WITH A name like โTexโ Deegan, he was born to sing country music, but the reason for that most appropriate stage name lies in equestrian, not musical, pursuits.
Brian โTexโ Deegan, from Caherconlish, is one of eight contestants taking part in Season 19 of TG4โs long running, hit Country & Irish music series, Glรณr Tรญre. The show, presented by Aoife Nรญ Thuairsig and Sรฉamus ร Scanlรกin, is screened on Tuesdays at 9.30pm.
While Tex has had a lifelong interest in music, his nickname comes from a childhood interest in horses and โwanting to be a jockeyโ.
โThere was a riding school near us, and as children we were there all the time,โ he says. โIt came from the cowboy thing – the cowboy films and that being popular at the time – and from being around the horses. It was Texas for years, then it got shortened to Tex. Itโs stuck since I was seven.โ
Eventually, Texโs love of music passed out the horses.
โI grew up being a massive fan of Elvis Presley, Shakinโ Stevens, and The Beatles,โ he says.
Initially Tex worked as a roadie with friendโs bands, before deciding to step onto the stage himself. By this point, he had also developed a strong taste for country music, particularly Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, and the โKing of Countryโ, George Strait.
Over the last decade, Tex has played pubs and hotels up and down the country and found support for his music on local radio in Clare and Tipperary. He has also worked with The Big Generator, Nathan Carter, Derek Ryan, and Mike Denver. It was at a gig in Portugal that he met the popular Country & Irish singer, John McNicholl.
The two hit it off, with John eventually asking Tex to take part in Season 19 of Glรณr Tรญre, and offering to be his mentor on the show.
โItโs a great opportunity,โ says Tex. โIโm delighted to be on Glรณr Tรญre as it is not everyday you are asked to be on television.โ
For Glรณr Tรญre contestants, being on the series is a massive opportunity to gain wider exposure, and the chief way to introduce yourself to the nationโs Country & Irish audience.
โGlรณr Tรญre is needed badly, because where else is Country & Irish?โ he says.
โThe local radio stations are great for playing Country music, but not the national stations. The Late Late does one show a year about it and it is the same people all the time, whereas Glรณr Tรญre features different people every year. Itโs great to be involved.โ
Tex will be appearing on the January 24th episode of Glรณr Tรญre on TG4.
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