AN award-winning singer-songwriter is releasing a new single after gaining rave reviews at a new country music festival he co-founded.

Dad-of-two Gary Quinn, of Leigh Road, performed his new song Shame at the inaugural Buckle and Boots country music festival – and it went down a storm.

It will be available to pre-order on July 22.

The 34-year-old, who won the British Country Music Awards' song of the year title in 2014 for He Don’t Show Her Anymore, said: “I have brought out other songs and had great feedback and I think that it is a good time to bring a new one out on the back of the festival.”

Gary has performed in Nashville, the home of country music, and is hoping that the Buckle and Boots festival, which took place in Stockport over the weekend starting on June 24, will inspire other UK musicians to follow in his footsteps.

He co-founded the event with Karl Hancock and was delighted that 40 artists performed over the weekend, including top American country singer Phil Vassar and country band Jess and the Bandits.

Gary said: “The festival was absolutely amazing. More than 1,000 people turned up and were full of praise for it and I hope that it has given all the artists, including those just starting out, a platform to really show people what they can do.

“Hopefully we can get a young hopeful from the UK to go over to Nashville like I did and show them that we have a lot to offer country music as well.”

He moved to Leigh from Northern Ireland six years ago and admits that he used to passion for country music to himself.

Gary said: “Growing up in Ireland I hid my love of country music from people my age.

"I loved listening to Kris Kristofferson and Garth Brooks but I always listened in secret.

“When I got older I got brave and went on to win a country music competition in Belfast. From there I thought 'I just have to give this a good go'."

Gary's songs can be purchased on iTunes at apple.co/1p1DlRC. To find out more about his music visit garyjpquinn.co.uk.