It is all of 50 years since Big Tom and The Mainliners became part of showbiz history when Gentle Mother broke big in the national charts. It marked the beginning of a phenomenon that endures to this day. Henry McMahon served as band leader with The Mainliners and, around 20 years ago, he added a new string to his bow when he started to write some songs.
Last year saw the release of Henry’s Hits, 14 songs from the pen of Henry recorded by some of the best-known names on the Irish circuit.
A concert dubbed A Tribute to Henry McMahon will be staged in The Armagh City Hotel on Monday night, 21 March. The show will feature a reunion of The Mainliners and it is expected that Big Tom will perform a few songs on the night. Any appearance by Tom is rare these times and generates a lot of interest among his legion of followers.
All of the artists taking part have recorded some songs written by Henry and the concert will also feature Declan Nerney, Robert Mizzell, Jimmy Buckley, Gerry Guthrie, Michael English, John Glenn, Shaun Loughrey, The Benn Sisters, and Thomas Maguire and Fhiona Ennis.
Among Henry’s well-known songs are such numbers as The Ballad of Big Tom, The Marquee in Drumlish, Your Wedding Day, The Irish Nurse, Footsteps Through The Rosses, The Nearest To Perfect, Way Back Then, One More Christmas With You, You Gotta Get Up In The Morning and Mama Courtney. And watch out for the new single from Jimmy Buckley which is also from the pen of Henry.
Henry is also in charge of the diary for Gerry Guthrie, who was the recipient of a major award at the Irish Farmers Journal concert in Athlone last March. Gerry, who hails from Ballina, has already recorded a number of Henry’s songs.
The show will honour the contribution of the Castleblayney man to the Irish country scene over the decades through his involvement in various facets of the business. All of the artists taking part will also feature one or two of Henry’s songs in their repertoire on the night.
“It will be a special night for Henry who has made a major impact on the scene through his direct involvement as band leader with The Mainliners and as manager of various acts over several years,” says colleague Kevin McCooey.
“Henry has also penned some great songs that resonate with country followers and some of which have played a key role in the successful careers of a number of artists. He gets great satisfaction from completing new songs and the show in is a fitting tribute to him.”
Tickets for the concert, which starts at 8pm, are available from the hotel and a number of other outlets at €25 or £20. Further details can be obtained from the k-macrecords.com website. Gene Stuart mourned by
legions of fans
Gene Stuart, one of the iconic singers on the Irish country music, died last Thursday in the family home. Gene (71) had been battling with an illness for the last few months.
The Tyrone man was an absolute legend to those who love real traditional country music. He first came to prominence when he was chosen to replace Larry Cunningham as lead singer with The Mighty Avons and enjoyed a major hit with his first single, I’ll Be There Before The Next Teardrop Falls.
He later fronted his own band, The Homesteaders, a class country act that entertained many thousands of dancers during the 1970s and early ’80s.
He was always a tremendous ambassador for Tyrone and one of the finest and most noble people on the country circuit.
Many of his colleagues from the scene, including legends Big Tom, Brian Coll, Philomena Begley and John Glenn, were among the congregation at the requiem mass in Tyrone last Sunday.
Gene is survived by his wife Briege, sons Barry and Colin, daughter Karen, brothers Jimmy and Raymond, sister Winifred, the family circle, and his many friends.
A special tribute to Gene Stuart will be published in next week’s issue of Irish Country Sound.
Remembering When The
Royal Blues made history
The Royal Blues Showband became the first ever west of Ireland based act to hit the No 1 spot when they topped the Irish charts back in February 1966. This week marks the golden jubilee of that special achievement when Doc Carroll made history with Old Man Trouble.
The band was always associated with Mayo, though just three of the eight members were from the county. These were Doc Carroll and brothers Frank and Vincent Gill from the parish of Claremorris. Their manager, Andy Creighton (uncle of Renua leader Lucinda Creighton TD), was also based in Claremorris and the band became synonymous with the town.
The other members were Shay O’Hara (Carlow) and Bobby Smith, Brendan Arnold, Brian Carr and Don Flanagan (all from Dublin).
They enjoyed a few massive years on the showband circuit, not only packing halls in the western region and around the country but also in the Irish halls in the UK and in New York where they had a huge following among the large west of Ireland fraternity.
Doc Carroll, who resided in Athlone for many years, died in 2005, and the other lead singer, Shay O’Hara, died in Australia in 2009.
Old Man Trouble, along with The Hucklebuck, Little Arrows, and a handful of others, remain iconic songs of the showband era.
James for Mohill show
Country and gospel singer James Kilbane will perform a concert in St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Mohill, Co Leitrim on Friday 26 February at 8pm. The church was completed in 1815 and the parish celebrated its bicentenary in 2015.
Extensive restoration work has been carried out to the church windows, doors and outside gates. Further funds are needed for ongoing work.
James Kilbane has been in demand for various church concerts over the last few years and this will be his first show in Mohill. Tickets are €15 and are available in outlets in Leitrim, Longford, Killeshandra and Boyle, and direct from the members of the organising committee. Aideen at 086-8710215 or Ruth at 071-9631692 can be contacted for more information. The show starts at 8pm on the 26th.
Roscommon singers bereaved
Kathleen Kildea, Taughmaconnell, Co Roscommon, who died last week, was mother of Kathleen Shine, wife of well-known singer and musician Brendan Shine. She was in her 103rd year.
The death took place last week of Angela Shannon, Elphin, Co Roscommon. She was mother of well-known musician Seamus Shannon who also hosts a regular Sunday show on Shannonside Radio. Angela was in her 101st year.
