Janet Dowd: News

Great day had by all at the fabulous Premier Records in Belfast on Saturday.  It was a real honour to be the first ever band to perform a live gig in the oldest music shop in Northern Ireland. I hope it will be the start of many more to come!

Huge thanks to Joe for making it all happen and to everyone who came along on the day to support us and their local independent record shop.

We were especially chuffed to see our mate Sheila, who came all the way from Westport in Co.Mayo to cheer us along!

J x

You heard it here first....our new venture

Let me introduce you to 'Northern Belles'....

Janet Holmes, Oonagh Derby & Janet Dowd have joined forces and will be performing together backed by a group of fantastic musicians.

Northern Belles first gig will be on Saturday 19th May 2012 in the Red Room, Cookstown.

Hope to see you all then!

J x

Hi there

Great night at Bangor Carnegie Library on Thursday.....huge thanks to all who came along on the night (Royalty and everything!....you know who you are).  Also thank you to Jane for inviting us (that's Jane in the pic with us) and for looking after us so well.

Can I say that the audience totally blew us away with their wonderful singing at the end of the night...well done guys!

Also, total respect to our Brendy, who in spite of his broken leg (skateboarding injury), wowed everyone with his spectacular piano playing, although half of the plaster cast is now stuck to his pedal.  He's hoping to make a full recovery soon so as he can start his training for the Olympics again.  (I am writing this on April Fools Day)

J x

Huge thanks to all the guys from Stonewall for inviting myself, Rachel Toman & Johnny Toman to take part in their album launch night in the Marketplace Theatre in Armagh.

We had a real blast and thoroughly enjoyed performing and also listening to the fabulous Thompson Brothers and of course the very talented Stonewall.

The audience were fantastic....so cheers to you all for making us so welcome....

J x

Great night at the Red Room on Sunday.....with the fabulous Kevin Montgomery & Ruth Trimble and what an honour for me n Merv to do a wee number with the very talented Mike McAdam who's played with Steve Earle & Bob Dillon to name but a few.... then there was us...can't get any better! x

Thanks to everyone who came to see our show at the fabulous Web Theatre last night and for braving the cold weather!  Thankfully Merv survived the gig after his week of suffering the 'Man Flu'......he's even smiling again!

We had a blast and it was great to see all the familiar faces and some new ones as well.  Huge thanks to Ian, Candice and Justin for all their help and support and I hope we'll be back in the Web in the near future.

J x

Myself and Rachel Toman (Avita Event Music) performing at the Travel Show organised by Thompson Travel in the Seagoe Hotel in Portadown.

Thanks to Sharon Fleming for asking us along on the night...thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

J x

Hi there

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you long suffering followers of our music for coming to the Black Box on Saturday.  We'd a fantastic day, great fun and so good to see all of you again.

Still can't believe that Dermott paid in and also bought a CD with little or no encouragement!! (his second CD purchase ever...the last one being in the 60's)...that's me in the picture looking absolutely delighted.......we are truly honoured!

Hope to see you all again soon.

J x

Huge congratulations to Tracey McRory and Richard Laird for putting together a wonderful concert last Sunday night.  It was extremely moving and a great honour to be asked to perform 'John Condon' on the night.

Then we were treated to a performance by the extremely funny and very talented Mr Richard Digance ( he told me to say that). I must admit, he stole the show and had the audience in stitches...it was his first ever performance in Ireland and we hope he'll be back again soon. I'm still recovering from spending the weekend in his company and I believe he could offer his services as a dietician, as I had great difficulty eating my lunch in between the bouts of hilarity. I have unashamedly stolen some of his material for our next gig, so it should be a right laugh.

Cheers to you all who came along on the night! x

Hi there

Can we say a great big thank you to everyone who came to our show at the Marketplace Theatre on Friday night....the craic was mighty!  We really appreciate all your support for our music and hope to see y'all again at our next gig at the Black Box on Saturday 3rd December at 3pm.  Looking forward to it already!

Thanks also to David (who did a great job on sound) and all the staff at the theatre for their help and support.

Check out the rest of our pics in the photo section.....the guys in the band have definitely scrubbed up rightly!

J x

Here's the Janet Dowd Band looking the picture of 'HEALTH' in Derry Central Library.  We were delighted to take part in Culture Night and what a lovely venue and very appreciative and truly cultured audience!  Thanks so much to all the staff for making us feel so welcome & for the best cup of tea I've had in a long time.  I must say it was a strange feeling to belt out songs through a PA in a library....kept thinking we should turn the noise down...

As our Brendy said...it was great to get a 'BOOKing' in a library....and before you all think we've sacked our piano playing genius, Auntie Mina's camera couldn't fit us all in the shot.  He was there honest!!!

J x

Huge thanks to the wonderful Mazz O'Flaherty for inviting us to take part in a podcast in the Dingle Record Shop.  It was FANTASTIC and myself and Merv were delighted to be joined by our friends from the town...Matt Griffen (guitar) & Rob Lowther (mandolin), two absolutely amazing musicians.  You can hear the podcast hopefully in a few weeks time (Dingle time!!!).  Also check out all the other great 'Sessions from the Shop' by John Spillane, Back West etc by logging on to....www.dinglerecordshop.com

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

J x

Hi y'all

Here we are back again at the fabulous Matt Molloys in Westport, Co.Mayo & what a night we had. The place was packed with wonderful people and we were truly honoured to have the legend himself MATT MOLLOY watch the show! A fantastic evening of song and great craic, ending it all off with an encore of the Shenandoah Valley Waltz.  I have to say, the audience definitely stole the show with that one, lifting the rafters with some top class singing.

