Birthday bash honours Big Tom: Late 'king of country' remembered on his 90th with weekend gigs
A weekend-long series of concerts are honouring Ireland’s late ‘king of country’, Big Tom, on what would have been his 90th birthday.
Coming up this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the shows celebrate the life, music and legacy of Tom McBride, bringing a host of today’s stars together to mark an influence that stands as tall as the man himself.
Talking place in his native Co Monaghan, the trio of free gigs are in Castleblayney close to the Co Armagh border – going back to Big Tom’s roots, as he grew up on his family’s farm a few miles outside the town and got his musical start there with his hitmaking band the Mainliners.
Big Tom passed away in 2018 at the age of 81, bringing the final curtain down on a career spanning more than five decades that saw him rack up hit singles with the Mainliners and solo, as well as an enviable run of albums that saw him continue to release new material well into his seventies.
He would have turned 90 this Friday; marking the occasion, the opening tribute gig will be a family affair, featuring performances from his son Thomas McBride Jnr and great-grandnephew Damian Davis, as well as the ‘prince of Irish country’ John Hogan plus Co Tyrone’s own Barry Kirwan and music scene mainstays Norman Borland, Ger Long, Chrissy Mac and Small Tom Hughes.
Co Fermanagh singer and radio presenter Malcolm McDowell will host the evening and is to perform a selection of Big Tom’s songs
Saturday’s show is headlined by Cavan-born Eamon Jackson is special guest on Saturday, joined by Conor O’Donnell, Mick Mulhern, Martin Cuffe, David Kiernan, Co Tyrone ‘yodelling cowgirl’ Lauren Eva Rose, and noted saxophone player Bob Saxx Hunt.
Celebrations conclude on Sunday with a line-up that includes John Glenn, who took over as frontman of the Mainliners after Big Tom’s shock split from the band in 1975 – though they eventually reunited with the big man, and even in the 21st century their occasional tours remained one of the biggest live draws on the country scene throughout the entire island of Ireland.
Joining John are pillars of Irish country Mick Flavin, Louise Morrissey and Robert Mizzell, alongside a returning Thomas McBride Jnr, Damian Davis and Small Tom.
All three events take place at Castleblayney’s Old Coach Inn, with backing from Brian Kerrigan throughout – and Co Down’s Jordan McPolin, this year’s winner of Republic of Ireland TV channel TG4’s annual country talent search Glor Tire, is also set to be on hand throughout the weekend.
Stated Malcom McDowell: “With Big Tom’s music at the heart of each evening, the weekend will bring together artists, friends and fans to celebrate a man whose songs became part of the soundtrack of Irish life.
“The weekend will also remember Big Tom’s late, beloved and devoted wife, Rose, who shared so much of his remarkable journey and remained a much-loved and cherished part of his life and story.
“There is never an admission or cover charge at the Old Coach Inn, and everyone is warmly invited to come along and celebrate the 90th birthday of Big Tom – Ireland’s beloved king of country.”