He’s the darling of the Irish country music scene, and now Nathan Carter has expressed an interest in representing the country at Eurovision.
Speaking on RTÉ 2FM’s Breakfast Republic, the singer confirmed that he would enter the song contest if he had a suitable song and the time was right.
If the right song came along and I was free, I guess I would do it.
The crooner claims that he’s already received a lot of fan requests, hinting that he could be Ireland’s answer to Douwe Bob — Netherlands’ eleventh place finisher in Stockholm.
I got a lot of requests at this year’s from fans… I think one of the acts that was performing from a different country apparently looked a bit like myself and was singing a bit of a country song.
You can hear his comments — which come just a matter of weeks after Ireland’s 2016 representative Nicky Byrne claimed that not even U2 could win for Ireland — at 6:20 below.
Nathan Carter talks Eurovision on RTÉ 2FM
Whether Carter was being serious is open to interpretation. The tone of the conversation quickly turned to farce, with the presenters shifting focus to how Nathan clears up all the knickers thrown on stage during his concerts. Nevertheless, Carter is a hugely popular entertainer, particularly with the older generation and RTÉ executives.
Who is Nathan Carter?
Practically unknown outside of Ireland, Liverpool-born Nathan Carter is the current poster boy for the island’s country music scene. His version of “Wagon Wheel” was unavoidable for close to two years, spending a total of 52 non-consecutive weeks in the charts and accumulating over two million YouTube views. His sound may not exactly be current, but the national broadcaster is definitely a fan. He’s a regular chat show guest and was the star of his very own documentary, Stetson’s and Stilettos. He was one of the headline acts at the inaugural Irish County Music Awards last Friday, taking home two gongs in the process.
Should Ireland send Nathan Carter? Could he bring them back to the grand final? Let us know below.
Can we expect Taylor Swift to throw her name into the hat too?
I think 1 of the acts that was performing apparently looked a bit like myself & was singing a bit of a country song pic.twitter.com/TnOwXvexmk
— Padraig | wiwibloggs (@JustPadraig) June 26, 2016
As an American, I find it surprising that country music is produced outside the US.
It sounds a bit different than the country music produced here, but I like it a lot. I think Americans would like this guy too (as well as Dowve Bob and Common Linnets).
Ireland does have a real problem with staging its Eurovision entries. They need to do better if they want to return to the top 10.
Would be worse that nicky .. A new low point for ireland in eurovision .. Ireland need to be looking in the direction of belgium 2015 , Sweden 2016 , France 2016 ..
I don’t know about this, it’s a contemporary song we need not country.
Don’t get me wrong I like Nathan Carter but Eurovision would not be for him.
But on the other hand this whole idea of him being a douwe bob wannabe.
Do your research. He has been active since 2002 while Douwe Bob has been around since 2012. Just because an artist does not cross your attention right away does not mean they are wannabe versions of other singers you may know about already
They should just send jedward again
I absolutely knew something like this would happen, I predicted it on the Independent.ie Facebook back in May. Ireland will internally select Nathan Carter, but sadly Ireland will not qualify again if he does go.
Why? Because Ireland will be repeating the same old formula, which is something that sounds eurovisionish. ie something that sounds like Dowve Bob or Common Linnets. Plus because it’s Nathan, we would have the same old staging. Dull LED with Nathan surrounded by a seven piece pub band pretending to play instruments.
No Ireland! Just no!
I think his voice is quite good
I don’t think Douwe Bob would appreciate the comparison.
Oh no, not a Douwe Bob wannabe.
It is Demy for Greece!!! 😀 😀
I love this song!!! I know another version of this song was a huge hit on the US Billboard Charts.
No I’m not a fan of this , it’s not country it’s Culchie big difference
Awful dated crap .. Would be a terrible decision … It’s a total mistery why he is popular in ireland ..
Embarrassment
Ew no thanks
That’s actually cringy watching this, please don’t listen to that Soundcloud, it’s disgusting.
First mistake … don’t you start comparing yourself to nobody … specially when there is no song yet … and nobody has even invited you to be part of this.
If that wagon wheel songs says anything, he not Douwe Bob like