Hal for Castlebar

Hal Ketchum is far from past the point of rescue

Country Roads
Michael Commins

IRISH songwriter Mick Hanly provided the words that gave Hal Ketchum his biggest hit stateside. ‘Past the Point of Rescue’ became a number one success in the USA, catapulting Hal to international stardom.
Now, the man who combines such a variety of careers as poet, songwriter, painter, carpenter, singer, actor, and author is on an Irish tour. And he plays a concert date in the Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Wednesday, April 16, at 8pm.
He made his way to Texas in the early eighties where he made his mark with future pals Lyle Lovett, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Willie Nelson, and Asleep at the Wheel, among others. It was a hot bed for these young talents and they were making history.
Hal landed his record deal in the early ‘90s. His first single went straight to number one scoring Hal his first Gold record. The song is his now famous, ‘Small Town Saturday Night’.
Since then Ketchum has had 15 top ten hits, countless songwriting awards, and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. His release, ‘Lucky Man’, scored the top 40 hit with ‘She Is’, written for his muse, Gina. Hal and Gina were married on Valentine’s Day 1998 and have three children.
Whether he’s singing, painting, building or writing...he’s bringing joy to his family, friends and fans all over the world. A reviewer in USA Today is quoted as saying: “Ketchum has the most effervescent voice in country music today.”
Tickets are €33 and can be purchased from the theatre box office in Castlebar on 0818 300 000, on the website www.royaltheatre.ie and from all usual outlets.

Big Tom back to full health

SEVERAL enquiries have come our way in relation to Big Tom and how he has been doing since the night he took ill in Castlebar. The good news for all fans of the country legend is that Tom appears to have made a full recovery and that all tests have come up clear.
Tom, who has a great love for sport and is a staunch supporter of his native Monaghan, travelled to Cork last Saturday night week to support his home county in their National League game against Cork. Afterwards, Tom and his manager Kevin McCooey went to see The Outlaws on stage in Glenville, a few miles from Cork city. There was absolute amazement from the country fans when Big Tom walked into the venue.
He was given a huge round of applause and spent nearly an hour having his picture taken on mobile phone cameras as he was surrounded by well wishers and fans.
He has been booked to headline the big London Irish Festival in Willsden Park on July 27.

Julia Fox mourned in Swinford

JULIA Fox, mother of Mayo-based country singer, Michael Fox, passed away peacefully in recent weeks at the age of 90 years in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar.
Julia (nee Convey from Cloonaboy, Swinford) and Michael, who met at a dance in Swinford Town Hall, left Bellaghy, Charlestown in 1947 to settle in Birmingham where they raised their three children, Michael, Tommy and Angela. During their time in Birmingham they lived in the English Martyrs, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Ambrose Barlow Parishes.
In 2004 Julia and Michael returned to Swinford to live near their son Michael but, regretfully, ill health necessitated that they move, towards the end of last year, into St Ann’s Nursing Home, Charlestown where Michael Senior continues to reside.
Michael Snr was substantially involved in the construction industry, predominantly as Foxlee Contractors Limited, and latterly as Fox & Mullowney Limited. Foxlee Contractors was awarded, in the late 1950s, the contract for the construction of the first section of the Birmingham Inner Ring Road, from the Horsefair, Bristol Street, to the Bull Ring.
Large numbers attended her waking at St Ann’s Nursing Home where she resided with her husband Michael, and her funeral Mass in Swinford Parish Church, where she wed her husband Michael some 63 years ago.
Their son Michael is a regular contributor to a number of publications, including The Harp which is published monthly in Birmingham, Ireland’s Eye, and The Mayo News.
He is also the host of two country music shows on Castlebar Community Radio. Nice ‘n Country features Irish singers and airs at 2pm on Friday with a repeat on Tuesday at 6pm, and Stateside Country which goes out at 8pm on Sunday with a repeat at 3pm on Thursday. He also co-presents the Community Omnibus with Johnny Oosten at 11am three mornings a week.
Condolences to the Fox family on their sad bereavement.