TRILLICK'S Gavin McAloon may only be a new name on the country music scene however the 26-year-old hopes to make his big break on TG4’s country singing competition, Glór Tíre, and so far, so good.

On Wednesday night, Gavin made it through to the final with two fellow contestants.

He had a solid performance on the show this week singing two songs, one in Irish and his cover of 'The Dance', which went down a real treat with audiences around the island. Gavin hopes to get enough votes to give him the best chance from this TG4 contest next week.

Driver by day; entertainer by night – Gavin has had the ‘bug’ since getting up to sing a few songs at a party when he was younger. Suited and booted and full of smiles on stage, it’s easy to see that Gavin has the full package. With a velvet voice suited to country, there is no doubt that he will do well in the industry no matter what the outcome is of the show.

When asked about how he got involved with mentor Shawn Cuddy and the TG4 show, Gavin recalls: “I entered a competition with Enjoy Travel and won it out in Portugal. It was then I knew that this is what I’d love to do full time.

He continued, “The buzz of being on stage with a full band and a packed floor stuck with me. Enjoy Travel was also where I met Shawn Cuddy; and Glór Tíre really came from that I suppose.”

Enjoy Travel, former sponsors of Glór Tíre, are renowned for providing fantastic packages for country music holidays abroad.

Although Glór Tíre receives some complaints, it is the only television show in Ireland to provide a base for aspiring country music artists to build on.

“Yes, the show gets mixed reactions but I don't see any other shows giving young aspiring country singers the chance to be on TV. Also, the amount of work that goes into it is a credit to all the organisers at TG4,” Gavin replied.

He reveals that a band isn’t on his mind just yet but certainly could be on the horizon. “Putting a band on the road is a big step especially at the minute but it would be a long time dream of mine. Everyone asks me after my gigs, ‘why have you not got a band?’ I don't think people realise the money it takes to go on the road properly,” he explains.

Gavin’s last album was released in Mahon’s Hotel, Irvinestown, to a full house of 500 people; and he hopes that the next one is ‘just as good!’

“This year the gigs are busier than ever and with Glór Tíre; it's keeping me pretty busy. I'm also working on a new album which will hopefully be ready for the summer,” he reveals.

You can find more information on Gavin on Facebook, and also on the Glór Tíre website and mobile device application. To vote for Gavin text GLOR5 to 60999 or call 0901 6566105 0901 65661050901 6566105. Downloading the Glór Tíre app allows you five free votes, plus information on the show’s contestants, mentors and judges.

You can watch the final episode of Glór Tíre, TG4, on Wednesday at 10.30pm and catch the repeat of Wednesday night’s show on Saturday at 7.15pm. For more information on voting see www.tg4.ie.