Aishling tops the chart again!
Rising country music star Aishling Rafferty of Knockshegowna has hit the No 1 spot on the iTunes Country chart with her new single, ‘Darling Say You'll Love Me When I'm Old’.
It's the second iTunes Country No 1 for Aishling, whose previous single - ‘Tomorrow Christmas Day’ - knocked none other than Nathan Carter off the top last November.
The new song is taken from her forthcoming debut album, which is scheduled to come our way later this year. Aishling (19) has been delighted with the reaction from her listeners.
“The whole reason why I started singing in the first place is because I love it, and because I enjoy it so much,” she said. “So whenever I record something and release it, the only thing that I'm really hoping for is that fans will love the song too, and enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it.
“That's what means literally everything to me, it really does. And then anything good that happens after that is just the loveliest bonus; that's how I look at it.”
Produced by Peter Maher of Middlewalk, Cloughjordan - one of the most in-demand producers on the Irish Country scene - Aishling's version of a song made famous in previous incarnations by the legendary Foster & Allen, and the great John Hogan, amongst others, showcases yet again why the last couple of years have seen her become one of Irish Country's most talked about young performers. With a voice that rings crystal-clear and which possesses a confidence that belies her still tender years, there's every chance that in the years to come this release will be looked back on as Aishling's coming-of-age moment as a name to be reckoned with in Irish Country.
Signs of that sense of sureness in her vocal ability were there in another of her recent singles, when she took on one of the standout - and already almost iconic - songs of contemporary Irish Country, Derek Ryan's beautiful ballad, ‘God's Plan’. Also produced by Peter Maher, Aishling's version is easily as beautiful a testament to Ryan's songwriting prowess as you'll come across.
It's only about a year ago since Aishing - now a student of Voice at the Irish World Academy - launched her debut album, a six-track collection entitled ‘My Journey’, at the Hibernian Inn, Nenagh. The year that evolved after that proved an incredibly challenging time for everyone, and especially for those in the entertainment industry. But one thing we can all be thankful for is that artists like Aishling have continued to use their gifts to keep bringing us new music to enjoy, welcome moments of relief at a time in history when the reach of uncertainty and worry seems almost without end some days.
And Aishling undoubtedly has the potential to go on lighting up stages at home and abroad for many, many years to come. Her new single implores, ‘Darling, Say You'll Love Me When I'm Old’. Well, as far as Country music fans are concerned, Aishling can rest easy on that score. She's destined to be feeling that love for a long, long time to come.
Aishling's brand new No 1 single is out now, available on all platforms and to request from radio. You can follow Aishling on Facebook and Instagram at Aishling Rafferty Music.