STATESBORO, Ga.

Named as one of the leading voices in Celtic music by the Los Angeles Times, Cathie Ryan, former lead vocalist of Cherish the Ladies, now turned solo artist, is scheduled to perform live at the Performing Arts Center of Georgia Southern University on March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Ryan brings her unique, stylish mixture of her American-Irish background in a performance that's been described as powerful, compelling, and simply striking.

Once told by a very good friend to "...sing what's in you," Ryan does just that. From her grandfather, the Irish storyteller, and her Irish grandmother who was also a singer and fiddle player to her own personal favorites including Loretta Lynn, Van Morrison and Patsy Cline, Ryan's music is filled with a richness of diversity, history, and culture like no other.

"I always thought you were either an American singer or your were an Irish singer. It has taken time to understand that I can be both," says Ryan in an interview with BBC Radio 2.

Since beginning her solo project, Ryan has recorded three highly esteemed CD's: "Cathie Ryan," "The Music of What Happens," and "Somewhere Along the Road" and her much anticipated fourth album is soon to be released. She has recorded with several talented artists and performers including John Doyle, Kate Rusby, Phil Cunningham and many more.

Ryan is presently the on-air host of America's most watched public television station: Irish pledge programming of New York, and has been honored as Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade, by Chicago's Irish American News.

The Cathie Ryan and Band performance with its acoustic sounds of guitar, bouzouki, flute, fiddle, tin whistle and the captivating vocals of Ryan, is sure to be a sold out performance. General admission is $8 and admission for Georgia Southern faculty, staff and students is $4. To purchase a ticket, please call the Georgia Southern University Performing Arts Center Box Office at (912) 486-7999.