It’s silver jubilee time for Declan Nerney and it looks like he could have the summer country hit of 2014 on his hands. The Ballad of Big Tom, released at the weekend, is proving very popular on the airwaves.
The song, composed by Henry McMahon, got its premiere on the Wednesday night Late Show on Midwest Radio in Mayo last week. The programme was flooded with messages of congratulations and such was the phenomenal response that the song was played three times during the course of the show, the first time this had happened since the station came on air in 1989.
“I was knocked out by the response of listeners to the Midwest show,” said Declan. “It gave the song the perfect start and I am glad to say that the reaction I am getting from all over Ireland and via the internet is just amazing.”
Story of Big Tom
“Henry has done a great job in telling the story of Big Tom and The Mainliners and The Travellers in three and a half minutes. We recorded it with Jonathon Owens in Granard and we also got Seamus McMahon and Pakie McDermott in for the recording. I am delighted with the song,” added Declan
There are songs for singers and singers for songs and no one will dispute the fact that this song belongs entirely to Declan Nerney. No one else could have captured the magic of this great story. Nerney’s admiration and affection for Big Tom knows no bounds and this warmth and respect radiates from every word, line, and beat in this production.
“We all know we will never again witness anyone remotely like Tom,” enthuses Declan. “The respect for the man is incredible. He has that special ability to touch the hearts of thousands. No one can make that connection in the same way. He is a legend now for close on 50 years. That is almost unheard of and a measure of the man’s genuine standing as a national treasure.
“Tom married local girl Rose King in September 1964 and they raised a family of four, Thomas, Ashling, Siobhan and Dermot, and they have nine beautiful grandchildren. They built their family home in Oram, about three miles out from Castleblayney.
“They have never moved from there in all the years. Their home has welcomed thousands over the years with great warmth and dignity. You still walk around the side of the house and in the back door.”
Henry McMahon, who has penned some major hits for Declan, including The Marquee in Drumlish, says he is chuffed with the early feedback on the new release.
“From the moment I finished the song, I knew it was destined for Declan Nerney. He has an instinctive feel for the way I envisaged the song and he has given it the five-star treatment. I am delighted for Declan and especially thrilled that we have another song that tells the story of the man who has been at the heart of the country scene in Ireland for five decades now.”
Twenty-five years have slipped by since Declan launched his own band in 1989. Prior to that, he featured in a number of top country bands, including The Buckaroos, fronted by Brian Coll, and The Homesteaders, fronted by Gene Stuart.
“It has been a great journey and I am so thankful to the many people who have been so supportive of me during that time. I love the scene as much as ever and I still get a great buzz when I record a song that makes that special connection.
“I have penned some of the songs along the way but I must also acknowledge the generosity and talents of those songwriters who shared some wonderful gems with me. I especially need to mention Henry McMahon, whose trademark is featured on eight of my top hits, from The Marquee in Drumlish to the current Ballad of Big Tom.
“The late Theresa O’Donnell from Suncroft, Co Kildare, who wrote Part of The Journey for me, among many other songs, was a very special talent too. It was Theresa who wrote the first ever Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, Walking the Streets in the Rain, which was performed by Butch Moore.
Highlights
“Some of the highlights over the last 25 years include performing at Croke Park on All-Ireland final day, touring every continent, as well as China, with my band, appearances on radio and television worldwide, performing with my beautiful and talented niece Una Foden (Healy) on the Late Late Show and our annual Hooley in the Sun which we have ran successfully for the last 10 years.
“The business has been very good to me and thank God I have been blessed with good health to enjoy it so much.”
• Watch out for a massive celebration night in the Marquee in Drumlish on Monday, 18 August, when Declan will celebrate his silver jubilee as lead singer with his own band. Joining him for the big night in his home town will be Margo O’Donnell, Mick Flavin, Michale English, Jimmy Buckley and Lisa McHugh.
It’s silver jubilee time for Declan Nerney and it looks like he could have the summer country hit of 2014 on his hands. The Ballad of Big Tom, released at the weekend, is proving very popular on the airwaves.
The song, composed by Henry McMahon, got its premiere on the Wednesday night Late Show on Midwest Radio in Mayo last week. The programme was flooded with messages of congratulations and such was the phenomenal response that the song was played three times during the course of the show, the first time this had happened since the station came on air in 1989.
“I was knocked out by the response of listeners to the Midwest show,” said Declan. “It gave the song the perfect start and I am glad to say that the reaction I am getting from all over Ireland and via the internet is just amazing.”
Story of Big Tom
“Henry has done a great job in telling the story of Big Tom and The Mainliners and The Travellers in three and a half minutes. We recorded it with Jonathon Owens in Granard and we also got Seamus McMahon and Pakie McDermott in for the recording. I am delighted with the song,” added Declan
There are songs for singers and singers for songs and no one will dispute the fact that this song belongs entirely to Declan Nerney. No one else could have captured the magic of this great story. Nerney’s admiration and affection for Big Tom knows no bounds and this warmth and respect radiates from every word, line, and beat in this production.
“We all know we will never again witness anyone remotely like Tom,” enthuses Declan. “The respect for the man is incredible. He has that special ability to touch the hearts of thousands. No one can make that connection in the same way. He is a legend now for close on 50 years. That is almost unheard of and a measure of the man’s genuine standing as a national treasure.
“Tom married local girl Rose King in September 1964 and they raised a family of four, Thomas, Ashling, Siobhan and Dermot, and they have nine beautiful grandchildren. They built their family home in Oram, about three miles out from Castleblayney.
“They have never moved from there in all the years. Their home has welcomed thousands over the years with great warmth and dignity. You still walk around the side of the house and in the back door.”
Henry McMahon, who has penned some major hits for Declan, including The Marquee in Drumlish, says he is chuffed with the early feedback on the new release.
“From the moment I finished the song, I knew it was destined for Declan Nerney. He has an instinctive feel for the way I envisaged the song and he has given it the five-star treatment. I am delighted for Declan and especially thrilled that we have another song that tells the story of the man who has been at the heart of the country scene in Ireland for five decades now.”
Twenty-five years have slipped by since Declan launched his own band in 1989. Prior to that, he featured in a number of top country bands, including The Buckaroos, fronted by Brian Coll, and The Homesteaders, fronted by Gene Stuart.
“It has been a great journey and I am so thankful to the many people who have been so supportive of me during that time. I love the scene as much as ever and I still get a great buzz when I record a song that makes that special connection.
“I have penned some of the songs along the way but I must also acknowledge the generosity and talents of those songwriters who shared some wonderful gems with me. I especially need to mention Henry McMahon, whose trademark is featured on eight of my top hits, from The Marquee in Drumlish to the current Ballad of Big Tom.
“The late Theresa O’Donnell from Suncroft, Co Kildare, who wrote Part of The Journey for me, among many other songs, was a very special talent too. It was Theresa who wrote the first ever Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, Walking the Streets in the Rain, which was performed by Butch Moore.
Highlights
“Some of the highlights over the last 25 years include performing at Croke Park on All-Ireland final day, touring every continent, as well as China, with my band, appearances on radio and television worldwide, performing with my beautiful and talented niece Una Foden (Healy) on the Late Late Show and our annual Hooley in the Sun which we have ran successfully for the last 10 years.
“The business has been very good to me and thank God I have been blessed with good health to enjoy it so much.”
• Watch out for a massive celebration night in the Marquee in Drumlish on Monday, 18 August, when Declan will celebrate his silver jubilee as lead singer with his own band. Joining him for the big night in his home town will be Margo O’Donnell, Mick Flavin, Michale English, Jimmy Buckley and Lisa McHugh. 
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