John Farry
Encyclopedia
John Farry is an Irish
singer/songwriter from Garrison
, County Fermanagh
, Northern Ireland
, best known for writing the Irish
entry for the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest
- a song entitled Mysterious Woman
which achieved 2nd place.
Farry was born in 1959, in Enniskillen
, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, the sixth member in a family of seven (four boys and three girls).
, County Fermanagh. Following Lunny's death (in a fire which also claimed the lives of other family members), Flanagan and the Farry brothers re-formed the group by inviting a local Cashel girl, Kathleen McKeaney (now Meehan) on board as rhythm guitarist/vocalist. This group flourished on the Irish North West lounge circuit and assumed a harder musical edge following Flanagan's retirement from the business.
As the group continued to be successful, the Farry brothers invited Lavinus Gordon (bass guitar), also a native of Belleek, County Fermanagh, to join the group and they subsequently re-packaged as Amarillo This period saw John Farry's swift development as an accomplished country singer, excelling in both lead and harmony parts. He also developed as a top class band leader who ran a very slick, professional show.
Within the next couple of years, Amarillo was augmented by the addition of brilliant lead guitarist, Eugene Cunningham, a native of Belcoo
, County Fermanagh. This outfit prospered and became one of the best country and pop acts in Ulster
during this period. John Farry excelled as lead singer with a penchant for top class interpretations of Don Williams
, Waylon Jennings
and Merle Haggard
material.
When Cunningham departed from the band to pursue a full-time professional career as a lead guitarist, the ban repackaged under the name 'Tennessee Sunshine'. This group continued to enjoy great success and had just one further change of personnel when drummer Noel Farry retired from the business in 1982. John Farry hired Paul Quinn from Enniskillen as the new skinsman/vocalist and the band continued to go from strength to strength.
In the mid-1980s, John Farry, conscious of the narrowing market for three and four-piece bands, decided to pursue a solo career. His solo career has been a tremendous success, punctuated by his emergence as a top class singer-songwriter.
, Daniel O'Donnell
. O'Donnell went on to record a number of John Farry tracks, with Summertime In Ireland becoming the Kincasslagh
crooner's first number one hit in Ireland in 1987.
Apart from Daniel O'Donnell, Farry's songs have also been recorded by Brendan Quinn, Marc Roberts
, Ray Lynam, Michael O'Brien and Mick Flavin
.
Farry's songwriting talent received its greatest exposure to date in 1997, when Marc Roberts sang Mysterious Woman
to No. 2 in the Eurovision Song Contest held in London. John Farry has also recorded in Nashville, Tennessee
where he co-wrote with several top Irish and Nashville songwriters.
Today John Farry continues to perform successfully throughout the four Provinces of Ireland
and write top class country music songs.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
singer/songwriter from Garrison
Garrison, County Fermanagh
Garrison is a small village near Lough Melvin in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The Roogagh River runs through the village. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 357 people...
, County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, best known for writing the Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
entry for the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1997
The Eurovision Song Contest 1997, was the 42nd Eurovision Song Contest and it was held at the Point Theatre Dublin, Ireland, on 3 May 1997. Boyzone member Ronan Keating and Carrie Crowley were the presenters of the show....
- a song entitled Mysterious Woman
Mysterious Woman
"Mysterious Woman" was the Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997, performed in English by Marc Roberts.The song is a moderately up-tempo number, with Roberts singing about a woman he saw at an airport . He sings that he was instantly attracted to her, despite having no knowledge about...
which achieved 2nd place.
Farry was born in 1959, in Enniskillen
Enniskillen
Enniskillen is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,599 in the 2001 Census...
, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, the sixth member in a family of seven (four boys and three girls).
Early career
In 1976, John Farry (guitar) and his older brother Noel (drums) were asked to join a country and Irish outfit called Toledo by the existing members of the group, John Lunny (rhythm guitar) and Tom Flanagan (accordion) both natives of BelleekBelleek, County Fermanagh
Belleek is a village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. While the greater part of the village lies within County Fermanagh, part of it crosses the border into County Donegal, a part of Ulster that lies in the Republic of Ireland. This makes Belleek the western-most village in the United Kingdom...
