70 Years A Dixie!

Ronnie McGinn Recounts The Joe McCarthy Story

December 26th, St Stephens Night, 1961 four thousand three hundred people were sardined into Cork's Arcadia Ballroom. It was almost midnight, the atmosphere was electric, the most popular band in the history of Cork was about to appear on stage, in front of the biggest indoor crowd that had ever been seen at a dance. The stage lights dimmed, Arcadia manager Peter Prendergast, immaculately dressed in a tuxedo, took centre stage. The spotlight gave him an angelic appearance, he reached for the microphone and with impeccable diction and delivery began; "Ladies and Gentlemen..."

Behind him as the band had being making their final preparations a young Joe McCarthy shouted in a flat Cork accent; "Ladies and Mantelpieces, an de tings dat fallo'd ye in". Everybody laughed and they haven't stopped since. There are not enough words in a dictionary or enough pages in a book, to fully describe or relate the complete Joe McCarthy story. Anyone who has spent a day or even a few hours in Joe's company could write a book about it. Such is the unique character of the man whom we've all come to know as Joe Mac.

Anyone who has a conversation with Joe soon learns that he keeps no sacred cows on his mantelpiece. His keen mind, razor sharp wit and earthy put downs have scared off many a TV show host, not to mention the clergy and some of our politicians. Consequently Joe is not always popular amongst self-opinionated. people. But to the ordinary everyday person Joe Mac is one of our greatest entertainers. To people in the entertainment business he is a king.

Joseph Terrence McCarthy was born in Cork, Ireland on 6th August 1936. His mother Anne (nee Leonard) came from Dominick Street. His father was John, one of Cork's famous McCarthy family of stone sculptors. The McCarthy's lived in Copley Street not too far from where John worked in White Street. Joe's one older brother Tom went on to take up the traditional family business, while Joe went to the Model School and then served his time as an upholsterer in Cash's (Now Brown Thomas) of Patrick St, where he met Ann Maloney his wife to be. His Uncle "Buddy Mac" was a well-known local musician and dance promoter. Joe joined the Butter Exchange band to learn the French Horn, but he really wanted to be a drummer and play jazz. In 1954 it all began to happen.

So on Easter Sunday 1954 they arrived at "The Rest" to see a sign that read "Music by the Dixielanders". They loved the name so much they adopted it, but later shortened it to "The Dixies" because in bigger print the name looked better on a record label. The three-piece band soon became a five piece by adding pianist Mick Murphy and trumpeter Larry Neville. Inspired by Strabanes great Clipper Carlton Showband, who were "sendin' 'em home Sweatin'" from their regular visits to the Arcadia. The young band started to play a varied set and by the end of the 50's had added bassist Chris O'Mahony and second saxophonist Jimmy Mintem and guitarist Steve Lynch. Meanwhile John Sheehan had replaced Larry Neville and Mick Murphy, (who had gone on to be a doctor), was replaced by Finbarr O'Leary. In 1961, after an exceptional performance at the Olympia Ballroom in Waterford, (where they rivalled the Royal Showband) the unit turned professional. Determined to magnify their appeal they recruited vocalist Brendan O'Brien, who rapidly became one of the most popular singers in the country. They secured a management deal with Peter Prendergast and based themselves in the Arcadia. They were now well and truly on their way.

In 1963 they released the Theo Cahill composition "Cyclone". Soon afterwards they were in the Irish Charts with "Christmas Time", followed by "I'm Counting On You" and "It's Only Make Believe". They became the first Irish Showband to appear on Television. They paved the way for Irish bands in touring the UK and the US during the early sixties.

Throughout the golden years of the sixties the Dixies were rarely out of the charts. They had 27 top twenty hit records, plus a lot of others including a turntable on Radio Luxemburg with Joe Mac's "All Together Now" Their biggest hit being "Little Arrows, which went to No.1 on September 7th 1986 and stayed in the charts for 20 weeks. This was followed by "Katie's Kisses" which was their second No.1

As a result of their success they dominated the annual Spotlight magazine awards for 1968; Band of the Year, Record of the Year, Singer of the year, and Joe Mac was Showman of the Year. The awards were presented at the National Stadium in Dublin by Terry Wogan. They ended the 60's by transferring their attentions to Las Vegas. Even in Las Vegas where they got to know some of the worlds top entertainers Joe Mac's antics became legendary. If you're ever there call into the Desert Inn and guess whose picture is on the wall.

Stage 2 were a musical sensation, within a year they became the biggest band in the country churning out hit after hit; "Beautiful Sunday", "Sky Diver", "Sunshine Lover", "When you love a Woman", etc. etc. Even Joe found himself under pressure to maintain the bands high musical standards. "It's the first time in my life I've really had to work hard at playing the drums" he once quibbled. But play them he did, and the clown prince of the showband world was finally recognized as one of Ireland's finest drummers.

In the middle of it all he was asked to play Herod in the Dublin production of Jesus Christ Superstar, a part he absolutely relished. How he managed to leave the Olympia Theatre every night and drive maybe a hundred miles to go on stage with the band is anybody's guess. But do it he did, and never missed a gig.

Then at the height of their success lead singer Brendan O'Brien was involved in a serious accident on stage, resulting in him having to leave the band permanently. This left Joe to carry the entire show on his own, which he did admirably. Releasing records like "The Opera" and "Muscle Man" and the unforgettable "Queen of the I.C.A.".

Following his success in Jesus Christ Superstar he appeared in the Cork Opera House production of Paint Your Wagon in which he gave another show stealing performance. Still Joe preferred being on the road with the band, but sadly the showband era was long past its sell by date. Trying to maintain a big outfit on the road was proving impossible so Joe decided to call it a day and retire. Much to everyone's dismay he quit the business and opened a restaurant in Cork's, Queens Old Castle.

Then Joe heard that some of the older bands were doing good business and so he approached his old Dixie friends and on St. Stephens's night in 1982 the original Dixies made a comeback appearance at the Arcadia. And it started all over again. The Dixies were back. Hit records followed, then TV shows, tours of the UK, the United States, and the Middle East, huge crowds everywhere. It was all happening again but the strain was beginning to tell. Brendan O'Brien had to leave in '84 for health reasons, then a few years later came the sad and sudden death of Co-founder Theo Cahill and after that they lost Bassist Chris O'Mahony. By 1990. Joe decided he'd had enough of the road. So he withdrew from the Dixies and formed his own local band. Joe Mac and Friends, and that's where you can find him today.

A lot of water has flowed under Patrick's Bridge since Joe McCarthy started out with the Dixies in 1954. The world has changed a lot, and Cork has changed even more, but somehow or other Joe Mac keeps on being Joe Mac playing five nights at weddings and local venues around his native Cork. Celebrating his 70th Birthday in O'Flaherty's Bar in Cork during the week, Joe commented on his career as an entertainer with a simple - 'I love it'.

Thank you for many wonderful years Joe! Long may they continue!

P.S. If you ever go across the sea to Ireland call into O'Flaherty;s in Parnell Place, Cork City and you can see Joe in action. Tell him I said hello!C