Yeehaw! 15 years of Corkman's country music show

For 15 years, Corkman Hugh O’Brien has been celebrating his love for country music with a television show called Hot Country TV.

As it marks its 15th anniversary, it is now Europe’s longest running country music TV show, and Hugh calls it “one of a kind”.

Hugh, from Silverheights Avenue, Cork, has always been an Irish country music lover. His programme has rolled along like a wagon wheel ever since it first aired.

“There was no TV show promoting Irish country music and Irish artists, so I took up the challenge,” he said.

Hugh is very au fait with the genre, and the singers, both Irish and worldwide.

“I used to publish a magazine called Personalities and I saw an opening to further promote country music and country music singers”, he said.

There are so many country music fans, not only here in Ireland, but in Europe, USA, and further afield.

“The programme has gone from strength to strength over the years, highlighting the best Irish artists in the music business, bringing music and song to living rooms all over the country and beyond.”

Country music has huge appeal in Ireland, with its common themes of emotions, love, loss, break-ups, mama, and even apple pie!

“It covers a lot of territory,” says Hugh.

When he launched the station in 2009, he wanted to revitalise country music in Ireland, and he opened up a global audience for performers through the medium.

“The launch of the station was quite a daunting endeavour,” recalled Hugh.

“Without Leo Fitzgerald, who is the technical brains and editor, the show would never have been launched on Sky TV.

It was a massive challenge and a massive learning experience for us at the time.

Can Hugh recall the first show?

“It debuted on September 28, 2009, and at that time it was the only country music show on Sky and free to air satellite channels,” he says.

“Very few TV shows were featuring country music, but we changed all of that and we introduced popular Irish artists into living rooms all over Ireland and across mainland Europe.”

Hot Country Music has helped to launch a thousand stars.

“It leads the way in the promotion of Irish country music across the world, and will continue to do so into the future,” said Hugh.

Irish country music singers are very appreciative of his efforts to promote Irish talent over the years.

“Hot Country was a brilliant idea and thought up by Hugh O’Brien,” says Declan Nerney.

“It gave a wonderful platform for new acts to get their talents noticed and appreciated, a brilliant visionary man is Hugh O’Brien.”

“Hot Country has promoted talented country music artists since its launch and will continue to promote it as we move forward,” said Hugh.

“The shows contributed hugely in launching the careers of many headline acts in country music today such as Mike Denver, Nathan Carter, Cliona Hagan, Derek Ryan, Jimmy Buckley, and many others when they were starting off and needed exposure to gain traction in the business.”

Who is emerging as new talent in the country music scene?

“Currently, we are promoting emerging artists such as Claudia Buckley, Effie Neill, Gavin Gribbin, Dee Morrissey, Molly O’Connell, and many more,” says Hugh.

Hot Country also provides a much- needed platform for international country artists, and indeed its influence has reached right across the globe, with popular South African- based singer Cordelia recently making contact with the station. She is planning a visit to Ireland in April, 2025.

“South Africa has a huge country music audience,” says Hugh.

“And Hot Country has a big following across the southern hemisphere as well.”

I tell Hugh that, when visiting Lahern Cross in North Cork recently, a location famous for people gathering every Sunday night throughout the summer months to enjoy live traditional country music, I was amazed at the turn-out and the amount of people that are country music fans.

“I’m not surprised,” says Hugh. 

Irish country music is alive and well. Through our TV programme, more and more people are tuning in to the fabulous county music talents that we have in this country.

Singer Derek Ryan is one of many artists full of praise for Hugh and his station.

“I’m so grateful for the support of Hot Country over the years,” he said. “Hot Country opened up our audience to a wider following throughout the whole of the UK, Europe and other parts of the world.”

Derek wishes Hugh continued success. “Hang on to your hats!” he says.

Hugh O’Brien wears many hats.

Not resting on his laurels as the face of Hot Country, he is also the mastermind behind the production team, which has an eight-camera video production unit capable of recording all types of shows and studio videos, with a full backing band provided.

Is Hugh a singer himself?

“Some of us wouldn’t sing in public, even if we were paid to!” he says. “And I’d be one of them!”

Current weekly viewing figures for Hot Country are 44,000 on Sky TV and free to air satellites and 146,000 on Facebook.

Another Irish country music star, Mike Denver, has this to say about Hugh and his work. 

“His programme Hot Country was instrumental in shaping country music into what it is today,” says Mike.

“It does great work recognising new talent and bringing them to the attention of the viewers and making them the stars of today.”

As a child, emerging talent Effie Neill recalls seeing Hugh on TV.

“I remember as a child watching the man with the white hair and the red tie and loving the music Hot Country brought to our screens at home. Thanks for all you’ve done for me, Hugh.”

The Corkman has no notion of hanging up his hat any time soon.

“Hot Country TV is a phenomenal success, and I am delighted about the success and further popularity of Irish country stars it has helped promote,” he said.

Hot Country broadcasts on Sky 588 on Mondays, 10-11pm, also Free to Air Satellite and the Veusat Ireland Platform, and NVTV Belfast local TV, followed by Non-Stop Country with Eilish O’Sullivan 11-midnight.