Folk Bands and Artists
Gerry Madigan & George Kaye
https://soundcloud.com/gerrymadigan
Gerry Madigan and George Kaye made their separate marks on Ireland’s live music scene in two phenomenally successful bands of the late 1960s and 1970s. George Kaye, in the Smokey Mountain Ramblers, and Gerry Madigan in the Cotton Mill Boys, pushed the envelope, changed the way audiences viewed country music, and set new standards of excellence.
The Smokey Mountain Ramblers served up a unique sample of old-time country, bluegrass, Carter Family, and roots music. George was the first musician to front a full band on the ballroom circuit playing electric fiddle, and wowed packed houses with his dynamic rendition of ‘Orange Blossom Special’ and other bluegrass favourites.
The Cotton Mill Boys, featuring Gerry on 5-string banjo, vocals, and pedal steel guitar; extended their reach into cabaret venues throughout Ireland and the UK; won ‘Opportunity Knocks’ (similar to today’s ‘American Idol’) with their new fiddler, Charlie Arkins; recorded 15 albums and 25 singles; and the only band in history to have a #1 and #2 hit record concurrently in the Irish music charts.
Now, they’re ‘bringing it all back home’, playing a rich blend of authentic bluegrass, folk, country, and roots music (sprinkled with some original compositions), featuring a special guest at each show.