, County Fermanagh. Following Lunny's death (in a fire which also claimed the lives of other family members), Flanagan and the Farry brothers re-formed the group by inviting a local Cashel girl, Kathleen McKeaney (now Meehan) on board as rhythm guitarist/vocalist. This group flourished on the Irish North West lounge circuit and assumed a harder musical edge following Flanagan's retirement from the business.
As the group continued to be successful, the Farry brothers invited Lavinus Gordon (bass guitar), also a native of Belleek, County Fermanagh, to join the group and they subsequently re-packaged as Amarillo This period saw John Farry's swift development as an accomplished country singer, excelling in both lead and harmony parts. He also developed as a top class band leader who ran a very slick, professional show.
Within the next couple of years, Amarillo was augmented by the addition of brilliant lead guitarist, Eugene Cunningham, a native of Belcoo
Belcoo
Belcoo is a small village and townland in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, 10 miles from Enniskillen. It is on the County Fermanagh/County Cavan border beside the village of Blacklion in the Republic of Ireland...
, County Fermanagh. This outfit prospered and became one of the best country and pop acts in Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
during this period. John Farry excelled as lead singer with a penchant for top class interpretations of Don Williams
Don Williams
Don Williams , is an American country singer, songwriter and a 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated in 1958 from Gregory-Portland High School. After seven years with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, he began his solo career in 1971,...
, Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
and Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
material.
When Cunningham departed from the band to pursue a full-time professional career as a lead guitarist, the ban repackaged under the name 'Tennessee Sunshine'. This group continued to enjoy great success and had just one further change of personnel when drummer Noel Farry retired from the business in 1982. John Farry hired Paul Quinn from Enniskillen as the new skinsman/vocalist and the band continued to go from strength to strength.
In the mid-1980s, John Farry, conscious of the narrowing market for three and four-piece bands, decided to pursue a solo career. His solo career has been a tremendous success, punctuated by his emergence as a top class singer-songwriter.
Songwriting
One of Farry's earliest compositions, Lough Melvin's Rocky Shore became a hit for the rising young star from DonegalCounty Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Daniel O'Donnell
Daniel O'Donnell (Irish singer)
Daniel Francis Noel O'Donnell is an Irish singer, television presenter and philanthropist. O'Donnell came to public attention in 1983 and has since become a household name in Ireland and the UK. He has also had considerable success in the US. He is known for his close relationship with his...
. O'Donnell went on to record a number of John Farry tracks, with Summertime In Ireland becoming the Kincasslagh
Kincasslagh
Cionn Caslach or Ceann Caslach is a small Gaeltacht seaside village in the Rosses area of County Donegal, Ireland...
crooner's first number one hit in Ireland in 1987.
Apart from Daniel O'Donnell, Farry's songs have also been recorded by Brendan Quinn, Marc Roberts
Marc Roberts
Marc Roberts is a singer-songwriter, originally from Crossmolina, County Mayo, and now based in Galway. Prior to 1997, he fronted his own band doing own original work and American country classics. In May of that year he represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest with "Mysterious Woman",...
, Ray Lynam, Michael O'Brien and Mick Flavin
Mick Flavin
Mick Flavin is an Irish country singer. Flavin recorded his first album in Athlone in June, 1986. His first big hit being "I'm Gonna Make It After All"...
.
Farry's songwriting talent received its greatest exposure to date in 1997, when Marc Roberts sang Mysterious Woman
Mysterious Woman
"Mysterious Woman" was the Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997, performed in English by Marc Roberts.The song is a moderately up-tempo number, with Roberts singing about a woman he saw at an airport . He sings that he was instantly attracted to her, despite having no knowledge about...
to No. 2 in the Eurovision Song Contest held in London. John Farry has also recorded in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
where he co-wrote with several top Irish and Nashville songwriters.
Today John Farry continues to perform successfully throughout the four Provinces of Ireland
Provinces of Ireland
Ireland has historically been divided into four provinces: Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht. The Irish word for this territorial division, cúige, literally meaning "fifth part", indicates that there were once five; the fifth province, Meath, was incorporated into Leinster, with parts going to...
and write top class country music songs.