All ABout The Cotton Mill Boys (1968-1984)

Photo Gallery - Band Lineups - Discography - Audio samples - Where Are They Now?

The Story

Not many bands in Ireland had the consistent staying power of the Cotton Mill Boys. Formed in 1968 at the end of the showband era, the Cottons were a part of the new breed of band, a country outfit in the purist sense. Along with the likes of The Hoot'nannys, Hillbillies, and others, the Cottons played country music, pure and simple and played it very well, if their long career is anything to judge them by.

It was the late sixties when Gerry Madigan and Brian Dowling formed a duo to play the Dublin club scene. With Brian on guitar and Gerry on five string banjo (and guitar) they played bluegrass music with close harmonies such as tunes from the famous Carter family (daughter June would marrie Johnny Cash). "We used to sing a song called Cotton Mill Girls," says Gerry, "one evening on the way into the 95 Club in Harcourt Street, Mick Moloney and Paul Brady (who were later to form The Johnstons folk group) said, “here come the Cotton Mill Boys” and the name stuck!"

In 1968, the band grew to a four piece adding Mick McManus (later to be known as the dancing fiddler) and Sean McAviney on washboard. Still playing a bluegrass set, the band was featured on the Late Late Show with Gay Byrne and played for six weeks in the Eamonn Andrews Club in Dublin.

Finally, in May, 1969, Gerry and the boys were ready to hit the road full time. They expanded the lineup, went electric and played their first gig in the Crystal Ballroom in Dublin. The lineup included Tommy Kinsella (bass), Paul Kenny (RIP-drums), Brian Harris (ex Creatures-guitar), Mick McManus (fiddle), Paul Duffy (keyboards), and Gerry on guitar, banjo and vocals. This lineup lasted only about a month though as the band realized they needed to be more commercial for the dancing scene.

A lead singer was found in Mike Scott (who would later front the Hoot'nanny's) and after a couple of other changes, the "original" lineup (photo above) was left to right: Tommy Kinsella (bass), Frank "Monty" Montgomery (guitar), Gerry Madigan (banjo/guitar), Mike Scott (vocals), Buddy Boland (lead guitar), Paul Kenny (drums) and seated in front, Mick Manus (fiddle). Although this would form the basis of the band for the next four years, there was one more change during that first year: Tony Hughes replaced Frank on rhythm guitar and vocals and the lineup was finalized. Tony had been with The Lions Showband which he joined in May, 1969.

With heavy influences from bluegrass, the band was like nothing else on the Irish scene. They were an immediate hit with dancers. Before 1969 was finished, they had released their first single, "Joey Maroney" written and sung by Gerry Madigan and appeared on the Late Late Show again in October.

With Gerry on banjo and Mick dancing across the stage with his fiddle, the band could take their music to places Irish punters had never heard before, getting the place up and "jiving" in minutes. Mike Scott and Tony Hughes both had great singing voices that allowed the band to cover a wide range of musical styles across the spectrum of country music. However, the band suffered its first major setback when Paul Kenny passed away after only six months on the road. Shocked and saddened by his passing, the band had to find a replacement. They hired Martin McGregor from Draperstown, Co. Derry to come in on drums.

In the early 70's the band went from strength to strength under the watchful eye of manager, Brian Molloy (RIP) who also owned Hawk Records, the band's label. The next major change for the band occurred in 1973. Mike Scott left the band to join the Hoot'nanny's, an outfit that looked and sounded remarkably like the Cottons. To counter the loss of Mike, the Cottons brought in Des Wilson, who had previously been with the Grass Roots. A keyboard player with a strong country voice, Des brought a new dimension to the band and they continued to maintain their popularity as one of the country's top country outfits. At around the same time, founder Gerry Madigan also left the band for a time when he got married and he was replaced by Ted Reid on steel guitar. There were also two other major changes in that Buddy Boland left and was replaced by Phillip Duffy on guitar and Tommy Kinsella said goodbye to be replaced by Don Sherry, husband of singer Gloria.

