IRISH COUNTRY ARTIST GARETH SURPRISED WITH GRAND OLE OPRY INVITATION BY BRETT YOUNG
New EP ‘Bluebird’ out October 24 – featuring duet with GRAMMY-Award winner Joss Stone
NASHVILLE, TN. – Rising artist Gareth has been surprised with an official invitation to make his debut at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry on November 4, delivered personally by country star Brett Young – available to view here. The emotional moment marks a milestone in Gareth’s journey from his roots in Castlederg, Northern Ireland, to the heart of country music in Nashville.
“My grandpa always told me the one wish he had was for me to play The Grand Ole Opry,” Gareth shared. “I can’t believe that wish is coming true. This one’s for you, Grandad.”
The announcement comes as Gareth prepares to release his much-anticipated EP Bluebird next Friday, October 24th, which features a collaboration with GRAMMY Award-winning artist Joss Stone. The new project weaves heartfelt storytelling with Gareth’s signature blend of traditional and contemporary country influences.
Bluebird includes fan favourites ‘Born Yesterday’, ‘Long Story Short’, and ‘Shoulders I Stand On’, along with three brand-new tracks: ‘Stampede’, ‘Look What Your Love Has Done To Me’ ft. Joss Stone, and the title track ‘Bluebird’.
With Bluebird, Gareth continues to establish himself as one of the most exciting voices in modern country music – blending authenticity, emotion, and cross-genre appeal in a way that’s capturing audiences far beyond Ireland.
Gareth recently wrapped his debut US tour and will return to the UK and Ireland in December, with performances including a major show at Belfast’s Ulster Hall and his first-ever headline show in his hometown of Castlederg. On Monday, he announced his Australian tour, set for March 2026 – marking his first-ever performances down under.
(Download hi-res here)
Bluebird Track List:
(Songwriters in parenthesis)
1. ‘Born Yesterday’ (Gareth Hamilton / Jerry Flowers / Josh Osborne / Zach Crowell)
2. ‘Stampede’ (Gareth Hamilton / Tommy Baxter / Gerard O’Connell / Katie Cecil / Chris Ganoudis)
3. ‘Shoulders I Stand On’ (Gareth Hamilton / Garard O’Connell / Tommy Baxter / Amy Wadge)
4. ‘Look What Your Love Has Done To Me’ ft. Joss Stone (Gareth Hamilton / Tommy Baxtere / Gerard O’Connell / Joss Stone)
5. ‘Long Story Short’ (Gareth Hamilton / Chris Ganoudis / Shawn Chambliss / Katie Cecil)
6. ‘Bluebird’ (Gareth Hamilton / Tommy Baxter / Gerard O’Connell / Katie Cecil / Chris Ganoudis)
7. ‘Iris’ (John Rzeznik)
ABOUT GARETH:
Rising country artist Gareth is quickly making a name for himself with a sound that bridges the heart of Nashville and the soul of Northern Ireland. Born in the small town of Castlederg and raised on legends like George Jones and Hank Williams Jr., Gareth’s love of country music runs deep. After building a loyal fan base online through heartfelt cover songs, his breakout moment came with a stripped-down version of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season,” which went viral and set the stage for an international career.
Now based in Nashville, Gareth’s original music has struck a chord with fans across the globe. His newest EP, Steal Your Thunder, captures the emotional depth and melodic strength that define his style, while his latest single “Shoulders I Stand On” showcases a confident new chapter—pairing honest songwriting with bold, modern production. Together, his growing catalog has helped him surpass 70 million global streams and earn a publishing deal with BMG. Gareth’s music has received widespread editorial support, landing placements on flagship playlists like New Boots and Today’s Country, and earning consistent airplay on SiriusXM’s The Highway, Smooth Country, and Absolute Country Radio.
He’s cultivated a dedicated following of over one million fans across social media and spent Summer 2024 touring internationally. Headlining sold-out shows across the UK and Europe and performing at Belfast’s SSE Arena alongside Kip Moore. With a full-length project on the way and a packed tour schedule, Gareth is stepping confidently into the spotlight bringing a fresh voice and global perspective to country music’s next chapter.
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