Mary Stokes on Near FM, Christmas Eve

The show will feature live tracks from a typical powerhouse performance with Mary's full band, plus in-studio acoustic songs and interviews with Mary and long-time partner in the blues, harmonica player Brian Palm.

Northside Blues is a three-part series which takes a closer look at the Blues Music scene on the north side of Dublin and beyond. In the first programme in the series, broadcast last Thursday, listeners heard from Pat Farrell and The Business, with Farrell ably demonstrating why he is considered one of Dublin's finest blues stylists.

The Mary Stokes Band and Left Right & Centre follow, as they are captured unleashing their blistering blues sets on very appreciative audiences. The series also features tall tales of rock n'roll, and in-studio acoustic sessions from all the bands.

"It is funny, engaging and best of all the music is real, raw and played to the highest quality," Paul Loughran of Near FM comments. The remaining programme times are:

The Mary Stokes Band - Thursday 24th Dec @ 2 -3pm
Left Right and Centre - Thursday 31st Dec @ 2-3pm

"We're really pleased to be part of The Northside Blues Radio Series project," Mary told Hot Press. "It is a great initiative, which underlines what a valuable service a station like Near FM provides."

Near FM is available on 90.3fm and there is live streaming world-wide on:
www.near.ie

The series is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's 'Sound and Vision' scheme .