1978 was also to be a tumultuous year for the band. Early in the year, they appeared on the Benny Hill Show on May 30th playing the Orange Blossom Special. Also in 1978, RTE gave the band their own six part series which allowed them to show the full spectrum of their musical styles which had been enhanced with the addition of Francie Lenehan on guitar. Francie had previously played with Frankie Carroll's Ranchers among others.

However, after the success of having their own television series on RTE, the band lost three members: Francie Lenehan, Gene Berrill (drums), Bobby McGawley (bass) left. The new lineup included John McGrenra (bass), John Mc Manus of Dublin on drums (originally with Carol & New Blues), Brendan O Keefe of Dublin on guitar, and Brendan O'Brien of Dublin (brother of Irish rocker Deke O'Brien) on keyboards, along with Charlie, Tony, and Gerry.

Shortly after, at almost the same time, Gerry Madigan left the band to form a new blue grass cabaret outfit called Mash with George Kaye, former fiddle star of both the Smokey Mountain Ramblers and Rocky Tops. Although a great lineup, the band was short lived and Gerry would return to the Cotton's lineup a year or two later. The Cottons, in the meantime, carried on, buoyed by the success of their TV series. They released a best selling album from the series and another, The Best Of The Cotton Mill Boys on the K-Tel label.

The band continued to fo the usual Irish circuit, as well as a lot of concert shows in the U.K. including Country Clubs and Festivals. They spent six weeks touring the whole of the UK from Inverness in North Scotland all the way down to the Isle of Whyte in the south. They also played all the American Air Bases in the UK which would consist of three 45 minute shows with 20 minute breaks in between. The band was handled in the UK by Lou Rodgers father of the 70s singing star Clodagh Rodgers. On most trips they would appear on local TV evening magazine shows as a promo to the local appearances.

More to come......

Our special thanks to Gerry Madigan, founder of the Cottons, and John McGrenra (bass player from 1979-1984) for their assistance in writing this history of the band.

Photo Gallery

click on thumbnails for full image


Cotton Mill Boys - 1969	Cotton Mill Boys - 1969	Cotton Mill Boys - 1969	Cotton Mill Boys	Cotton Mill Boys

Cotton Mill Boys	Cotton Mill Boys	Cotton Mills Boys - '71	Cotton Mill Boys - 1973	Cotton Mill Boys - 1973

Cotton Mill Boys - 1974	Gerry & Charlie	Cotton Mill Boys - TV Series Photo 1978	Cotton Mill Boys - 1978	Cotton Mill Boys - 1979

Mash - 1979 (PH)	Cotton Mill Boys-1979	Cotton Mill Boys-1979	Cotton Mill Boys - 1979	Cottons Advert

Cotton Mill Boys - 1983	Sharon King - 1984	Cottons - 1984	Cottons - 1984	Cottons - 1984

Cotton Mill Boys - 1970	Cottons-early 80's (JM)	Article 1970	Cotton Mil Boys - 1976	Coming Soon
Record Sleeves

A - Cotton Mill Boys	B - Cotton Mill Boys	A - Cotton Mill Boys	B - Cotton Mill Boys	Final LP Cover

