Legends in Concert

Legends in Concert interview 26th July 2010

On a night that Cork and Waterford replayed the Munster Hurling final under lights and in the rain, the people of Youghal and the surrounding areas were ably entertained by representatives of the same two counties, Corkman Art Supple and Waterford man Brendan Bowyer, this was no clash of the ash, it was however a fantastic journey down memory lane at the Walter Raleigh Hotel, where there was a brief glimpse back in time to the sunny days of music and fun as two of Ireland’s showband legends entertained a capacity crowd, some who had traveled from Mayo, Dublin, Galway and Sligo.

Brendan Bowyer and Art Supple accompanied by Aisling Bowyer and the Brendan Bowyer band transported everyone who was there, back to the heyday of the showband era.  Memories of The Showboat, Redbarn Dancehall and the Town Hall were brought to the fore as first Art and then Brendan sang many of the classic showband hits.

It was a concert, with the seating arranged around the stage but knowing these two stars would have everyone on their feet, a section of the dance floor was left clear for those who wished to dance, and many people both young and old made use of that facility, twirling, dancing, jiving and waltzing to the music coming from the stage.

The evening started brightly with Brendan’s daughter Aisling accompanied by the band, singing some great songs. She then introduced onto the stage, to tremendous applause, local singer and entertainer Art Supple, Art wearing his customary white suit spent the next hour entertaining everyone, “Lets Dance”, “Oh Boy”, “When we were young”, “Noreen Bawn” and “Old man Trouble” were some of the songs he sang.  For the locals Art included the song he wrote and recorded “The Village of Gortroe”. He then finished the first half of the show with “Showbands on Parade”, where he gave his impression of what it might be like if Danial O Donnell, Joe Dolan, Larry Cunningham, Big Tom and other legends of the era were on stage. His impersonations had everyone in stitches.

Then to the sounds of Viva Las Vegas, Mr. Hucklebuck himself Brendan Bowyer took to the stage. Brendan along with Aisling sang songs that are still popular today,” Hucklebuck Shoes” , “The Hucklebuck”, “Bolavogue” and even more modern songs from Bruce Springsteen, “Dancing in the Dark”.  Looking up on the stage, you couldn’t help but think Brendan Bowyer is still a legend performing better then singers only half his age. By now the floor was full, memories recounted, dance steps people thought they had forgotten, now being used again as everyone allowed themselves to be carried along this nostalgic trip of the Showband era.