Huge, huge thanks to Matt, Bernie, Seamus and all the staff for making us so welcome...we had a ball!

J x

It's official....the people of Derry / Londonderry are FANTASTIC!!!

Myself & Rachel Toman performed some songs & instrumental pieces in the Boston Tea Party cafe as part of the Maiden City Festival.  Such a warm welcome and appreciative audience...really enjoyed the day.

Also wonderful to meet up with some of my old workmates and thank you to Tracey McRory (one of the writers of the beautiful song 'John Condon' ) for taking time out to come along on the day.

Last but definitely not least....huge thanks to Patsy Toman for helping Rachel carry in all the gear whilst I sat in the warm, dry car, talking to the one and only Mr Gerry Anderson on his show on BBC Radio Ulster.

J x

Hi there

Great night had by all at the Red Room in Cookstown on 9th August, hosted by the very wonderful Sharon & Arnie! The craic was mighty and we were very privilaged to have the amazing Colin Henry play dobro with us and the fabulous Janet Holmes also sang beautifully for us... a real treat altogether. Check out the rest of the pics in the photo gallery.

Huge thanks to all of you wonderful people who came along on the night.

J x

Thanks to all you lovely people who came to our show at Grouchos Music Lounge last week.  Great night in a wonderful venue...and not forgetting those comfy sofas and romantic candlelight.  We felt the love!!!!! 

Aaaaaaahhhhhh.....fond memories.

J x

Hi there

Just wanted to let you all know our exciting news!!

Our LIVE show from the Black Box a few weeks ago will be broadcast on Colum Sands excellent 'Folk Club' programme on BBC Radio Ulster on Saturday 9th July at 8pm. There will also be an interview with the great man himself so hope you can all tune in!

J x

Hi there

Merv & I have just returned to the Emerald Isle from our trip to the stunning south of England & Wales. The highlight of our visit was definitely meeting the wonderful Richard Digance at his Gala Day and Concert at the Square & Compass, Windmill Hill, Somerset.

Richard had made our version of the song 'John Condon' number 1 on his show on BBC Radio Devon earlier this year and it was a great pleasure to finally meet him. I was completely overwhelmed by the warmth and kindness shown by Richard and his family and friends and delighted when we were asked to perform at his concert that night, albeit rather nervous! As if that wasn't enough excitement, to end his show, Richard asked if I would sing John Condon with him!! Still can't quite believe that I shared the same stage with such a legend!

So I'd like to say a huge thank you to Richard, his family and friends, Dave for helping us arrange our secret visit, Chris at the beautiful Square & Compass (gorgeous venue with the loveliest steak & ale pie I've ever tasted!) for letting us park our van in his field & Diesel for letting us play with his ball.

J & M x

Hi there

Thanks to everyone who came along to our gig at the Black Box on Saturday...what a fantastic audience! We had a full house and the craic was mighty.

Someone said it was like being at Seaworld and for all those who were there, I'm sure you'll understand that comment...I don't think I've had that much fun in ages.

Thank you all for your kind words after the show and I hope to see you again very soon.

Check out the rest of the pics in the Gallery!

J x

I don't know if you heard us on the fabulous Gerry Anderson Show on Friday but we sure had a blast. It was a wonderful morning of song, banter and hysterical laughter! Can I say thank you to Gerry for his continous support of our music and to everyone who contacted his show with all your kind words...we were completely overwhelmed..

I would like to officially state that Gerry 'IS A REAL GEG' and I had to muster up all my willpower to sing without laughing. It was most definitely a morning we won't forget in a hurry.

By the way folks, the BBC also filmed  the show and it will be shown on the web at the end of the week. That should be worth a watch!

Cheers Gerry...you're a star!

J x

Hi there

Just to let you all know that our new CD, 'Janet Dowd - Live @ Matt Molloys' is now available in Premier Records, Belfast (behind Castle Court) and the Millenium Court Arts Centre, Portadown.  Alternatively, you can purchase a copy by sending me an e-mail on, janetdowd@janetdowd.com and I'll post you one right away! We had a great launch night at the French Village Cafe in Belfast and a huge thanks to everyone who came along to support us.

Cheers guys!

J x

Big thanks to our oul mate Brian Quinn from Glasgow who took some fantastic pics of our gig on the Danny Kyle Open Stage in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Sunday 23rd January 2011!!!!

Have a wee look at the rest in the photo section.....

Cheers mucker...

J and her band of merry musicians x

Hi y'all

Merv & Patsy checking out the venue before our gig...

Well we're just back from our travels from the beautiful city of Glasgow and boy did we enjoy our trip.  We performed a set on the Danny Kyle Open Stage as part of the Celtic Connections Festival.  It was a truly magical experience to play in the Royal Concert Hall and we won't forget it in a hurry. I have to say, I'm more than a little starstruck, seeing legends like Jerry Douglas and Tim O'Brien milling about the theatre!  Big thanks to the organiser Liz Clark for her exceptional hospitality, to Celtic Music Radio for their continuing support of our music and to the excellent stage crew...you guys were amazing.

I am however traumatised by the ferry trip....the sea was calm but the ship was shaking....how can this be I hear you ask?  Well,  I was trapped in the cinema lounge watching the A-Team, but listening to the loudest snoring I have ever heard in my life!  So now, we have decided to bill our band as the loudest in Northern Ireland.  Our claim to fame!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the pics!

J x

Hi there

Great news!  We've been given the opportunity to play on the Danny Kyle Open Stage as part of this years Celtic Connections Festival.  We head over to Glasgow on Sunday 23rd January to perform in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall between 5pm and 7pm. Its a free concert, so come and join us if you can...we'd love to see y'all.

x