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All About the Dixielanders/Dixies (1954-1976 & 1982-1995)

Photo Gallery - Band Lineups - Discography - Audio samples - Where Are They Now?

The Story

Part I - The Dixielanders

The story of the Dixies begins to take shape in 1954 when three friends, Joe McCarthy (drums), Sean Lucey (clarinet) and Theo Cahill (trombone) decided to put together a little jazz group. They needed a piano player and clarinet to complete the lineup and found Larry Neville (trumpet) and Mick Murphy to handle the keys. The five piece band enjoyed moderate success locally around Cork and finally got their name when they were asked to do a gig at University College Cork. When asked their name, Joe recalls, "We said, we don't have a name, but we play Dixieland jazz." The students advertised the band as the "Dixielanders" and the rest is history.

All the members had day jobs and it was very much a part time effort, playing local boating clubs and school dances. As with many of the semi pro bands of the day, the band's big break came when they became the resident band at the Arcadia Ballroom in Cork. It was during this time that they really came of age musically and developed their trademark comedy routines. At first trying to imitate the Saturday Night Juke Box routine of the Clipper Carlton and then discovering Joe McCarthy's natural talent for comedy. Joe, who had been an apprentice upholsterer, had always been a quick wit and a practical joker. With their regular gig at the Arcadia, the band now needed to expand the lineup to provide a fuller sound for dancers.

They made a few changes to the lineup, adding Jimmy Mintern on sax and lead vocals and Chris O'Mahony on bass. As the band became more proficient, more lineup changes were inevitable. John Sheehan joined on trumpet in 1959, replacing Larry Neville. Steve Lynch was brought in on guitar to provide a rock n' roll sound when needed and by 1960, the boys were ready to go professional. Promoter Jim Aiken had heard about the boys though the grapevine and booked them on a tour of the country. Everybody was excited about the prospect of turning pro, except Jimmy who didn't have a trade like the other lads to fall back on, should things not go so well on the road. Not wanting to take the gamble, he didn't go on the tour and they asked a young, good looking singer, Brendan O'Brien to stand in on vocals. Brendan had previously been with the Johnny Byrne Showband, but had given it up to pursue a career as an architect at age 19. Sean Lucey asked him to come with the band.  

Part II - The Dixies

The tour went very well and in 1961, Brendan was invited to become a fully fledged member of the band singing and playing rhythm guitar. In September, 1961, the band turned pro and word of their success spread quickly. In keeping with their new image as a "showband," they shortened their name from the Dixielanders to The Dixies. In a 2012 interview, Joe Mac recounted the change saying "people just got used to shortening it to the Dixies and it stuck."

Despite this, the debut issue of Spotlight magazine, dated April 19th, 1963 announced a contest to give the band a new name before the release of their first single, "Cyclone." The following week they announced they weren't changing their name. but they were referred to as the "Dixies" by the magazine.

Soon, the band "with the exiting lead singer and zany drummer" were drawing record crowds in ballrooms across the country. Peter Prendergast, owner of the Arcadia took over booking the band from Sean Lucey and Jimmy decided to join another local group.

Peter turned out to be an excellent promoter, something for which managers have often been overlooked. The band would be advertised as having made "personal appearances" in places like Paris and Rome and the boys would fly to the cities and mail postcards to all the DJ's and journalists in Ireland, proving they had been in these exotic European capitals. The PR paid off and the band continued to grow in success and reputation.

In 1963, the band made its recording debut with the instrumental Cyclone written by Theo. He also wrote the B side, The Mardyke, and on May 17, 1963 the band released the record on the Decca label. The record did well locally, but failed to make inroads in Dublin. A couple of months later, they got their first TV appearance on the now legendary RTE television series, The Showband Show.

It wasn't until the band released Christmas Time, at the end of 1963 that they entered the charts. By the end of the following year, after two Top Ten records, Brendan O'Brien and the Dixies we well on their way. The mid sixties were a period of fame and prosperity for the lads from Cork. Although they spent more time in their bandwagon than most bands on the circuit, they continued to draw record crowds and recorded 27 singles, most of which were top ten hits through 1970. In 1964, the band signed with PYE Records and had two Top Ten Hits. Brendan was now in the same league as Dickie Rock and Brendan Bowyer. In either 1964 or early 1965, John Sheehan left the band and he was not replaced, leaving them as a seven piece.

