The Benn Sisters

August 2008

Fresh from the ECMA billboards comes the news that What A Beautiful Day has climbed up to number 25 on the European Country Music Charts. Robert Mizzell is currently Number 1 with 'Thanks A Lot'and Shaun Loughrey is closing the gap at Number 9 with 'Did You Stand By Me' - and the girls are delighted to be in such esteemed company.

July 2008

One of the best festivals to ever be conducted in Ireland's shores occurred on the first weekend in july this year - the UTV Country Fest!! Two days of non-stop music across four stages and with acts direct from the USA. Carrie & Leanne performed on the UTV Life stage with the fabulous Country Harmony band among many more; even the rain and mud didn't dampen anyone's spirits!

A full feature length special on the Country Fest is due to air on UTV on Sunday 24th August at 3.50pm - don't miss it.

 Please see out Photo Albums for shots of us in our muddy wellies on the day!

 May 2008

Watch this space....the long awaited debut album from The Benn Sisters is due for release in May 2008. The album will be available in all good record stores and also on the 'Buy Cds' page on this website.

April 2008

A great night was had by all at this year's Northern Ireland Country Music Awards on 30th April! The event, hosted by J.W.Promotions and Jayco Entertainment was held at the wonderful Tullyglass Hotel in Ballymena; acts that appeared on the night included Shaun Loughrey, John McNichol, Louise Morrissey, Gary Gamble, Jimmy Buckley, Mike Denver, plus many more! 

A big thank you goes to James McGarrity and JW Promotions for putting on the most professional awards show in the country, and for inviting us to be part of it. Long may it continue!

Check out our Photo Albums page for pictures from the night.

http://www.jwpromos.com/

March 2008

Carrie and Leanne have been asked to appear at this year's first UTV Country Music Festival! Country music legends such as George Jones, Gene Watson, Nancy Griffiths and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder are on the bill.

For more information click on the website menu on the left of your screen.

www.jwpromos.com

February 2008

Dates have just been released for Moe Bandy's upcoming tour of Ireland and Scotland and Carrie & Leanne have been asked to appear with him at the following venues:

March 14th   The Waterfront Hall, Belfast

March 19th    The Strule Arts Theatre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

March 20th    The Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

March 25th    The Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

For more information see: http://www.moebandy.com/

Dec 2007

Following a sell-out show in the Ardhowen Theatre, the girls have received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. Leanne & Carrie were asked to perform the first hour of Jimmy Buckley's Christmas Show in Enniskillen on the 19th December and the night was a roaring success. Accompanied by the fabulous Country Harmony (of BBC Radio Ulster fame), the girls performed songs from their current recordings, their stage repertoire of Country and Irish music as well as some fan favourites that resulted in some fantastic singing from the audience - never mind the band! The Benn Sisters would like to thank all their friends and supporters who came and said hello after the show and wish them all a very Merry Christmas. 

Nov 2007

The coveted 'Female Horizon' award was scooped at the recent Glencarn Hotel Country Music Awards by Carrie & Leanne. It was a fantastic moment for the girls as they near the end of a busy years' touring and performing throughout Ireland & UK. 

Sept 2007

Due to the popularity of the Girl's latest single the coveted 'Single Of The Year' award was presented to them by Tipp FM's own Dennis O'Sullivan. Check out the Gallery pages for photos of this star studded event!! 

June 2007

Hot on the heels of the release of their four track EP 'Hello Mr Heartache', the girls have released a new single called 'What A Beautiful Day' on the Kmac Records label. The new single was discovered by top songwriter and the girls' manager Henry MacMahon: its an up-tempo number that will be sure to keep both dancers and DJs happy. They decided to go with this lively 'quickstep', written by Linda Gail Lewis (Jerry Lee's little sister), as it had a feel good factor thats hard to find.

"Henry played us the song in his car one night outside a charity dance in Newtown Country Club, Ardee and we just loved it! When we approached Dessie (Sheerin, of The Shed Studio in Athlone) he thought there was loads we could do with it - both vocally and musically. So....we set to work."

Studio work is no stranger to these girls as they have recorded harmony vocals for many artists on the irish country music scene, most notably Jimmy Buckley on 'Her Husband And Her Lover'. Their recent four track release was a runaway success with listeners and fans, and the numerous requests for more material has led the girls to put down three new tracks towards their forthcoming album. Leanne and Carrie were delighted to have extremely talented players such as Martin Cleary, Charlie Arkins, Tom Sheerin and Danny Sheerin playing on the record and Dessie Sheerin putting the whole thing together.

So keep requesting it on your favourite radio shows and be sure to catch it at the girls' shows near you.    

Nov 2006

Just months after making their debut on the Country and Irish music scene, Leanne and Carrie have received their first award for Best New Female Act 2006. Leanne and Carrie would like to thank everyone who was involved in getting the award, particularly Patrick McFadden and the K-Mac Records crew.

August 2006

BREAKING NEWS: Leanne and Carrie have released their debut four track cd, entitled 'Hello Mr Heartache' this week! The four new songs recorded are Crazy About That Guy, Redneck Woman, Hello Mr Heartache and A Mother's Love's A Blessing. All four songs were chosen by the girls and their manager Henry McMahon.

May 2006

  NEWS: Leanne and Carrie Benn, or The Benn Sisters as they are becoming increasingly known, have signed a record deal with K-Mac Records. Their first recording is due to be released in the Summer under the direction of their Manager Henry McMahon. Watch this space for further news....

April 2004

In April 2004 Leanne had the wonderful experience of touring with Tommy Cash, brother of the late country icon Johnny Cash. The opportunity arose as a result of a phone call from Kieran Kavanagh Promotions in Dublin looking for a back up singer to join Tommy's road band 'The Country Legends' (See Links page) - otherwise known when they're on tour as The Cash Crew. The tour started with a live appearance on the Gerry Kelly Show on UTV followed by a sell out 10 night tour, performing in the top concert venues in Ireland - from The Waterfront Hall in Belfast to Cork Opera House. Each show was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for Leanne:

"When the call came to ask if I'd be interested in working with Tommy Cash and his band, I jumped at the chance! Little did I know that I'd end up making a whole set of new friends; all the guys were excellent musicians and have played with all the greats in Nashville but were completely down to earth and mighty craic! Also, it wasn't unusual for an impromptu session to start during the soundcheck with me, my sister Carrie and the lads."

The addition of Leanne to the band worked so well that she was asked to perform a couple of numbers on her own as well as the famous duet 'Jackson' with Tommy that was originally made famous by Johnny Cash & June Carter.

The show was also recorded live at UCH Limerick by RTE Radio and made into a live cd; this was susequently broadcast as part of RTE Radio's Country Sessions Season in Autumn 2004 across Ireland and the internet. Samples of the tracks from the evening are available at the Benn Sisters' Shows.