Change of direction

Patrick decides to hang up his dancing shoes

Country Roads
Michael Commins

THE decision by Patrick Feeney to quit the dance circuit for the foreseeable future has taken many by surprise. The young Sligo singer, who had carved out quite a name for himself on the country-music scene over the last three years, announced in recent days that he is to step down to concentrate on the concert circuit.
The change in direction for Patrick’s career is certainly not without risk. The concert circuit has limited appeal and can work reasonably well during the winter months. For a singer who made his name almost entirely on the country-music dance scene, stepping completely outside this circuit can present fresh problems for any entertainer.
However, it appears that Patrick has decided that the concert trail is the way to go. All dance dates have ceased with immediate effect. Work on the recording of a new album will take place in May and June. A major nationwide concert tour is being planned for October.
Patrick will be playing during the ‘Gurteen Goes to Spain’ overseas music holiday week later this month, and it is understood that La Bamba have been asked to support him for the show.
Manager Joe Finnegan believes Feeney’s future in the business lies in the concert circuit. He toured earlier this year with The Irish Collection and further promotional trips to America and Australia are being organised for later in the year. Time alone will tell if Patrick has made the correct decision with regards to his future in the music business. He is wished all the best in his new direction.

Brendan remembered
MANY people were deeply saddened to learn of the recent death of showband star, Brendan O’Brien from Cork. We carried a special feature on Brendan in The Mayo News in the aftermath of his sudden death in the city by the banks of the Lee. I also featured a tribute to Brendan on my show on Mid West Radio.
Paddy Kenny from the Mayo Foot Clinic in Castlebar knew Brendan well. He spent a few years in the southern capital and became closely acquainted with the music scene in those times.
In the aftermath of the recent tributes, Paddy recalls with much affection those halcyon days down south.
“I worked at the Metropole Hotel from 1965 to ’69, and St Patrick’s was my church. Across the road from the church was a dance club called The Oil Refinery. It was on the first floor, and there was a pole in the middle of the floor. I am sure many a bloke with a little drink taken backed his dance partner into it! It was a great place for nurses and gardaí, and I am sure a few marriages resulted from the meetings.
“There was a bar beside Patrick’s bridge called the Swan and Cygnet, and there were great music sessions there every Sunday from 12.30pm to 2pm. Brendan was a regular there as was Declan Ryan (from The Regal Showband) and others. I met Rory Gallagher there on one occasion.
“Many big bands played for the Lucy brothers in the Majorca Ballroom in Crosshaven on Saturday night and the Red Barn in Youghal on Sunday night, so many of them would turn up at The Swan on the Sunday morning. My friend’s brother, Jim Slye, was the circulation manager for ‘Spotlight’ magazine at the time, so I was in the middle of the action. Cork was a great place in the late ’60s.
“The Freshmen, who were great friends of mine, were huge in Cork. On one famous occasion, they did two gigs in the city on the same night, one in City Hall from 9pm to 11pm and the other in The Arcadia from 11.30pm to 1.30am.
The last time I met Brendan was about 15 years ago in An Sportlann, Castlebar, when Mitchels had a draw for a car. He was always proud of Cork and where he came from. I had a great time in Cork myself; it was there I met my wife Deirdre,” remembers Paddy.
Many thanks to Paddy Kenny for sharing those pleasant memories of happy times from the heyday of the show-band era. No doubt, they will rekindle fond memories in the hearts of some of our readers too.

Mick Flavin is chosen as Longford Person of the Year
MICK Flavin (pictured) has been honoured with the Longford Person of the Year award. The country singer from Drumlish celebrated 20 years in showbusiness last year. He was chosen for the honour by the Longford Association in Dublin and received the award at a dinner dance in the Red Cow Hotel.
After two decades playing shows all over the country and overseas, Mick was especially pleased to accept this recognition from his own people in Longford. No matter where the music road has taken him over the years, he has always been glad to return to his home county.
While he has been the recipient of many accolades in the field of country music over the past two decades, his selection as Longford Person of the Year must surely be right up at the very top. Congratulations Mick.

Belmont Hotel hosts concert for Ghana
GALWAY traditional and folk singer Sean Keane will headline a special concert in the Belmont Hotel in Knock on next Saturday night, May 17. The show is in support of the Ghana Project and is being coordinated by Carramore’s JJ Costello, Mayo Senior goalie during the 1970s.
Sean Keane is a member of the well-known Keane family from Caherlistrane and is a brother of Matt and Dolores. Joining him on the bill will be Kevin Prendergast along with John Walsh and Sean McDonagh (Galaxy), Dave Howley from Foxford and a number of other guests. The concert gets under way at 9.30pm.
“We are hoping that the event will receive good support,” says JJ. “On Saturday morning, we will be loading a container in Westport that will be heading out to Ghana with supplies. We are very grateful to the artists who are lending their support to the show in Knock this weekend. All we need now is a good crowd to come along and support the concert.”

Annual charity set dancing at The White House, Ballinlough
THE White House in Ballinlough will host its annual set-dancing venture in support of the Mayo-Roscommon Hospice Foundation this coming weekend, May 16, 17 and 18. Enthusiasts from many parts of the country are heading to Ballinlough for the celebrations.
The Davey Ceili Band get proceedings under way on Friday with dancing from 9.30pm to 1am. Pat Murphy will conduct a workshop on Saturday from 10.30am to 5pm. The Copper Plate from Omagh provide the music for the céilí mór on Saturday night. Dancing starts at 10pm and finishes at 1.30am. Another workshop will be held on Sunday from 11am to 1pm, and the Copper Plate will round off the weekend with an afternoon ceili from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
For information on the festivities contact Seamus Regan from Loughglynn on 086 8417899.