- Launch of the double CD 'A Tribute to David McWilliams' 21st March 2008
- CD 'A Tribute to David McWilliams'14th February 2008
- Review of first David McWilliams Tribute Stage Gig; 6th October 2006
- Ballymena Guardian Appreciation Society to 'lay it on the line' for McWilliams
- Unsung Hero15th August 2006
- Ballymena Times Ballymena's 60s hero back in limelight
- 6th October 2006 David McWilliams Tribute Stage
- Plans for tribute CD in memory of David McWilliams

Launch of the double CD 'A Tribute to David McWilliams'

On the 21st of March 2008 a concert was held by The Ballymena Arts Festival at the New Braid Arts Centre in the Town Hall Ballymena in conjunction with the David McWilliams Tribute Stage provided a wonderful night out for the many who attended. The Stage recognised the up and coming talents of two of David's daughters, Hannah and Meghan McWilliams (see photo on your left) with their beautiful interpretation of David's very first single 'God and my Country'.

Jackie Fullerton, in his usual inimitable style , guided us through a night of fantastic music and entertainment which also featured Henry McCullough and Brian Houston with their respective bands. Henry was in fantastic form and treated us to some legendary songs, including ones from his own pen, backed by some of the areas best musicians.

Brian Houston bounced onto the stage with an energy which survived his entire performance and dazzling the audience with his unique style of music. Brian of course, as many will remember, recently released David's most famous single ,'Days of Pearly Spencer' ,with backing vocals by 3 of David's Grandchildren , Covey, Lola and Lily.

The night also saw the launch of the double cd , 'A Tribute to David McWilliams' which features 22 artists with their own interpretation of David's songs. The double cd which retails at £10.00 is extremely good value with all proceeds from the sale going to help young singer/songwriters and musicians.

Anyone wishing to purchase the cd can do so at the following outlets.

No Alibis Book store, Botanic Avenue Belfast.
Trevor Keys Music, Wellington Street Ballymena and Spencer Road Londonderry.
Bert McCormick's, Main street Ballyclare.
Solstice, Society Street Coleraine and Main Street Holywood
or by contacting the secretary or treasurer on either 07828760104 / 07733238099.
Artists and the songs recorded for this special double CD ´A tribute to David McWilliams´

A list of artists and the songs they have recorded:

	CD 1
Meghan McWilliams	-	god and my country
Davy Sloan	-	three o'clock flamingo street
Ursula Burns	-	can I get there by candlelight
Dawn Alexander	-	letter to my love
Brian Houston	-	days of pearly spencer
Henry McCullough	-	cross the line
Bob Speers	-	harlem lady
Hannah McWilliams	-	mexico
Errol Walsh	-	you don't have to worry about me
Blackthorn	-	dusty bluebells
Ciaran Macgowan	-	twenty golden years ago
	CD 2
Michael Robinson	-	black velvet
Gil McWilliams	-	she was a lady
Jackie Fullerton	-	blue eyes
The Irish Rovers	-	the gypsy
Clarke Fullerton	-	you've only been a stranger
Down to Earth	-	mister satisfied
Anthony Toner	-	for josephine
Richard Gilpin	-	in the early hours of the morning
Tommy Sands	-	an irishman's dream
Willie Drennan	-	spanish hope
George Jones & Paul McNelly	-	peggy sue got married

The Scheme's President Mr Brian Robinson who travelled from Dublin for the event was delighted with the event and wishes to thank all those involved in both the making of the cd and the concert itself.

The Lord Mayor of Ballymena, Maurice Mills presented a plaque to Sjef Kolen, Webmaster, who travelled all the way from Utrecht (the Netherlands) for the night. Sjef set up and maintains a site www.davidmcwilliams.com which is well worth a visit.
The evening attracted a large number of people from as far afield as Utrecht (the Netherlands), London, Dublin and right across the Province.

A big thank you should be offered to Rosalind Lowry of the Festival committee whose hard work made the evening the success it was. It is envisaged that this night will be one of many similar concerts in the future.

On the photo left: Jackie Fullerton, Sjef Kolen and the Lord Mayor of Ballymena, Maurice Mills

Gil McWilliams

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Review of first David McWilliams Tribute Stage Gig; 6th October 2006

The evening of Friday 6th October saw the launch of the David McWilliams Tribute Stage as part of the Ballymena Arts Festival. Held in the Des Allen Suite, a full house was treated to some of the best talent from the local music scene paying homage to Ballymena's own Sixties pop icon, David McWilliams. Bob Speers, Brian Houston, Erroll Walsh, Anthony Toner and Ursula Burns all played their own versions of McWilliams-penned songs along with several of their own compositions.

