Entertainment

Former child prodigy Lee Matthews has grown into an Irish country music sensation

ALTHOUGH only 29, Lee Matthews has been in show-business for over 20 years.

Starting at the of seven, he became something of a child prodigy, getting coverage on Irish and British radio and television shows with his singing and engaging personality.

From these auspicious beginnings, the young man from Omagh, Co. Tyrone, has more than fulfilled that early promise.

After honing his craft with several band projects, Lee launched a solo career and has gone on to become an international multi-award winning artist.

Now living in Strabane, his reputation as a top-class country performer has steadily burgeoned.

The singer, whose influences run from southern rock to bluegrass, performs cover material from across the country genre as well as singing original songs.

Lee's phenomenal talent will be on show when he performs at The Irish Post Country Music Awards in Armagh on August 30.

An exciting live act, Lee and his band were the headline act at the hugely prestigious Country Rock Festival in Salardú in Catalonia, Spain last August — an event that also featured the cream of country acts from US, Britain and Europe.

Lee also played at the big MTV weekend closing party in Derry to 5,000 people.

Lee is no stranger to recording success either, with 10 No.1 singles and two No.1 albums on the country download charts.

His hit single The Irish Way won the Best Original Single award at the Irish Hot Country Awards, while his self-penned country-pop song Girl Next Door seems set to become a standard in the country music world.

The Irish Post Country Music Awards take place on Wednesday, August 30 at The Armagh City Hotel, Co. Armagh. Join music fans from all over Ireland and Britain and book your ticket today.