Country Style Feature (1970-1983)
Photo Gallery -
Band Lineups -
Discography
- Audio samples -
Where Are They Now?
The Story
The band got its start when Ian Corrigan left
the Casino/Indians to go out on his own. Articles reporting the move
said Ian had left because as a country singer, he wasn't enjoying
playing with a "pop band" (Editor's
note, the Casino would eventually become the Indians, one of the top
country bands ever in Ireland). The band was being managed by
the Casino's manager Liam Ryan. It appears the first version of the
band was launched on St. Stephen's Night (December 26th), 1970 with a totally different
set of musicians.
The original lineup was a six
piece band and featured Ian Corrigan (vocals), Tom McDonnell
(guitar), Frank Owens (bass), Naoise Judge (keyboards/fiddle), Jimmy
O'Neill (drums), and Billy Byrne (trumpet). In initial adverts the
bands was called "Corrigan and Country Style." The band's early days
garnered a lot of press coverage.
In February 1971,
Spotlight reported Ian and Country Style had signed a recording
contract with EMI records. There first single (with three tracks)
was released in March and included The Gallant John Joe about the
Cavan footballer John Joe O'Reilly. The record sold well and made
the Irish top twenty topping out at number 18. With a record in the
charts and great management, the band really hit the ground running
and before long were playing most of the major venues up and down
the country.
At some point in 1971, half the
band's line-up changed when Martin Geraghty (guitar), Brian Wynne
(trumpet) and Norman Clifford joined the band making it a seven
piece with Tom McDonnell and Billy Byrne leaving. The band released
a second record, The Old Gang's Gone around September of 1971
which unlike their first offering did not sell well enough to make
the charts. It was on the Ruby label but used a Columbia record
catalog number.
In or around May of 1972 the entire band
was replaced by the Annalees Showband from Cavan.
There was no explanation for the change, but the new band undertook
a short English tour before making their Irish debut on May 14th.
The line-up was Mattie Smith (guitar), Jim Leonard (bass), Bud
O'Neill (drums), Howard Lowry (keyboards), Norman Clifford (sax),
Frankie Smith (trumpet), Gerry Smith (trombone) and Ian on vocals
making them an eight piece for the first time.
Later that year in October, the
band signed with the Release Organisation and was being managed by
Willie McCormick, who was also looking after the Lightning
Express at the time. In early 12973, the band released "House of
Pride," which sold well enough to nearly
make the top ten, peaking at number 13th and giving them the lift
they needed and they continued to do great business around the
country. Later in the year (August) Ian would release "I Hate
Goodbyes" which would once again make the charts, but topping out at
number 15th. With two chart singles in a row, it was beginning to
look like Ian and his Country Style might become a top tier
band along with the likes of the Big Tom and Philomena Begley.
In January 1974, the band release
Rainbow and Roses, but unfortunately it didn't make the
charts. However, they were still very much in demand on the circuit
as the Irish entertainment scene continued to morph from the
showbands (where everybody played everything) to more distinctive
pop and country bands. Some halls would go one way or the other, but
many would have different nights featuring specific genres. Release
put out an album called The Best of Ian Corrigan Country
around this same time. The band would release another record in
August of 1974, The Streets of Baltimore, which was a huge hit for
Des Kelly and the Capitol back in 1967,
but did not make the charts for Ian.
In April, 1975, Ian would release
his last chart single, an ode to his own "County
Cavan" which was his highest placed hit topping out at number 11 on
the Irish charts. For the remainder of the 1970's Ian and the band
would work the circuit, releasing the occasional single, but never
reaching the heights they had in the early part of the decade. This
was more so because of the slow decay of the ballroom generation and
the rise of discos and bar extensions in the hotels which allowed
drinking as late as 2:00 am if a "meal"
was served (usually geasy chicken and chips). The hotels were warmer
than the old ballroms but more importantly, they served alcohol.
On May 19th, 1982, Ian was severely
injured in a football match and suffered extensive injuries to his
face and mouth. During the ensuing court case, he explained that
because he could not sing for over six months, he had to disband the
band and when he finally could sing again he could only formed a
local trio, but could no longer tour. He would eventually lose the
court case and his claim for £15,000 in early 1983 (see below).
The last regular dance listings
for the band we could find was in 1983, although we did come across
an advert for Ian Corrigan and Country Style as late as 2009.
If you have more info, please
email us.
More to come.....
click on thumbnails for full image
