Country star tops charts with song dedicated to mum

Darren Harris’ dad, Andy, penned You’re My Girl for his wife, Linda.

And now his son has taken the tribute to number one in the UK country charts.

The single was first released 25 years ago. “It didn’t do anything at that time,” said Darren, who has released the single under his stage name, Darren Knight.

“We re-recorded it at Christmas and it has now topped the charts. Amazing.”

A video accompanies the single, showing Andy and Linda at various points in their 49 years together.

Darren, who is 46, also leads the five-piece C&W Darren Harris Band, for which his dad plays lead guitar. Darren sings and plays rhythm guitar.

He has been performing for around 30 years, but this is his first chart success.

He has mainly been doing live shows and pursuing a semi-solo career as Darren Knight as well as playing piano for another band.

Originally from Dewsbury, Darren has recently moved back to the town after a spell in Barnsley, where the other three band members hail from. “Our hearts are in Dewsbury,” he said.

He said country music commands a massive circuit, from Scotland down to Land’s End.

“There are shows every night,” he said. “So we are busy the whole time. It’s really big.

“But hitting number one won’t do any harm at all. It will get our name and music known.”

Darren is not sure what will follow this chart success. “I don’t know if there will be more singles,” he said.

“I’m still in shock. We will just have to wait and see what happens.”

For more on the single’s position go to www.ukcountrychart.co.uk