South Uist singer and musician Ruairidh Gray has arguably landed his biggest gig to date, appearing alongside country superstar Daniel O’Donnell.
The award-winning island singer who has burst onto the traditional music scene relatively recently is now set to guest on OPRY le Daniel, Northern Ireland’s highest-rated country music concert series, from June 30.
Filmed before a live audience at Derry’s Millennium Forum, Daniel O’Donnell will host two concerts each evening over three nights.
Ruairidh is among the guest artists joining the legendary singer for the opening night of the concert series that focuses on New Opry. The other guests are Damian Davis from Monaghan and Effie Neill from Cork.
Hailing from Daliburgh, Ruairidh is widely recognised as one of the most prominent and young voices in contemporary Scottish traditional music.
He has achieved exceptional success at a young age, becoming only the second person in the 130‑year history of the Royal National Mòd to win both the Bonn Òr a’ Chomainn and the Bonn Òr an t‑Seann Nòs in the same year (2022). He was also named MG ALBA Gaelic Singer of the Year in 2022.
He graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2024 with a BMus (Hons), continuing postgraduate studies in Traditional Music under Iseabail T. MacDonald.
In 2024, he was also a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, representing South Uist on one of Scotland’s most prestigious traditional music stages.
Speaking to Donegal News, Daniel O’Donnell said: “I’m delighted once again to be returning to the stage of the Millennium Forum in Derry to record another series of Opry le Daniel for TG4.
“These shows have proved to be very, very well received by audiences all over the country, and we are just delighted to get the chance to do another series.
“Some wonderful guests are coming to take part in the shows, with three wonderful nights of music and song.
“The audiences at the Millennium Forum are always enthusiastic, and I’m sure this year will be no exception.
“This is extra special for me because these shows are some of only a few concerts that I’m doing during my break.”
Now in its sixteenth season, OPRY le DANIEL continues to attract audiences across Ireland and beyond, featuring some of the biggest names in country music alongside emerging and established Irish talent. Previous guests on the series have included internationally renowned artists such as Charley Pride, Crystal Gayle and Rita Coolidge, together with many of Ireland’s best-loved performers.
Daniel O’Donnell is a global Irish country and easy‑listening singer who has become one of the most consistently successful recording artists in the UK and Ireland.
He first came to public attention in 1983 and has since built a notable career blending country, Irish folk, and easy‑listening music, selling over ten million records worldwide. His warm stage presence and unusually close relationship with fans have made him a cultural icon in Ireland.
Lead image content - BBC Scotland
