All I can say is 2009 what a year and 2010 is shaping up to be just as busy. So as it's the start of a new year I think it's apt to recap some of the madness from the year before.

February saw Tupelo in studio to lay down some tracks. 23 songs were recorded in the space of a few short hours which was no mean feat. The aptly titled, "Tupelo Live In Studio" album which contains 12 of the tracks was the result.

March saw the band perform their first Whelan’s gig which was a sell out show. Another Whelan’s appearance beckoned.

In April, Country Mix FM DJ, Stevie Bolger invited Tupelo to become his ‘resident band’ on his show, ‘Weekend Cafe’ for the month. This involved the band playing live in studio every Saturday from 2-3 pm. Stevie also attended the previous month’s Whelan’s gig and was very impressed with what he saw. He said Tupelo were “ones to watch”.

Tupelo were invited to perform at one of Ireland’s premier music festivals, The Guinness Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots festival in May. They played five shows and went down extremely well with audiences. Respected Bluegrass musician and RTE DJ, Niall Toner was in attendance and liked what he saw. He claimed Tupelo are “a young, exciting band who are going places” and he spun several tracks on his radio show.

Kilkenny Festival organiser, John Cleere also said: "One of the big hits of the Guinness Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival music trail was Tupelo. The band got a fantastic reaction everywhere they played. If your event requires a high energy, good time band, Tupelo are the business!" The month of May also saw the band perform a second sell out show in Whelan’s and they performed at the Life festival in Co. Meath.

In July, Tupelo were extremely privileged when they supported the legendary, Grammy award winning Booker T at his acclaimed show in Vicar Street. Also in July Tupelo performed at the ever popular independent festival, Knockan Stockan on the banks on the Blessington Lakes.

As a result of their successful Booker T support slot, Tupelo were invited to support both Damien Dempsey and Imelda May in August. These support gigs were very successful with Tupelo winning over many of both Damien’s and Imelda’s fans. Both Imelda May and Damien Dempsey had nice words to say about Tupelo. In addition Tupelo played the Rose of Tralee festival In Tralee Co Kerry

September saw the lads play the Johnny Keenan Banjo festival alongside the likes of Steve Earle and Gerry O’Connor. They also performed at the Clifden Arts Festival.

October was a milestone month in which Tupelo reached top 10 of the Irish Charts with their single ‘Ca Bhfuil Ar Schoil?’ which was in aid of Gaelscoil Bharra in Cabra. This coincided with an appearance in The Village with all proceeds from both the sale of the single and gig going towards the school. Tupelo also made a successful appearance at The Cork Jazz Festival with 5 gigs as part of a residency and had another sell-out show in Whelan’s.

December saw the band finish off the year with another support slot to the Lovely Imelda May in waterford.

Phew! Now for 2010 rest assured Tupelo never ones to stand still. The band played at the annual Vibe for Philo commerating Phil Lynott at Whelans and the Button Factory and have just been announced as one of the 20 bands to make it to the heat stages of The JD Set run by Jack Daniels. I can confirm the band will be playing in the Galway Heat of the contest on the 26th of March. The winners will then play the final in the Village on Thursday the 29th of April.

In addition people it is only 4 weeks away from Tupelo's show in the Village Wexford Street Dublin. As all our past show's in Whelans or the Village have been sell outs and highly succesful this will prove to be no different. So come beat the old winter/recession/depression/post christmas blues, put on your dancing shoes sharpen the old vocal chords and come to The Village on the 20th of Feburary.