Madonna Single Penned By NI Musician

Pop icon Madonna is set to release a new single written by a Northern Ireland-based musician.

Ciaran Gribbin, 32, from Castledawson, co-wrote and arranged the track 'Celebration' which will be the first song to be released from the Queen of Pop's new greatest hits album of the same name.

The single is expected to reach number one in the charts when it goes on sale next week, as is the album when it is released September 28th.

Ciaran, who performs under the name Joe Echo, appears on the credits as a co-writer of backing tracks along with Ian Green and Paul Oakenfold.

Describing his involvement with the single he said: "I've done a lot of work with the producer Paul Oakenfold who is a big buddy of Madonna's.

"She approached him and asked him what he was working on and if he could send her some material that she could write lyrics to.

"Myself, Ian Green and Oakenfold had written some stuff for Oakenfold's new album so he sent her off between 15 and 20 tracks. Of these, she chose two I was working on, Celebration and Broken.

"Basically me, Ian and Oakenfold arranged the backing track, we worked out the chord structure, put the guitars, keyboards and drums to the track and Madonna wrote on the lyrics and melody."

Madonna who is currently on her Sticky and Sweet tour is said to be "thrilled" with the end result.

Ciaran continued: "The last six months have been pretty amazing for Joe Echo but writing this track for Madonna has to be the highlight.

"I'm so proud and excited that my name is on this track and I'm quietly confident it will go to number one. After all, it's Madonna."

The musician is hoping to be introduced to Madonna at her Munich gig next month.

(GK/BMcC)