuart as a guest musician. As well as a duet with Mike Hanrahan of Stockton’s Wing. ‘Leaving It All Behind’ is a legacy album that will confirm Sandy’s position at the apex of the European country music ladder.

Now Sandy has a national tour organised, with dates all around Ireland

“It was my pleasure to sing with my favourite female artist, Sandy Kelly. In America, she has been Ireland’s greatest ambassador. She won the hearts of everyone who saw her. I am honoured to be included as one of the guest artists on her album.”

– Johnny Cash

Sandy Kelly’s Tour dates:

• 1 MAR - Aislann, Kilcarr
• 2 MAR - Glór, Ennis
• 7 MAR - Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo
• 8 MAR - Ruby Room at Royal Theatre, Castlebar
• 9 MAR - The Source Arts Centre, Thurles
• 11 MAR - National Concert Hall, Dublin
• 14 MAR - Marketplace Theatre, Armagh
• 16 MAR - Hall at Island Arts, Lisburn
• 21 MAR - Ballroom at INEC, Killarney
• 22 MAR - The Everyman Theatre, Cork
• 28 MAR - An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny

This competition is now closed.

Terms & Conditions

1. The promotion is open to residents of Ireland aged 18 years or over except employees of the Promoter, their families, agents or anyone professionally connected with the promotion.

2. A valid entry consists of a correct answer entered in the form above, accompanied by the entrant’s name, email address and a phone number.

3. No applications from agents, third parties, organised groups or applications automatically generated by computer will be accepted. No incomplete, illegible, or corrupted entries will be accepted. No entries not in accordance with the entry instructions will be accepted.

4. The Promotion will run from 06/12/2023 to midnight on 19/12/2023 inclusive.

5. All entries must be received by the Promotor by no later than midnight on the Closing Date. All competition entries received after the Closing Date are automatically disqualified.

6. Promotion limited to one entry per person. No entrant will win more than one prize.

7. By submitting an entry to the Promotor, you are agreeing to be bound by these terms and conditions.

8. Responsibility will not be accepted for entries lost, damaged or delayed as a result of any network, computer hardware or software failure of any kind. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. Entries will become the property of the Promoter.

9. The prize is two tickets to see Sandy Kelly in a venue of your choice along with her new CD. There will be five winners.

10. All prizes will be subject to any additional terms and conditions of the supplier of the prize to the Promoter. This voucher cannot be refunded or redeemed for cash.

11. The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss, damage or consequential damage of any nature in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise caused by the acceptance of the terms and conditions or in connection with the prize.

12. In the event of unforeseen circumstances the Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize for an alternative of equal or greater value.

13. The winners will be notified by email. The winner must claim the prize within 30 days of the notification. If the prize is unclaimed after this time, it will lapse and the Promoter reserves the right to offer the unclaimed prize to a substitute winner selected in accordance with the Promotion rules.

14. The promoters’ decision is final and binding in all matters and no correspondence will be entered into.

15. The winners’ details (name and county) will be made available on The Irish Times website.

16. The winner may be required to participate in unpaid publicity arising from this promotion.

17. The Promotor will only process your personal information as set out in https://www.irishtimes.com/policy-and-terms/privacy-policy and as set out in these terms and conditions.

18. Prizes are non transferrable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

19. These terms and conditions shall be governed by Irish law and the Courts of the Republic of Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

20. Promoter and Data Controller: The Irish Times DAC, The Irish Times Building, P.O. Box 74, 24 - 28 Tara Street, Dublin 2.

21. The Promoter reserves the right to hold void, suspend, cancel or amend the Promotion where it becomes necessary to do so.