The Voxenaires / Cowboys Story (1964-1976)

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

The Story

The first mention of the Voxenaires we have found in February, 1964 when they were described a "local band." Early adverts for the band placed them as being based from Carrick-On-Suir and one of their featured members was "Jim Grace with his continental electric organ."  Jim was the band leader as well. For the band's first year on the road they never strayed far from home, but based on advertisements, they were quite busy. We think the band was being managed by Enda O'Riordan.

By mid 1965, the band was traveling further and further afield as their reputation continued to grow. The first compete line-up of the band we found listed was in 1967 when there were some issues over who played what. Ger Walsh was the lead singer and had also been listed as their bass player in 1965. Jim Grace played organ, was the band leader but also was listed as playing bass. Jim Aylward who would be listed as a sax player was listed as the rhythm guitarist. The rest of the 8 piece lineup included: Paul O'Keefe (drums), Gay Brazel (guitar), Tommy O'Dwyer (sax), Dave Hallisey (trumpet) and Liam Byrne (trumpet). By this time the band was being advertised as being from Clonmel.

At the beginning of 1968 change was in the air for the entire showband scene as bands were beginning to make the decision to feature mainly pop music or mainly country and western. At the same time, new bands were being formed specifically to featured one music style or the other. It was during this period that Enda realised there was new success to be found if the band changed it's image and name.        

The band changed their name to the Cowboys and the first mention of them we found was on April 6th, 1968 when a story introducing the band to the dancing public appeared in the Evening Herald. The band was the brainchild of Dublin ballroom manager Christy Gunn and their Clonmel manager Enda O'Riordan. At the time, the impending split of the showbands into pop and country bands in Ireland was just starting (see our history). It was a period of upheaval as showbands started to split and many of the "original showbands of the late 50's were starting to show their age. It became obvious to many that country music was where the scene was heading. The cowboy "gimmick" predated the conversion of the Casino Showband to The Indians, but it was inevitable that where there were Cowboys, there would eventually be Indians.  

The band made their début on Easter Sunday at the Pilltown Carnival in County Kilkenny. The "original" line-up of the band featured 19-year old Gerry Walsh (vocals), Gay Brazel (18 - guitar and steel), Jim Grace (23 - leader and keyboards), Alan Gregory (bass), Paul O'Keefe (drums), Dave Hallisey (trumpet), Liam Byrne (trumpet) and Jim Aylward (sax). 

Although there were many showbands which featured country music in a major way (i.e, Big Tom and the Mainliners, Larry Cunningham and the Mighty Avons), the Cowboys were generally publicised as the "first band to be formed" specifically as a country outfit, complete with "imported cowboys suits" hitting the road long before the Cotton Mill Boys, Virginians or the Hoot'nannys.

By the end of 1968, the band was being well received and were playing gigs across the country. In October of 1968, after 6 months on the road, an article (see below) appeared announced the impending release of their first disc, but as far as we can tell, this record was never released. Despite the fact that band was just called the Cowboys, local promoters often advertised them as the "Cowboys Showband," a common occurrence n the days as every band was assumed to be a showband.

At some point during 1969, they had their first line-up changes when Jim Aylward was replaced by Bill Doherty on sax and Alan Gregory left the band (we think) and for a time they were a seven piece. They also released their first record in September of 1969 called "Country Music" with "Cinderella" as the "B" side. The record helped establish them nationally, but did not sell well enough to make the charts. They were now billing themselves as the "Kings of Country Music."

In early 1970, they shared the stage with UK country singer Tex Withers in the New Hall in Ennis. They would have yet another line-up change when Stephen Travers joined the band on bass and Denis Lynch replaced Liam Byrne on trumpet. They were back to an eight piece outfit. In September, 1970, the band released "Where The Ocean Meets the Sky" with "Forgive Me" on the "B" side. The record was produced by recording legends Bill O'Donovan and Noel Kelahan.

In late 1972. Stephen Travers left the band to join Mick Delahunty and by coincidence the band got a new female singer, Eve Delahunty. A year later, Stephen would form a group called The Sinners, followed by a short stint with Dave Prim, then back to Mick Delahunty and in May, 1975,  Stephen would join the ranks of the Miami and be seriously injured in the Miami massacre in late July in which three members of the band were killed. We do not know who replaced him. 

Sometime between mid to late 1974, Gay Brazel left the band, and would eventually join Tweed.

An article in January 1975 announced a "new look" Cowboys with manager Enda O'Riordan. The only remaining members from the previous band was Mick Feeney, the rest of the band was new.

We have found an advert for "The Cowboys" playing in April 1976, but we are unsure whether this was the same band or who the members might be, we continue to research the band's history. 

More to come.....

Photo Gallery

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Discography

Country Music / Cinderella
Unknown Records - Unknown - September, 1969
Where The Ocean Meets The Sky / Forgive Me
Release Records - RL.544 - September, 1970
I'll Meet You in the Church Sunday Morning /
Unknown Records - Unknown - June, 1971

Audio Clips

Coming Soon

Where Are They Now?