Organiser Colin Agnew, chairman of the newly formed David McWilliams Appreciation Society, gave us an incite into David's life and times and read out a glowing tribute from local sports commentator Jackie Fullerton. Jackie said "There is a saying in these parts that a prophet has no honour in his own land. We should change that. I firmly believe that one of Ballymena's most famous musical sons should have a fitting memorial in the Borough. After all, he did put the name of our wee town on the world's musical map." Now that the David McWilliams Tribute Stage has been established, at least the first step to rectifying this has been taken.

The evening's music opened with a fine performance from Ballymena based singer/songwriter Dawn Alexander and fiance Clarke Fullerton. The duo performed their own excellent version of David's song "Letter To My Love". They also performed one of their own tracks. The synergy between these two is obvious with close harmonies and both play guitar in a way which compliments the other's style. Perhaps Ballymena's answer to Johnny and June Carter Cash has now arrived.

Last year's Arts Festival had a very successful "in the round" format event where each artists takes it in turn to perform a track with the others "jamming" where and when they feel appropriate. This year saw three of last year's contributors return (Speers, Walsh and Toner). This time round proceedings were kicked of with Bob Speers. Cullybackey-reared Speers regaled us with story songs about maternal wisdom, mysterious gypsy girls and a tremendous version of McWilliams' Harlem Lady. Speers' lyrics are Morrison-segue in their quality and he has a fine voice to match. His powerful vocals would move even the most impassive of individuals. Currently mixing the long-awaited follow up to his critically acclaimed debut "Northlands", this is an artist with a wealth of experience who simply must be heard.

Following on from Bob Speers was Belfast's own rising star Brian Houston. Brian recently played "Whispering" Bob Harris' 60th birthday concert at the famed radio broadcaster's request. At this concert Houston got up on stage and jammed on harmonica with former Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant. Any man brave enough to play blues harp with Plant, a musical colossus known for his harp playing with Zeppelin, has to be very talented or very foolish. Houston thankfully fits into the former category. Houston also made another bold move on the night of the McWilliams Tribute Stage gig by taking on the task of tackling David's "Big Song", the well-known "Days Of Pearly Spencer". Brian pulled this off admirably and even managed to coax the audience (which was more of a listening crowd than a sing along crowd) to join in on the chorus. Also notable was the poignant "Red Badge Of Courage", Brian's tribute to his wife's successful battle with cancer.

Award-winning country artist Erroll Walsh was up next and he performed a rousing version of one of David McWilliams' later releases "Friday Night". Walsh's own "We'll Get There Before It Closes" was the highlight of his set for this reviewer. A John Prine- sequel ballad reminding us that there is no benefit to getting caught up in the frenetic pace of modern life. Walsh performs much less frequently nowadays, preferring to concert on his pleasure boat trip business on the River Lagan so any opportunity to see him perform is well worth taking. Friday 6th's performance of "Friday Night" and all his other tracks was no exception.

Many local artists would shy away from the task of following on from Bob Speers, Brian Houston and Erroll Walsh but one who was more than capable of this was Coleraine's Anthony Toner. Anthony chose the lesser-known McWilliams track Bucket Full Of Dreams as his cover version and it suited his laid back vocal delivery well. Reminiscent of Jackson Browne and James Taylor, Anthony is also an accomplished slide guitarist. This was a talent he used throughout the night to compliment the songs of the other artists as well as his own. With reference to Toner's own songs, the compositions he performed on the night "Cousins At Funerals" and "Getting Used To Gravity Again" reflect his gift as a lyricist and his penchant for Randy Newman.

The final artist in the queue so to speak was Ursula Burns. This lady may be proof that you should save the best wine to last as she is certainly a very gifted performer. Ursula's use of the harp, dreamy Yeatsian lyrics and siren-sequel vocals make her an artist for whom the word "unique" is a very apt description. Her music certainly has a very Celtic feel and it is little wonder she has earned support slots with artists such as Loudon Wainwright III being so gifted. Ursula chose "Can I Get There By Candlelight?" as her David McWilliams tribute and her haunting vocals and melodious harp playing totally revamped this song which was a major hit in Holland. I am sure David would have approved of the modifications as it was a lovely version.

After a few initial nerves were overcome the artists began to jam freely with each other and seemed to really enjoy each other's material. The intuitive nature of the improvisations suggested this was a group well used to performing together and not as the case was, a quintet who had never played together.

In later years David McWilliams was a reluctant performer. On the rare occasions he could be coaxed into performing there was almost invariably one song that he would play, the folksong "Goodnight Irene made famous by blues man Leadbelly and skiffle artist Lonnie Donegan. This track was performed on the night by the quintet of artists fittingly to say "farewell to the audience."

