The Leader, Deireadh Fómhair 1988

HUGH McLEAN 12 5th April 1%3 is a day that stands out in Hugh McLean's mind ! That's the day the aspiringyoungmu– sician joined the Willie Ponsonby Band. It was to be the start of a mu– sical career that still blossoms, 25 years on, in 1988. Hugh McLean and his music is known throughout the hills and glens of Donegal, his Countrysongs and Irish Ballads hav– ing entertained generations since that faithful day in '63. His career took in the nostalgic showband era, and includes many hit singles and LPs, as well as bringing joy and in– deed tears to the eyes of Irish emi– grants as far afield as Boston and Philadelphia. He has played to Irish audiences in Camden Town and Cricklewood, and in every citywhere Irish emigrants have gathered throughout Britain. Hugh fronted various bands during his career - re– member the Blue Blows and the "Finn Harps Song" ? They also had a hit with "Tonight Carmen" in 1970. He recorded an LPwith Evelyn & the Envoys, and came to national pro– minence with the Mighty Avons when the single "The Leprechaun" reached No. 1 in the RTE charts in 1974. But trends change and the showbands began to fade as Disco music became popular here from 1978 onwards. Hugh spent a brief spell with Knoxville, touring Ameri– ca with them where he says they are mad about Irish music, and then he formed his own cabaret group - the "Music Men". He now concentrates in the cabaret scene where he is in steady demand, sometimes playing seven nights a week as well as hosting his own popular music show on Bun– crona's N.W.C.R. radio station. In fact, Hugh attributes his own present success and that of other local music stars like Seamus McGee to the ad– vent of the local radio stations, which he says were like a breath of fresh air to the local music scene. The situ– ation was that RTE completely ig– nored Irish records since the end of the sponsored programmes and the Packie Bonner, Galsgow Celtic and Ireland goalkeeperpictured with Kyle Moloney, Oldtown, who Is signed to Bradford City F.C. Mr. Thomas Pyper, Oldtown, taking part in the Ramelton Festival. coming of Radio 2. There were very few artistes going into the recording studio, because their songs weren't getting played and even people like Hugo Duncan stopped recording. "We owe everything to the arrival of N.W.C.R., D.C.R. and others", says Hugh, who encouraged by the new exposure, sat down and wrote songs like "The Pubs of Donegal", "I Never Stopped Loving You", "Daddy Daddy" and "The Hitchhiker". "The Hitchhiker" brought Hugh to national prominence again and the LPwith that song earned him a Gold Disc for sales of 100,000 copies as well as bringing many other awards. Is it a true story I asked him? "Wish– ful thinking", smiled his lovely wife. Success for Hugh means he flies his own 2 seater plane, but otherwise he lives modestly with his wife and children outside Letter– kenny. None of his family have so far followed him into the musicbusiness, although they can all play musical in– struments. His plans for the future? A newLP. is almost finished and will be on release at the end of October or early November, while a tour of America is also on the cards around St. Patrick's Day. Meanwhile, listen to Hugh the D.J. on N.W.C.R. every Wednesday night from 10-12, or if he's playing in your area, go along and see a great singer - a first class entertainer and a gentleman as well. Bobby McDaid, D.C.R., making a Presentation to Hugh Mclean.