International line-up for NHS fundraiser gig

The list of musicians taking part in the fundraiser is growing.

An international line-up of musicians is preparing to take part in a livestream to raise funds for the NHS.

Cookstown-based musician Ritchi Ray is behind the event which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 18.

The fundraiser will include former INXS frontman Ciaran Gribbin, award winning Matt McGinn, Davy Kerrigan and many more.

This week Ritchi has been trying to attract more Irish Country singers to the line-up as he wants the fundraiser to be inclusive.

Ritchi, a folk/rock/blues acoustic performer has had to cancel an entire year of touring, including a four-week sell out tour of the east coast of the USA due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some time ago he agreed to do an NHS fundraiser but let the idea slip until his brother, who works in the NHS in Manchester, reminded him “in a brotherly fashion”.

“I’ve been pulling in favours from musician friends and we now we have an event and I’m a bit taken aback,” he said.

“I’ve also video editors and tech people coming in with me and we’re going to try and make it as big a night as we can.

“I’ve been pestering everyone because I just want it to be a success and raise as much as I can,” he said.

He has been trying to get Daniel O’Donnell to join the line but his management team says the star is on holidays. He’s now working on getting Cliona Hagan from Ballinderry to take part.

Each musician will introduce themselves, perform at least three songs, and talk about what the NHS means to them.