Big Tom is still the King

The gentle giant of country‘n‘Irish music Big Tom and the Mainliners, emerged from semi retirement for their annual ‘on the road‘ tour.

With their best selling album and single ‘The Same Way You Came In ‘ its still the most requested CD on local radio, Tom and the band are the number one draw on the dancing scene today.

With over 600 showbands competing for fame and fortune the early years were difficult for the wannabe stars, following a guest appearance on the television show ‘The Showband Show ‘ where Big Tom sang ‘Gentle Mother ‘his debut single .
The song won the singer instant chart popularity and made the Mainliners a major ballroom attraction on both sides of the Irish Sea. Over the past four decades hits such as ‘Ashes of Love ‘, ‘Back Home to Castleblayney‘, ‘A Bunch Violets Blue ‘, ‘Four Country Roads‘ and many more followed, he was awarded Gold and Platinum Discs for his best selling albums and his newly issued DVD‘s are much in demand.
Tom and the Mainliners have semi-retired from the one night circuit and only return annually for a nationwide and limited UK tour. To coincide with this years tour he released a new single and album both entitled ‘The Same Way You Came In‘, a thirteen track collection featuring songs such as ‘I‘m A Fool for Leaving ‘, ‘Hide ‘, ‘Bed of Roses ‘ and the title track ‘The Same way You Came In ‘. The collection won Tom revived chart popularity, so far a Double Platinum Disc from Kmac Records, and that song is still the most requested on the local radio stations.
After almost forty mighty years on the bandstand Big Tom is still the ‘King‘, with numerous hit singles, albums, videos and DVD‘s to his credit, countless accolades and awards, plus guest appearances on every major television show.
They are currently working on a television documentary looking back at glittering career. Tom and the Mainliners are in the Milford Inn Hotel this Friday night, be early to avoid disappointment.

SHOWBANDS ON THE WEB
Back in the late 70‘s The Kim Newport Band were one of the hottest names on the pop circuit with several hit singles and many television, guest spots to their credit.
In 1983 Kim and her husband, composer and musician Gerry Gallagher, decided to head off to America playing the circuit in Los Angeles and Atlanta before settling in South Carolina. Gerry and Kim have developed and update the sites, a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

AN ENTERTAINING PARTY
A line up of exciting new talent assembled in the Letterkenny Town Park last Saturday afternoon for Party in the Park and they provided five hours plus of non-stop entertainment.

The wannabe stars of tomorrow from both sides of the border presented a programme which appealed to a wide age group. Hosted by Highland Radios Donal Kavanagh and DJ Clampet, the concert kicked off with Room 33 and their powerful flamed haired vocalist. Local heroes
The Drakes recently issued their debut CD and they were followed on the gig rig by singer Alan McGee, other acts included Damaged Little Pills, Kickshaw, Multi-Story, The Q, from Dungloe the Strays, Tainted Perfection and Super 8 Kids ended a superb concert.

With Antoine on the sound Sally, Liam, Frankie and John made the Party in the Park a joy for both the audience and performers alike.

KIM‘S Back
Country songbird Kim Dickinson is back to the road once more and looking fully recovered from her recent illness.

The Liverpool born, Omagh based singer joined Aslan, Brian Kennedy and Hothouse Flowers for the Lark in the Park concert in Galway for her comeback gig.
Kim has also returned to the recording spotlight with the release of her new single ‘Where Does Love Go‘ a track from her forthcoming album partly in Nashville and at home. Her previous album ‘Smokey Mountain Queen ‘made the covered number one spot in the European country chart, enjoying guest appearances at shows in Belgium and Demark as a result.

PHILO REMEMBERED
Nineteen years after his untimely death the late Philip Paris Lynott will be remembered by the people of his native Dublin, when the Roisin Dubh Trust unveil a life size-bronze statue of the singer.
The ceremony will be take place in Dublin‘s, Grafton Street on Friday evening next (19th). On the following night a special tribute concert ‘The Boy is Back in Town‘ will be staged the Point featuring the music of Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy.
Old friends such as Gary Moore, Eric Bell, Brian Downey, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson plus Brush Shiels and Darren Holden join forces once more.

ANOTHER ACCOLADE
Last Friday night at the Creeslough Festival, singer John Kerr was presented with the Bridie Gallagher Music Achievement Award, for his contribution to the recording and live music scene over the past four decades.
John recently celebrated his 80th birthday with the release of his new album ‘The Man from Coolback‘. Previous winners of the Bridie Gallagher Achievement Award include Margo and Hugh McLean who presented the accolade to John.

CHARTWATCH - IRISH ALBUMS
FINAL STRAW. SNOW PATROL,
BIG GUNS. .RORY GALLAGHER,
ODAMIEN RICE.

NEWSBEAT
Foster and Allen celebrate 30 years on the bandstand with the release of a double album ‘The Early Years ‘.
Christy Moore has spent 337 weeks in the charts with his ‘Collection ‘ album.
It seems that IRMA Music Awards and the Hot Press Awards have been axed for this year.

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