Jim Devine to mentor a new generation of talented singers on Glór Tíre

JIM DEVINE has a sharp eye for spotting emerging talent, and when it comes to Ireland’s leading Country Music show, Glór Tire, a track record for picking winners.

The Tyrone singer is a popular name on the country and Irish circuit - best known for the songs ‘Leighann Loves to Dance’, ‘Baby Baby’, and ‘We’re Here to Stay’ - and that sharp eye of his will be at work again when he reprises his role as a mentor on the long-running series.

“This is my fourth time on Glór Tíre,” he says. “I was a mentor to Paschal McAnenly in 2020 who won it that year.”

Glór Tire begins its 20th season on Irish-language TV station TG4 on Tuesday, March 12.

Eight contestants will battle it out for the title of Ireland’s Glór Tíre Country Music Champion 2024, with Jim mentoring Gerard Gormely from Scraghey, Castlederg and Chelsea Evans from Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal.

Chelsea came to Jim’s attention during the audition process for the show.

He discovered she had an album and had recorded with the same producer he had.

Ringing the producer, he was told Chelsea was “very professional, very good”. That was enough for Jim.

“She has a great Country voice and is perfect for the show,” the Douglas Bridge man says.

Jim’s eye for talent meant fellow Tyrone man, Gerard Gormely, had also been on his radar.

“I was judging a music competition in Bundoran, and Gerard was in it,” says Jim.

“He got to the semi-finals. Although he didn’t win, I had already singled him out as someone who would be a great contestant for Glór Tire.”

Jim will be on the March 26 episode of the show, performing his own songs and duetting with Chelsea on Brett Young’s hit, ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ and with Gerard on the country standard, 'Truck Driving Man’.

“Gerard is a truck driver, so I suggested this would be a great duet for us, and he was buzzing for it,” says Jim.

Jim is no stranger to TV talent search shows, having reached the finals of RTÉ’s The Voice of Ireland in 2012.

“I grew up listening to Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and Irish country singers, and I’d been singing in clubs and pubs,” he continues.

“The Voice of Ireland was the first time I was on the airwaves, and Kian Egan from Westlife was my mentor.

"I got to the final, didn’t win, but it boosted my profile. After The Voice of Ireland, I put a band together.

"There was lots of support. I’m established now and it’s going great.”

Given his own experiences of television, and some 15 years on the Irish country scene, what advice will Jim pass on to Gerard and Chelsea as they get ready to appear on Glór Tíre?

“Sing your strongest songs first, don’t keep them in reserve in case you don’t get that far,” he says.

“Hit them between the eyes with your best. Be yourself and be kind.

"Use Glór Tíre as a platform, because it is a great platform.

"When I’m on the road, playing gigs, there will always be people saying to me, ‘I saw you on Glór Tire!’

"Every week, somebody mentions it. It’s a great way to get exposure.”

Jim Devine performs on Glór Tíre on TG4 on Tuesday, March 26 at 9.30pm, with contestants Gerard Gormley (Tyrone) and Chelsea Evans (Donegal).

The judges will be RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta’s Jó Ní Chéide and Caitriona Ní Shuilleabháin, with guest judge, Irish country legend, TR Dallas.

For more information on Glór Tíre, see www.tg4.ie and follow @glortire on social media for all of the latest news and updates.