Music legend phil coulter to feature on irish tv
MUSIC legend Phil Coulter is set to feature on Irish TV’s Mayo County Matters programme this evening (September 15) as part of the coverage of the Siamsa Sráide festivities in Swinford.
Phil Coulter & Friends in Swinford Parish Church was one of the main musical highlights at the 31st edition of the festival during the summer.
Mayo County Matters presenter Henry McGlade was only too delighted to catch up with his old friend as part of the programme.
As the pair caught up before the concert, Phil said: “I can’t figure out how long it has been since I have been to County Mayo. I have a soft spot for this part of the world because we have had some great times in this county. It’s great to be back.”
He added: “I actually love playing in churches because there is an atmosphere before I play a note. There’s an atmosphere already in the church. Plus, there is an air of expectation.”
After fifty years in the music business, Phil has many achievements. But one stands out, as he explained: “I was in New York a few months back and I was being interviewed by a New York music journalist and he said, in 50 years in the music business what do you think your greatest achievement is in the music business? I said, 'That’s easy, my greatest achievement is to be still in the music business after 50 years'.
“I mean that sincerely. It’s a tough game. One of the things that I am most proud is that I have stayed the course.
“I suppose professionally, the song I would be most proud of would be ‘My Boy’ recorded by Elvis Presley. If I were driving along in the car and I hear on a late night programme Elvis Presley singing ‘My Boy’ I still get tingles. So that would certainly be one of my favourites, but deep down, as a man, as an Irish man, as a Derry man and as a product of this particular era that I have lived through, I have to say ‘The Town I Loved So Well’ would be the song, I suppose, I would choose to be remembered for,” added Phil.
After the show in Swinford, Henry enthused: “It was such a fantastic night to be in the company of such talent. Phil’s music has brought so much joy to people all of the world and it was an honour to be in attendance at this super concert.”
Mayo County Matters airs this evening and every Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. on Irish TV, with repeats on Thursday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. Irish TV can be viewed on Sky channel 191, free to air boxes, Freesat 400, eircom’s eVision 191 and online 24 hours a day at www.irishtv.ie.