Eagle-eyed RTE viewers watching The Late, Late Toy Show last Friday night may have spotted a familiar little face from Madden.
Joe Devlin (7) can normally be found with a stringed instrument in hand – and while he didn’t quite get the chance to perform for the Toy Show audience with his banjolele – he said he had the best time singing instead.
Speaking to Armagh I mum, Nicole said that when she was alerted to the talent call for the show she immediately jumped at the chance to let her little star shine on the big stage.
She admits, Joe can be shy. So, when the opportunity came for him to audition in person she was amazed to hear his voice permeating the Dublin studio’s walls into the hall where she waited.
Undoubtedly, the young musician’s confidence has grown in the last three years through lessons with Conor Cunningham, his tutor at Armagh’s M D Rafferty Music School.
The pair have developed an incredible rapport and together prepared the piece for Joe’s big audition.
Nicole explained that while Joe had been scheduled to perform an ‘Armagh song’ for the show, the time constraints of live television meant that he was only able to sing as part of collective.
However, Joe was delighted! Not only did he get to sing his favourite song by The 2 Jonnie’s but he did it as part of a choir – freeing him from the pressures of a solo performance.
Tutor Conor said the entire school, including staff, students and parents are incredibly proud of Joe who pushed himself beyond his comfort zone and was rewarded with the experience of a lifetime.
M D Rafferty School of Music owner, Martin Rafferty concurred, saying that he ‘couldn’t be prouder’.
Joe’s beloved banjolele – last year’s gift from Santa – now sports a Late, Late Toy Show sticker serving as a permanent reminder of his achievement.
To celebrate his achievement, Armagh I gave Joe the opportunity to perform for an Armagh audience on camera.
Watch his performance of ‘Country Road’ with tutor Conor Cunningham below:
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