Those who believe that the era of country-and-western politics died with the former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, are wrong because new roots have been put down in Moate.
In the recent local government elections, midlanders elected a man with a Stetson to represent them on Westmeath County Council.
Tom Allen, known as T.R. Dallas, added the initials MCC to his name when he polled 856 first preference votes in his hometown.
The quietly-spoken entertainer sees no great difference between the music business and politics because he believes both are about people.
Born in Mount Temple, Moate, nearly 50 years ago, Tom Allen came from a family of nine which had no real interest in politics.
"My father was a hard-working farmer who loved his pint and traditional music. We grew up working the farm and helping our neighbours," he said.
"That was the tradition in this area, and I see politics as an extension of this. I want to do my best for those who need it most"
He became involved in politics when he worked in a garage in Moate and used to regularly meet the former Tanaiste, Brian Lenihan, who always stopped in the town to buy a newspaper on his way to Dublin.
"He was a lovely man and I always enjoyed his company. Local supporters asked me to help put up posters in Roscommon where he was a TD at the time and that is how I got involved," he said.
As a full-time musician he was to make contact with many people in Fianna Fail; Albert Reynolds, Pascal Mooney and the local senator, Donie Cassidy.
He worked with Senator Cassidy, further cementing the relationship through music and politics, but had only a passing interest in becoming an elected representative about 10 years ago.
"A local independent councillor retired, and a few people asked me to run and I did and I got elected. I am looking forward to working on the council," he said.
"Politics fits nicely into the music scene, or the other way round, because you are out and about and you meet people and they have access to you."
Tom currently works four nights a week around the country with a three-piece band, also tours in the UK, Europe and does at least one tour a year in the US.
Asked if he thought Fianna Fail was a more musical party than the opposition, he said: "I think because most Fianna Fail people come from rural backgrounds and are interested in history and tradition that there could be something in that," he laughed.
"I very much admire people from other parties. ail or not. I would have to mention Paddy Cooney, for instance, who was a great TD and minister and did an awful lot for the area," he said.
He said he had received a lot of help and support in his political career from people outside Fianna Fail who were in the music industry.
Had he any ambition to make it into national politics? Not, really, he said. However, he reckoned he would be very happy in the Seanad, where some of his musical friends have a seat.
He does not see himself either as part of a new wave of country-and-western politics, just an entertainer who enjoys dabbling in politics to help others.
"I am not a do-gooder but I like to be helpful to people and so I will see where this takes me," he concluded.