Name: Declan Terney
Start: 2014-09-06T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2014-09-06T19:30:00+01:00
Location: Strathpeffer Pavillion

Declan Nerney

http://www.declannerney.com/index.php

Declan was born in the heart of Ireland in Drumlish Co Longford, at a unique period of time in the music scene worldwide. A revolution in rock and pop brought us The Beatles, Elvis, and the Rolling Stones, while here in Ireland the magnificent showband boom was about to explode.

A young man growing up at that time, Declan was being heavily influenced by these greats and indeed was getting the rare opportunity to see most of the top showbands appear in his native town of Drumlish. He would cajole his mother into seeing Joe Dolan, Big Tom, Philomena Begley, The Capital Showband, and many more perform when the appeared at the marquee at the end of May and early June. From his vantage point close to the stage, he would absorb every move made by the guitarist in the bands, watching his fingers slide along the strings, hoping that one day he might be up there performing just like Dan O’Hara or Seamus McMahon…

And so the dream began.

As a schoolboy strolling the lonely boreen to Ennybegs National School, kicking pebbles along the road, Declan wasn’t dreaming of becoming a doctor or a lawyer or a farmer, instead he dreamed he would emulate the top names of show business.

Straight away he starting saving spare pennies in a jam-jar until £12 was saved, enough to buy a guitar he had been drooling over in the window of the local record shop in Longford. This led to many hours practicing along to radio and records.

The musical apprentice.

At the early age of 16 it all began. He was invited to step in along with local showband The Hi-Lo’s based in the Roscommon/Longford region, where he served his early musical apprenticeship. Later on he progressed to the Gene Stuart Band, and in later years to Brian Coll and the Buckaroos, when eventually he made the decision to start his own band in the late ’80’s. (Indeed this was the whole era that Declan’s most popular true-life song was based upon – The Marquee in Drumlish). But more to the point this was the period that would form a musical ability in Nerney. Not alone has he a unique falsetto singing voice, but has a great musical ability, which combined to create a unique Declan Nerney sound. Some say that not since the days of the great Duane Eddy, one of Declan’s heroes, has anybody come along with that great twanging guitar sound. Thus leaving Declan with an added ability to arrange and produce his own material.

Declan’s musical interests and inspirations are wide and varied. He enjoys most well performed music, including Irish and Scottish traditional music, country from the earliest times up to todays 70’s and 80’s, even Thin Lizzy was a favourite of Declans.

A musical journey.

Having recorded 8 top-selling albums to date, and established some great self-penned songs, together with song-writing maestro Henry McMahon, songs like Marquee in Drumlish, Anna from Fermanagh, Up in the Mornin’, Christmas Hooley, Barry & Dunne, Three Way Love Affair, and many great cover versions like Stop the World and Let Me Off, Take this Job, Walkin’ on New Grass. These powerful productions got Nerney on stages right around the world, places that he never dreamt of on that boreen all those years ago.

In 1990 he would sing to 65,000 people in Croke Park at half-time in the All-Ireland Final between Meath vs Cork, and another estimated 20 million people watching on tv worldwide. Even to this day many people comment on this performance. He has appeared on all major television shows including Gay Byrne’s Late Late Show, and also on St. Patrick’s Day 1994 he sang live to 60 million people on network tv all over the USA. All of this has made him the recipient of many awards and accolades. Apart from having huge success all over the world, and being a popular box-office attraction here in Ireland, England and Scotland, he still remains a down-to earth man, feet still firmly on the ground, finding time to do a lot of charitable and social work in his own community and further afield.

The farmer’s son.

Having been raised on a small farm in North Longford, along with his brother and two sisters, Declan still retains close links with the land – he actually lives on the farm ‘It’s Home To Me’ and is very aware of the challenges facing those, including his brother Gerry, who decided to stay on the land. “I’m a farmer’s son therefore I’m always keeping myself updated on the happenings in the farming scene,” says Declan who admits that his association with the land has played a major part in his success. His two sisters Ann and Bridget made nursing their career.

A new album and the future road ahead.

With a new CD almost ready for completion and plans for a new DVD/video in the pipeline, Declan is very busy writing and recording suitable material.

Take This Job and Shove It is the title of his new single, originally recorded by Johnny Paycheck, Declan has once again produced his magical wizardry in taking this song and making it his own.

In a self-penned song Barry and Dunne, he pays tribute to 2 of the all-time great balladeers Margaret Barry and Pecker Dunne whose music spans decades from the middle of the last century to the present day.

“Through their music and song they have influenced many of our great artistes in all of that time”, says Declan. “Although their names may be fading from the modern record charts, I think they are etched in the memories of all who remember them and should never be forgotten. And so the reason I penned this song is that their musical achievements will live on and on”.

Declan is set to weave his musical magic for a long time to come with new contacts and interest in Australia on the horizon. Some more major festivals in America are also in the pipeline.. “I’ve a lot of other things up my sleeve”, smiles Nerney!

And so the dream lives on!

6 September, 2014 @ 7:30 pm

Declan Terney

Strathpeffer Pavillion Strathpeffer Pavillion, The Square, Strathpeffer, Ross-Shire

£15