Local stars shine on chart-topping 'Reach Out' single

What do John Hogan, Olivia Douglas, Alex Roe and Simon Casey all have in common? They are just some of the big-name country stars whose voices feature on a new charity single that went straight to number 1 in the Irish download charts less than a week after its release.

The combined musical talents of over 70 country music stars are featured on the single called 'Reach Out' with all proceeds from the sale of the recording going to the ISPCC/Childline 24 hour active listening service for children.

Dubbed as the ‘Live Aid for country music’ the major musical collaboration is the result of a ‘Reach Out’ initiative which has seen country music stars from all parts of Ireland make phone calls to deserving fans to lift their spirits during a challenging time of Covid-19 restrictions.

The initiative, which was the brainchild of Tipperary-based country music star, Trudi Lalor – who is originally from Laois - and her songwriter and promoter husband, Billy Morrissey, started out with phonecalls to music fans and culminated in the writing of a song, appropriately called 'Reach Out', by Billy Morrissey and legendary Nashville Country Music Awards Songwriter of the Year, Max T. Barnes.

Among the other Midlands-based country music stars to lend their voices to the “Reach Out” single were Carmel and Danny Sheerin; T.R. Dallas; Brendan Shine; Lorraine McDonald; Ray Lynam; Foster & Allen; Triona Moore Allen; Moyra Frazier; Robert Mizzell and Tommy Swarbrigg, among others.

Having been launched by Trudi Lalor on her ‘Premier Country’ Radio Show on TippFM on Sunday last, February 14, the single went straight to Number 1 in the Irish Country Music Charts and has since also taken the top spot in the prestigious Irish Download Charts as well.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week, Billy Morrissey said “the fact that every one of the more than 70 artists involved had to record themselves separately due to Covid restrictions and the need for social distancing makes this single all the more remarkable” and added that it is “one of the biggest ever collaborations” of Irish country music stars.”

The single was mixed and produced by Jonathan Owens at his Longford-based studio and is now on release from Sharp Records. It is also available on all download platforms, including iTunes and Spotify.

All proceeds from the sale and download of the 'Reach Out' single will go directly to support the ISPCC/Childline Active Listening Service for children, which receives up to 800 calls, texts and online contacts from children and young people across Ireland every day.

“Once we put the call out for country music stars to come on board with the original ‘Reach Out’ initiative which involved making phonecalls to country music fans, we were inundated with offers of help from country music singers the length and breadth of the country, and it was the same when we decided to record a single to go with the initiative” said Billy Morrissey.

Billy says that himself and his wife, Trudi Lalor, have “a number of other initiatives up their sleeve” which will be unveiled in the coming weeks as part of the ‘Reach Out’ initiative.

ISPCC chief executive John Church said: “On behalf of all the children and young people that Childline supports, we are hugely grateful for the generosity extended by Ireland’s country music stars at this particularly challenging time.

“Children and young people all over Ireland turn to Childline at every hour of the day and night, to talk about all sorts of issues. They might be lonely, hurt, upset or isolated. Childline is there to listen to them, to believe them, to support and to empower them.

“This is only made possible, however, with thanks to all of those who help raise funds, or donate, to keep the service listening.

“Through sales and downloads of the ‘Reach Out’ single, stars of Irish country music and their fans will help make sure that no child or young person in Ireland has to face their challenges alone this year. Your support will be a part of every call, chat and text we answer. Thank you.”

To nominate someone you know who would benefit emotionally from a phone call or video call from their favourite country entertainer, contact Trudi Lalor through her public Facebook page, through the ‘Reach Out’ Facebook page, or follow the movement on Instagram @thereachoutmovement.