The David McWilliams Appreciation Society were glad that its patron and lifelong friend of David, Brian Robinson made it all the way from Dublin to the concert. We wish to thank him for his generous gift of £250. We also want to thank Mark Patterson of The Low Country Boys for making the banner for the night and Rosalind Lowry, Ballymena's Arts Development Officer, for helping put the show on. Thanks to all who attended. This was a great night enjoyed by all and if you did not make this year's event make sure you come next year.

By Andy McKinney
(Secretary David McWilliams Appreciation Society)

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CD 'A Tribute To David McWilliams'

The David McWilliams Appreciation Society plans to release its limited edition CD "A Tribute To David McWilliams" on Friday 21st March at Ballymena Arts Festival. The evening will feature the combined talents of Henry McCullough and Brian Houston with their bands in concert, at the new Braid Arts Centre building on Bridge Street, starting at 8.00pm. David's daughters Meghan and Hannah McWilliams will open the concert by singing their dad's first single from 1966 ("God And My Country").

Book now at the Festival Box Office, Bridge Street Ballymena - Tel. 02825 635942 Tickets £12.50

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS CD WILL BE CHANELLED INTO A BURSARY FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS AND SONGWRITERS.

For more information please Tel. Colin Agnew on 07920832216
or James Hughes on 07931334228.

Family, friends and fellow musicians have come together on this recording to sing some of David's best loved songs. An eclectic mix of musical genre and lyrical themes, the album features twenty two local artists and includes a comprehensive 20 page booklet with rare photographs and extensive biographical notes.

This CD is available exclusively through the following outlets from Monday 24th March

NO ALIBIS BOOKSTORE:83 Botanic Avenue, Belfast
TREVOR KEYS MUSIC:3 Wellington Street, Ballymena
157 Spencer Rd. Londonderry
BERT McCORMICKS:44 Main Street, Ballyclare
SOLSTICE:1 Society Street, Coleraine

Or alternatively by sending a cheque for £12 (incl. p&p) payable to "David McWilliams Bursary Scheme"
Flamingo Street Productions
14 Woodgrove
Woodtown Road
Ballymena
Co. Antrim BT43 5JQ

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Appreciation Society to 'lay it on the line' for McWilliams

Ballymena now has it's own dedicated David McWilliams Appreciation Society, thanks to local fan, Colin Agnew.
The inaugural meeting, held on Thursday last in Ballymena, has formally established the Society which will not only commemorate the song-writing and musical talents of the legendary David McWilliams, but also encourage new local talents.
According to Colin, who has been elected chairman of the Society, they have elected offices bearers, selected a working committee and have drawn up a construction.
The Society's mission statement clearly sets out the work they hope to achieve, by celebrating David's inspiration and looking to the future for young people with similar aspirations.
"We aim to keep alive the memory and work of Sixties icon, singer songwriter David McWilliams, highlighting his Ballymena and Northern Irish connection by promoting the work of local songwriters, helping them in any way we can"
The range of people who attended the inaugural meeting clearly reflected the mission statement.
As well as die-hard David fans, people who grown up with him in Ballymena, ones who had played in his band, and self-confessed "old fogeys" there was a fair number of young people discovering McWilliam's ballads for the first time and liking what they had heard.
It was fitting too, that the Society met in the Rectory Residents Association offices, close to where David grew up and gained some of his inspiration.
"We are really delighted that the Rectory Residents Association have taken this on and we are interested in what we are trying to do, said Colin.

Mother
"We are indebted to them for giving us the use of their offices and to those people who are coming forward to tell us that they knew David." He added.
"We had Jimmy Brown from Ballymena who played in David's showband and was elected Vice Chairman.
"We also had Dorothy O'Kane who was a neighbour of David's in the Rectory who became like a mother figure to him. She has followed his career very closely," said Colin.
Also involved in the Society is local photographer and artist Jimmy Hughes, as well as musician Davy Sloan who had also played with David McWilliams.
Rev Steve Stockman, a Presbyterian Youth Minister and celebrated author from Derryvolgie who is interested in music was also at the meeting.
He hosts a BBC Radio Ulster programme "Rhythm and Soul" which has been broadcasting McWilliam's music over the past few months and has been helping to bring the Ballymena man's compositions to a wider audience.
A number of young aspiring singer songwriters have been attracted to the Society by David McWilliam's music and inspiration. Among these are Andrew McKinnery, Dawn Alexander who is soon to release an EP; and Stephan McCelland who runs live music sessions in Ballymena.
Many are hoping to share in the international fame and exposure enjoyed by one of the town's most famous son.

Antem
David wrote the famous ballad, The days of Pearly Spencer, which became one of the anthems of the Sixties.
Between 1967 and 1968 he recorded three British top 40 albums on the Major Minor record label.
He attracted a strong following on the mainland Europe where he was particularly popular in France, the Netherlands and Italy.
Although he was born in Belfast in the Cregagh area, he grew up in Ballemena.
He was a keen footballer and caught the interest of Manchester United as a teenage soccer player.