In 1968, the band had its biggest hit with Little Arrows, which reached Number 1 on September 7th and stayed in the charts for twenty weeks. Like their major rivals, The Royal, the Dixies were looking further a field for success and in 1969, they made the trek to Las Vegas where they became one of the only other showbands (other than the Royal) to be accepted by the casino capital's promoters. In late 1968 they released Katie's Kisses (written by Howard and Hazelwood) and had a pantomime on RTE on Christmas Day. Said manager Peter at the time, "Business has never been better!"

In 1969 and again in 1970, they worked extended residencies in the Desert Inn. In January, 1969, buoyed by the success of Little Arrows, the Dixies took what seemed like the next logical step, they formed their own record label, Honey Records. The first release on the new label was Cuando Sali De Cuba by the Michael O'Callaghan Big Band featuring Eleanor Nodwell. Also in 1969, they took over the management of several bands including Two's Company, The Waves and the Arrivals Showband, as well as acquiring a dancehall in London. Their empire was growing.  

In July, 1970 the Dixies went to Las Vegas, appearing at Howard Hughes' Desert Inn. When the Dixies returned from Vegas in 1970, they were flying high but things would soon change. The showband scene was in a major state of transition in the early seventies. The Sands had already split from Dickie Rock and the Miami, Butch Moore was gone from the Capitol and suddenly Brendan Bowyer and Tom Dunphy were leaving the Royal to form the Big 8.

Part III - Life without Brendan and Joe

In January of 1972, Brendan and Joe followed many of their contemporaries and broke from the band that had guided their careers for over a decade. They formed Stage Two, and like the Royal, the Miami and the Capitol, the original magic was gone and the Dixies had to rebuild. The new band included several top notch musicians including Mike Nolan (trumpet-ex Billy Brown Superband) and Ernie Durkin (bass-Gentry). 

With the departure of Brendan and Joe, the band brought in a new drummer and a young male vocalist, Joe O'Toole, who had been playing the Dublin cabaret scene. They also added a girl singer to the lineup, Sandie Jones who had previously been with the Royal Earls. Within a few months, Sandie represented Ireland at Eurovision singing Ceol an Ghra which went to number one, a major boost for her and the band. Along with frontman, Joe O'Toole, the band had several hit records. In May, they followed up with another Number 1, What Do I Do. So despite losing the two musicians who had been the driving force behind the band's success, they were once again on top with two consecutive number one records. 

Unfortunately, the band's new found success would not last long. In January, 1973, Sandie Jones left the band, but we can not find a reason for her departure, except that it appears it was not on good grounds between her and the band. She was gone for the best part of two months, but an article in Spotlight's March 22, 1973 issue announced Sandie was back with the band. Eventually, a few months later, she would leave to form her own band, The Boyfriends

Also in January 1973, it was announced that Finbar O'Leary was leaving the band, leaving Sean Lucey as the last "original member" of the band. Interestingly, in early 1973, the band changed their name to "Dixies Nashville Brass" on their advertisements. An attempt, we think, to try and re-brand themselves and move away from the "showband" image of the band? Around this time, Steve Lynch also left the band and went into the cabaret scene as a solo artist. We are trying to find out who replaced him in the band. However we do know that Steve moved into management, handling the affairs of Sandie Jones' Boyfriends and his brother, Pat Lynch, in cabaret.

In January 1974, an article in New Spotlight magazine announced the recruitment of Rory O'Connor to join Joe O'Toole as front man with the Dixies. He was born in Waterford, but had been singing on the English cabaret scene.

As an aside, in May, 1975, a blurb in Spotlight announced Sandie Jones was leaving Steve Lynch's management to sign with Gerry Daly of the Tommy Hayden office. It also announced she was leaving the showband circuit for cabaret like so many of her contemporaries. A month later, Julie Boyd reported Rory had left the band to move to the cabaret scene.  

However, the band's popularity continued to wane and in May, 1974, they tried a gimmick in keeping with other bands of the era such as Magic, the Indians, Clowns, Monkeys, Pirates and Zuluis among others. The band released a record which included a medley of Oh Suzanna and Camptown Races. They had a chart hit with the song, Stranger in My Place in June that reached number 13 on the Irish charts. However, the experiment was doomed to fail and by year's end, the band had reverted to The Dixies. Although they had another minor hit with Una Paloma Blanca in the summer of 1975, they soon called it quits and the Dixies were no more. We do know that in 1976, Joe O'Toole was with a new band, Flint and we can find no mention of the Dixies around this time.