Lineup Changes

Year	Vocals	Guitar	Bass	Drums	Gtr/Keyboards	Banjo/Steel	Fiddle
1968		Brian Dowling				Gerry Madigan
1968		Brian Dowling		Sean McAviney		Gerry Madigan	Mick McManus
1969 1 m		Brian Harris	Tommy Kinsella	Paul Kenny	Paul Duffy	Gerry Madigan	Mick McManus
1969 4 m	Mike Scott	Frank Montgomery	Tommy Kinsella	Paul Kenny	Buddy Boland	Gerry Madigan	Mick McManus
1969	Mike Scott	Tony Hughes	Tommy Kinsella	Paul Kenny	Buddy Boland	Gerry Madigan	Mick McManus
1969	Mike Scott	Tony Hughes	Tommy Kinsella	Martin McGregor	Buddy Boland	Gerry Madigan	Mick McManus
1973	Tony Hughes	Phillip Duffy	Don Sherry	Chris Collum	Des Wilson	Ted Reid	Mick McManus
1975	Tony Hughes		Brendan Jameson	James Hanlon	Des Wilson	Gerry Madigan	Charlie Arkin
1976	Tony Hughes	Francie Lenehan	Bobby McGawley	Gene Berrill	Des Wilson	Gerry Madigan	Charlie Arkin
1978	Tony Hughes	Brian O'Keefe	Bobby McGawley	Gene Berrill	Des Wilson	Gerry Madigan	Charlie Arkin
1979	Tony Hughes	Brian O'Keefe	John McGrenra	John McManus	Brendan O'Brien		Charlie Arkin
1980	Tony Hughes	Gene Inglesby	John McGrenra	Pat Waller	Brendan O'Brien	Nicki Brennan	Charlie Arkin
1980	Tony Hughes	Martin Johnston	John McGrenra	Pat Waller	Brendan O'Brien	Dan McAteer	Charlie Arkin
1982	Tony Hughes	Harry Martin	John McGrenra	Alan Barton	Brendan O'Brien		Charlie Arkin
1983		Aidan Cunningham	John McGrenra	Alan Barton		Gerry Madigan	Charlie Arkin
1984	Sharon King	Aidan Cunningham	John McGrenra	Alan Barton		Gerry Madigan	Charlie Arkin

Discography:

Singles:

Cotton Mill Hoedown / Y’All Come
Diamond Records - CMD 101 - 1968
Joey Maroney / My Clinch Mountain Home (featuring Gerry Madigan)
Target Records - 7N.17783 - 1969
Goodbye My Darling / Little Liza Jane
Target Records - 7N.17857 - 1969
Silver Haired Daddy / Jesse James - #13 Irish Charts
Target Records - 7N.17922 - February, 1970
Wild Irish Rose / Buddy's Tune (featuring Tony Hughes)
Target Records - 7N.17969 - 1970
Old Home Place / You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
Target Records - 7N.45028 - 1971
Top Forty / Bridle On The Wall
Eagle Records - EA.100 - 1971
Cricklewood (Mike Scott) / Flop-Eared Mule (Mick McManus)
Target Records - 7N.45059 - July, 1971
End of a Lonely Day / Betty Jane (featuring Tony Hughes) - #16 Irish Charts
Polydor Records - 2078-009 - August, 1971
How Can I Write On Paper (Mike Scott) / Ashes Of Love (Gerry Madigan) - #19 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 303 - June, 1972
Try A Little Kindness (Tony Hughes) / Katy Clyne (Gerry Madigan) / The Maiden's Prayer (Mick McManus) /
Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger (Mike Scott)- #7 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 307 - 1977
Judy (Tony Hughes) / Lost Indian (Mick McManus) - #7 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 315 - April, 1973
Please Daddy (Tony Hughes) / You’re No Longer A Sweetheart Of Mine (Gerry Madigan) / 500 Miles (Mike McManus) / Charlestown Tavern (Des Wilson) - #18 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 329 - November, 1973
Arms Full of Empty (Des Wilson) / She Thinks I Still Care (Tony Hughes) - #11 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 335 - March, 1974
(All Together Now) Let’s Fall Apart / Now You’re Gone (featuring Tony Hughes) - #17 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 343 - June, 1974
Will The Circle Be Unbroken / Joey Maroney
Hawk Records - HASP 381 - 1976
The Wedding Song / You'll Never be Lonely Again - #1 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 393 - August, 1976
Raining In My Heart/Orange Blossom Special (Charlie Arkins) - #2 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 396 - 1976
I Don't Regret A Minute / Turkey In The Straw - #15 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 403 - February, 1977
I’ve Just Seen Her Face (Gerry Madigan) / Heathery Breezes (Charlie Arkins)
Hawk Records - HASP 407 - 1977
Lucille - #2 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - April, 1977
Heaven's Just A Sin Away / Showboat Gambler - #12 Irish Charts
Hawk Records - HASP 416 - April, 1978
Whiskey / Catwillow River
Hawk Records - HASP 429 - November, 1978
You Are No Angel (with Kim Newport) / Penelope
Hawk Records - HASP 435 - April, 1979
Devil Went Down To Georgia
Hawk Records - HASP 446 - October, 1979
Truck Drivin' Man
Hawk Records - 1979
Should I Come Home / Should I Come Home (instrumental)
Hawk Records - April, 1980
Watch and Gold Chain / The Devil Went Down To Georgia (featuring Gerry Madigan)
Homespun Records - HS 067 - 1983
Take Me Back To Tulsa (Gerry Madigan) / Fire On The Mountain (Charlie Arkins & Gerry Madigan)
Homespun Records - HS 086 - 1984

