Over the past few days I have been doing quite a bit of traveling. Earlier in the week I was down in Roscommon doing some work on my new album which I am really excited about.
I love being back in the studio recording again and although there is still a lot of work to do yet, I am really happy with what we have done so far.
My aim is to have it all finished by the end of August or early September and then have a few album launches around the country which I hope some of you will come along to.
I will let you know exact dates and venues very soon so please do keep up to date with my weekly column.
After a few days in the studio it was back up to Donegal again for a concert in the Ozanam Community Centre in Dunfanaghy.
There was a host of fantastic artists on the night. The first to kick off the show was the great Jason McGilligan giving us a fabulous show including a super rendition of his latest single When my blue moon turns to gold again.
Next in line was myself performing a few of the well-known classics including Old-fashioned Girl which has had a tremendous amount of airplay.
We then sang along to the lovely Donal McDevitt before finishing off the first half with the one and only Louise Morrissey.
The second half was certainly no disappointment as the whole crowd clapped along to the lively set of Shaun Loughrey and did not let up while two of the nicest girls in the business took to the stage – The Benn Sisters.
Local star Eddie Gallagher went down a storm singing Buck Owen’s hits including Open up your heart and of course we had the Gweedore man himself Seamus McGee.
In between all of these fantastic artists we had The wee man from Strabane Hugo Duncan to entertain everyone and compere the entire night.
The audience looked to be having a brilliant night and they did not hold back on the purchasing of the CDs, so much so they actually bought me out!
It came to a point where I had to steal my mum and dad’s copy of my album to give to someone who really wanted to buy it.
It was a brilliant night for me as well as all of the artists and I was so glad to be performing so close to my third hometown, Falcarragh.
I would like to make a special mention to my cousin The one and only Una Coyle from Falcarragh who was there with all of her friends, also Donal K. O’Boyle who is a great supporter of Country music, and not forgetting Maire Rua, her daughter Mary Theresa and husband Dom. It was great to see so many familiar faces there.
The traveling then continued a little further down the country on Friday as we headed to Tipperary for the start of our second Crystal Swing Tour.
Due the fact I had a six-hour drive to do before arriving in Tipperary, I decided to drive down on the Friday and attend the Hazel Tree in Mallow where Patrick Feeney and his band were playing for the night and I was so glad I did.
The place was jammed and the dancefloor was full from the first song which was great. Patrick has a brilliant voice as well as being a lovely person and he put on a great show with his band.
On Saturday afternoon, I had a radio interview in Tipperary with Tipperary Mid West Radio’s presenter Mossey Ritcherson which went great and I couldn’t believe how many people were texting and phoning into the show to wish me the best of luck with everything.
It was lovely to know that I have fans all the way down in Tipperary and I hope I meet some of them very soon.
Once we were fed and watered, I headed on to Kilross where the concert was being held. It was great to see everyone again and catch up with what they had been up to over the past couple of months.
The show was a great success and it really set us up for a brilliant few weeks to come. All of the coming tour dates for myself as well as the Crystal swing tour are all on my website www.lisa-mchugh.com, I hope you’ll check them out and come to see us somewhere near you.
After our show I had to drive all the way back up to Letterkenny again as I was performing at the Dungloe Hospital Garden Fete along with Michael Cleary and Briege and also Johnny Haughey. I was really pleased to see such a big crowd there to support the hospital and we raised a tremendous amount of money which was fantastic.
Those of you who have been reading my column every week will have noticed I have mentioned a big night which is coming up on Wednesday, August 4.
Due to massive demand, my mum and dad and the committee in Gortahork are organising another big night in The Ostan Loch Altan.
A few months ago they organised a night with local talent as well as myself in the hotel to raise funds for the Haiti disaster which was unbelievably successful.
There was 1200 people there and we managed to raise so much money. But this time, for one night only, Nathan Carter and his band and myself will take to the stage to entertain you.
On stage before us will be local stars John and Diane Cannon.
Tickets are €10 each and can be purchased from the hotel reception, Link2 Letterkenny and Books & Charts in Dungloe. This is a night not to be missed so please do purchase your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Until next week, Take care