DECLAN Nerney comes to the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown on Saturday night.

He was born in the heart of Ireland in Drumlish, County Longford, at a unique period of time in the music scene worldwide. A revolution in rock and pop brought us The Beatles, Elvis, and the Rolling Stones, while here in Ireland the magnificent showband boom was about to explode.

As a young man growing up at that time, Declan was heavily influenced by these greats and indeed was getting the rare opportunity to see most of the top showbands appear in his native town of Drumlish.

He would cajole his mother into seeing Joe Dolan, Big Tom, Philomena Begley, The Capital Showband, and many more perform when the appeared at the marquee at the end of May and early June. From his vantage point close to the stage, he would absorb every move made by the guitarist in the bands, watching his fingers slide along the strings, hoping that one day he might be up there performing himself.

Declan's musical interests and inspirations are wide and varied. He enjoys most well performed music, including Irish and Scottish traditional music, country from the earliest times up to today.

Declan is set to weave his musical magic for a long time to come with new contacts and interest in Australia on the horizon. Some more major festivals in America are also in the pipeline.

But for now he looks forward to his performance in the Valley on Saturday night.