Northern Ireland

Irish musicians lend their voice to Stay At Home message

Some of Ireland's leading musicians have teamed-up for a new track
Some of Ireland's leading musicians have teamed-up for a new track Some of Ireland's leading musicians have teamed-up for a new track

IRISH musicians have lent their voices to a new track reminding people of the importance of staying at home during the coronavirus crisis.

Nathan Carter is joined by Brian Kennedy, Johnny Logan, Chloe Agnew, Tommy Fleming and Sean Keane for the song, with each artist recording lines in their own living-rooms or home studios.

The idea for the track, Stay At Home, Stay Alive, came from well-known Catholic priest and broadcaster Fr Brian D'Arcy and the accompanying video features a glimpse into the artists in their homes, as well as frontline staff battling the virus.

Singer Nathan Carter, who has been spending the lockdown at his home in Co Fermanagh, said he wanted to "do what he could to help" get the message out to people that they need to stay at home during the pandemic.

"The idea for this track actually came after reading an article from Father Brian D’Arcy, where he mentioned that someone should really write a song for this time," he said.

"I was sitting at home with plenty of time on my hands and I thought, I could do that.

"With the help of my manager and co-writer John Farry, we put the lyrics together pretty quickly.

"The key thing we wanted to get across was how important it is to stay at home to keep ourselves and those we love safe.

"Like everyone else, we miss gigs, concerts and parties, meeting up with friends and family but right now, we have to sacrifice those things.

"If we all do it, we can get everyone back to music and dancing so much quicker.

"Once we got the words and music down, I mentioned it to a few friends in the industry and the offers to get involved came flooding in.

"We really are all in this together and to have such an eclectic mix of talent on there is incredible.

"I’m honoured to be named alongside them and can’t thank Brian, Johnny, Chloe, Tommy and Sean enough for giving their time and talent so freely to this project."

Carter added that the video was pays tribute to the frontline staff working to battle Covid-19.

"We are all in awe of the work people are doing to keep us safe, so it was so important to include them in the video," he said.

"While the rest of us are safe at home, they go to work for us.

"Soon, we hope to sing and perform again for them and everyone else, but in the meantime, stay safe and stay home."