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One of the most inspirational stories on the Irish country music scene in the week that the coronavirus shut down the entire industry, is being to life in Westmeath. The Sheerin Family are synonymous with the best in country music and the shutdown has hit them hard as seven members of the family are literally out of business. But they are living proof of the old adage that every cloud has a silver lining.
The family is availing of this time to give thanks to their beloved parents, Dan and Mary, and are in the process of recording an entire album of songs composed by Dan over the years.
The Sheerin family hail from Castledaly between Moate and Athlone. Dan’s brother, Kevin Sheerin, was a member of the original Ray Lynam and The Hillbillies band, regarded by many as the most authentic Irish country band of all.
Kevin wrote many fine songs over the years including Nancy Moyles, I Don’t Want To See Another Town and The Ballad of John Shortall. When Dan married Mary Slevin from Tubberclair, they settled in her home area in nearby Tang where they raised their family of 11, six sons and five daughters.
“We grew up in a home where music was part of our life, especially country music. Our uncle Kevin was known countrywide with Ray Lynam and the band and they played the big Wembley Country Music Festival throughout the 1970s.
Dad, like our uncle Kevin, has always had a flair for writing songs
“American singers like Merle Haggard, Don Williams and Ricky Skaggs were great favourites of our parents so we were immersed in country music all our lives,” says Tom Sheerin.
“Dad, like our uncle Kevin, has always had a flair for writing songs. He has a pile of them from back the years that he never did anything with and we decided in recent days that we will never get a better opportunity to honour him in such a special way as we can do over the next few weeks.
The family have their own studios where many of the top names have recorded material over the years. “The studio has its own rooms and booths so it is easy to isolate and adhere to all the guidelines during the current health crisis,” adds Tom.
No one could have seen this thing coming down the line
Tom and Simon Sheerin are currently members of the Cliona Hagan band. Danny, Paul and Dessie are part of Simon Casey’s band. Kieran is with the Johnny Brady band while Carmel features with John Hogan’s band. Janette did studio session work for various artists in former years while Noeleen, Marian and Ann, though capable singers, are the only thee members of the family who have never been involved in the commercial music business.
“No one could have seen this thing coming down the line,” reflects Tom. “The whole scene has been wiped out, at least for a few weeks. We are all sitting at home over the last few days but we have been hugely buoyed up by focussing on Dad’s project.
“It is so strange how it has now taken centre stage and we are all in this together. We are so excited about it and dad is so chuffed about the whole thing. None of us are under any pressure at all so I think this is going to be a truly special album for us to cherish.”
Five years ago when Dan and Mary released their debut 12-track album at a gala night in The Well in Moate, the attendance broke all records and some people were unable to gain access on the night.
It was an extraordinary turnout. The main road was lined with cars
It was, above all, a reflection of the enormous regard in which Dan and Mary and the entire Sheerin family are held in the hearts of so many people around Westmeath and much further afield.
“It was an extraordinary turnout. The main road was lined with cars. They came from all over and the atmosphere was magic. Declan Manton from The Well was in hospital in Galway that night when he got a call about the crowd. He couldn’t believe it. It took us all by surprise.”
The Sheerin Family have been performing a monthly residency in Cooney’s Hotel in Ballymahon in recent years. They normally have a special guest artist join them.
But it is fair to say that when their parents Dan and Mary come on stage, they invariably steal the show.
The chance to work on dad’s original album project may never have presented itself in our regular busy life
“Dad is shy and laid back. Mam is outgoing and loves the stage. We have never seen her in bad form all through the years. The audiences love them and they go down an absolute treat when it comes to traditional country music,” says Tom.
“The chance to work on dad’s original album project may never have presented itself in our regular busy life so this is a golden opportunity to see it through. All the songs are ready to go and we are all excited about this because it gives us all a chance to be part of a very special family venture.”
The Sheerins, together with Simon Casey, Johnny Brady and Nigel Connell, will feature on a one-hour special show on TG4 on Saturday 28 March at 9.15pm. Take It to the Limit is their acclaimed tribute show to The Eagles and it was filmed at the INEC in Killarney.
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