Albums:

Bullseye
Marble Arch Records - MAL 1345 - 1970
The Many Sides of the Cotton Mill Boys
Hawk Records - HALP 103 - 1972
Cotton Mill Boy (featuring Gerry Madigan)
Hawk Records - HALP 108 - 1972
Hitsville
Hawk Records - HALP 108 - 1973
Try A Little Kindness
Hawk Records - HALP 121 - 1974
The All Star Cotton Mill Boys
Hawk Records - HALP 124 - 1974
25 Country Classics     Vol. 1
Hawk Records - HALP 133 - 1974
25 Country Classics     Vol. 2
Hawk Records - HALP 137 - 1975
25 Country Classics     Vol. 3
Hawk Records - HALP 145 - 1975
Orange Blossom Special
Hawk Records - HALP 158 - 1976
Flyin' High
Hawk Records - HALP 171 - 1977
16 Songs From Their RTE Series
RTE Records - RTE 52 - 1978
Cotton Pickin'
Heritage Records - HSLP 006 -
The Best Of The Cotton Mill Boys, Vol. 1
Harp/Pickwick Records - HPE 627 -
Cotton Mill Boy's Golden Collection
K-Tel Records - KLP 50 - 1980

Audio Clips

Coming Soon

Where Are They Now? (Coming Soon)

	Gerry Madigan: After leaving the Cottons in the Fall of 1978, Gerry formed his own highly successful bluegrass band called Mash, but he was back with the Cottons in the early 1980's. By the mid 80's, the scene was dying and Gerry left the music industry and ended up as Managing Director of Gym Services, Ireland, a financial services company. In the mid 1990's, Gerry emigrated to Canada and wrote his book, Five Plateaus of Progress, which was not only a best seller, but forms the basis for his management company. He and his wife, Marina, have six children and love Canada, although he visits Ireland regularly.
	Mick McManus:
	Brian Harris:
	Tommy Kinsella:
	Paul Kenny: RIP
	Paul Duffy:
	Mike Scott:
	Frank Montgomery:
	Buddy Boland:
	Tony Hughes:
	Martin McGregor:
	Phillip Duffy:
	Don Sherry:
	Chris Collum:
	Des Wilson: RIP
	Charlie Arkin:
	Francie Lenehan: After leaving the Cotton Mills Boys, Francie returned to Sligo where he formed Southern Confort a very popular group with his brother John and drummer Billy Kelly. In the mid 80's Francie was part of The Hennigan's Blooze Band with James Blennerhassett, who now tours with Mary Black. Preferring not to travel much, Francie still lives in Sligo and play regularly across the country. He is in demand for both live work and recording sessions and plays regularly with names such as Ray Lynam and others.
	Gene Berrill:
	Brendan Jameson:
	James Hanlon:
	Bobby McGawley:
	Brendan O'Keefe:
	John McGrenra: John was with the Cottons until they called it quits in the early 1980's. He returned to his native Donegal and formed the very popular band, Choice.
	John McManus:
	Brendan O'Brien:
	Gene Inglesby: RIP After leaving the Cottons, Gene went on to play with the Nevada in their latter days. Gene sadly passed away on January 4, 1990. Our thanks to John McGrenra and Gene's daughter, Dawn, for the information.
	Pat Waller:
	Nicki Brennan:
	Martin Johnson:
	Dan McAteer: