Rodney McElrea dies in Omagh

Rodney McElrea, one of the foremost authorities on traditional country and bluegrass music on the island of Ireland, died recently. The Omagh man had an amazing collection of old-time albums and met Sara and Maybelle Carter, Hank Snow, and many others during his regular visits to America over the years.

The annual Bluegrass Festival in the Ulster-American Folk Park gave Rodney a special platform to dispense his knowledge and he delivered the McAuley Lecture on the Saturday morning of the festival, with a different theme each year.

Jim MacArdle, from the Drogheda-based bluegrass band The Watery Hill Boys, said Rodney was smitten by country music in 1952 when he bought his first Hank Williams 78: “For over 60 years he has been an avid collector of 78s, LPs, books, letters, photos and all kinds of memorabilia and ephemera.

“Rodney was unquestionably a national treasure, and this should be more widely known. No one else on this island, in my opinion, has made a remotely comparable contribution to the cause of old-time and traditional country music, including bluegrass.

“For those who knew Rodney, he will be sorely missed, because there is literally no one to take his place.”

Following a service in Omagh Gospel Hall, interment took place at Droit Graveyard in Newtownstewart.

Rodney is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, his sons, Richard and Peter, and his daughter, Lindsey.

 

Simon joins Sheerin Family in Ballymahon

The Sheerin Family will play their regular once-a-month gig in Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon, on Tuesday, 1 August. They will be joined on this occasion by Simon Casey, as special guest.

The Offaly man, who was signed by Universal Ireland record label, released his album, Not Like Me, in 2015. He also recorded a duet country single, As She Is Walking Away, with Ray Lynam.

The Sheerin Family gigs have featured numerous guest singers from Ireland and America over the years, and have become part of the social fabric of the region in recent years. A special highlight of all the shows is when Dan and Mary Sheerin perform a selection of popular country songs. The show starts at 10pm and admission is free.

Kilbane’s Westport shows

James Kilbane will launch a series of Thursday night residency gigs for August and September in the Plaza Hotel, Westport, on 3 August at 9pm.

These shows will see James going back to some of his folk and Irish ballad roots.

Among the songs he will feature are Grace, Fiddlers Green, Go Lassie Go, The Roads of Kildare, Danny Boy, Forty Shades of Green, The Ferryman, The Voyage, Moonlight in Mayo, as well as a host of others.

The informal nature of the shows will feature some stories, as well as sing-alongs and all are welcome to share in the Thursday night sessions.

Show tickets are €15 and are available from the hotel reception. For more details, you can contact the Plaza Hotel. 

 

 Texas release from Eamonn

 Eamonn Jackson is launching his new album, Texas, at a series of gigs over the coming weeks. The title track was composed by Ed Bruce and has also been recorded by a number of Irish artists over the years, including Big Tom and Johnny Loughrey.

The 11-track compilation album will be available at all of Eamonn’s gig in the weeks ahead, including The Red Cow Inn on 27 July, Cassidy’s of Drumlish on Saturday 29 July, and the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, on 6 August.

 

Kevin’s night in Mayo

The annual Kevin Prendergast party night takes place in Bourke’s Lounge in Irishtown, Co Mayo, on Friday night, 4 August. Kay and The Country Stars from Erris will once again provide the backing for all the singers on the night.

Back in May, the same venue played host to a celebration of Kevin’s golden jubilee on the country and Irish circuit. The Logboy native was based in Manchester for many years, before eventually relocating to Brickens.

The guests on the show on 4 August are John McIntyre from Cavan, Mary Prendergast from Waterford, John Kelly and Noreen Burke. Admission is €10 and it gets underway at 9.15pm. CL