Ranchers Feature (1970-1972)

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

The Story

Frankie Carroll, the big man with a big voice from Tuam was looking for a gig. A story in Spotlight magazine takes up the story...In 1970 Frankie answered a newspaper advertisement looking for a bass player for the Capitol Showband. The story goes that Frankie was set to audition and became ill, he called manager Jim Hand to ask to reschedule but was told the spot was filled. (Although the dates don't exactly match, we think it was filled by Mike Dalton).

However, Jim was looking for musicians for a new country band which was going on the road shortly. Frankie went up to audition for bass and came back the lead singer with the group which would be called The Ranchers. The rest of the original lineup included: Francie Lenehan (guitar), Mick Tyrell (bass), Georgie Byrne (drums), Tim Weadick (trombone), Declan Curneen (fiddle) and Jim Tyrell (trumpet). During the bands short history, they would undergo several major changes in personnel.

The band was managed by Dennis Ryan, who had previously been the road manager for the Dreams. According to a report in Spotlight in 1971, things did not start well for the band. There was a glut of new country bands on the scene as the spilt between pop and country bands widened. The band released its first single in March on the Dolphin label, Daddy Sang Bass. Reports are that sales did not go well, at first. Eventually, though, things started to pick up and in May, the record appeared for one week as the tenth best selling Irish disc (it was still a few places outside the Irish Charts.)

However, the success of the single helped boost attendance at gigs and the band started to hit its stride. In June, they brought out another single, Bottom of A Mountain. It did not make the charts either, but the Ranchers were finally doing well on the road and had become a good draw as the country band shakeout continued. Within a few months, fiddler Declan Curneen left the band and they were down to a six piece for a while.

In February, 1971, the band underwent a major upheaval when three members left around the same time. Francie Lenehan was replaced by Stan McKee of the Hoot'nanny's on guitar, Paddy Farrell came on to strengthen the brass section and Sean Scanlon (trumpet) came from the Clouds to replace Jim Tyrell who left the stage and took a "back room job as the musical director." We think he then formed a trio which included Francie Lenehan, but we'll have to check on that fact. The new band released another single, Mr. Bassman, which took advantage of Frankie's deep, rich voice.

At some point in late 1971 or early 1972 the band underwent another major lineup change. Stan McKee, Mick Tyrell, Georgie Byrne and Sean Scanlon all left and the band was forced to "reinvent" itself once again. John O'Brien came in on guitar, Pat Fortune (formerly of Sugarshack) on bass, Shay Spain of the Conquerors on drums and Mark McCormack who had been with Freedom on trumpet.

In October 1971, the band released it last single, He Turns The Water Into Wine which, again, failed to make the charts. The band also released an album, The Best of the Ranchers, although we are unsure of the date and what tracks it contained. Sadly though, it was all very short lived as in July, 1972, Frankie left to join the new Brendan Shine Superband and the Ranchers were no more.  

A few years later, Hugo Duncan of the Tallmen would form a new band which for some period went under the name of the Ranchers, but this was in no way connected to this band.   

More to come.....

Photo Gallery

click on thumbnails for full image

Discography

Singles:

Daddy Sang Bass / I'll Still Be There
Dolphin Records - DOS.55 - March, 1970
Bottom of a Mountain / Saginaw, Michigan
Dolphin Records - DOS.66 - June, 1970
Mr. Bassman / Happiness Is You
Dolphin Records - DOS.76 - February, 1971
He Turns The Water Into Wine / Miller's Cave
Dolphin Records - DOS.87 - October, 1971

Albums:

The Best of the Ranchers
Dolphin Records - DOLB 7008 - 1971

Audio Clips

Coming Soon

Where Are They Now?