UK-based Nigerian Broadcaster Alistair Honoured by Irish Country Music

…becomes the first non-Irish to present awards to leading European country music singers

The Founder cum President of Ben Television (BEN TV), Ambassador Alistair Soyode, was recently honored with a special Award by the Irish Country Music, the organizers of the Hot Country Music Awards, for his support and contribution to promoting the Irish culture.

BEN TELEVISION is the First Ethnic; African & Caribbean-oriented television in the UK and Europe. It caters to African-Caribbean programs, and people and broadcasts on satellite BSKYB. It has consistently promoted quality media projects that impact the cultures of a cross-section of communities in the United Kingdom. It’s also the first ethnic channel in Europe that broadcast into West Africa directly from Europe and it’s fully online, which means its daily telecast can be accessed from any smartphone and other internet devices.

The Hot Country Music Awards is a major award show in country music and is in its eleventh year since its inception with the highest recognized awards presented to the biggest and emerging artists in Ireland.

During the award ceremony and concert at the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, Ireland on Tuesday, April 4, a special award was presented to Ambassador Alistair Soyode, for supporting country music. He also became the first non-Irish to present awards to some of the leading European country music singers.

One of the major highlights of this year’s award was the recognition of one of the biggest iconic country music personalities, the late Big Tom McBride.

Big Tom was a founding member of a band that appeared on RTÉ’s ‘The Showband Show’ in 1966 with Gentle Mother and the song became a major successful home box hit, establishing Big Tom and the Mainliners Band at the top of the Irish Country entertainment industry.

Their contribution saw them packing in large crowds and fans across the country in the 60s and 70s and the man, Big Tom became known as “The King” of Irish country music. He received the Gold Award in 1980 for selling more than one million records.

Some of the other winners included Molly O’Connell, the Tipperary country music singer, who received the “Rising Country Music Artist Of The Year”.
Speaking on the award, the singer said, “Waking up with a very grateful heart this morning. Thank you, Hugh O’Brien, and all at Hot Country TV for this amazing award.

“I’m truly blessed; I’m looking up also, to say ‘This One’s For You Dad’.”Stephen Hamilton is a huge part of this award too and my beautiful Mum, Family. Friends and Followers, a huge Big THANK YOU to ye all.” the Kilcommon singer added.

The Chief Host of the event, leading Irish Director and media entrepreneur, Hugh O’Brien expressed that the event which witnessed thousands at the venue was successful due to the caliber of artists, performers, and the quality of the packaging.
O’Brien thanked all the fans for their continued appreciation of country music while promising to deliver a bigger event in the coming year.

Country Music and similar broadcasts are available to avid fans on BSkyB Channel 181 and www.hotcountrytv.com