Down Memory Lane is the title for a series of shows being undertaken by midlands singer John Hogan, who this week celebrates 30 years on the country music scene. First up is a show in Claremorris Town Hall Theatre on Easter Monday night.

John was among a group of new singers who emerged on the country circuit around 1986 and 1987. Others included Daniel O’Donnell, Paddy O’Brien, Declan Nerney, Mick Flavin and Louise Morrissey. All can owe much of their success to the pirate radio stations that flourished around Ireland during the mid-1980s and up to the end of 1988. These stations were born out of frustration and the complete lack of exposure for Irish country acts on RTÉ at the time.

The soaring popularity of the pirate stations provided a huge platform for new talent to emerge on the scene while also reviving the careers of those who had pioneered country music to new heights during the 1970s, the golden decade for the genre in Ireland. These stations were at the very heart of bringing forward legislation which legalised regional stations all over the country in 1989.

Three decades down the line, John Hogan is still that country boy at heart who called a day on his job with Bord na Mona and followed his dream of becoming a country singer.

It all came about when he recorded Let Those Brown Eyes Shine For Me. Soon it was being beamed across Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan and Longford and neighbouring counties as the pirates took a shine to it. They were all on medium-wave back then. The news spread fast about a young man living in Offaly who was creating quite a stir. Soon the name of John Hogan was registering with country fans across Ireland.

John Hogan and his band were soon playing to packed venues. People liked what they heard – traditional country music sung from the heart, often with the plaintiveness of Hank Williams and Hank Locklin.

Top-selling albums came down the line. John Hogan had arrived big time. But, as can so often be the case, smooth sailing often runs into storms. The trials and tribulations of life on the road, sometimes dealing with promoters who have no respect for people in the business, means few artists escape the valleys that go with the journey.

In the late 1990s, the lifestyle of travelling and performing took its toll on John’s health. He lost his voice after vocal chords became badly strained. He feared he might never return to the stage again.

“I could only manage a whisper. I watched my world crumble and went into bad health. Everyone who is ill is vulnerable. I went to so many people seeking to get better. People will take advantage of you. It happens all the time. A lady from Bulgaria who has her office in Leopardstown, Dublin, was the first to correctly diagnose my problem. She put in place the routine for me to regain my voice.

“That was the start of my comeback and a new appreciation of life. It gives you an inner strength. I believe that if you focus on the good it will come through. I have a great affection for beauty and simplicity,” reflects John.

Five years after losing the voice, John returned to the scene. He scaled down to a three-piece band and slowly began to establish his own niche on the circuit again.

“I have been lucky and fortunate that I can now decide the dates I want to do. I don’t have the same pressures at all as when the big band was on the road. I do a lot of guest spots on concerts here in Ireland as well as in the UK. I also do some spots on the overseas musical holiday promotions, especially in Spain and Portugal.

“I have always enjoyed writing songs when the inspiration comes along and I have included a good many of them on my albums down through the years. One is usually in a good place when in the mood to write a song. There is a lovely sense of satisfaction when you know you have composed a decent song,” adds John.

Claremorris Town Hall on Easter Monday night (17 April) marks the launch of the Down Memory Lane celebrations for John Hogan. He will include many of his most popular songs from over the years and the Ryan Turner Band will back all the artists.

The guests on the Claremorris show are Paddy O’Brien from Waterford, Gary Gamble from Donegal, Carmel Sheerin, Camillus Egerton from Mullingar, and Caitriona Ni Cheannabháin from Connemara, who featured in the recent Glór Tíre series. CL

• The concert starts at 8.30pm and tickets can be booked from the theatre on 094-931 0999 or check out www.townhall.ie.