CMAT joins Philomena Begley for surprise NI Music Prize performance

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 12 Nov, 18:29 · Archive

Country music legend Philomena Begley received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the NI Music Prize and performed with CMAT.

The NI Music Prize celebrated its 15th anniversary on Wednesday at Belfast's Ulster Hall with an evening honouring music from Northern Ireland. Country music legend Philomena Begley received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her 64-year career. The award was presented by BBC broadcaster Hugo Duncan, a longtime friend.

When Begley performed her iconic hit 'Blanket on the Ground', backed by the Shamrock Showband, she invited CMAT to join her on stage in a surprise appearance. The entire audience stood for the performance, which prompted an encore. A spokesperson for the event said the moment 'brought together two generations of Irish music and created one of the most memorable scenes in the Prize's history.'

CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, had previously given a shout-out to Begley at a Belfast concert earlier this year. When reacting to that in October, Begley told Good Morning Ulster that she had never met CMAT but had 'heard so much about her' and was 'over the moon' to meet her. Charlotte Dryden, CEO of Oh Yeah Music Centre, which organised the awards, said seeing Begley and CMAT together 'was something really special'.

Other winners at the ceremony included Joshua Burnside, who took home the PPL Album of the Year award for 'It's Not Going to Be OK', just 24 hours after winning at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards. Chalk won both Single of the Year for 'Pain' and MCD Live Act of the Year, sending a video message to accept as they are currently on tour with Fontaines D.C. Kaidi Tatham was named PRS for Music NI Creator of the Year, whilst Polar Bolero won the BBC Introducing in Northern Ireland Artist of the Year award.

How it is being reported

• Queen of Country's crown shines on: Philomena Begley brings down the house with CMAT after lifetime achievement awardShe was already our queen of country music, but Philomena Begley has now proved her crown still glitters by bringing the house down with one of the biggest singers of the moment.News Letter · 12 Nov, 17:03
• Irish star CMAT joins Philomena Begley on stage in surprise appearancePhilomena Begley was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her 64-year career.BBC Northern Ireland · 12 Nov, 12:06
• Country music legend Philomena Begley receives prestigeous accolade and performs with CMAT at NI Music AwardsThe two performed a rendition of Begley’s hit ‘Blanket on the Ground’Belfast Telegraph · 12 Nov, 11:55
• Musical stars align as CMAT performs with Philomena Begley at NI Music Prize - in pictures"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"Belfast Live · 12 Nov, 11:48

In this story: Philomena Begley · CMAT · Joshua Burnside · Chalk · Kaidi Tatham · Polar Bolero · Belfast · Northern Ireland

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