January 13, 2026
Belfast
Your Roots Are Showing, Ireland’s Music Conference
14th – 18th January 2026
ICC Belfast
Conference Registration Is Open Now Via www.showingroots.com
Your Roots Are Showing – Ireland’s Music Conference is honored to welcome Grammy Award-winning country music legend Crystal Gayle to Belfast this January. Gayle will perform as part of the FOLK iN FUSION concert on January 13, 2026 at Waterfront Hall, and will remain in Belfast to take part in the conference, Your Roots Are Showing, running January 14–18 at the ICC Belfast.
With 22 No. 1 country hits, platinum-selling albums, and timeless classics like “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” Gayle’s influence on American music is immeasurable. She was the first female artist in country music history to achieve platinum album sales, has earned accolades from the Grammys, CMA, and ACM, and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by her sister, Loretta Lynn.
As part of her visit, Crystal Gayle will sit down for an exclusive “In Conversation” interview with Ian Saint of NPR, offering a rare glimpse into her storied career, the evolution of country music, and her creative journey. This special session will be open to conference delegates and promises to be a highlight of the week.
FOLK iN FUSION, the official opening concert of Your Roots Are Showing, features a lineup of world-class artists from both sides of the Atlantic, with more names to be announced in the coming weeks. The concert and conference together offer a unique opportunity to connect with global folk traditions and industry leaders in an intimate and inspiring setting.
A full lineup and a link to purchase tickets for the FOLK iN FUSION concert will be available in coming weeks.
Conference Registration for YRAS 2026 Is Open Now: www.showingroots.com.
About Your Roots Are Showing:
Now in its fourth year, Your Roots Are Showing is Ireland’s only dedicated folk, roots, and traditional music conference. Set to be held in Belfast in 2026, the conference offers five days of showcases, panel discussions, industry networking, and cultural exchange. The conference attracts artists, professionals, and fans from over 20 countries and continues to grow as one of the world’s most exciting new platforms for folk music and industry development.
Your Roots Are Showing is supported by the Belfast & Northern Ireland conference subvention scheme from Belfast City Council & Tourism Northern Ireland, administered by Visit Belfast.
About Crystal Gayle:
Grammy-winning recording artist Crystal Gayle is a beloved country music icon whose reign in the music business includes 22 No. 1 country hits, four top twenty pop hits, six albums certified Gold by the RIAA and three certified Platinum, including We Must Believe in Magic which was the first album by a female artist in country music history to reach platinum sales. Her list of platinum and gold is matched by her awards and accolades. CMA’s “Female Vocalist of the Year” for two consecutive years, Crystal is also a Grammy Award winner for “Best Female Vocal Performance” thanks to her timeless, international smash hit “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” – a song that she today admits she has never grown tired of singing. Crystal has three Academy of Country Music Awards statuettes for “Top Female Vocalist” and won four American Music Awards. Not surprisingly, she was named the Most Performed Country Female Artist on radio for the decade of 1975-1985. Perhaps nothing sums up Crystal’s career achievements better than being awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in October 2009. Famous for her nearly floor-length hair, Crystal was voted one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by People Magazine, and in 2016 the Academy of Country Music honored her with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award.
Gayle was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in January 2017 by her sister and Opry legend, Loretta Lynn.
Showcase artists, keynote speakers, workshops and panel presentations, along with FOLK iN FUSION lineup, will be announced in coming weeks.
Register for January 14-18, 2026 Conference, HERE
Submit for Showcase Consideration, HERE
Conference Hotel Information, HERE
To find out about becoming a 2026 conference sponsor, please contact: Anna Kline, HERE.
Follow Your Roots Are Showing:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShowingRootsIRL/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/showing_roots
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Showing_Roots
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-roots-are-showing/
Website: https://www.showingroots.com/