Celtic Thunder star Damian McGinty is in the line-up for the charity concert in the Millennium Forum in Derry next Saturday night.
The Derry singer is part of what's become the latest Celtic sensation to hit the States. Celtic Thunder are planning another major tour there to follow the release of their third album, 'Take Me Home', scheduled for release on Tuesday week and alre
ady doing business on Amazon.com
The vocal quintet got to number 61 of the Billboard 200 with last year's album 'Act Two', which also topped the Top World Albums chart. It's thought their autumn US tour could feature 50 dates.
The charity concert has been organised by Bebe Johnston to mark the anniversary of the death of her 22 year-old son Eamonn, who took his own life two years ago. She has also put together a special CD 'From the heart', which includes a song by Mickey Coleman in memory of Eamonn called 'Miss you more than words can say'. All proceeds from the concert and CD sales go to the charity Hurt, which runs suicide awareness programmes.
The concert features a string of well-known performers including Mickey Coleman himself, who has performed with Bagatelle and The Chieftains, the violinist and pianist Plunkett McGartland, the hugely popular singer Michael Doherty, Stephen Barr, Claire McCallion, Isabel Caldwell, acoustic guitarist Sean Woods and the incomparable May McFetridge.
Tickets have been selling strongly. They're priced at £10, £12.50 and £15 and are available at the Millennium Forum Box Office on 028 71 264455. The CD 'From the Heart' will be on sale on the night.
Local politicians have called on the public to turn out for the occasion.
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson said; "Society owes a debt of gratitude to Bebe and other families bereaved in such tragic circumstances who turn their grief into a determination that they will do everything possible to prevent other families having to experience the loss and suffering that they have gone through".
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan said: "The high incidence of suicide in Derry – in particular among our young people – is devastating the families and friends of victims and shocking the whole community.
"Through Eamonn's 2nd anniversary concert, Bebe Johnson is determined to bring people together to talk openly and honestly about suicide and mental health issues, so that we can encourage our young people to do the same."
