Munster Express Online

To coincide with his forthcoming support slots on Nanci Griffith’s Irish tour, Waterford-based performer Liam Merriman has released a new single ‘Don’t Say Die’ on February 4, 2010. ‘ Don’t Say Die’ is the first track to be taken from Merriman’s third album, The Night Is Huge, due to be released in April, and was produced by Nanci Griffith sidekick Thomm Jutz in Nashville, Tennessee.

‘Don’t Say Die’ has an upbeat feel, both lyrically and musically, throughout its taut two and a half minutes of prime country-folk. As Merriman explains, “This was my second time to record an album in Nashville, and the positive experience of working with Thomm was particularly uplifting in these hard times. There’s a huge awareness of Irish music in Nashville, and it was terrific to feel so welcome in a city renowned worldwide for its music. I even recorded a couple of Irish folk-style tracks for the album, and the local musicians, all hardened professionals, seemed to find as much joy in our music as I did.”

Apart from his US and Irish activities, Merriman was recently invited to perform at Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester as part of the European Music In Healthcare Settings project.

LIAM MERRIMAN DIARY:

New single ‘Don’t Say Die’, release date February 4, 2010.

New album: The Night Is Huge, release date April 22, 2010.