BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND- TWO FOR ONE OFFER !!!!!

As promised, the very popular two-for-one offer on 'Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road' is now re-instated. This has proved a great way of introducing people to my music, and, since the recording sessions for the new album are well underway, the tracks from CDDADR will be less common on websites like MySpace, so this is the ideal way to have these songs in your collection!!

For only £10.99 (UK) and £11.99 (rest of world) you can receive TWO copies of my debut solo album!!!! This offer is now permanently available from www.ciarandorris.com

Thanks again for you support!
Slainte

THE RETURN OF DJ DORRIS

Just when you thought it was safe, Celtic Music Radio has asked me to reprise my role as DJ Dorris with a regular Sunday tea-time slot between 5-7pm GMT, commencing this coming Sunday 17th February.The station broadcasts throughout the Glasgow area on 1530 AM and will broadcast around the clock playing the best in Celtic/Folk/Roots music. It can also be heard online at: www.celticmusicradio.net It would be lovely if some of you can tune in, and maybe spread the word about this exciting new venture..or even email the show at: studio@celticmusicradio.net

I'll play the music that moves and inspires me, but I would also love your comments and suggestions. Let's create our very own interactive Sunday club!!!! I can't do it without you!!Look forward to hearing from you. Slainte

SONGWRITER/ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS

A big, BIG thankyou to all of you who voted for me in the recent No Celtic Boundaries awards for songwriter and album of the year- I got 2nd and 4th places respectively !!! Considering I was only outpolled in the Songwriter category by the wonderful Cork man Mairtin de Cogain, star of the Ken Loach film The Wind that Shakes the Barley, I am truly humbled by the result!Your support means a lot to me, Slainte!

NEW SONG- THE EMIGRANT'S DREAM

I've finally gotten around to start putting down the basic acoustic tracks for the next album. Just me and guitar really at this stage.I've posted one of them as a preview on my MySpace site. Just a rough demo of a new song, The Emigrant's Dream, about an Irish emigrant in America who spends his whole life dreaming of returning to the 'old country'. His images of Ireland are very inspired by the songs and stories he has heard. Hope you'll excuse the glitches at this stage!!!Slainte.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2007

ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2007
The 'No Celtic Boundaries' Album of the Year 2007 Awards have arrived and it was a lovely surprise for me to see 'Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road' listed as one of the nominees!!!I've reprinted the original communication below, and if any of you are feeling charitable during the season of goodwill, then a vote would be very much appreciated- it's a simple, free procedure.....Slainte!

To nominate a band / artist, go to www.nocelticboundaries.com and only then to the contacts page. Fill in your details. Leave the Phone number box blank. On the drop down menu use General Message or Awards (if it is there) Type in your nomination. Click on the Send Button and that is it. During the course of 2007 on No Celtic Boundaries, we have received numerous requests for particular tracks off the albums as listed above. These requests form the basis of the awards. It is now down to you and your voting public to nominate the best album of 2007. Some albums were produced out of 2007 but have featured regularily on the show during the course of this year and that is what this award is relevant to.

AMERICANA UK - CHASING DREAMS... REVIEW

'Songs about people, places, and events. In essence, folk music that you don't need a tankard to like'.

A Belfast-born, Glasgow based songwriter Dorris made a name for himself on that cities burgeoning folk scene with the band Arran Bede and latterly with the singer Heather Innis. Taking a slightly broader approach for his debut solo record Dorris has nonetheless kept at least one foot in the tradition. In the same way as say Boo Hewerdine exudes sincerity in his songs without ever (well, nearly) falling into that pit of sickly seriousness so too does Dorris. Delivered in an instantly likeable tone these are songs of returning home only to find 'home' isn't exactly how you remembered it ("The Prodigal's Return"), the world's reluctance to really come to terms (or even acknowledge) global warming ("Halcyon Highway), and, best of all, a song penned especially to tell the tale of how Dorris gave a young Josh Ritter a few words of encouragement on the very funny "Amy Rigby's Shoe." - Yes, I know, its a long story. This is folk music played and performed with all the gusto and guile of more traditional fare yet there isn't an Arun jumper in sight and, as far as I can tell, there is not a finger anywhere near an aural orifice. Like the best 'folk' music this is good whole-hearted story telling that touches upon all aspects of everyday life and leaves you genuinely interested (and in some cases moved) by the peoples, places, and events.. Yes, liked this one.

Del Day

BALLAD OF TONY BLAIR

To commemorate the departure of British PM Tony Blair in June 2007, I composed a little farewell song just for him. It can be heard exclusively on my MySpace site at www.myspace.com/ciarandorrismusic

ALBUM REVIEW- 'IRISH MUSIC' MAGAZINE

There is a review of 'Chasing Dreams Down A Dirt Road' in the May edition of the Dublin-based 'Irish Music' magazine, which calls itself 'the definitive voice of Irish music worldwide'. The review is by John O'Regan and I reprint it here in full:

One time member of Irish/Scots/American folk band Arran Bede, and more recently found in a duet with Scottish singer Heather Innes, Belfast-born Ciaran Dorris has been based in Scotland for some years. His debut solo album Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road inhabits the singer/songwriter terrain equally influenced by American forms as well as his Irish roots.

An impressive writer and impassioned vocalist, Dorris' style of delivery is perfectly suited to the timbre of his material. The Prodigals Return captures the dislocation felt by emigrants on returning home while Amy Rigbys Shoe describes the hero worship felt on meeting the off-kilter American singer/songwriter, and The Ballad of Maisie Madden outlines his prowess with a mock traditional ballad. An impassioned take on Raglan Road displays his balladic strength.

Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road is a welcome debut album from a very impressive talent.

RADIO AIRPLAY

'Chasing Dreams Down a Dirt Road' has been picking up quite a bit of airplay recently. I haven't been able to promote it as much as I would have liked due to an ongoing family crisis, but early feedback has been very encouraging.

It has been featured several times on the Iain Anderson Show on BBC Radio Scotland, which pleases me greatly as Iain is a well-respected, popular broadcaster, and his show has a wide listenership.

BBC Radio Ulster has also been very supportive and I've had airplay on the Late Show with Cherrie MacIlwaine ('beautiful musicianship throughout'), and the Saturday Late Show with Karen Kirby. Colm Sands also featured the album on his popular Folk Club show ('great songs, great sounds').

In England, I've been played on Genevieve Tudor's Sunday Folk Show on Radio Shropshire, and BBC Wales' Frank Hennessey included the album on his Celtic Heartbeat show.

Finally, for now (as I intend to update this blog when neccessary), I've been 'adopted' as an artist of the month by KHBW Country Radio, an internet station based in Norfolk. I always said I was a cowboy at heart!

All these shows can be heard on the internet, and are recommended if you like good folk/acoustic music. If you get a chance you could even email them to let them know you enjoy their choice of music (if you do!). I'm sure they'd be delighted to know they've got listeners all over the world!