Smith to launch EP on Saturday night

Renowned Navan bluesman Paddy Smith will launch his new EP at the Central Bar, Navan this Saturday night as he looks ahead to a return to the US, a country where he has experienced sharply contrasting fortunes over the years.

The EP - entitled ‘Ran Out of Road’ - is the latest work from the Navan man and the launch is sure to attract blues fans who have come to admire his music. The launch is expected to get underway at 10pm and there is no entrance fee.

Smith, who expressed his appreciation to Meath Co Council's arts office for supporting his production of the EP, will travel to Long Island, New York for a sold out show at O’Neill's music venue on on Thursday 30th March.

The gig is part of the Irish Craic Festival organised by Smith’s friend and supporter Terence P Mulligan.

Accompanying Smith to Long Island will be Maighread Ni Ghrasa, the female vocalist from the Donegal blues band Blackbird and Crow, who were recently added to the list for the 2017 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival to be held in Ballyshannon in June. The duo will perform in New York.

Smith, who was a driving force behind the Blues Festival staged at the Grove Farm Fordstown towards the end of last year, will be performing songs he has written himself. A few years ago he brought out an album called ‘Let Those Blues In’ that featured original material.

The name of the album was taken from a film made of Smith's life also called ‘Let Those Blues In.’
Smith emigrated to the US from Ireland and lived and worked there however his life was undermined by alcohol addiction.

His marriage broke up and he ended up living on the streets of Chicago at one stage. After he became mixed up in a row in a bar he was incarcerated in the infamous Cook County Jail for two weeks.

He continued to battle with his addiction when he returned to Ireland. He has since managed to shake off his addiction and in so doing he has proved to be an inspiration to others.

Last year he appeared at the Craic Music Fest where he supported the Rubber Bandits. He also performed on CBS during peak viewing time with 12 million viewers tuned in.

“That was a wonderful experience. I have made a lot of friends in New York City and they really appreciate my music which is wonderful,” added the bluesman.