Noel Cassidy was the country boy from Longford who sang his heart out over the years. He was baptised in the waters of country music and from there flowed many a blessing.
His sudden death on 23 May 2017 came as a great shock to family and friends. He took ill while preparing to leave his home for a local gig.
The 62-year-old was a legendary character, especially on the north-midlands circuit. Noel fronted the Wagon Masters band back in the late 1970s, when they played dates all over Ireland and also undertook several tours of the Irish halls in England.
They held a reunion night in Arva three years ago and many memories were recalled from former times.
Radio
Noel also operated a pirate radio station from his home back in the mid-1980s, at the height of the radio boom.
These operations gave the rural people the kind of music they wanted to hear. The success of the pirates was entirely responsible for the legalisation of local and regional stations in 1989.
To coincide with the first anniversary of his passing, his family has released a CD boxset featuring 52 songs recorded by Noel over the years.
There is also a 12-page tribute booklet with special messages from friends in the business. The collection is poignantly entitled One Last Time and is a fitting tribute to this country legend.
Noel had an enduring friendship with country king Big Tom, going back over four decades.
Noel with his hero, Big Tom.
Noel with his hero, Big Tom.
The family requested a few lines from Big Tom earlier this year for inclusion in the tribute booklet and, sadly, Tom did not live to see it appear in print.
“Noel was a loveable rogue and he was a fine, fine singer. We had great times together over the years. He’ll be greatly missed,” reflected Big Tom.
Another legend of the scene, Margo, pays her own tribute to Noel.
“I got to know Noel in Manchester and what a wonderful singer he was. When he sang a song he made it come to life. Noel was a dear friend and his memory will live on forever with me.”
Former guitarist with Noel’s band, Liam Gill, said: “Noel was the most entertaining man I ever met, both on and off the stage.
He was a brilliant singer and a natural comedian. I spent many happy hours travelling with him and would only love to have them all again.
Terry Reynolds from Leitrim, long-time drummer and colleague of Noel, says he was a loyal friend and a brilliant singer: “Noel was full of good humour and wit.
"He had a rare gift of lifting people’s spirits after spending time in their company. I am thankful to have played alongside him, to have known him and to have been his friend.”
Other tributes
Others who pay tribute to Noel include Mick Flavin, John Hogan, Frank Nelson, Chuck Owens and June, Joe Finnegan, Seamus Farrell, Brendan Farrell, Seamus Moore, Frank Kilbride and Philip McLoughlin.
There is also one from former Kerry footballer Marc Ó Sé. Noel was an ardent supporter of Kerry over the years.
One Last Time is sure to be a cherished addition to the music collection of all who ever knew and cherished Noel.
A sample of the standards included here are North to Alaska, Spancil Hill, Amanda, River Road, My Old Sligo Home, Rose of the Mountain, The Homes of Donegal, We’ll Sweep Out The Ashes In the Morning, Truck Driving Man, Sing Me Back Home, Ballad of John Williams, Southern Dixie Flyer, You Seldom Come To See Me Anymore, The Lusmagh Fields So Green, Going to California, Railroad Bum and My Native Town Drumlish.
The organic nature of the rural Longford accent lends itself to the gentle ebb and flow of country songs, and Noel was there in the top league of that proud tradition.
He leaves us a rich legacy of true country music that will endure through the years. Noel Cassidy was the real deal.
• The Noel Cassidy three-CD box is now available in outlets in Longford, Cavan, Sligo and Castlebar, as well as many other outlets around the country. Further information may also be had from Sharpe Music in Dungannon (info@sharpemusic.com), Céol Music (Castleblayney), www.countrymusic.ie or email noelcassidy@hotmail.com. Read more
Country Sound: Sun is out for Summerfest
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Noel Cassidy was the country boy from Longford who sang his heart out over the years. He was baptised in the waters of country music and from there flowed many a blessing.
His sudden death on 23 May 2017 came as a great shock to family and friends. He took ill while preparing to leave his home for a local gig.
The 62-year-old was a legendary character, especially on the north-midlands circuit. Noel fronted the Wagon Masters band back in the late 1970s, when they played dates all over Ireland and also undertook several tours of the Irish halls in England.
They held a reunion night in Arva three years ago and many memories were recalled from former times.
Radio
Noel also operated a pirate radio station from his home back in the mid-1980s, at the height of the radio boom.
These operations gave the rural people the kind of music they wanted to hear. The success of the pirates was entirely responsible for the legalisation of local and regional stations in 1989.
To coincide with the first anniversary of his passing, his family has released a CD boxset featuring 52 songs recorded by Noel over the years.
There is also a 12-page tribute booklet with special messages from friends in the business. The collection is poignantly entitled One Last Time and is a fitting tribute to this country legend.
Noel had an enduring friendship with country king Big Tom, going back over four decades.
Noel with his hero, Big Tom.
Noel with his hero, Big Tom.
The family requested a few lines from Big Tom earlier this year for inclusion in the tribute booklet and, sadly, Tom did not live to see it appear in print.
“Noel was a loveable rogue and he was a fine, fine singer. We had great times together over the years. He’ll be greatly missed,” reflected Big Tom.
Another legend of the scene, Margo, pays her own tribute to Noel.
“I got to know Noel in Manchester and what a wonderful singer he was. When he sang a song he made it come to life. Noel was a dear friend and his memory will live on forever with me.”
Former guitarist with Noel’s band, Liam Gill, said: “Noel was the most entertaining man I ever met, both on and off the stage.
He was a brilliant singer and a natural comedian. I spent many happy hours travelling with him and would only love to have them all again.
Terry Reynolds from Leitrim, long-time drummer and colleague of Noel, says he was a loyal friend and a brilliant singer: “Noel was full of good humour and wit.
"He had a rare gift of lifting people’s spirits after spending time in their company. I am thankful to have played alongside him, to have known him and to have been his friend.”
Other tributes
Others who pay tribute to Noel include Mick Flavin, John Hogan, Frank Nelson, Chuck Owens and June, Joe Finnegan, Seamus Farrell, Brendan Farrell, Seamus Moore, Frank Kilbride and Philip McLoughlin.
There is also one from former Kerry footballer Marc Ó Sé. Noel was an ardent supporter of Kerry over the years.
One Last Time is sure to be a cherished addition to the music collection of all who ever knew and cherished Noel.
A sample of the standards included here are North to Alaska, Spancil Hill, Amanda, River Road, My Old Sligo Home, Rose of the Mountain, The Homes of Donegal, We’ll Sweep Out The Ashes In the Morning, Truck Driving Man, Sing Me Back Home, Ballad of John Williams, Southern Dixie Flyer, You Seldom Come To See Me Anymore, The Lusmagh Fields So Green, Going to California, Railroad Bum and My Native Town Drumlish.
The organic nature of the rural Longford accent lends itself to the gentle ebb and flow of country songs, and Noel was there in the top league of that proud tradition.
He leaves us a rich legacy of true country music that will endure through the years. Noel Cassidy was the real deal.
• The Noel Cassidy three-CD box is now available in outlets in Longford, Cavan, Sligo and Castlebar, as well as many other outlets around the country. Further information may also be had from Sharpe Music in Dungannon (info@sharpemusic.com), Céol Music (Castleblayney), www.countrymusic.ie or email noelcassidy@hotmail.com. Read more
Country Sound: Sun is out for Summerfest
Country Sound: Cowboys and heroes on-stage
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