She may be the youngest contestant on the new season of Glór Tíre, having only just turned 20, but Chelsea Evans is already establishing herself as an exciting new name in Irish Country.
Chelsea, from Dunfanaghy, already has an album and two EPs to her name, and there is certainly a buzz around her right now.
Her upcoming appearance on Glór Tíre, TG4’s long-running, hit country music series, will only increase that interest.
Chelsea will appear on Glor Tíre on Tuesday 26th March at 9.30pm and is well aware of what an opportunity this is for any aspiring Country singer.
“It’s a dream come true,” she says.
“Glór Tíre is its 20th series now, so it’s always been there since I was growing up. You see other singers getting the opportunity and you want that opportunity yourself. To finally get it is something to tick off the bucket list. So now you have to jump in, enjoy it, and see what happens.”
One of Chelsea’s inspirations is Scottish-Irish Country singer, Lisa McHugh. She was on Glór Tíre in 2009 and has since gone on to great success. For her appearance on the show, Chelsea will perform a song she once sang with Lisa – ‘I’m A Little Bit Lonely’.
“It’s a really good song all the jivers love,” says Chelsea. “It was Lisa McHugh I heard singing it first and I’d be a big fan of Lisa. Back when I was 12, I got to perform it with her. She was on her Lisa Live tour. There was a competition on Facebook, you sent a 20-second video of yourself singing one of her songs and the song I videoed was ‘Hillbilly Girl’ which was also the title of my EP.
“I got to the final and then couldn’t believe I’d won. At 12 years of age to sing with your idol, was another dream come true. That was an experience in itself. It’s something I’ll remember my whole career and I’ve a feeling Glór Tíre is going to be a bit like that.”
Each contestant is being mentored by an established Country musician. Chelsea’s mentor will be Jim Devine, the Tyrone singer best known for the songs ‘Leighann Loves to Dance’, ‘Baby Baby’, and ‘We’re Here to Stay’. “That Jim has thought of me, and given me this opportunity, it means so much,” she says.
Jim Devine & Chelsea Evans Performing
Glór Tíre will see Chelsea and Jim duet on ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’, a massive hit for Brett Young in 2017. “It’s a more modern Country song and would be known especially by the younger generation of Country fans,” says Chelsea. “Jim and I thought, that, because I’m the youngest on the show, to bring it back to the more modern sounds, and that suits me, rather than us doing an older track.”
Chelsea is relishing the experience of being on Glór Tíre. She is ambitious: “When I know what I want I go for it. I don’t do half-measures and Glór Tíre is a great platform to get your name out there”. She is also excited at the chance to meet other, aspiring country singers: “I’m looking forward to meeting other artists. Glór Tíre focuses on the young and up-and-coming musicians and that’s what I think is important.”
Chelsea Evans performs on Glór Tíre on TG4 on Tuesday 26th March at 9.30pm, along with Tyrone singer, Gerard Gormley, and Jim Devine who is mentor for both contestants. The judges will be RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta’s Jó Ní Chéide and Caitriona Ní Shuilleabháin, with guest judge, Irish Country legend, TR Dallas.
For more information on Glór Tíre, see www.tg4.ie and follow @glortire on social media for all of the latest news and updates.