THE IRISH ROVERS have charmed and entertained audiences worldwide for over half a century. 
The last several years have seen the Rovers excite yet another generation by returning to the radio airwaves, expanding their visibility to YouTube and returning to the small screen with three television specials; Home In Ireland, Irish Rovers Christmas, and 50th Anniversary – LIVE on St. Patrick’s Day.
On this final world tour, the band hopes to sing a proper farewell to all those they have entertained for these many years. After more than 40 albums released in North America and many more internationally, the Irish Rovers continue to receive rave review for their recordings and performances. 

This year’s album release, The Scottish Album pays tribute and reflects the Scottish influence on their Northern Irish roots. Last year, their previous album “The Unicorn, the Continuing Story” gave us the long-awaited sequel to their famed Unicorn song.

Among their many honours, the Rovers have recently been officially honored as one of Ireland’s greatest émigrés by Ireland’s newest and most state of the art museum, EPIC Ireland in Dublin. Mervyn Greene, the museum’s Director says, “We in Ireland are very proud of The Irish Rovers and what they have done for Irish music around the world. The Irish Rovers are iconic, world class and with very a long career. That’s important to us”. As it happens, The Unicorn album is part of EPIC’s Irish Rovers installation. 

On tour in 2015 the Rovers released, “The Irish Rovers – 50 Years” triple CD, (known as ‘The Greatest of The Greatest Hits’) and more recently the “LIVE on St. Patrick’s Day” double CD set which was recorded when the Rovers filmed their final DVD of the same name which includes a whole DVD of extras featuring the lads on a 50th Anniversary week in Ireland and celebrates their entire career.

“Fueled by passion, talent, history and song the musical legacy of The Irish Rovers continues to lead the way for many of today’s folk and Celtic musicians.”  Global TV

In 2012 The Irish Rovers recently released, “Drunken Sailor” CD (Rover Records), and the DVD/television special, “The Irish Rovers Christmas”. The release of the CD was spurred on by 2 Million (now over 45 Mill) hits of their usual show-closer, Drunken Sailor. As well as featuring the title track, the album includes the   single, “Whores and Hounds” and a tribute to the great ship, Titanic on its 100th anniversary. The DVD and television special was filmed in Canada on the ski slopes and in the streets and pubs of Banff National Park, and includes their live Christmas concert filmed at Chatham, Ontario’s historic Capitol Theatre with musical guests from Ireland, Morris Crum, Patrick Davey, Gerry O'Connor, with Canadian/Irish Tenor John McDermott and guitarist Jason Fowler.

“Irish Rovers celebrate a bonny resurgence...From the recent resurge in popularity of The Irish Rovers, it would seem the lads themselves have returned to their glory days, and are still charging.” The Morning Call, 2012

The band continues to garner rave reviews, and attract the attention of a new younger audience. 

In 2010 The Irish Rovers released the CD, “Gracehill Fair” (Vancouver Island Music Award - Song of the Year), with an extensive tour, and the DVD/television special, “Home In Ireland” which was filmed entirely along the northeast coast of Ireland, and at their Belfast Waterfront Hall concert.

A trusted troubadour for hot summer nights and cold beers, Owen is now in his forties, tangling with separations from lost lovers, raising kids, and growing out of the fresh-faced kid that headed down to Nashville 20 years back with a six-string and a dream.  Case in point: Dreams to Dream, Owen’s long-awaited, Shooter Jennings-co-produced foray into classic, honky-tonk country, out November 7 via Good Company Entertainment. Dreams to Dream, Owen’s first independent studio album, featuring 10 original tracks and two stellar covers, tells the tale of a man at a crossroads — and what it takes to set out a new path. 

Owen wasn’t expecting much when he commented on one of Shooter Jennings’ Instagram posts, half-jokingly suggesting that they make a honky-tonk record, but the producer called his bluff. Two days later, Owen’s manager had Jennings on the line and, soon, Owen was on his way to L.A. and Jennings’ Sunset Sound. It was a cozy yet electric scene: Jennings and Owen cracking jokes in the sepia-toned studio, creativity crackling as they collaborated with the likes of songwriters Ben Chapman and Kendell Marvel, as well as long-time shooter pal, guitarist/harmonic player Leroy Powell. 

“All my friends who have heard my stuff have gone, ‘Dude, Jake, this is you man. This is who you've always tried to be,’” Owen says. “Sometimes you need to get outside what's comfortable, what people think you are, or think you should be, and take a risk.”

Sebastian Degen is following