Back: Gene Turbett,Jim Henderson,Eugene
McNamee Edward McNamee,Pat McGonagle
Front: Shay Hutchinson,David Coyle,John McDermott
The Melody Aces Showband
Newtownstewart
The Melody Aces from Newtownstewart, were probably the first Showband to feature Country and Western music as an essential part of their dancing programme.
Coming from virtually the same area as their
illustrious neighbours the Clippers Carlton, the Melody Aces like many
other bands had their origins in the local Town Band , in their case ,
The St, Eugene,s Flute Band. Eddie Mc Namee later to play tenor Sax. in
the Showband, played the triangle in the Flute Band, which was formed by
J.J. Mc Anulla. Also about this time ,late 1940,s 50s a local traditional
fiddler Barney Molloy decided to form a small ceili band, to play at functions
in the Town Hall. In this band were Eddie,s brother James, Charlie Duffy,
Frank Mc Sorley, Barney Molloy, and John Devine , later to become a member
of the Melody Aces and also their manager, and Eddies younger brother
Eugene, later to join the “Aces” as drummer. In 1950 John Devine, together
with the Mc Namee brothers and Omagh trumpeter Gene Turbett decided to
form the Mourne Dance Band. They started by playing at local dances and
hops, but things were about to change for the lads when they were asked
to play a date in the Star Ballroom, Omagh. Proprietor Noel Donaghey liked
what he heard and offered them a residency there, on the condition that
they become a six piece band, They brought in Lifford born sax player Jim
Henderson, and Bass guitarist/vocalist David Coyle, who was to feature
prominently in the bands vocal repertoire, and the Melody Aces were complete
when guitarist/vocalist Shay Hutchinson, guitarist Tony Catorie and Trombonist
Patsy Mc Gonigle joined.
The sad death of Jim Henderson caused a great void in the band so they reverted to an eight piece till they finished. As well as tours of England and Scotland, the Melody Aces went to the USA in 1959,and returned again in 1962 and 63, such was their popularity there. Needless to say they were a big draw here in Donegal and played all the local and rural venues to large attendances. The Recording Studios beckoned in the mid 60,s and Shay Hutchinson recorded their first single “Highway to Nowhere” coupled with a harmonious rendition of “Oft in the Stilly Night” on the “flip side”. This was followed by a further disc by Shay “From Nowhere at All” with David Coyle singing “The Holy City” on the B side.
In the early 1970,s with the popularity
of the “Pop” Showbands increasing , the conventional bands like the Melody
Aces , found it hard to get dates in Dublin, and places South, so with
more travelling involved to single date venues, and rising costs, they
decided to “call it a day”
John Baird
The Melody Aces
The Melody Aces were from Newtownstewart,
Co Tyrone and were one of the bands
that pioneered Country Music in the Showband
Era
The members were Shay Hutchinson was regarded
by many as the original pioneer
of what was then commonly referred to as ‘country
and western’ music.
A brilliant vocalist and a stylish entertainer.
Eugene McNamee,Gene Turbett, Tony Catoire,
John Devine,
Edward Mc Namee,David Coyle and Pat McGonigle.(R.I.P)