Meanwhile, Brendan and Joe's new band, Stage Two had been doing quite well until a fateful night in late 1974 when Brendan was a guest at a charity function in Cork. He grabbed a "live" microphone while holding a guitar and was thrown ten feet across the stage. He suffered a severe electric shock and was lucky to survive. After the incident, Brendan was taken to the local hospital, examined and released. He even went back to play with the band for about a month or so. However, one night in Monaghan after a gig, he was having problems walking, so the band took him back to the hospital the next morning. Doctors discovered blood clots that had been missed the night of the accident. The clots were cutting off the blood supply to his legs, and Brendan was unable to play again for years.

Although Stage Two continued to play featuring Joe Mac, Alan Carr and eventually Art Supple, Joe was finished playing by 1980 and the band folded not long after. Joe Mac went back to a day job, first as a chauffeur and then opening his own cafe in Cork. Also in 1980, Joe faced a personal tragedy when his son and daughter-in-law were killed in a car accident. He and his wife took in their four month old granddaughter as their own and raised her.

Part IV - Reforming the Band

A couple of years later, in 1982, the idea came about to reform the original Dixies. The reunion gig was meant to be a one-off date on St. Stephen's Night in 1982. However, interest in the band was tremendous after the gig in the Arcadia Ballroom and the band decided to reform and hit the ballroom circuit again.

Enjoying a new lease on life, the band was a hit again and was even invited to the United Arab Emirates a few times to appear on tour. The band's lineup included six of the seven original members. Finbar O'Leary, who had lived in Dublin since the original band was on the road, decided against going on the road again. In his place, Teddy Moynihan came in on keyboards. The band released several singles featuring Brendan O'Brien, who had recovered enough to join the band. Unfortunately though, the constant stress of life on the road proved too much and Brendan was forced to retire from the band in 1985. He was replaced by Terry McCarthy. They were being managed by Ronnie McGinn.

On November 22nd, 1986, the Dixies celebrated their Silver Jubilee with a major show at Cork Opera House. On a sad note, Peter Prendergast (their former colourful manager) passed away before the event. Peter had played a major role in the rise in popularity of The Dixies with his publicity stunts earning him much deserved praise. Peter had also played a part in the comeback of the band in 1982, but as he was unwell and soon had to bow out. In 1987, the band appointed John McCabe as their new manager.

In the late eighties, the untimely deaths of Theo Cahill and Chris O'Mahony brought more changes and new members to the aging outfit. Finally, in 1990 the last major change took place when Joe Mac and Teddy Moynihan left and Brendan O'Brien came back for another try with drummer Joe Sullivan, who had been a member of The Michael O' Callaghan Band. In fact, Joe had recorded A Picture Of Your Mother with the Callaghan Band ironically on the Dixies' own Honey Label  (COMB.7) released back in 1969. 

The band carried on for a few more years but with numerous changes, and it finally came to an end in the mid-1990's. To this day Teddy Moynihan, his brother and Joe Mac still often play together and have a number of weekly residencies in Cork City. We have come across adverts for the band playing in late 1994 where they were described as, "a very commercial and market-orientated cabaret dance band, catering mainly to mature audiences." Sean Lucey was still with the band, but we are not sure who else was in the lineup at that time.  

Addendum: Brendan O'Brien, vocalist with the Dixies from 1964 through their final years sadly passed away on 3rd April, 2008 at the age of 67. Sandie Jones sadly passed away on September 19, 2019, aged 68.

