ON TRACK: NATHAN CARTER ANSWERS TOTAL MK'S QUESTIONS

Irish Country star Nathan Carter arrives at The Stables in Wavendon this evening (March 19), but every last ticket to see the fella at play has been snapped up.  

Small surprise really, for Mr Carter is something of a self-made superstar with 'a winning formula of boyish good looks married to a little Scouse charm, the gift of the gab - and a golden voice.'  

In the UK and in the US, tickets to see Nathan are hot property- which makes his appearance in the intimate surroundings of the Stables even more of a big deal.

The Decca signing releases his new collection, Beautiful Life, at the start of May, but those heading to this evening's show will be given a taster of the tracks contained.  

The rest of you can still get closer to Nathan's music by reading on as Total MK goes On Track with the singing sensation....

The song that first awakened your musical senses

I would have to say American Pie by Don McLean.

Physical or digital - how do you take your music?

I love to download music on my phone, but I also like to buy CDs and I have fond memories of my granddads LPs.

The first time you thought 'Music - this is the job for me'

I told my mum when I was 16 that I wanted to make a career from music - it's just what I love to do!

Your best on stage memory...

There have been some great memories so far but the best memory to date was singing at the Rose of Tralee Festival in County Kerry last August, to a crowd of fifteen thousand people!

And the worst gig you've ever done

Honestly, none really. Any night that I get to sing on stage is a good night no matter what happens.

What made you take up singing?

There always had been music in my family since I was a child. My nan always brought me to Irish Fleadh Cheoil.

I enjoyed solo singing at the Fleadhs, and also in the school choir. I guess I've always loved singing.

Nathan Carter 2

Which one song by another artist do you wish you had written

Caledonia written by Dougie McClean - it's on my new Decca album. I just love to sing this song.

And one - by yourself  - which holds special significance

I've just written a special 'thank you' song that I hope to record in the future - I guess it tells its own story of my musical journey to date.

If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?

Elvis! I’d just sing Burning Love all day.

Are there any current musical influences that you might look to?

I have a pretty varied taste in music but I particularly like the music of Taylor swift, Vince Gill and Brad Paisley.

I also like the music of Sharon Shannon, Paul Brady and many others on the Irish music scene.

And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?

No, I like everything!

Finally, plug your Stables show - what can we expect?

I'm really looking forward to it.  Gonna be performing some tracks from my new album, some brand new songs, a few old classics and some lively tunes featuring myself on the accordion - something for everyone, I hope!