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Edinburgh Live
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh dad's new career after going viral on Facebook 'by chance'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A working class Edinburgh dad-of-two has told how he won't listen to the doubters as he continues on his journey to country music stardom. Sean Mearns, 40, from Clermiston, is father to his two boys, Robbie, 10, and Luke, five, and husband to wife Kerri, 36, and has already had his music played on UK radio stations. Working as a maintenance worker, he has told how he is aiming for the stars after a chance Facebook Live has led to him eyeing up a 12-night-run, playing country music classic for 6,000 Fringe festival goers. Sean, who specialises in Scottish, Irish and American country music, is hoping his own journey can inspire others to follow in his footsteps. 'It all started four years ago when I felt like I was just plodding along in life,' he said. 'I felt my brain was wasting away so I decided to learn how to play the guitar and got some lessons. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. 'I started playing in the snug in my house and went from there," he said. "My brother Jamie had his 40th in Liverpool and his pal Dennis (DelBhoy) came along. 'On the minibus he was playing away and my brother and his mates goaded me on to give it a go. I sang Callum Beattie's 'Salamander Street' and everyone loved it. 'Dennis was blown away and asked my story but I said I just play in my room and mind my own business. Little did I know my brother had Facebook Live'd me and my wife told me it was everywhere back home. 'Dennis asked me to come see him when I was home but I thought nothing of it.' Sean moved on with his life and continued to play for himself until he saw some sage advice he offered to his Robbie rebounded back at him. It was at this point the dad thought he had nothing to lose. 'My boy Robbie was playing footy but was doubting himself,' he said. 'I told him he's amazing and he is doing the right thing and back himself. 'Then he turned to me and called me out. 'How about you back yourself too dad.' 'So we agreed I'd go see Dennis and he'd crack on with his football and we'd both smash it. That has been the deal ever since.' With the help of Dennis, Sean got out gigging, and he dived in deep playing in front of 120 people in the Midyoken pub. Two and a half years later, he has not looked back. 'The difference between me and other people, a lot folk talk a good game, but I just do it. My motto is we go big or we go home. 'I don't shy away from anything and when the opportunity came to perform at the Grand Lodge on George Street during the Fringe, I jumped at it. We will be performing in front of 500 people a night for twelve nights, hopefully selling 6,000 tickets. 'We will be doing a Country Music All-Stars show, playing classic covers from over the years.' As a working class resident of the capital, Sean notes people from his community often do not see the Fringe as for them, but he sees no reason why that should be the case. 'We have a mindset it is not for us, but why not?', he said. 'I started off doing covers but then I recorded my first single 'She wanted him' with Dennis. 'My music started taking off, I've had 60,000 streams, and 100,000s of views on TikTok. It was surreal getting comments from people in America loving the music. 'My family have also been amazing, they are just embracing what I am doing, even though they are a bit shocked. No one was expecting me to go down this route. 'It is definitely picking up momentum, folk are stopping me in town and asking for a picture. After the Fringe show I'll probably look to do a Scottish tour.' Sean said he often meets older men in pubs who live with regrets they did not pursue their dream and he details how he does not want to be one of them. 'If you have a passion for something you want to do, go and do it,' he said. 'No regrets and I say that to my sons. 'Sometimes you have to take a big step and it is easy for others to judge. As Scottish folk we like to knock people who try things, but we should support them, and let people thrive. 'Life is too short. There is a stigma around failure but why can't we succeed?' Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Sean is also keen to give back with the maintenance man regularly playing free shows at nursing homes and charities. 'It's just an hour of my time and sometimes it makes their day or even their week.' To explore Sean's music visit his Facebook here.
Belfast Telegraph
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Order is not old-fashioned… it's important to learn about our culture': Junior Orange Association to mark 100 years with parade
Two teens spoke to the Belfast Telegraph about being in the organisation, keeping alive their connections to the previous generation and how the pastime is anything but 'old-fashioned'. Junior lodges from across the island of Ireland, as well as visiting contingents from Liverpool, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, and England, will gather at Wallace Park for a midday parade through the town. Alongside traditional music, banners and uniforms, the event will include a return parade in the afternoon, with family activities, food stalls, funfairs and exhibitions taking place in the park throughout the day. Though 'informal lodges' were in place prior to 1925, the purpose of the youth organisation is to provide 'a structured environment for young members from ages 8-16 to learn about the principles of Orangeism, develop their character, and potentially transition into the adult Grand Lodge'. Organisers say this milestone moment shows that the Orange tradition is being carried forward by young people who don't see it as 'old-fashioned' at all. Adam Craig (15), from Kells and Connor, Ballymena, is a member of Ferniskey Junior Lodge 265 and will be taking part in the parade. He joined in 2015, following a long family line of Orangemen. 'My dad, uncles and grandparents were all members,' he said. 'Our family has always been part of Ferniskey LOL 115. 'My favourite thing is taking part in parades and having fun with my friends. I've made mates from other lodges right across Co Antrim and further afield.' Adam is especially looking forward to the centenary event: 'It's a landmark occasion and it will be great to see all the lodges come together for one parade. It's good for the public to see us too. It might even encourage other kids to join.' Asked whether he sees the Orange Order as something from the past, Adam is clear: 'No... it's still appealing to young people because it's good to learn about our culture and heritage.' He added that activities beyond the parades — including swimming, bowling and trips to Glasgow Rangers matches — keep it engaging. That message is echoed by Ben Templeton (13), who joined the newly formed Duke of Edinburgh Memorial Junior Lodge 621 in 2022 and now serves as its deputy master. 'I wanted to join because my father and late grandfather were both members. From I was able to walk I would've walked with them in the parades and carried the strings,' he said. For Ben, lodge life isn't just about marching; it's about teamwork, learning and shared experiences. 'We meet on the first Friday of each month. And after our meeting we do football, hockey, dodgeball. We've been on trips together too. Fundraising has also been a big part of it, which helps bring families and members closer.' Ben believes the Order continues to resonate with young people and, like Adam, doesn't think it's 'old-fashioned': 'There's still appeal. It's important that we carry on our traditions and learn about our culture. 'Normally our annual parade is in Portrush, which is always brilliant, but Lisburn is going to be a lot bigger. More bands, more lodges, and a lot more planned in Wallace Park. It's going to be a big day and I hope everyone taking part and watching enjoys it.' Colin Crawford MLA, Deputy Grand Master of the Junior Grand Lodge of Ireland, says the centenary is not just a celebration of the past but a strong signal about the future: 'This is a proud moment, not only for the Junior Orange but for the wider Orange family. 'Junior Orangeism has helped nurture values of faith, tradition and service in young people since 1925, and it continues to be relevant today.' While girls are not included in the Junior Orange Association, they have their own separate organisation. 'The Junior Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland are boys' lodges. There's a sister organisation, the Junior Orange Women's Association of Ireland, which is the girls' lodges. It sort of mirrors the adult structure,' said Junior Grand Master Wor. Bro. Joseph Magill. 'The girls' organisation will be participating [on Saturday]; it's had a number of new girls' lodges in the past few years. 'Whether it be the Junior Boys or the girls in the Junior Orange Women's Association of Ireland, it's just been a real phenomenal few years of growth for us.'
