All the latest news for 2024 on the site and the scene.....

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9th April, 2023...Death of Gerry Cullen (Royal Showband)

Sad news today from community member John Harrold that Gerry Cullen of the Royal Showband passed away on April 9th, 2024. A founder member of the Royal, he would leave the band in 1971 and went into sales and marketing initially with McInerney's and eventually with Hospital Enterprises. Born in 1938, Gerry (82) was retired and lived in Waterford, although for several years he lived in a retirement home where he enjoyed a leisurely lifestyle as well as being a major fund raiser for the home. He got together with former bandmate Eddie Sullivan from time to time and their favourite spot was Tom Maher's pub (from Waterford. (fyi interview in March, 2020 -  our thanks to Paul Power). Although predeceased by his wife Monica, our sincere sympathies are extended to his children Louise, Stephen, Peter, Jamie, Emily and David, his extended family, friends and fans across the world.

4th April, 2024...Death of Crawford Bell (California Brakemen)

Sad news today from Teddie Palmer that Crawford Bell passed away on April 4th at his home in Carryduff. He was 80. He started his career in his his late teens and played mostly on the cabaret and pub scene around Belfast until 1970 when he was a founder member of the California Brakemen, one of the "new" country outfits that flourished around the same time as the Virginians, Plainsmen and Cotton Mill Boys among others. By 1974 the band had broken up and he formed a new group called Steel Rail in the late 70s. He eventually went solo and became of of the most sought after Musical Directors on the entertainment scene for artists like Daniel O'Donnell and Nathan Carter. In more recent years I got to know him personally when he was MD for the "Do You Come Here Often" concert series across the country by David Hull. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife of 50 years, Hazel, as well as his children, grandchildren, family, friends and fans across Ireland and the UK.

29th March, 2024...Death of Noel Dempsey (Mexicans Showband)

Sad news today from Tony Killeen that Noel Dempsey, former trombonist and then lead singer with the Mexicans Showband passed away on March 29th at 86 years of age. More news to come hopefully.

30th January, 2024...Death of Kieran Cavanagh (New Blues)

Sad news today from community member John Harrold that Kieran Cavanagh has passed away aged 67 from brain cancer. Originally from Easkey, Co. Sligo, Kieran started his career as the bass player the the New Blues in 1975. After the band disbanded in 1982, Kieran formed KCP, a Dublin-based concert, promotion and production company in 1985. Some of the biggest international names have toured Ireland for KCP including James Brown, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Tammy Wynette, Daniel O’Donnell, Chuck Berry, Trisha Yearwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter and many others. In 1995, Kieran received the prestigious CMA Award for International Promoter of the Year at a special dinner in the Nashville convention centre. He also produced the Celtic inspired Rhythm of the Dance show. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family and friends around the world.

29th January, 2024...Death of Hugh McLean (Blue Glows, Envoys, Mighty Avons, Knoxville)

Sad news from John Harrold today that Letterkenny's Hugh McLean has passed away. Hugh started his career in the mid-1960s as a member of the famous Eamon Ponsonby showband in Donegal. By 1970 the band had changed it name to the Blue Glows released a record "Tonight Carmen" featuring Hugh on vocals. He soon moved to another Letterkenny based band, Evelyn and the Envoys in 1972. In 1974 Hugh hit the big time when he was drafted along with Brendan Quinn into the Mighty Avons. In 1979 Hugh joined a band called Knoxville, but we're not sure whether they were local or regional. Hugh would continue entertaining folks locally. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family, friends and fans.

28th January, 2024...Death of Liam Drennan (Black Aces)

Sad news today that Liam Drennan, sax player with Kilkenny's Black Aces Showband passed away on January 28th. A founding member of the band in 1957, the Black Aces were one of the earliest "showbands" on the ballroom circuit in the late fifties. The band would remain active and very popular throughout the 1960s but by 1970 they were playing more and more in and around their hometown of Kilkenny. Liam would retire from the showband world and went to work, we understand, with the ESB. He played with several local groups and wedding bands and was still playing in 2020. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family, friends and fans in Kilkenny and around the country.

27th January, 2024...Death of Roddy Gillen (Clefonaires, Savoy Swing Seven)

Sad news today that my good friend Roddy Gillen has passed away after a long illness. Roddy started his career with the Clefonaires Showband based in Tubbercurry. A few years later he joined the Savoy Swing Seven. He eventually gave up live on the road and in the mid 1960s he joined local group, The Ladds who would become the Jazz Ladds. For the next half century they thrilled audiences in the Sligo area with their own brand of Dixieland jazz. A fixture on the Sligo entertainment scene for the last 50 years, Roddy will be sorely missed by his family and many friends and fans across the country.

10th January, 2024...Death of Seamus Magee (Nashville Showband-more to come)

Sad news today that Seamus Magee has passed away. Seamus started his career (we think) in 1969 when the Assaroe Ceili Band (like many others) changed their name and joined the showband circuit as the Nashville Showband. Although the band never grabbed national attention, they played the ballroom circuit in and around the North for several years. Seamus would retire from the road and form a local band, Wild Breed. More importantly, like many musicians of the showband era, he became a guiding light for many younger musicians in and around his hometown of Gweedore, made famous by legendary traditional group, Clannad. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife, Sarah, his children, extended family, friends and fans across Donegal and the rest of the country.

3rd January, 2024...Death of Aidan Kerins (Stylos Showband, Tom Kelly Sound, Fairways)

Sad news today here in Sligo that Aidan Kerins, bass player with the Stylos Showband as well as the Tom Kelly Sound and Fairways has passed away after a lengthy illness. In the late sixties and early 70s Aidan played with several showbands until he left the road and settled into a career in the automotive industry first with Williams Garage and then with his own company C & A. He continued to play music locally most recently for the last few decades as a member of the Quay Street Band. Sadly the band's lead singer, Sean Dwyer passed away last year and the band went off the road. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends in Sligo including partner of many years Mary Lenehan.