2004 was the year when it all started for George Murphy; he grabbed the nation’s attention with his show stealing performances on “You’re A Star”, signed a record contract and recorded his first album, which went to number one and reached triple platinum status). 2004 also marked the beginning of the highly successful partnership between George and the Black Donnellys. Together they toured the length and breadth of the country and appeared on countless TV and radio shows.

Two years later, George and the Black Donnellys went to London to record a second album with top producer Mike Hedges. The album, entitled “And So The Story Goes”, was a change in direction for the Beaumont star and moved away from his traditional roots. The first single from the album “Something outta nothing” went straight into the top 10; a national tour was rounded off by a series of gigs in Tokyo followed by the recording of a half hour special for RTE TV. 

Following a time-out in New Zealand, George returned to Dublin to record a third album with the Black Donnellys and this time, returned to the traditional/ folk genre. Through collaboration with some of the Greats of Irish music including The Dubliners and Aslan, “The Ballads of Archie Thompson” was born.  The Album was launched in the iconic O' Donoghue’s Pub in Dublin on the 25th of June and the first single, The Star of the County Down is currently on release.

The Black Donnellys are:

Dave Browne (Guitars, Mandolin, Octave Mandolin)
Dave Hughes (Guitars, Bass Guitar, Whistles, Vocals)
Stephen Browne (Drums, Bodhrán)
Sharon Hussey (Fiddle, Whistles)
Dave Rooney (Guitars, Bass Guitar, Vocals)
Gavin Carpenter (Banjo, Vocals)