Photo Gallery

Click on thumbnails for full images

Dixielanders
Dixielanders (LR) Dixielanders (LR) Dixielanders (LR) Dixielanders (PB) Dixielanders (JD)
Dixielanders (PL) Dixielanders (PL) Dixielanders (PL) Dixielanders (PL) Dixielanders (PL)
Dixielanders - 1964 (BF) Dixielanders (PL) Dixielanders (RF) Dixielanders (RF) Dixielanders (RF)
Dixielanders (RF) Dixielanders (RF) Dixielanders (RF) Dixielanders (RF) Dixielanders (RF)
Dixielanders-64 (RF) Dixielanders (RF) Dixielanders (RF) Dixielanders (RF) Dixielanders (RF)
         
Coming SoonComing Soon Coming Soon Coming SoonComing Soon
Dixies - Phase 1 with Brendan and Joe
Dixies (PL) Dixies (PL) Dixies (PL) Brendan O'Brien (LR) Brendan O'Brien-'66 (LR)
Dixies (PL) Dixies - 1966 Dixies (LR) Dixies (LR) Dixies - 1966 (LR)
Dixies Showband (JB) Dixies -1967 (LR) Brendan and Joe Dixies in Vegas Dixies - 1966
Dixies - 1968 The Dixies Joe Mac of the Dixies Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF)
Brendan O'Brien Dixies - 1971 Brendan O'Brien (LR) Brendan O'Brien - 1966Brendan O'Brien (DH)
Brendan - 1969Dixies - 1969

Dixies

Dixies - 1971Dixies - 1968
Dixies - 1969Dixies - 1968 Dixies - 1968 Dixies - 1968Dixies - 1968
Dixies - 1970Dixies - 1971 Dixies - 1968 Dixies - 1971Dixies - 1970
Dixies - 1971Dixies - 1970 Dixies - 1968 Dixies - 1970Dixies - 1970
Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF)
Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF)
Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF)
Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF)
Dixies - 1968 Dixies (LR) Dixies Live - 1967 Dixies Live - 1967 Joe Mac - 1969
Dixies - 1968 Dixies - 1971 Dixies - 1970 Dixies - 1970 (KS) Stage 2 - 1973 (AC)
       
Stage 2 - 1975 (AC) Coming SoonComing Soon Coming SoonComing Soon
Dixies - Phase 2 with Sandie and Joe O'Toole
Dixies (RF) Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972 Sandie & Joe - 1972 Sandie & Joe - 1972 (LR)
Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972
Dixies - 1972Dixies - 1973 Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972 Dixies (RF)
Dixies - 1972 Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF)
Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF) Dixies (RF)
Dixies - 1972 Dixies (RF) Dixies - 1973Dixies - 1973 Dixies - 1973
Dixies - 1973 Dixies - 1972 Sandie Jones - 1972 Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972
Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972 Sandie Jones - 1973 Sandie Jones - 1972
Sandie Jones - 1972 Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972 Dixies - 1972
   
Dixies - 1972 Sandie Jones - 1972 Sandie Jones - 1972    
         
Coming SoonComing Soon Coming Soon Coming SoonComing Soon
Dixies - Phase 3
   
Rory O'Connor - 1973 "New" Dixies-1974 (LR) Dixies - 1973 Coming Soon Coming Soon
Dixies - Phase 4 Reunion in 1982
Dixies (RF) Dixies - 1984 Dixies (RF) Dixies - 1987Dixies - 1987
       
Dixies - 1992Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming SoonComing Soon
Record Sleeves
A - Dixies - 1984 B - Dixies - 1984 A - Dixies - 1966 B - Dixies - 1966 A - Dixies - 1963
A - Dixies - 1974 A - Dixies - 1969 B - Dixies - 1969 A - Dixies - 1971 B - Dixies - 1971
 
A - Dixies - 1972 B - Dixies - 1972 A - Dixies - 1969 B - Dixies - 1969 Coming Soon
Year Vocals Vocals Guitar Bass Drums Keyboards Sax/Clar. Trumpet Trombone

DIXIELANDERS

1954         Joe
McCarthy
Mick
Murphy
Sean
Lucey
Larry
Neville
Theo
Cahill
1958 Jimmy
Mintern
    Chris
O'Mahony
Joe
McCarthy
Mick
Murphy
Sean
Lucey
Larry
Neville
Theo
Cahill
1959 Jimmy
Mintern
    Chris
O'Mahony
Joe
McCarthy
Mick
Murphy
Sean
Lucey
John
Sheehan
Theo
Cahill
1961 Brendan
O'Brien
  Steve
Lynch
Chris
O'Mahony
Joe
McCarthy
Finbar
O'Leary
Sean
Lucey
John
Sheehan
Theo
Cahill