It is all of 50 years since Big Tom and The Mainliners became part of showbiz history when Gentle Mother broke big in the national charts. It marked the beginning of a phenomenon that endures to this day. Henry McMahon served as band leader with The Mainliners and, around 20 years ago, he added a new string to his bow when he started to write some songs.
Last year saw the release of Henry’s Hits, 14 songs from the pen of Henry recorded by some of the best-known names on the Irish circuit.
A concert dubbed A Tribute to Henry McMahon will be staged in The Armagh City Hotel on Monday night, 21 March. The show will feature a reunion of The Mainliners and it is expected that Big Tom will perform a few songs on the night. Any appearance by Tom is rare these times and generates a lot of interest among his legion of followers.
All of the artists taking part have recorded some songs written by Henry and the concert will also feature Declan Nerney, Robert Mizzell, Jimmy Buckley, Gerry Guthrie, Michael English, John Glenn, Shaun Loughrey, The Benn Sisters, and Thomas Maguire and Fhiona Ennis.
Among Henry’s well-known songs are such numbers as The Ballad of Big Tom, The Marquee in Drumlish, Your Wedding Day, The Irish Nurse, Footsteps Through The Rosses, The Nearest To Perfect, Way Back Then, One More Christmas With You, You Gotta Get Up In The Morning and Mama Courtney. And watch out for the new single from Jimmy Buckley which is also from the pen of Henry.
Henry is also in charge of the diary for Gerry Guthrie, who was the recipient of a major award at the Irish Farmers Journal concert in Athlone last March. Gerry, who hails from Ballina, has already recorded a number of Henry’s songs.
The show will honour the contribution of the Castleblayney man to the Irish country scene over the decades through his involvement in various facets of the business. All of the artists taking part will also feature one or two of Henry’s songs in their repertoire on the night.
“It will be a special night for Henry who has made a major impact on the scene through his direct involvement as band leader with The Mainliners and as manager of various acts over several years,” says colleague Kevin McCooey.
“Henry has also penned some great songs that resonate with country followers and some of which have played a key role in the successful careers of a number of artists. He gets great satisfaction from completing new songs and the show in is a fitting tribute to him.”
Tickets for the concert, which starts at 8pm, are available from the hotel and a number of other outlets at €25 or £20. Further details can be obtained from the k-macrecords.com website. Gene Stuart mourned by
legions of fans
Gene Stuart, one of the iconic singers on the Irish country music, died last Thursday in the family home. Gene (71) had been battling with an illness for the last few months.
The Tyrone man was an absolute legend to those who love real traditional country music. He first came to prominence when he was chosen to replace Larry Cunningham as lead singer with The Mighty Avons and enjoyed a major hit with his first single, I’ll Be There Before The Next Teardrop Falls.
He later fronted his own band, The Homesteaders, a class country act that entertained many thousands of dancers during the 1970s and early ’80s.
He was always a tremendous ambassador for Tyrone and one of the finest and most noble people on the country circuit.
Many of his colleagues from the scene, including legends Big Tom, Brian Coll, Philomena Begley and John Glenn, were among the congregation at the requiem mass in Tyrone last Sunday.
Gene is survived by his wife Briege, sons Barry and Colin, daughter Karen, brothers Jimmy and Raymond, sister Winifred, the family circle, and his many friends.
A special tribute to Gene Stuart will be published in next week’s issue of Irish Country Sound.
Remembering When The
Royal Blues made history
The Royal Blues Showband became the first ever west of Ireland based act to hit the No 1 spot when they topped the Irish charts back in February 1966. This week marks the golden jubilee of that special achievement when Doc Carroll made history with Old Man Trouble.
The band was always associated with Mayo, though just three of the eight members were from the county. These were Doc Carroll and brothers Frank and Vincent Gill from the parish of Claremorris. Their manager, Andy Creighton (uncle of Renua leader Lucinda Creighton TD), was also based in Claremorris and the band became synonymous with the town.
The other members were Shay O’Hara (Carlow) and Bobby Smith, Brendan Arnold, Brian Carr and Don Flanagan (all from Dublin).
They enjoyed a few massive years on the showband circuit, not only packing halls in the western region and around the country but also in the Irish halls in the UK and in New York where they had a huge following among the large west of Ireland fraternity.
Doc Carroll, who resided in Athlone for many years, died in 2005, and the other lead singer, Shay O’Hara, died in Australia in 2009.
Old Man Trouble, along with The Hucklebuck, Little Arrows, and a handful of others, remain iconic songs of the showband era.
James for Mohill show
Country and gospel singer James Kilbane will perform a concert in St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Mohill, Co Leitrim on Friday 26 February at 8pm. The church was completed in 1815 and the parish celebrated its bicentenary in 2015.
Extensive restoration work has been carried out to the church windows, doors and outside gates. Further funds are needed for ongoing work.
James Kilbane has been in demand for various church concerts over the last few years and this will be his first show in Mohill. Tickets are €15 and are available in outlets in Leitrim, Longford, Killeshandra and Boyle, and direct from the members of the organising committee. Aideen at 086-8710215 or Ruth at 071-9631692 can be contacted for more information. The show starts at 8pm on the 26th.
Roscommon singers bereaved
Kathleen Kildea, Taughmaconnell, Co Roscommon, who died last week, was mother of Kathleen Shine, wife of well-known singer and musician Brendan Shine. She was in her 103rd year.
The death took place last week of Angela Shannon, Elphin, Co Roscommon. She was mother of well-known musician Seamus Shannon who also hosts a regular Sunday show on Shannonside Radio. Angela was in her 101st year.
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