Big Tom
“Big Tom was Ireland’s answer to Johnny Cash” – Tom Gilmore, Tuam Herald/Galway Bay FM
The 50 years that Big Tom reigned as the King of Irish Country music is encapsulated using rare archival footage, interviews and memories from some of those who knew him.
With a music career spanning half a century it’s hardly any wonder that the late Big Tom McBride was christened -The King of Irish Country Music -with his rich, distinctive voice he built a lasting rapport with his audiences. His regal status was cemented when Susan McCann sang ‘Big Tom is still the King’ back in 1978.
Being a modest man from humble beginnings, Tom wasn’t hugely comfortable with the royal title. He saw himself first and foremost as a farmer, content and fulfilled while working the land. When he wasn’t gigging he passed the time driving tractors and quads along his beloved country roads, stopping to chat to people along the way.
Aside from using archival footage, interviews and rare photos from his illustrious career the Big Tom Cloch le Carn TV programme features contributions from Tom’s daughter Aisling McBride- Duffy, Fr. Brian D’Arcy, Margo O ‘Donnell, Tom Gilmore Jo Ní Chéide, Josie Ó Cualáin, Kevin McCooey, Susan McCann and Marina O’Neill.
Aside from singing, Tom added to his varied pastimes over the years. His big passion was GAA; he once captained Oram Sarsfields and he never missed a Monaghan game. He also enjoyed water skiing on Lough Muckno, playing golf and pool.
..I think it was Johnny McCormack who told him at the time, because he was called ‘Big Tom’ when he was on the pitch -that he should use that name as a stage name”– Josie Ó Cualáin
Born into a musical household inspired Tom in early life, his mother Mary Ellen always listened to music and nurtured his talent. Years later her son would go on to be the first Irish recording artist to sell 50,000 records, to record in Nashville despite his chronic fear of flying and storm the charts with countless number 1 hits. For many Irish people peppered the world over, Big Tom, was the comforting voice of home.
“He had a musical voice, and it got better with age”– Fr Brian d’Arcy
It was following the tragic death of his brother, Willie John, in 1959 that Tom returned to Castleblayney. After time spent in Scotland and London he was back at the homestead to take over the farm duties.
Soon after that he joined a local musical outfit called the Finncairn Ceilí band. By 1960 he had hooked up with The Mainliners- a dance band known the length and breadth of the country as ‘the band with the magic beat’. They honed their craft in crammed dancehalls night after night and provided the perfect soundtrack to dalliances and smooches at home and abroad. As Tom humorously said one time ‘..if you didn’t get the one you wanted, then you’d need to want the one your got’
It was 1966 when Gentle Mother was first heard on RTÉ’s The Showband Show, bringing The Mainliners to national attention. Singing that night was the somewhat shy and reluctant, Tom McBride. The RTÉ switchboard nearly combusted due to the influx of calls from people wanting to know more about the band, and the suave front man who’d serenaded them with his captivating, gravelly voice. Gentle Mother became The Mainliners first single. It reached number 7 and stayed in the charts for 8 weeks and the rest, as they say, is history as the star was born.
In 1975 he joined The Travellers and had a massive hit with ‘Four Country Roads’ and by the late 80’s early 90’s, he was back again with The Mainliners and touring once more. The butterflies in Big Tom’s belly before a performance never subsided though, not one bit, even half a century later.
Amongst the Top 10 albums released by Irish artists in 2018, The Pleasure has Been Mine compilation album came in at number 9! Sandwiched between Niall Horan, Nathan Carter and The Stunning was the late, great – Big Tom McBride- still adored and still the King!
The fact Tom had, to paraphrase his big hit, gone out the same way he came in, in April of that year, made it even more poignant and moving. Those were difficult times for Tom McBride’s family because in January of that year, just 4 months earlier, they laid their mum Rose to rest. Tom, never fully recovered from losing the love of his life.
“When Rose died, I think a little part of Tom died too”– Margo O’ Donnell
A beautiful bronze statue of Big Tom was unveiled by President Michael D. Higgins in Castleblayney in September 2018- a lasting tribute to everything Tom did for his country, his county, his community, and his fans.
The village was packed that day. It was a very sad moment, because all of his family were there,but he never got to see it and neither did Rose – Jo Ní Chéide
A sea of fans, friends and family mourned his sad passing with heavy hearts and thousands turned out in Oram, Co.Monaghan to pay their respects and say their goodbyes in April 2018. A stellar line up of country and Irish music stars gave an impromptu graveside performance- everybody cried, clapped, danced and sang along. Big Tom McBride will always be their king!