Downtown’s country boy Roger bows out after 1,224 columns

My journey with The Echo began on November 17, 1987, when, at the invitation of Brian O’Brien, I started contributing a weekly column.

Today, I have reached my 1,224th column and I have taken the decision to stand down after 38 years of service.

Reflecting on my time as country music columnist, firstly with the Cork Evening Echo, later with The Echo, I must say it has been a great trip and one I have enjoyed tremendously.

From small beginnings, the country music scene has really blossomed in this country to where it is now - the most popular form of entertainment throughout the land, although you’d never know it, listening to our national radio stations.

A lot of credit for its huge popularity is due to independent radio who really give country music great coverage, and of course we now have several TV shows featuring country music such as Cork-based Hot Country TV, who pioneered the exposure of country music, particularly Irish artists.

TG4 also regularly features country music, and of course, Daniel O’Donnell frequently presents a programme featuring Irish artists on TG4.

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As a teenager of the 1950s, I was raised on rock’n’roll and grew up listening to Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry, and dancing to the Showband sounds played by The Clipper Carlton, The Royal Showband, and The Capitol Showband.

Then a friend introduced me to Hank Williams and Hank Thompson, and thus began my lifelong passion for country music.

Then Big Tom & The Mainliners, Ray Lynam & The Hillbillies, The Cotton Mill Boys, Philomena Begley, Margo, Susan McCann, and Maisie McDaniels came on the Irish scene and further fuelled my passion for the genre.

I began writing articles about country music, and after being turned down by Irish newspapers and magazines, I decided to publish my own newsletter.

Then, in January, 1969, following some advice and help from the CMA (Country Music Association) in Nashville, I formed the Country Music Association of Ireland, and began publishing a regular newsletter called Country Cuts.

That became the name of my column for The Echo in 1987.

As country music became more popular in Ireland and eventually took over from the showbands as the primary means of dancing entertainment, the Irish media began to sit up and take notice of this new phenomenon and began to give it some coverage.

As well as writing the regular column for The Echo, I have also contributed regular articles to other magazines and in latter years online.

I have also presented my own radio show and TV show dedicated to country music.

Among the honours I have been bestowed was being declared an Honorary Tennessean by Governor Lamar Alexander in 1984, while in 2008, the CMA in Nashville presented me with the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award for “outstanding contribution to the advancement and promotion of country music internationally”.

That year, I also received the Leadership Bluegrass Award in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2015, Hot Country TV honoured me with an award for my “outstanding contribution to country music in Ireland”, and in 2020, I featured in the Opry Le Daniel TV show, on TG4, paying tribute to George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Glen Campbell, Jim Reeves and Johnny Cash.

Outside of my love for music, in 2024, I was elected President of the Blackrock National Hurling Club.

Over the years, I have built up a large list of friends and contacts throughout the world, and have always been willing to act as a conduit between artists and promoters, etc, and to give them a helping hand in their country music career.

Now, after 38 years with The Echo and over 60 years in total promoting my favourite type of music, I have decided to call it a day and retire to my record collection where most of my favourites still reside.

It’s been a long and eventful journey and one I have really enjoyed.

Along the way, I have made lots of great and loyal friends and have been lucky to meet most of my heroes too - some of whose photographs adorn these pages today.

Many thanks to you, the readers, I hope you have enjoyed my efforts.

Special thanks to The Echo for allowing me space over all those years to bring you news on country music, and for giving me the opportunity to indulge my passion. I’ve enjoyed every minute.

I wish you all a happy Christmas, and don’t forget to Keep It Country.