CHANGED NAME TO DIXIES

1965 Brendan
O'Brien
  Steve
Lynch
Chris
O'Mahony
Joe
McCarthy
Finbar
O'Leary
Sean
Lucey
  Theo
Cahill

BRENDAN AND JOE LEFT TO FORM STAGE 2

1972 Joe
O'Toole
Sandie
Jones
Steve
Lynch
Chris
O'Mahony
Mike
O'Donovan
Finbar
O'Leary
Sean
Lucey
  Theo
Cahill
1973 Joe
O'Toole
Rory
O'Connor
Steve
Lynch
Chris
O'Mahony
Mike
O'Donovan
Finbar
O'Leary
Sean
Lucey
  Theo
Cahill
Jun
1975
Joe
O'Toole
Tara Steve
Lynch
Chris
O'Mahony
Mike
O'Donovan
Finbar
O'Leary
Sean
Lucey
  Theo
Cahill

DIXIES APPEAR TO HAVE CALL IT QUITS AROUND 1976 AND RE-EMERGED IN 1982

1982 Brendan
O'Brien
  Steve
Lynch
Chris
O'Mahony
Joe
McCarthy
Teddy
Moynihan
Sean
Lucey
  Theo
Cahill
1985 Terry
McCarthy
  Steve
Lynch
Chris
O'Mahony
Joe
McCarthy
Teddy
Moynihan
Sean
Lucey
  Theo
Cahill
1989 Brendan
O'Brien
  Steve
Lynch
Unknown Joe
Sullivan
Teddy
Moynihan
Sean
Lucey
   

Discography:

Singles:

Dixielanders:

Cyclone / The Mardyke (Instrumental)
Vocalion Records - EV 9209 - May, 1963
It Depends On You / The Wild Side of Life (Brendan O'Brien)
Parlophone Records- DIP 501 - October, 1963
Christmas Time (Brendan O'Brien) / Stickin Out A Mile From Blarney (Instrumental)
Parlophone Records- DIP 502 - November, 1963
I'm Counting On You / Rave On (Brendan O'Brien) - #6 Irish Charts
Parlophone Records- DIP 503 - April, 1964
It's Only Make Believe / Think It Over (Brendan O'Brien) - #4 Irish Charts
Parlophone Records- DIP 504 - July, 1964
Tribute to Jim Reeves (Joe Mac) / Londonderry Air (Instrumental)
Parlophone Records- DIP 505 - September, 1964

Dixies:

Love Made A Fool / Valley of Tears (Brendan O'Brien) - #7 Irish Charts
Parlophone Records R.5223 - January, 1965
He's Got You / Geisha Girl (Brendan O'Brien) - #10 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.15845 - May, 1965
I Love You More Today / Oh Boy (Brendan O'Brien) - #2 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.15975 - October, 1965
Together Again / You Always Hurt The One You Love (Brendan O'Brien) - #4 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17005 - January, 1966
It Does't Matter Anymore / Ebony Eyes (Brendan O'Brien) - #2 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17121 - June, 1966
Save The Last Dance For Me / Baby I Don't Care (Brendan O'Brien) - #9 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17200 - November, 1966
History Repeats Itself (Steve Lynch) / It Was Only A Heart (Brendan O'Brien) / The Life Story (Joe Mac)
Pye Records - NEP.24270 - December, 1966
Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes / I Go Out Of My Mind (Brendan O'Brien) - #16 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17289 - April, 1967
One of the Old Reserve / Hey Joe (Joe Mac)
Pye Records - 7N.17331 - May, 1967
In Person / Dream Lover (Brendan O'Brien) - #12 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17475 - March, 1968
Little Arrows / City of Tears (Brendan O'Brien) - #1 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17591 - August, 1968
Katie's Kisses / Walk Through This World With Me (Brendan O'Brien) - #2 Irish Charts
Pye Records - 7N.17640 - November, 1968
All Together Now / Honeytime (Joe Mac) - #12 Irish Charts
Honey Records - COMB.1 - March, 1969
The Joys of Love / Land of Milk and Honey (Brendan O'Brien) - #4 Irish Charts
Honey Records - COMB.5 - July, 1969
Tomorrow's Love / Peggy Sue / Peggy Sue Got Married (Brendan O'Brien) - #17 Irish Charts
Honey Records - COMB.16 - March, 1970
It Is No Secret / Susan (Brendan O'Brien)
Honey Records - COMB.21 - August, 1970
The Family (that prays together) / Go Lassie Go (Brendan O'Brien)
Honey Records - COMB.28 - December, 1970
Sally Sunshine / Wooden Heart (Brendan O'Brien) - #8 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 2 - May, 1971
I Need You / Forty Shades Of Green (Brendan O'Brien)
Play Records - PLAY 10 - August, 1971
Ceol An Ghra / Cry Cry Again (Sandie Jones) - #1 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 20 - February, 1972
What Do I Do / It Was Only A Heart (Sandie Jones & Joe O'Toole) - #1 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 21 - March, 1972
Looking For Love (Sandie Jones) / Sandie (Joe O'Toole)
Play Records - PLAY 31 - August, 1972
Love's The Answer
Play Records - Play 45 - November, 1972
The Happiest Girl / I Don't Want To Play House (Sandie Jones)
Play Records - PLAY 47- December, 1972
Big City / Love's The Answer (Joe O'Toole)
Play Records - PLAY 54 - February, 1973
It's You Day Today / Suzanne (Joe O'Toole) - #19 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 64 - October, 1973
Goodbye My Love Goodbye / Won't Anybody Listen (Rory O'Connor) - #6 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 71 - January, 1974
Stranger In My Place / I Need You (Mike O'Donovan) - #13 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 74 - June, 1974
Meet The Minstrels / I Never Knew The Magic (Joe O'Toole)
Play Records - PLAY 77 - October, 1974
She's Leaving / Cos I'm Leaving (Rory O'Connor)
Play Records - PLAY 79 - December, 1974
Una Paloma Blanca / Cos I'm Leaving (Rory O'Connor & Tara) - #11 Irish Charts
Play Records - PLAY 88 - August, 1975

