To say Armagh has lost a remarkable man and music legend would be an understatement, as today (December 18) we lay to rest the last remaining member of the famous four-piece Irish Country and Folk group, The McBrides.
Kieran ‘Dixie’ McBride was many things to many people; a tiler, a felt-roofer, once-upon-a-time take away owner, fun-loving friend, beloved brother, son and father and an undeniable musical savant.
The multi-talented Dixie lived life to the fullest and – as his family told Armagh I – he was both bold and brave, fearing nothing and no one. Which was never more apparent than when he named his former takeaway chip shop on Ogle Street, ‘Burger King’ without worrying too much about the obvious copyright infringement!
A little glimpse into his life’s story reveals a mischievous character with great resolve. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He never took life too seriously and truly treasured his community.
His aforementioned resolve brought him much success with The McBrides – alongside Jimmy Dynes and Harry McGeough and older brother Seamus McBride – the band travelled far and wide and even performed on an international stage.
Seamus’s music career began a few years before Dixie’s when he joined a successful band known as the Cú Chulainn Folk Four. Seamus’s career had an incredible impact on the budding, young musician.
Watching his brother on stage struck a chord with the then teenage Dixie who soon followed in his brother’s footsteps.
Speaking to Armagh I, Dixie’s brother, Eamon, explained: “Kieran was there on the fringe of it but to me he was never a folk singer, he was more sort of ballad singer with songs that had a bit of humour in them and songs he made himself.
“They had to have humour in them, he made them!”
But as son Gerry added, it was his father’s ability to entertain an audience that really added another dimension to his performances: “When Dad got up on the stage he was there to entertain the people. That’s what he was excellent at.”
He didn’t, however, join the Cú Chulainn Folk Four. Instead, as a talented guitarist – and perhaps over confident nineteen-year-old – he chanced his arm at a solo career with his first solo gig in Keady.
Left, a newspaper clipping of Dixie’s first solo gig and right, The Cú Chulainn Folk Four
Following his solo stint, it wasn’t long before he found his place in the up-and-coming showband scene, joining The Finnavons.
His sister Sheelagh Sherry said success with The Finnavons took him to England for a time – of course he returned from his travels with his hair entirely bleached blond – much to his poor mother’s dismay!
In the 60s, The McBrides were officially formed and immediately they were off to an incredible start. With Seamus’s musical talent, Dixie’s lyrical wit and captivating stage presence, Harry as a solid all-rounder and the ‘fantastic beat of Jimmy Dynes’ the band became an instant hit.
They played gigs and weddings near and far and, despite the turbulent times, Dixie’s fearlessness ensured they never missed an opportunity.
Gerry said: “During the Troubles when showbands were afraid to travel after The Miami Showband, Daddy and the boys were fearless and I suppose needs must!
“So he would have said while nobody else would have gone on the road, or travelled across the border, they were going and that really propelled them.”
The band’s most notable achievements came from ‘Old Armagh’ and ‘The Credit Union Song’.
Eamon explained: “I was involved with Credit Union locally and sort of half nationally and they decided nationally that they would have this competition for the Credit Union song that would be used in all their advertisements.
“I wrote this song, ‘All Together Throughout the Nation’ and they [The McBrides] put it to music and it won the competition.
“It was used on the radio as the advertising jingle all over Ireland and it ran for years until they started doing the television commercials.”
Sheelagh added: “Eamon, being in the know, sent word home that Dixie and the band might have been in the running to win it and they left Armagh at about 6pm and drove to Cork where the presentation was to be held.
“They got to Cork in time for the final winners to be called and, well, I think there was nothing like that night!”
Similarly, the quartet won a local radio competition with ‘Old Armagh’ where they were presented with a crystal award in Emyvale by renowned radio host, Junior Walker.
Locally, their success was evident but the “small man, with big ideas” also had many a chance encounter on his travels.
On one occasion, the band were invited to perform at the St Patrick’s Parade in Dallas, USA. While there, they bumped into none other than American Country singer and songwriter, Willie Nelson.
Nelson told the four that he had heard them on local radio and invited them to perform alongside him while they were on US soil.
Another story his siblings couldn’t pass without mentioning was of his memorable relationship with Hercules….the donkey.
Left, The McBrides photographed by Vincent Loughran and right, a ticket from a 1995 Dinner Dance performance at St Patrick’s Gaelic Football Club, Cullyhanna
Dixie struck up a fantastic relationship with his equine friend and would often hook him up to a “beautiful” red and blue cart that he would use to ferry children around the town in.
“I remember him taking it down the town to a pub called Sonny McLaughlins,” added Sheelagh. “It was a wee, small pub and the family lived in it and the kitchen was in the back of the pub.
“Dixie took the donkey into the pub and there was a man behind the counter who had probably been there all day and he said ‘I thought I saw a donkey going past me there!’
“Next thing Dixie took it into the kitchen and he couldn’t get it turned so he had to back it the whole way back out again.”
Gerry commented: “He sold Hercules after a few years on the Shankill Road in Belfast and then he ended up leading the Twelfth of July parade with a Union Jack hat on, so Hercules became just as famous as dad was.
“There’s a photo of him somewhere kissing the donkey! But, the novelty wore off. I suppose there’s only so many times you can bring a donkey into a pub before it stops being funny,” he laughed.
Admittedly, his devoted family could talk about Dixie all day. They are spoilt for choice with memories – each a fond one, told with absolute adoration.
Kieran ‘Dixie’ McBride passed away, aged 74, on December 16 in the loving care of his family.
He was the loving father of Gerry, Peter, Kieran, Christopher, Claire, husband of Charlotte. Granda of Saoirse, Joe, Pearce, Ciaran, Seamus, Sonny, Haydn, Finn, father in law of Joe, Kevin, Olivia, Kylie and Rachel and dear brother of Eamon, Moya, Briege, Sheelagh, the late Peadar and Seamus.
His funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the morning of December 18, where he was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
May he Rest in Peace.
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