A Tribute to Derek Nally

The popular promoter, manager and fondly loved raconteur Derek Nally died of a heart attack on Thursday 15 July, 2010. His sudden passing sent shockwaves throughout the entire Irish music community.
 
Derek worked with the great and the good over the years including Judy Collins, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Bert Jansch, John Cale, Guy Clarke, Townes Van Zandt, John Martyn, Allen Toussaint, Ian Dury & the Blockheads, Alex Chilton, Arlo Guthrie, Booker T, and John Cooper Clarke, to mention just a few.  He also managed the acclaimed Irish acts Juliet Turner and Ham Sandwich, steering their careers with remarkable passion and enthusiasm. Derek was particularly generous with his time when it came to offering advice to up and coming musicians, promoters and managers. His encyclopedic knowledge of music coupled with his straight-forward business ideals served him well in a long and esteemed career. His legacy is a positive example to everyone who works in the music industry.

 

The band Derek was most closely associated with Ham Sandwich and numerous other friends from the music community will together on December 22nd in memory and celebration of this legendary figure.

 

HAM SANDWICH:
The Kells-based band released their second album "White Fox", the follow-up to their 2008 award winning debut long-player "Carry the Meek", in October 2010. A glimpse of what was to come appeared on the nation's airwaves back in May which raised the bar of expectations for the much anticipated new album; the "The Naturist" announced to the fanbase that the band were pushing the boat out and not resting on their laurels!

“We've definitely grown up since ‘Carry The Meek',” maintains Niamh. “In terms of all of us getting involved in the song writing process and, I suppose, just maturing as people. Making the song structures more interesting is crucial for both the listener and the band, because it holds the attention for longer.” Podge recounts, "The first album was practically all electric guitar; the new album is more musically varied – and not for the sake of it, either. It's just that we're getting our heads around different instruments. It's a natural evolvement, and more texture is no harm.”

 

Produced and mixed by Karl Odlum and recorded at Sun Studios, Temple Bar (Dublin) & May Lodge (Co. Meath). Mastered by the legendary Abbey Road Studio (London) engineer Peter Mew (David Bowie, The Beatles, ELO, Bob Marley, etc)

 

The band will be playing a special night in Whelan’s dedicated to their late manager Derek Nally on the 22nd of December. Derek meant a great deal to the band and was a major part in helping them bring their music to the foreground in Ireland. The band will be joined on the night by special guests, as well as sets from The Gandhis, Pugwash, Blink and more special guests yet to be announced. All proceeds will go to The Nally family.

 

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