Nathan Carter has become one of the most recognizable and much-loved names in Irish country music, winning fans in Ireland, the UK and around the world with his distinctive voice, infectious energy and passion for the music he loves. Soon, Carter will be taking his “Priceless” tour across the Atlantic, bringing his celebration of Irish country music to audiences in the U.S. and Canada
The Liverpool-born Carter began public performances at the tender age of 4 playing the accordion at a school concert and at 10 won the All Ireland Fleadh Ceoil medal in traditional singing. He moved to Fermanagh in his late teens and a few years on his country-music career took off, notably with his cover of the American country hit “Wagon Wheel.” Numerous chart-topping hits, studio albums, live albums and live DVDs have followed.
The Irish Echo caught up with Carter to ask him a few questions ahead of his North American tour, which kicks off in Philadelphia on Oct. 30.
IE: Do you think the 18-year-old Nathan would have foreseen his success in show business?
NC: I didn’t know what was going to happen over the following years. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster of gigs, meeting people and releasing music. I started off playing in Irish pubs all around Liverpool, Manchester and London. My mum’s side of the family are originally from Northern Ireland.
I don’t think the 18-year-old Nathan would have expected what happened over the next 16 or 17 years. He was the uncool kid at school listening to Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers, whereas nowadays it’s considered cool to listen to country. TikTok and Instagram probably helped bring this style of music to younger people.
Who were your main influences when you were young?
I grew up listening to the Dubliners, the Chieftains, the Clancy Brothers, and country music as well, such as Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. It’s kind of funny now because a lot of the country music singers are huge in Ireland and the UK at the minute, such as Luke Combs and Zach Bryan, selling out Wembley Arena and Slane Castle.
You’re very well known for your iconic cover of “Wagon Wheel”. Does it frustrate you being expected to perform it at every gig when it’s not one of your original songs?
I still enjoy singing it. It was one of my biggest songs on the radio and introduced me to a lot of people, but it’s not actually my most streamed song. It’s “Banks of the Roses” and other songs I’ve written over the years that are probably more popular on Spotify.
But I still enjoy singing it. Once you see a crowd reaction and all age groups singing along to a song, it gives you a buzz.
Are there any other covers at gigs that you know will get the crowd buzzing?
We just recorded a cover of a 4 Non Blondes song called “What’s Up?” It’s probably one of the biggest songs of the night live. It doesn’t really transfer to the recording version, but we’ve done our own thing with it. It didn’t get major play or streams, but live, it’s one of the biggest songs of the night. The chorus is so catchy and people really get into it.
How did you make that song your own?
We put twang and Telecaster guitars, fiddle and brass on it. Arrangement-wise, it’s completely different to the original, and it’s a lot faster. I think it’s up 20 BPM.
That only came about because I was recording an album of original songs and we had two hours left in the session. I had paid for the musicians to be there and paid for the studio, so I said, “We’re doing this song live, let’s take it down and see how it sounds and do our own thing with it.”
Are there any other artists that you would love to collaborate with in the future that you haven’t already?
I was lucky enough to do a TV show with RTÉ, two seasons many years ago, and I got to sing with different types of singers and genres, from Billy Ocean to the lads from Westlife. We did a folk night with Mary Black and Sharon Shannon, who’s become a good friend since.
I always admired Ed Sheeran because he kind of does some folk music as well on his albums, and he’s incorporated trad music into pop, which is really cool. I did meet him many years ago and he was probably one of the nicest superstars I’ve met. He was very normal and down-to-earth.
So, if I could do a collaboration with anyone, it would be Ed Sheeran.
You are taking your Priceless tour to the United States. Where will you be playing?
Philly is the first gig, at the Barry Commodore Irish Centre. We arrive that day and head straight to Philly. It’s been over five years since I’ve played in America, so it’s really exciting to be coming back and doing a number of shows.
Carnegie Hall also — we’ve booked that. That’s my first debut performance in a venue of that size, and I’m very excited about it.
We were in Philly six or seven years ago when we did a tour, but it’s great to be coming back with a load of new music. Hopefully, people will come out and support us. There are some tickets left if people want to grab a ticket and come along.
Have you noticed a difference performing for American audiences, specifically Irish-American audiences?
It depends on the night, to be honest with you. It depends on the crowd and what form they’re in. You could perform for 100 people and it could be the best night’s craic you’ve had in a long time. Or you could stand on the stage in front of 10,000 and it could be a bit flat.
I always find it funny because we always do the same show on tour, same set list, and the crowd can be so different from night to night depending on where you go.
But all I know is the last time we were in Philadelphia especially, there was a really good crowd. They were rocking and they were very appreciative of us travelling from Ireland to do the show.
Will you approach Carnegie Hall differently than an intimate dance hall? How will you bring the same craic to a bigger crowd?
We kind of do the same songs throughout the tour. We will be a bit “more Irishy” when we come over to America.
I love performing some Irish ballads. We do a cover of “Grace” and “The Rare Auld Times”, “Summer in Dublin” and a good few of my own songs I’ve written throughout the years.
It will be slightly different, but I’d say 80% will be the same as the Priceless tour we have been touring all summer throughout the UK and Ireland.
I have a full album of original songs coming out at the end of the year, so we are featuring three or four of them throughout the tour, plus stuff I have recorded over the last 16 or 17 years. It’s kind of a mixed bag. People seem to be really enjoying it.
You’ve performed for many audiences, including Pope Francis. Are there any shows that stand out the most amongst them all?
We did the 3Arena in Dublin a couple of times a few years back, and we actually filmed the show. It went out on PBS across the States.
That was one of the biggest crowds we’ve performed to, and to have my own show in an arena was something I never really dreamt would happen, so that was a big honour.
Is there anything else you would like to say to the Irish-American audience?
Just that we’re really excited to be coming. As I said, Philadelphia is the first gig of the tour. Please God, people will come out and buy tickets.
We have a six-piece band, the best musicians I’ve come across in many years, and we have an absolute ball onstage.
Hopefully, we’ll see some of you on Oct. 30. We have a lot of fans coming over from Ireland for the New York show, so that will be fun for them too.
The North American tour dates for “Priceless” are: Philadelphia, Oct. 30; New York, Oct. 31; Chicago, Nov. 1; St. Louis, Nov. 2; Newfoundland, Nov. 4.; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nov. 5. For more details and to buy tickets, go to nathancartermusic.com.
