Press
coverage for Who's Right? Live Launch 11th November 2006 in CD World Drogheda.
McGirr single
charts (November 22nd)
Fresh from releasing his debut single
Michael McGirr got some further good news when ‘Who’s Right’ made the top 50.
The Bettystown singer/songwriter was hoping to crack the top 30 but competition
is always intense around Christmas time. He’s not letting the minor setback get
him down. “Releasing a single five weeks from Christmas is probably not the best
time but in saying that it did reasonably well selling around 170 copies in one
day. Bryan McFadden once sold only 160 copies in January and that got into the
top 20 so the Christmas market is very tough.” “On the plus side I’ve made contact
with a large distribution company who represent The Frames and Damien Rice and
they’ve shown a lot of interest. I’m trying to get some airplay and fingers crossed
a few stations will give me a plug.” Michael is currently recruiting musicians
for his band and aims to record an album next year. His single ‘Who’s Right’ is
available in CD World and online www.cdworld.ie priced at a bargain E1.99
Reproduced with permission from The Drogheda Leader
Michael knows who’s right! Bettystown musician
launches record (November
15th)
Bettystown songsmith Michael McGirr is toasting the launch
of his new record ‘Who’s Right.’ The 42-year old has been working on the single
for several months and has a new 16 track album in the pipeline. Originally from
Belfast Michael has lived all over the country before settling in Bettystown a
decade ago. “My father worked in a bank and we moved all over the place depending
on where he was based. I lived in Malahide for a few years and loved it there.
About ten years ago I moved to Bettystown and have made the place my home since.”
Michael’s dayjob is as an engineer working in the semi-conductor industry. By
night when the overalls come off Michael works fervently on his musical career.
An accomplished musician he plays all the instruments on the record. “I’ve always
played in bands whether it was cover groups or original musicians. I’m lucky enough
to have my own studio at home where I can lay down tracks to work on.” Describing
his music style as a “rock sound with an emotional edge” Michael says he’s been
influenced by Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones. He’s hoping there is room
for him in the increasingly populated singer/songwriter category of artists. “In
the last few years we’ve seen the success of artists like Damien Rice who helped
take singer/songwriters off. Then you have other guys like Damien Dempsey and
even James Blunt who’ve made it really big.” “I’m hoping there is an audience
out there for my music. I write all the lyrics myself and play all of the instruments
as well. It took a long time to put the record together but hearing it now shows
the hard work has paid off.” The musician laid the tracks down in his own studio
but polished the songs up in the Fatdog studio in Duleek. “Hearing the difference
in the songs has been unbelievable. I got some great musicians to play on the
record like Gary ‘Dog’s’ Murphy from the Sound Shop. I’m very happy with the end
result.” “Hopefully the record will take off and some labels will show an interest.
The hardest part is getting airplay and I’ve been sending out copies of the single
to different radio stations.” Michael’s new single ‘Who’s Right’ is available
in local record shops and via the web. See www.cdworld.ie for more details
Reproduced with permission from The
Drogheda Leader