Legendary Northern Irish country singer Philomena Begley has teamed up with southern country star Derek Ryan to record a new song during lockdown in order to raise much-needed funds for charity.
' It Won't Rain Forever ' was released on Friday, May 15, with all funds raised from the single going towards Age NI and Alone Ireland - both of which support elderly people.
The news comes as many fear that long-term lockdown measures could heighten loneliness issues, especially amongst older people.
Derek Ryan, who wrote the charity song, told Belfast Live he wanted to do a small bit to help those I need.
"I've known Philomena now since I started hitting the road, and she'd recorded a song that I'd written for her a few years back," he explained.
"I was watching her performance on the Late Late Show a few weeks ago, and she was chatting via Skype about how she was isolating and she was missing her grandkids and all that.
"She'd given me the idea of writing this song, and once I'd written it I thought it'd be perfect to have her on it as a duet.
"I played it to her and she loved it and wanted to get on board and do it for charity. I think we wanted to help with what's going on at the moment in our own little way by making music."
The song has already found its way to the top of the country charts on iTunes, and Derek is blown away by the generosity of people.
Both singers had agreed early on that the song's proceeds would go towards two charities for the elderly.
"With what's happening now, it has a real impact on us all - but especially on the elderly," Derek continued.
"Age NI are the perfect charity because they're supporting people who are isolated and lonely and, when I was talking to the chairperson of the charity, she told me that a lot of people are ringing up and they're dreading the thought of this virus and not seeing loved ones for long periods of time. So that charity provides invaluable help for old people at times like this.
"I also saw recently someone make the point that, if these current circumstances were the other way around and the younger generation was being badly hit by this virus, the older generation would do everything they could to help us.
"That really hit home with me. So I think it was important to do a small part to help those who are most vulnerable."
You can download 'It Won't Always Rain' here.
