Queen of Country's crown shines on: Philomena Begley brings down the house with CMAT after lifetime achievement award
She was already our queen of country music, but Philomena Begley has now proved her crown still glitters by bringing the house down with one of the biggest singers of the moment.
In front of the great and the good of Northern Ireland’s music scene last night, the 84-year-old took to the stage with current star CMAT, the pair duetting at the Ulster Hall after Philomena received a lifetime achievement award from broadcaster Hugo Duncan.
The Co Tyrone singer surprised the crowd by calling CMAT out to share the spotlight at the NI Music Prize, both of them performing Philomena’s iconic 1970s hit ‘Blanket On The Ground’ backed by the Shamrock Showband.
Although the song came out 20 years before she was born, Dublin-born CMAT has spoken of her intense Philomena fandom.
Described by the prize’s organisers as “a joyous moment that brought together two generations of Irish music”, the overwhelming audience response prompted an encore performance of the song – stated to be “one of the most memorable scenes” in the 13-year history of the event.
Winners on the night saw Belfast post-punk band Chalk scoop ‘single of the year’ and ‘live act of the year’, while folk singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside took home the ‘album of the year’ prize.
Composer and musician Neil Martin, who has written works for dance, opera, film and television, received an ‘outstanding contribution to music’ award, presented to him by close friend the actor Stephen Rea.