THE Midlands festival, which takes place later this month in Co Meath, is Ireland's first contemporary country music festival. But just how country is it? Let's take a look-see. . .
KENNY ROGERS
The man known as The Gambler (left) has generally played things pretty safe, steering country music into the middle of the road: Islands in the Stream, greatly endowed by Dolly Parton, was one of country's biggest hits - despite the fact the Bee Gees wrote it.
DWIGHT YOAKAM
One of the leading neo-traditionalists in country, he embraced the term "hillbilly" while country radio cringed at its every mention. Mining a rich seam of bluegrass songs and stories, just as his coalminer grandfather mined a rich seam of. . . well, coal, Yoakam is the man who returned country to its roots.
EMMYLOU HARRIS
Never letting the obstacles of talent, beauty and ineffable cool stand in her way, Emmylou Harris (right) became a country superstar by avoiding the middle ground. Introduced to "hard country" by Gram Parsons in the 70s, her ear for innovation has brought her into contact with everyone from producer Daniel Lanois to reluctant "new Dylan" Conor Oberst. Unmissable.
DON MCLEAN
A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile. But Don McLean is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a country singer.
LAMBCHOP
They may be "Nashville's most fucked up band", but they still have firmer country credentials than Don McLean. Drawing as much from country as jazz, rock, soul and undifferentiated noise, their idiosyncratic output is always worth a look.
The Midlands Music Festival takes place at Ballinlough Castle, Athboy, Co Meath on July 28 - 29. www.midlandsmusicfestival.ie
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