On this Christmas Special episode, Caren Sullivan talks to super talented musician Paddy Casey in 2020.

Paddy Casey received his first guitar when he was 12 and left home soon after and began busking and gigging for about 12 years. At about the age of 24 he was approached by Sony A&R Scout Hugh Murray at the International Bar in Dublin, while performing at the singer/songwriter night hosted by Dave Murphy. Sony gave Casey some studio time in Sun Studios Dublin where he recorded 9 tracks in 2 days. Sony decided that they liked the tracks so much that they wanted to release them as they were. They offered Paddy a recording contract. He was signed by Sony, and was eventually taken in by U2's management company, Principle Management.

Casey released his first album Amen (So Be It) in 1999. This album was produced by Pat Donne and was certified triple platinum in Ireland and did fairly well worldwide. "Sweet Suburban Sky" surfaced the following year on the soundtrack to the award-winning US TV teen drama Dawson’s Creek. Casey received nominations for Best Irish Songwriter and Best Male Singer at the Hot Press Awards. Touring saw Casey providing support to artists such as R.E.M, Ian Brown, Ani DiFranco and The Pretenders.

Casey returned in 2003 with the multi-platinum album, Living. It was produced by Fred De Faye, Paddy Casey and Pat Donne. It spawned the Irish Singles Chart hits "Saints and Sinners", "The Lucky One" (in 2003), plus "Bend Down Low" and "Want It Can't Have It" (in 2004). Living spent the majority of the year in the top ten, climbing to the top of the Irish Albums Chart 21 weeks after its initial release.

In 2005, Casey toured extensively in Ireland and abroad; highlights including a headline concert at the Heineken Green Energy Festival and also supported U2 on their Vertigo tour, performing in Ireland, Scotland and Norway.

In 2006, Casey went to Los Angeles, California, United States, to record with George Drakoulias, who had worked at the Def Jamlabel with Rick Rubin. He toured the album extensively and also toured with KT Tunstall and Augustana amongst others.

On 3 April 2008, Casey performed on the Late Show with David Letterman.

After returning from the US, Casey chose to part ways with Sony and Paul McGuinness, and for the next few years he began writing and recording at home. In November 2012, he released his first independent album The Secret Life Of. The first single, "Wait", featuring the Shannon Gospel Choir, was released in May 2012. Casey toured in Ireland and abroad for the last few years with frequent visits to Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

In November 2016, Casey released the single "Everything Must Change". This was the first taster taken from Casey's then forthcoming sixth album. In July 2017, Casey released "Turn This Ship Around", the second single from this forthcoming album.

Paddy Casey's double album Turn This Ship Around was released on August 6, 2021. Turn This Ship Around has one side focusing on an array of acoustic songs decorated with strings and piano, and the other side featuring an array of full band tracks that span multiple genres.

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For more information on tours dates and albums launch, follow Paddy Casey on Instagram @paddycaseymusic

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