Country star Jack Keogh on working with Nathan Carter, travelling Ireland and dealing with competition

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Where did your interest in country music come from?

It came from an early age. My nana used to listen to all the older singers and she spurred me on to do what I do. I remember singing from when I was very young. I started off on a small scale and I’ve slowly built it up. The biggest thing for me has been slowly working my way up the ladder.

Have any of the stalwarts of the scene given you advice?

I toured with Nathan Carter for about six months and he always told me to take my time and the opportunities will come along. He told me not to rush into anything. Michael English helped me out a lot, he got me on stage with him a few nights.

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What was it like to work with him?

He was very generous with his time and his advice. I got to see him every night before the gig and we would meet up on days when we were both off. He spent a lot of time guiding me and showing me what to do.

What’s on the bucket list for you?

For the rest of this year I’m working with a band and we’re doing different dates at The Gleneagle in Killarney. My two-piece is also very popular at the minute, so I’m focused on that.

What’s your favourite part of the industry?

I love singing and meeting new people while on the road. I love performing for people and I love that I get to sing my own tracks I’ve written myself. That gives me a great buzz. When you first write a song, you picture people singing along, then when it happens it’s an incredible feeling.

You’re from The Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow. Does that make it easier or harder for you on the road?

It’s close to Dublin, you could be there in half an hour. The motorway is great, it can bring you everywhere across the country. I could be based in a worse place when it comes to touring. I’m lucky that it’s easy to get around.

Are you in a relationship? Do you get a lot of attention from fans?

I’m not, no. I do get some attention from fans after gigs. But that’s a different side of things [laughs]. You can’t prepare for that side of things. The main thing for me is going out there and singing.

Are you working in music full-time, or do you have a day job as well?

I used to have a day job, but I had to stop it and focus solely on music about a year ago because I was performing four or five nights a week. I was going to work quite tired and it wasn’t working for me. I was working as a gardener and groundskeeper after I left school, I had to make a choice and I picked music. I can always go back and pick up the job again. I applied to study music in college, but I never went because I’m so busy.

There are a lot of young men on the rise on the Irish country music scene, is there competition to book dates, get guest spots and succeed?

I just do my own thing and I focus on what I’m doing myself. All the lads are nice and we all get on with each other. There’s enough work for everyone and we’re all busy. There’s no real competition between us. I’m happy to see other people doing well as it’s great for the scene.

Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?

I’d like to be doing my own thing and doing my own shows, that would be the dream for me. I want to headline my own shows and promote my own sun trips overseas. That would be a great experience for me.

You’re only 20 and you’ve to deal with promotion, finances, touring and balancing everything. Is that hard?

I’m lucky to have met great people who have guided me in the right direction. My manager deals with a lot of the business side of things for me, so I’m not left doing it. Saying that, it’s still a challenge at times. I’m working on new original songs at the moment and I’ll be releasing an album next year. It will be something new.

Read the full interview with Jack Keogh and see all of the fabulous pictures in this issue of RSVP Country - on shelves now