And the dance floors all fell quiet: how pandemic has left its mark on social lives of our rural communities

“Live music will be back, whenever and whatever shape or form it takes,” top Irish country singing star and musician Derek Ryan says with fervour.

“I want to be involved. It’s what I love. It’s what I know. But for now, I’ll control the controllables and do my best to keep positive.”

It’s an attitude that is possibly one of the healthiest that anyone could adopt in the current circumstances; focus on what you can, not can’t do, keep optimistic, and look to the future with hope.

The Carlow man himself has been greatly impacted by the pandemic, with many of his gigs cancelled over the past few months.

But he’s hanging in there and making the most of this time to focus on other projects.

“I’m doing well,” he says. “I suppose for the first few months of lockdown, I enjoyed the break from the travelling and the heavy touring schedule I’d become accustomed to over the past nine years. The summer was enjoyable enough given the circumstances, but I suppose it really hit me when the schools reopened, a lot of people were back to work in some shape or form, and the music business was, and is still, out of action.

“That being said, I’ve had a good run of things career and business-wise these past few years, so I’m very grateful.

“The music industry, like many I’m sure, is full of ups and downs. I have my health and I know there are people in desperate situations out there, with some businesses shutting doors for good and people suffering from and losing loved ones to Covid. It puts everything into perspective.”

Largely confined to working in his home, Derek has been creating a structure to his week in terms of writing sessions, vocal sessions and general organising of videos and future releases.

He’s also been utilising his home gym, and says that working out keeps him sharp, on top of how mental health, and in a positive frame of mind.

“Obviously I do miss the gigs terribly, and I think of all the great crew and musicians in the arts and entertainment industry who have no work at the minute.

“The situation is very concerning and doesn’t look like it’s going to improve any time soon. At the same time, I wouldn’t like to return to gigging full-time until we can do it in a safe environment for both us and the audience.

“We did manage to play three sell out drive-in Farmers’ Bash shows in Ballymena back in July. All guidelines were strictly adhered to and the gigs proved to be a great success. It was surreal performing to people in cars, but in a strange way it was an amazing atmosphere, and they were gigs I’ll never forget.

“With the ever changing restrictions it’s now becoming near to impossible to organise gigs of any kind. It really is a wait and see, and wait some more kind of process.”

The singer reveals he has actually reached out to some of his older fans to check up on them, and make sure they’re OK during lockdown. “I do Facebook Live performances, and release songs and videos to keep connected as much I can with people who have supported my career since I began.

“I see all the comments and messages from people saying how much they miss live music and travelling to our gigs.

“It’s heartbreaking to hear how much it is affecting people out there, and it makes me realise even more how important live music is to people’s mood and wellbeing.”

Derek wholeheartedly agrees that the Irish country music scene is about “so much more” than just music.

“There are many people who live for the dances in particular, they go out every weekend dancing to their favourite country bands, and it’s a major part of their social life. What’s my message of hope for 2021? I think it’s one of adapting. We’re all learning to live with Covid as best we can for now.”

‘Music is their release after a hard day’s work’

Pre-pandemic, Liam McElhinney would have been on familiar terms with basically all of the patrons coming through the doors of the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh on a Friday night.

As manager of the Co Tyrone hotel, which has always been one of the most popular venues in the Province for hosting country music gigs and dances, with weekly performances from the likes of Derek Ryan and Robert Mizzell, Liam said that coming here to enjoy themselves after a long week was an essential means of winding down for young - and older - country people and rural farmers everywhere.

And now, that outlet is gone.

“For a lot of the young farmers, this is their release after a hard day’s work,” he told me. “So many of them are regulars, and you would know every one of them coming through the door. But what are they doing now on a Friday night?”

Liam revealed that the hotel had acts booked right up as far as next December. And now, with gigs cancelled, everything is hanging in the balance.

“Performances by these acts were a massive part of our entertainment here,” he said. “We would have done country packages where patrons had their dinner, bed and breakfast, as well as the dance. so we’ve lost all that business now as well.”

The hotelier revealed that it was March 23 when their scheduled gigs started to get cancelled, after star Jimmy Buckley called off the show that he had been due to perform.

