All of 56 years after his stage debut, Johnny Carroll is still making music and he’s now ready to launch his brand new album.

With all of the enthusiasm that saw him join the Premier Aces Showband when he was just shy of 14-years-old, and travel in the band wagon from Castlerea to places all around Ireland, Johnny will meet and greet the folks at the big launch night in the Country Ballroom in Tulsk, Co Roscommon, next Monday, 24 March.

Johnny Carroll has resided in Galway for many years. He loves the ambience of the place and its proximity to Galway Bay, where he often watches the sun go down – just like in the famous song.

He is from the old school, still possessing a childlike fascination with the business that has been his life over the decades.

“Showbusiness is in my blood. My first stage show with The Premier Aces was in The Maple in Ballinrobe in 1958.

“My second time on stage with them was in Cong, that lovely and enchanting village on the borders of Mayo and Galway where John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and John Ford and all the cast and crew filmed The Quiet Man just seven years earlier. There are not many parts of the country that I don’t know at this stage,” smiles Johnny.

“It was an amazing time to get into the showband scene back in those early days. The showband scene was just beginning to blossom and the decade that followed was a magical one where the music scene became a huge employer. Halls and venues sprang up all over the country. The crowds going dancing in those times were phenomenal.

“You can imagine the thrill it was for a young lad from Co Roscommon to travel to America and Canada with The Premier Aces. Houston Wells joined us for a time and he brought a lot of attention to the band during those two years.

“I was very sorry to hear of his death in New Zealand in recent weeks. He was a great front man and singer.”

After the Premier Aces went their own way, Johnny joined the band known as Murphy and The Swallows, who charted with songs like Blue Transistor Radio, Ned Kelly, and Don’t Take Advantage of Me. From there it was on to Magic and the Magic Band.

Towards the late 1970s, Johnny branched out on his own and was dubbed The Man With The Golden Trumpet by his new manager at the time, Donie Cassidy from Castlepollard. He recorded some hugely successful trumpet instrumental albums in those times.

Overseas

Over the last decade or so, Johnny has been closely associated with Gerry Flynn and the Enjoy Travel Company, with whom he has performed with on numerous occasions on their overseas trips to Spain and Portugal, as well as the island of Ibiza and at their various promotions in Ireland the UK.

“I have made so many friends from all over Ireland, England and further afield on these trips. You look forward to meeting the regulars year after year at the shows.

“You go out there and you put on the jacket and you’re right back where you love to be – entertaining the patrons. I never get tired of that feeling.”

The new 14-track album To Whom It Concerns, was recorded at Tony Maher’s Studios beside Headford.

“Tony is such a gentleman and we had good fun recording it.

“This is my first album for some years and I am delighted with it. The title track is the old Chris Andrews tune which was the signature tune for the Late Late Show for years.

“Country numbers like Silver Threads and Golden Needles, Cryin’ Time, For The Good Times, I Can’t Stop Loving You, and Release Me are included in the collection.

“So too are Amazing Grace, She Wears My Ring, Magic Moments, Save The Last Dance For Me, It Is No Secret, and others. It’s a showcase for the kind of music and songs that are close to my heart,” reflects Johnny.

Special night

On Monday night, 24 March, Johnny will return to his home county for the big launch night in Tulsk. He will be joined by some friends from the business, including Trudi Lalor, PJ Murrihy, Carmel McLoughlin, Frank Kilbride, the Irish Knights and Dessie O’Halloran. The backing band for the night is Sea Breeze from Waterford. Eugene Murphy from Shannonside Radio will be the main compere for the night.

“It is going to be a special night for me after all these years. Several people have contacted me to say they are making the trip. I expect some old friends from the Premier Aces to ramble along as well. I am so thankful to Irish Country Living for lending support to my launch.

Ye are at the heart of promoting so many acts from all age groups. I am so much looking forward to a great night in Tulsk,” says Johnny.