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Country Style Feature (1970-1983)

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

The Story

The band got its start when Ian Corrigan left the Casino/Indians to go out on his own. Articles reporting the move said Ian had left because as a country singer, he wasn't enjoying playing with a "pop band" (Editor's note, the Casino would eventually become the Indians, one of the top country bands ever in Ireland). The band was being managed by the Casino's manager Liam Ryan. It appears the first version of the band was launched on St. Stephen's Night (December 26th), 1970 with a totally different set of musicians.

The original lineup was a six piece band and featured Ian Corrigan (vocals), Tom McDonnell (guitar), Frank Owens (bass), Naoise Judge (keyboards/fiddle), Jimmy O'Neill (drums), and Billy Byrne (trumpet). In initial adverts the bands was called "Corrigan and Country Style." The band's early days garnered a lot of press coverage.

In February 1971, Spotlight reported Ian and Country Style had signed a recording contract with EMI records. There first single (with three tracks) was released in March and included The Gallant John Joe about the Cavan footballer John Joe O'Reilly. The record sold well and made the Irish top twenty topping out at number 18. With a record in the charts and great management, the band really hit the ground running and before long were playing most of the major venues up and down the country.  

At some point in 1971, half the band's line-up changed when Martin Geraghty (guitar), Brian Wynne (trumpet) and Norman Clifford joined the band making it a seven piece with Tom McDonnell and Billy Byrne leaving. The band released a second record, The Old Gang's Gone around September of 1971 which unlike their first offering did not sell well enough to make the charts. It was on the Ruby label but used a Columbia record catalog number.  

In or around May of 1972 the entire band was replaced by the Annalees Showband from Cavan. There was no explanation for the change, but the new band undertook a short English tour before making their Irish debut on May 14th. The line-up was Mattie Smith (guitar), Jim Leonard (bass), Bud O'Neill (drums), Howard Lowry (keyboards), Norman Clifford (sax), Frankie Smith (trumpet), Gerry Smith (trombone) and Ian on vocals making them an eight piece for the first time.

Later that year in October, the band signed with the Release Organisation and was being managed by Willie McCormick, who was also looking after the Lightning Express at the time. In early 12973, the band released "House of Pride," which sold well enough to nearly make the top ten, peaking at number 13th and giving them the lift they needed and they continued to do great business around the country. Later in the year (August) Ian would release "I Hate Goodbyes" which would once again make the charts, but topping out at number 15th. With two chart singles in a row, it was beginning to look like Ian and his Country Style might become a top tier band along with the likes of the Big Tom and Philomena Begley.    

In January 1974, the band release Rainbow and Roses, but unfortunately it didn't make the charts. However, they were still very much in demand on the circuit as the Irish entertainment scene continued to morph from the showbands (where everybody played everything) to more distinctive pop and country bands. Some halls would go one way or the other, but many would have different nights featuring specific genres. Release put out an album called The Best of Ian Corrigan Country around this same time. The band would release another record in August of 1974, The Streets of Baltimore, which was a huge hit for Des Kelly and the Capitol back in 1967, but did not make the charts for Ian.

In April, 1975, Ian would release his last chart single, an ode to his own "County Cavan" which was his highest placed hit topping out at number 11 on the Irish charts. For the remainder of the 1970's Ian and the band would work the circuit, releasing the occasional single, but never reaching the heights they had in the early part of the decade. This was more so because of the slow decay of the ballroom generation and the rise of discos and bar extensions in the hotels which allowed drinking as late as 2:00 am if a "meal" was served (usually geasy chicken and chips). The hotels were warmer than the old ballroms but more importantly, they served alcohol.     

On May 19th, 1982, Ian was severely injured in a football match and suffered extensive injuries to his face and mouth. During the ensuing court case, he explained that because he could not sing for over six months, he had to disband the band and when he finally could sing again he could only formed a local trio, but could no longer tour. He would eventually lose the court case and his claim for £15,000 in early 1983 (see below).

The last regular dance listings for the band we could find was in 1983, although we did come across an advert for Ian Corrigan and Country Style as late as 2009.

If you have more info, please email us.

More to come.....

Photo Gallery

click on thumbnails for full image

Country Style - 1970 Country Style - 1970 Country Style - 1971 Country Style - 1971 Country Style-1971 (RF)
Country Style-1971 (RF) Country Style - 1971 (BW) Country Style (RF) Country Style (RF) Country Style (RF)
Country Style (RF) Country Style - 1972 Country Style - 1972 Country Style (RF) Country Style - 1973 (RF)
Country Style - 1973 (RF) Country Style (RF) Country Style (RF) Country Style-1973 (RF) Country Style - 1974
Country Style - 1975 Country Style (RF) Country Style (PH) Country Style (RF) Country Style (RF)
Country Style-1975 (RF) Country Style (RF) Country Style (DL) Country Style (RF) Country Style - 1983
         

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Years Vocals Guitar Bass Drums Keyboards Sax Trumpet Trombone
Dec
1970
Ian
Corrigan
Tom
McDonnell
Frank
Owens
Jimmy
O'Neill
Naoise
Judge
  Billy
Byrne
 
1971 Ian
Corrigan
Martin
Geraghty
Frank
Owens
Jimmy
O'Neill
Naoise
Judge
Norman
Clifford
Brian
Wynne
 
May
1972
Ian
Corrigan
Mattie
Smith
Jim
Leonard
Bud
O'Neill
Howard
Lowry
Tom
Leonard
Frankie
Smith
Gerry
Smith (trmbn)
1973 Ian
Corrigan
Mattie
Smith
Jim
Leonard
Bud
O'Neill
Howard
Lowry
Tom
Leonard
  Gerry
Smith (trmbn)
                 

Discography

Singles

The Gallant John Joe // Walk Me To The Station, Mary / Kentucky In The Morning  - #18 Irish Charts
Columbia Records / IDB 778 / March, 1971
The Old Gang's Gone // Happy Street / Ye Lakes and Vales of Breffni
Columbia/Ruby Records - IDB 789 - September, 1971
House of Pride / Sunday Morning Christian  - #13 Irish Charts
Release Records / RL.659 / January, 1973
I Hate Goodbyes / Without You Half of Me Is Gone
 - #15 Irish Charts
Release Records / RL.682 / July, 1973
Rainbows and Roses / Don't Fight The Feeling Of Love
Release Records / RL 705 / January, 1974
Streets of Baltimore / Don't It Make You Wanna' Go Home
Release Records / RL 724 / January, 1974
County Cavan / In The Springtime  - #11 Irish Charts
Release Records / RL.767 / April, 1975
Blue Hills of Breffni / The Orchid and the Rose
Release Records - RL 793 - November, 1975
When Morning Comes / What Did I Promise Her Last Night
Top Spin
Records / TSS117 / October, 1980

Albums

The Best of Ian Corrigan Country
Unknown Label / Unknown / 1974

Irish Country
Homespun Records - PHL 417 - Jan 1979

Audio Clips

Coming Soon

Where Are They Now?  

Ian Corrigan: By all accounts, Ian is still singing away in the bars and hotels around Co. Cavan.
Martin Geraghty:
Frank Owens:
Jimmy O'Neill:
Naoise Judge:
Norman Clifford:
Brian Wynne:
Mattie Smith:
Jim Leonard:
Martin "Bud" O'Neill:
Howard Lowry:
Tom Leonard:
Gerry Smith:

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In Loving Memory of Grant Gallagher: Sept. 21, 1990 - Nov. 18, 2006