“We haven’t had a country act since then,” he revealed. “The hotel is like a ghost town - when it is totally closed. We have so much room here. We had a recent refurbishment, and we now have the biggest ballroom in the North West - we can cater for over 400 people with round tables, so social distancing isn’t a problem.

“We also have thermal imaging temperature scanners, so if your temperature is too high, we have a 20 minute isolation room where you can go and sit and have a cold drink. If it remains too high, then you can’t enter the hotel - should you be the bride or Derek Ryan himself.”

As Liam pointed out, stars like Derek have done so much to reach out to their fans, be that online music events or whatever.

But those stars are losing money too.

“Realistically, we’re not expecting to see live country music here this side of Christmas.

“And I think we could be looking at July next year before we can run big concerts again - if we’re lucky.”

‘We will be back next year’

“There is a void in many young people’s lives that such events previously filled.”

Indeed, the words of 24-year-old Matthew Moorhead, a member of Lisnamurrican YFC in Co Antrim, couldn’t more adequately sum up the feelings of members of this famous organisation all over the Province.

The Young Farmers are famous for their support and enjoyment of the live country music events that prior to Covid-19, played such a major role in their social lives.

Matthew, from Buckna, just outside Broughshane, and his fellow Lisnamurrican club members Natasha Adams, 21, also from Buckna, and Gail McCullough, 24, from Carnalbanagh, recently had to cancel one of the biggest nights on their local YFC’s social calendar - their Big Night with Derek Ryan, an event they’ve been holding since 2014.

Taking up the story, Natasha explained: “This is a fantastic event every year and one that the Lisnamurrican family are very proud of. Young farmers from across the country travel to Ballymena livestock market, which we transform into one of the biggest and best nights of the year. We had to cancel our big night with Derek due to the ongoing pandemic. This was an extremely difficult but logically the right decision to keep our members and everyone that supports our event safe.”

She added: “This event is the club’s main income in a year, and an event that people look forward to, and it’s the same faces come and support us.”

Matthew said that whilst it was disappointing, they would “just come back bigger and better next year, adding gigs such as this bring together music lovers of all ages, from 18 to 80, and everyone was missing the social outlet these brought.

“As well as us Young Farmers, everyone will have their own battles that they have had to face this year, whether that be mentally, physically or financially. We as a club are trying very hard to organise outdoor events, such as outdoor fitness nights and treasure hunts.

“Virtual meetings are also being implemented as well as social media challenges which included a ‘Murrican Bake Off’, and a pumpkin carving competition to keep all our members entertained and occupied.”

Added Gail: “Many members are definitely missing out on socialising with their friends and meeting new people.

“As a club we are celebrating our 80th anniversary year, and trying our best to celebrate this, with events such as our recent 80 Miles for 80 Years Charity Cycle.

“We are also holding meetings virtually, which have been well supported by our members.”

Wedding singer woes

Ballymena singer Rodney Beggs performs both as a solo act and with his band The Coves at Young Farmers’ events, weddings and all kinds of events all over the Province, particularly in some of the more rural areas.

But since lockdown hit, Rodney, who also runs The Music Rooms in the North Antrim town, says it’s been a tough few months - both physically and emotionally.

“I play as a one-piece solo act (guitar/vocals), and my band The Coves is a three/four/five piece fold band that plays all over the country, working closely with Starling Entertainments.

“We seem to get a lot of work from those getting married who are from rural areas and communities.

“Since lockdown, it’s been tough.

“Firstly, a very steady income that we’ve worked hard to build up over seven years has disappeared overnight. Also, music is something that we love doing. “We work most weekends so it is our social life. We miss playing together, the fun, the banter and craic.”

Rodney agrees that music and the entertainment industry as a whole is vitally important to rural communities.

And he says that he has reached out to fans with various online shows, as a means of trying to bring some fun and enjoyment into their lives, and indeed, pleasure into his own.

“We feel very sorry for the many brides and grooms who have had their big days cancelled because of all this, and have had numerous interactions with them through our online communications,” he added.