Irish star CMAT made a surprise appearance at an award ceremony in Belfast on Wednesday. The pop-star joined Philomena Begley, one of Irish country music's most loved and celebrated entertainers, on stage at the NI Music Prize. Begley was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her 64-year career.
The country music legend performed the hit Blanket on the Ground alongside CMAT. The NI Music Prize, an annual event celebrating music in Northern Ireland, was marking its 15th anniversary on Wednesday at Ulster Hall. Begley's award was presented by BBC broadcaster Hugo Duncan, a longtime friend of the musician.
When Begley went on to perform Blanket on the Ground she invited CMAT, who had made a surprise appearance at the ceremony, to join her on stage. At a concert in Belfast earlier this year, CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, gave a shout-out to Begley, thanking the country legend. Reacting to the shout-out in October, Begley told the Good Morning Ulster programme that she had never met her but had "heard so much about her".
"It's hard to beat the new generation, it's great to see them all doing well." Begley added that she was "over the moon" to win the award. Begley said she did not know what reaction to expect at the awards ceremony, but that she was "looking forward to it". Charlotte Dryden, CEO of Oh Yeah Music Centre, who were the organisers of the NI Music Prize, said that seeing Begley and CMAT together "was something really special".
"We've had some incredible moments at the NI Music Prize over the years, but I don't think we've ever experienced an atmosphere quite like that," she said. Philomena Begley is one of the island's most loved entertainers. An unrivalled interpreter of country music, she has delighted audiences on stages all over the world and collaborated with country greats like Porter Wagoner and Billie Jo Spears, who first released Blanket on The Ground.
From humble beginnings in Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Begley had a simple, but happy childhood as one of eight children in a close-knit, traditional and musical family. She always loved to sing, but had no plans of pursuing a career in music. Begley accidentally entered the world of country music at a local dance, when she was called on stage as a dare to sing a song with the Old Cross Céilí Band.
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