'It is never to late to follow your dreams' as Derry singer-songwriter releases debut single

A Derry singer-songwriter has recently released her debut single.

Josie Doherty, stage name JOSIE, published her soulful debut single, ‘Run Little Girl’.

While her passion for music was evident from a young age, she has only released her first song publicly at the age of 51.

JOSIE said: “It feels amazing for a lot of different reasons.

“I remember being nine or ten, signing on my own in the Long Tower Chapel, standing on a milk crate to the side of the pulpit because I was that little.

“The folk group gave me the opportunity to travel, and this opened my eyes to the opportunities that singing could bring me, as I grew up in Derry in the early 80s where there was nothing, and when I turned 19, I moved to Dublin to pursue my music.

“I was gigging for a long time until 2020, doing gigs in bars, corporate events, and being involved in cover bands.

“Then 2020 happened and all the gigs dried up, so I made a conscious decision that the next time that I went out to sing, I would be doing my own stuff.

“With this, I am honouring the wee girl that always loved to perform for people.”

'Run Little Girl' captures the essence of Josie’s artistic journey, showcasing her powerful vocal presence and unique sound, which has been shaped by decades of musical passion.

JOSIE is hopeful that the release of her debut single now after years of mastering her craft can help inspire others.

She said: “For anybody else out there with aspirations, it is never too late to follow your dreams.

“I have two daughters that I just want to inspire and show that it is never too late.

“And they are incredibly supportive and proud of me.”

Throughout her career, Josie has graced some of Ireland’s most iconic venues, from Whelan’s to the National Concert Hall. In 1997, she was asked to write and perform a song for Jim Sheridan’s film 'The Boxer'.

As she steps into the limelight, she is supported by fellow songwriter and Dubliner Joe Donegan.

JOSIE said: “He has been a friend for a very long time, and we have played in a lot of different projects together over the years. 

“He very much made this happen by getting me over the self-doubt we can all experience from time to time when setting off on an endeavour, but he was incredibly supportive but also was able to give me the kick up the backside when required.”

The song highlights JOSIE's signature blend of soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics; however, it is just the beginning.

She said: “We have a pocket of songs sitting there, and I am continuing to work on material with the aim to release another single around January, have the songs all well ironed out, and possibly do a few nice gigs after we get a feel for the response to the music. 

“I also hope to have the album completed by the end of next year.”

The song is available to listen to across various streaming platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and Tidal.