DONEGAL woman Lorraine McCauley was awarded Best Original Song of the Year at the Country NI 2025 Music Awards held in Castlederg, Tyrone last Sunday.
The country music singer-songwriter received the award for her song ‘Dear Lord, Lay Your Gentle Hands Down’.
The self-penned song also won her the title of Best Female Christian and Gospel Artist in 2024.
Lorraine has been playing country music since the age of twelve. During school holidays, she played keyboards in her father Adrian McCauley’s country music band, which took her to wonderful venues across Ireland over the years.
Lorraine decided to record her first single in 2019 when her father sadly passed away. She recorded with Donegal man Terry McGinty at Valley Music Studio and has never looked back.
The weekend’s award rounds off an exciting year for the Ballyshannon native, who is affectionately known as Ireland’s Songbird – a title given to her by Canada’s First Lady of Country Music, Carroll Baker.
Lorraine has just released her brand-new album ‘Songs of Faith, Hope, Love and Inspiration’. The album launch was held recently in the beautiful St Anne’s Church, Ballyshannon, with the Ryan Turner Band and special guest local talent, Ciarán Hodgins.
Lorraine also recently returned from singing at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Apple Country Music Jamboree, held in Colborne, Ontario, Canada.
There, she enjoyed a wonderful few days of country music with the house band, fellow artists, and a beautiful Canadian audience. She performed her own set and also took part in the Sunday morning Gospel Concert.
Lorraine received the opportunity to work with Tracy Pitcox, Head of Texas Records, and was blessed to perform with country music power couple, George Jones and Tammy Wynette’s daughter, Georgette Jones.
Lorraine pictured with Tracy Pitcox, owner at Heart of Texas Records.
Last year was a particularly exciting one for the local musician, who had what she describes as a “once in a lifetime experience” when she travelled to Nashville.
Lorraine made the special trip after being nominated as Emerging Artist of the Year 2024 at the Josie Music Awards in America’s Music City, Nashville.
The Awards Ceremony was held in October 2024 at the Grand Ole Opry.
Lorraine shared how she was “very blessed” to attend the ceremony and to meet the founders of the Josie Music Awards, Josie and Tina Marie Passantino-Boone, who she described as “two inspirational ladies.”
“It was the most wonderful musical experience,” she added.
While in Nashville, Lorraine also toured the Loretta Lynn Ranch, which she said was a very spiritual experience.
“Loretta’s music has been a great joy and comfort to many down through the years and Loretta will always hold a special place in my heart,” Lorraine said.
Lorraine always pays tribute to the Queen of Country Music at her concerts. While touring the Loretta Lynn Ranch, she said she felt “a great sense of peace throughout the grounds.”
Lorraine has released 11 singles to date with Steve Bloor Media and has achieved huge success, with five number one hits.
Her first number one was ‘Blanket on the Ground’ in 2019 – a song made famous by Ireland’s Queen of Country Music, Philomena Begley and Billy Jo Spears.
More number ones continued to follow, including ‘One Drink is One Too Many’ written by Canada’s Queen of Country Music, Carroll Baker and ‘Dear Lord, Lay Your Gentle Hands Down’, written and composed by Lorraine herself.
Lorraine paid special thanks to all of her followers for their love and support and to all the DJs who continue to play her music.