Reformed Dixies - 1982

Ballroom Dancing / Susan (Brendan O'Brien) - #14 Irish Charts
Ritz Records - RITZ 053 - August, 1983
It Doesn't Matter Anymore / Buddy Holly Medley (Brendan O'Brien)
Orwell Records - ORS.001 - 1984
Waitin In The Rain (Joe Mac) / I'm Gonna Love You Too (Brendan O'Brien)
Ritz Records - RITZ 081 - 1984
Boney Maroney / Up Cork Medley / Holy Groound / Stickin Out A Mile (Joe Mac)
Ritz Records - RITZ 107 - 1985
Have A Drink On Me / Nobody Loves Like An Irishman (Joe Mac)
Ritz Records - RITZ 130 - 1985
Cabbage Head (Joe Mac) / Oh Boy (Terry Moynihan) - #19 Irish Charts
Cabbage Records - CB.001 - September, 1986
Mountains of Mourne / Surround Me With Love (Terry McCarthy)
Ritz Records - RITZ 177 - 1987
Santa, Where's me Bike (Joe Mac) / Mountans of Mourne (Terry McCarthy)
Ritz Records - RITZ 181 - November, 1987
The Isle of Mare / The Old Rustic Bridge (Terry McCarthy)
Jude Records - JS.001 - 1988
Same Cooke Medley (Teddy Moynihan) / My Prayer / The Great Pretender / Only You (Terry McCarthy)
Jude Records - JS.002 - 1988
I Sang Dixie (Terry McCarthy) / History Repeats Itself (Steve Lynch) / The Isle of Mare (Terry McCarthy) /
The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee (Instrumental)

Jude Records - JS.003 - 1989
Minnie The Moocher / Phil The Fluter's Rap (Joe Mac)
Jude Records - JS.004 - 1989
Tribute To Cork and Mayo (Dixies with Boru) - #21 Irish Charts
Jude Records - JS.005 - September, 1989
My Own Native Land / Mountains of Mourne (Terry McCarthy)
Jude Records - JS.006 - 1990

Albums:

Little Arrows
Marble Arch Records - MAL 857 - 1969
The Dixies Are Irish  
Honey Records  - SHOW 2 - December, 1970
The Hits of the Dixies featuring Sandie & Joe
Play Records - PLAY 10085 - 1972

 

Audio Clips

     
Little Arrows

I Love You More Today

     

