Paul Casey sets Derry team off on positive wave at Clipper event

Derry’s best loved singer songwriter Paul Casey will be promoting his home town when he performs at the opening leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in Southampton this weekend.

The musician best known for his distinctive vocals and innovative guitar styling will be wooing audiences at this major sporting event that includes a boat from Derry~Londonderry who are participating in the race.

Paul is delighted to be part of the celebrations and to send off the Derry-Londonderry team on the first leg of their marathon 11 month journey across the world.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am really proud to be part of this event. It’s a great time for Derry and the inclusion of the city as one of the destination ports for the Clipper Yacht Race is a major coup for the city as it prepares for the City of Culture in 2013. I am looking forward to performing at this showcase event and helping to tell the story about Derry~Londonderry and what it has to offer,” he said.

Paul has been writing his own material for the past 10 years now and enjoying success with his unique style of music. In the US he has enjoyed great success with some of his tracks used for some hit American series including Wildfire and the Real World/ A very successful series of live performances in the States have also secured him an avid following. To date Paul has shared live gigs with the likes of Van Morrison and Damien Rice and has recently toured with Chris Rea and helping to work on Rea’s forthcoming new album.

Paul has always been proud of his Derry roots and keen to promote his city and its story. Last year he recorded a song with Derry singer and actress Bronagh Gallagher. Entitled “Our Town” the song was written by the pair in support of the city’s City of Culture 2013 bid.

“I was delighted the city won the City of Culture title, it’s a very big honour for the city and one which I think we should grasp with both hands and make the most of. It was great to hook up with Bronagh to record the song and to give our backing to the bid. The city is renowned for its musical heritage and talent and the year of culture is our chance to share that talent and let the rest of the world experience our history and heritage. I am just so glad to be part of it all and to be able to share in telling that unique story.”

Local rock band Future Chaser will also be performing at the Southampton event next week.

“It’s great to see local bands getting a chance to perform to a new audience and to be part of an event that is coming to Derry next year. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will be a great event for me to profile my music as well as promote Derry as a good place to visit and do business in the run up to and during 2013 and the City of Culture,” he added.

Further details about Paul Casey and his music can be found on www.myspace.com/paulcasey and further information on the Clipper Race can be found on www.derrycity.gov.uk/clipper or follow the team on Facebook at Derry-Londonderry Clipper 11-12 and on Twitter at Derry Clipper.

Derry~Londonderry is the official sponsor and host port of the Clipper 11-12 yacht race and is supported by Derry City Council, Londonderry Port, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Ilex URC and MalinWaters part financed by the European Union's INTERREG IVA Programme.

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