Captivating persona

By Mahes Perera

A first meeting with Mary Duff and you are struck by her genuine warmth and friendlines and a feeling of I've-known-her-all-my-life flows over you.

It's amazing because in the global music business she's an "accomplished, polished and highly respected professional performer". Her simplicity is reflected in her stage presence and in her rapport with her supportive fans after her concert with Daniel O'Donnell here in Sri Lanka in March.

To her fans who enjoy her hit 'A Single Yellow Rose' we've got news that her albums Together Again, Winning Ways, Timeless, Shades of Blue, The Collection contain songs that will make you listen to them over and over again. Her 'Voice of An Angel' an inspirational album according to Mary fulfilled one of her lifelong dreams. The album was launched in UK with many promotional radio interviews and airplay.

Charisma

The charisma she possesses saw her win many awards including the prize accolade from her home county when she was named the Meath Person of the Year 1990. Last year Mary Duff celebrated 25 years in the music industry. The year as she indicated started off well for her. She was awarded 'Female Vocalist of the Year' at the Sunday World Irish Music Awards in January and in February her new single 'The Water is Wide' was released with radio interviews across Ireland. We hope that come September this year Mary Duff will be back in Sri Lanka for her solo concert organised by DK Promotions.

Question: The critics endorse the fact that you have a phenomenal talent as a singer, how far back can you take us for the start of your career?

Answer: I started singing when I was 12. My father played the accordion and he had his own band. One day when he came home he heard a voice on the tape recorder and discovered it was me who sang. He invited me to come along with him and sing with his band during the weekends. And I did and the result was that I learnt a lot and lot of songs with his band until I finished school. My first job after school was a School Secretary, but I continued to sing at weekends.

Q: You have been recognised for being successful at talent contests which was the launching pad for you to reach out to a wider audience. Let us have a glimpse into this area of your success.

A: While doing my job as the school secretary, I joined a rock'n roll band and began on singing more often. It was during this time that I entered many talent contests in Ireland and was very successful at winning most of them. I entered the Sunday World Nationwide Talent Competition sponsored by the national newspaper and won the competition.

It was here that I was spotted by Daniel O'Donnell's manager Sean Reilly and he asked me whether I would like to tour with Daniel in his 1987 tour. As the saying goes I was at the right place at the right time and I was happy to accept the offer. Life is a lot like that. A lot of luck as well. If you haven't got talent and perseverance and a passion for what you are doing - you'd give up very easily. It's a hard life, living out of a suitcase... a different town every hight missing your family while on tour, but I enjoy it.

Q: Country Music is a major force in America, how did it drift into Ireland which is more folk oriented?

A: It was folk originally but a lot of Irish people as you know emigrated to America years ago and brought back the music with them. Some people say Country Music originated in Ireland. For a while Country Music died in Ireland. Young people did not want to be involved. They said, 'I don't like that, that's not pop, that's not hip'.

Then the singer Garth Brooks came to Ireland in 1990. He brought country music back to young people again. His performances on stage, saw him running up and down the stage, smashing guitars like the rock stars. And the young people went! Oh this is great! and they all enjoyed themselves. "I got to sing with him in London.

Q: Do you sing pop as well at your solo concerts?

A: I used to sing pop with a band called Juke Box before I joined Daniel. At my solo concerts I do inspirational, Irish country - a lot of different styles but not pop.

Q: Who do you think inspired and influenced you in your singing?

A: My favourite singer is Patsy Cline. She never recorded a bad song. I love every song of hers. I listen to her always. I also enjoy Emmy Lou Harris - the first American album I bought of hers was Quarter Moon. I love that album and I still love it.

Q: Coming back to your solo concerts is it a crowded schedule for you?

A: All the time, with my own band, when Daniel is not touring. I have done tours to Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, England, Ireland, America. This year 2014 I worked with Daniel all the time. Next weak after this concert in Sri Lanka, I'm going to work in the UK on my own and then I go to Switzerland. I have a five-piece band and they are, very good musicians.

They harmonise when needed, so that there is no need for a separate harmony group. Steven who plays in Daniel's band he's the pianist, he's my pianist as well. He worked in my band actually. I have a guitarist, a fiddle player who plays the mandolin and the bazuki and of course the drummer. No, I don't play an instrument. I used to play the accordion when I was younger. But I really, really always wanted to be a singer. I just love singing. It was some thing I was made to do.

Q: What about composing songs?

A: No I never tried that. I think it is a gift. You either have it or you don't. But I have released CDs of my own. The count is like over 20 CDs. I have hits from them, in Ireland. Also from the CDs with Daniel.

Q: Will your fans here in Sri Lanka have the opportunity to hear you in concert?

A: I'd love to come back. Everything was wonderful here in Sri Lanka. DK has invited me to come back next year to do my own show. I hope that will happen. Because I'm looking forward to it.