Where Are They Now?   More to come

Joe 'Mac' McCarthy: After the Dixies, Joe Mac and Brendan split from the Dixies to form Stage 2. After they went off the road, Joe never stopped. Since then, he has played from Sneem to Carnegie Hall, all over the world, playing all sorts of music. Jazz is his favourite these days, but it won t always pay the bills, so you can find Joe Mac performing whatever is popular at a wedding, club or pub near you in and around his native Cork. Ireland's crown prince of showband comedy turned 75 in August, 2011!
Brendan O'Brien: RIP Brendan first retired from the road after being electrocuted in 1974 with Stage 2, but he hit the stage again with the reformed Dixies in 1982, only to retire again in 1985. After Joe Mac left the band in 1989, Brendan again rejoined the band...his third stint with the Dixies. He was living in Cork up until his sudden death on 3rd April, 2008 of an apparent heart attack. His final RTE appearance was on January 11th of that year reprising his hit single, "Little Arrows." A series called Little Bit Showband highlighted the Dixies career, including interviews with Joe and Brendan, however, sadly Brendan passed away before it aired. He was 67.   
Finbar O'Leary: RIP Finbar sadly passed away in 2002
Mick Murphy: Unknown, if you have any additional info please email us
Sean Lucey: RIP Sean sadly passed away 28th July, 2021.
Theo Cahill: RIP  -  Theo continued to play long after the Dixies went their separate ways. He rejoined the Dixies when they reunited in 1982, but tragically, he collapsed on stage in Achill, County Mayo on July 24, 1988 and passed away doing what he loved best. Joe Mac left the band shortly after Theo's death which really was the beginning of the end for the band.
Larry Neville: Unknown, if you have any additional info please email us
Jimmy Mintern: Unknown, if you have any additional info please email us
Chris O'Mahony: RIP
John Sheehan: RIP John's granddaughter, Rachel O'Leary, writes to tell us that John left the band in 1964 due to illness. He fully recovered and played on the jazz scene around Cork and Ireland for many years. Sadly, John passed away in 1999 leaving behind his four children and ten grandchildren.
Steve Lynch - RIP:  Steve, brother of Tony and Pat (Airchords) stayed with the Dixies from the early sixties throughout the 70's. We are not sure when he left the band. Sadly he passed away on July 12, 2016. leaving behind his wife Breda, three children and seven grandchildren.
Sandie Jones RIP: After leaving the Dixies, Sandie formed her own band, The Boyfriends. She later had the Jones Gang in the late seventies and into the early 80's and continued to enjoy a solo career until the dance scene ended. Sandie now lives in the United States and she was featured on a 2012 TV special on the 1972 song contest. Sandie sadly passed away on September 19th, 2019. 
John "Rory" O'Connor: Today, John is the news/sports editor with the Munster Express and also writes for a number of national newspapers and magazines. He is a regular broadcaster on RTE radio and television and contributes to a range of news, current affairs and sports programmes.
Joe O'Toole: Unknown, if you have any additional info please email us
Mike O'Donovan: Oliver Keane writes to tell us Mike now lives in the Phoenix, Arizona area and still gigs regularly.
 If you have any additional info please email us
Terry McCarthy - RIP: Jim Murray writes to tell us Terry could still be seen in and around Cork playing on the local pub scene. He also played regularly with Donal Ring, Jr. on the accordion. Terry had recently took part in a tribute to Donal Ring's 50 years in show business as part of the "Three Cork Tenors." Our thanks to Jim for the update. At the end of July, 2019, we sadly learned that Terry passed away suddenly on July 27th, 2019
Teddy Moynihan: Unknown, if you have any additional info please email us
Tara: Ryan Higgins writes in September, 2012 that Tara was with the New Dixies when they traveled to Canada and Spain. When the band called it quits around 1976, she started a band with her family called Jackson which played the Southern circuit around Cork for a decade. Tara is now retired from music and still living in Cork.
Joe Sullivan - RIP: After the Dixies, in the 1980s, Joe turned his hand to radio and presented a show on North Cork Community Radio. His daily 90 minute afternoon show featured the well known slots 'Relax-a Vous' and the senior citizens spot. At this time he also played with Gerry O'Riordan in the local group, Nice N' Easy. Sadly, Joe passed away on the 10th May, 2010.

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In Loving Memory of Grant Gallagher: Sept. 21, 1990 - Nov. 18, 2006