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Big Tom: The King of Irish Country
A tribute to Big Tom McBride, ‘the Johnny Cash of Irish country music’.
From labourer to music star, the journey of the singer who brought so much joy to fans at home and to emigrants abroad over five decades.
Featuring never-before-published interviews with Big Tom and the country stars who loved him, as well as exclusive family photographs, this book is full of the characteristic wit and warmth of Ireland’s greatest country music legend, Big Tom.
Big Tom McBride was the original Irish country music star, who paved the way for today’s new wave of artists. His unique voice and sincere delivery earned him the title The King of Irish Country. He was held in huge affection by many thousands of devoted fans, and was greatly loved and respected by his fellow musicians.
Throughout Big Tom’s music career, spanning five decades, he packed ballrooms and marquees the length and breadth of Ireland and Britain, with his band The Mainliners and later with The Travellers. His records sold by the tens of thousands, and he had numerous Top Ten hits.
Legions of fans were transported by his beautiful singing, evoking an Ireland of a more innocent age. Many made the pilgrimage to the McBrides’ home outside Castleblayney, County Monaghan, where they were greeted with genuine, warm-hearted hospitality.
Tom Gilmore has interviewed family, friends and fans, as well as unearthing previously unpublished interviews with Big Tom himself. This book also features tributes to the music legend from luminaries of music, sport and politics.
From labourer to music star, the journey of the singer who brought so much joy to fans at home and to emigrants abroad over five decades.
Featuring never-before-published interviews with Big Tom and the country stars who loved him, as well as exclusive family photographs, this book is full of the characteristic wit and warmth of Ireland’s greatest country music legend, Big Tom.
Big Tom McBride was the original Irish country music star, who paved the way for today’s new wave of artists. His unique voice and sincere delivery earned him the title The King of Irish Country. He was held in huge affection by many thousands of devoted fans, and was greatly loved and respected by his fellow musicians.
Throughout Big Tom’s music career, spanning five decades, he packed ballrooms and marquees the length and breadth of Ireland and Britain, with his band The Mainliners and later with The Travellers. His records sold by the tens of thousands, and he had numerous Top Ten hits.
Legions of fans were transported by his beautiful singing, evoking an Ireland of a more innocent age. Many made the pilgrimage to the McBrides’ home outside Castleblayney, County Monaghan, where they were greeted with genuine, warm-hearted hospitality.
Tom Gilmore has interviewed family, friends and fans, as well as unearthing previously unpublished interviews with Big Tom himself. This book also features tributes to the music legend from luminaries of music, sport and politics.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published November 17, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 13, 2018
Very insightful book!
January 11, 2021
This book is about 90% filler. Nearly every anecdote and factoid is repeated about 4 or 5 times, and you often hear the perspective of what some random person from the back of Mayo thinks about Big Tom. It doesnt include anything about his big court case in the late 80s, it seems from very early in the book that the author is trying to hit a word count, there are a lot of non-sequiturs - at one point the author starts quoting from Julius Caesar in the middle of a chapter for some reason, and I'd say that you'd be hard pressed to find a 5 page stretch in the book that doesnt mention the great turn out he got for his funeral. But all that being said, it's about Big Tom. Automatic 5 stars.
January 5, 2024
Good book with information about Big Tom. I just wish it was more chronological, seemed to jump around a good bit. I had to pause reading to play his music and others while reading. A good time reminiscing and learning more about such a gentle giant of a man
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews