Last night (15th Feb) Cork Opera house saw one of its biggest shows this year with music and entertainment provided by local man Art Supple and friends from the Showband Era. It was a night to sit back and recall the days of Redbarn Dancehall and other local ballrooms.-Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

The night started off with local entertainer Art Supple onstage welcoming everyone to the Opera House Art was the front man for Cork Showband The Victors one of the leading showbands from the 60’s and with members of the band reading like the who’s who of the music world provided a great opening to this nostalgic evening There was Jimmy Byrne on guitar, Arthur O Neill on tenor Saxophone who were members of the Victors Showband, Mick Kinane on trumpet who played with many showbands down through the years, Sean Kinsella on drums one of the original Aircords and  Shane Supple on Keyboards son of Art who has just recently released his new album which has been getting extensive airplay from all radio stations including RTE.

Art brought the audience back in time with his famous Showbands on Parade routine in which he gave his impressions of many of the stars of the showband era from Big Tom to Larry Cunningham and even Brendan Bowyer, Then he introduced onto the stage Frankie McBride best known for his hit 5 little fingers who serenaded the audience with his smooth velvet voice. Frankie was followed by entertainer Paschal Brennan who sang all the Joe Dolan classics as he brought back memories to many and a tear to the eye of some Joe Dolan Fans.

After the break Art was back on stage again and introduced Shane who sang the song all radio stations are playing at the moment Lifetime Guarantee It was nice to see music being carried on in this fashion from generation to generation and Shane’s singing is anything to by the family tradition will continue for some years to come. After this short set Art introduced onto the stage local singer and entertainer Tony Stevens who wowed the audience with songs like the Village of Asdee and his big hit to all the Girls I’ve Loved before. It was great to see Tony back on the Opera house stage after his recent accident which many thought would end his career. As Tony exited the stage Art introduced the final guest for the night the wee man from Strabane Hugo Duncan who started off his set with a lively tune before entertaining the audience with some funny stories. He had many in stitches as he joked with the audience. Sadly the show was coming to an end but not before Art and his band finished with the old classic
Old Man Trouble and during this song invited all the guests onstage to finish the night with everyone on stage to close the show.

As the Opera house emptied, people could be heard recalling the heady days of the showband but as this night proved its not over just yet.  Well done to all the lads for a great entertaining night and well done to Art Supple and his band of musicians who stayed on stage all night providing the music for everyone.
Click on image to start slideshow of Art live at The Cork Opera House