Flight
In the early Seventies David played football for Saturday Morning League side Broadway Celtic.
According to his contemporaries he was a useful player.
So much so that when in his 20s David switched from playing outfield to keeping goals and made several appearances with Linfield.
During his time in Ballymena he was an apprenticeship fitter in the torpedo factory at Antrim.

Modest
David was referred to as "the Dylan Thomas of Ulster" but the singer songwriter had more modest explanation for his talent: "I listen with my eyes and I sing what I see."
His gift in writing The Days of Pearly Spencer brought him sales of over one million records when it was released in 1967.
It was also a tremendous hit for former Soft Cell front man Marc Almond 25 years later.
When he was told then how the new Almond version had rocketed into the Top 10 David said: "I don't know whether to be flattered or not. I've never had any interest in trying to write the sort of songs that might end up in the charts nowadays.
"To be honest I haven't heard the version. Now that it's doing so well I'll have to listen out for it. Do they still have Top of the Pops?"
David died in Ballycastle on January 8, 2002 aged just 56.

Musical
Colin Agnew, the man behind the appreciation society, explained why he had taken this step.
"David McWilliams is Ballymena's most famous musical son. He wrote and recorded The Days of Pearly Spencer, which is one of the classic songs of the Sixties, said Colin.
"Today it still gets a lot of airplay.
"I feel very strongly that he has been overlooked in music terms, despite being one of Northern Ireland's top starts," he added.
Colin believes that Ballymena will benefit from the foundation of the Appreciation Society.
"It will be good for the image of Ballymena because David was an international star. He was very big in Europe.
"He grew up in the town where he was a respected footballer who crossed the religious divide by playing both Harryville Amateurs and Broadway Celtic.
"Growing up, the two things that really mattered to him were music and football," said Colin.

Regrets
Sadly, Colin never met his musical hero, something which he deeply regrets.
I heard The Days of Pearly Spencer on the radio and someone told me he was local.
"I like his music very much and I set up the appreciation society because I think we need a lasting tribute," Colin explained.
"David has been somewhat overlooked since he died and people didn't realise what a star he was when he was alive," he added.
This is something the newly formed Appreciation Society hopes to rectify.

Financial
Colin is working on a project to produce a CD of David's work but he is still seeking financial backing.
"I have contacted a lot of musicians and have artists lined up - the list reads like a Who's Who of the Northern Ireland music scene," said Colin.
"There are people like Brian Houston, Henry McCullough, Bob Speers and Davy Sloan and a host more musicians from across Northern Ireland who would be performing a David McWilliam's composition of their choise," Colin added.
Colin received great encouragement from musicians but so far funding has been difficult.
He would like to hear from any Ballymena businesses who would sponsor the CD venture.
Naturally, their contribution would be acknowledged on the CD.

Local
Local sponsorship would enable Colin and his committee to approach Ballymena Borough Council for a grant to make up for any shortfall.
One of the events planned for Autumn will be a line up of five singer songwriters performing in a tribute evening to David McWilliams.
This will be held on October 6 during the Ballymena Art Festival and will feature the talents of Errol Walsh, Anthony Toner, Bob Speers and Brian Houston.
Colin has been delighted by every positive response he has had from councillors and local people alike to the formation of the Appreciation Society. A further meeting in planned for the next few months and details will be announced closer to the time.

The officer bearers elected on Thursday were: Chairman, Colin Agnew; Vice Chairman, Jimmy Brown; Secretary, Andrew McKinney; Treasurer, Gil McWilliams.

By Joan Jeffery The Guardian, august 23, 2006

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Unsung Hero

Ulster singer-songwriter David McWilliams, who penned and recorded the famous ballad, The Days of Pearly Spencer, died in 2002, aged 56. Now Ballymena man Colin Agnew has set up an appreciation society, which meets for the first time this week to pay tribute to the unsung local hero.

Claire McNeilly finds out more.

By Claire McNeilly; 15 August 2006

It's the obvious question. Why would a Protestant from a divided town like Ballymena support Celtic Football Club? And why would the same man set up a fan club to honour a musician whose talents were largely ignored when he was alive?

Colin Agnew (44) is a horticulturist and founder of The David McWilliams Appreciation Society.

He explains: "David McWilliams is Ballymena's most famous musical son.

"He wrote and recorded The Days of Pearly Spencer, which is one of the classic songs of the 60s.

"Today, it still gets a lot of airplay. I feel very strongly that he has been overlooked in music terms, despite being one of Northern Ireland's top stars."

Founding an appreciation society has been a personal crusade, explains Colin when we meet at the Palm House in Belfast's Botanic Gardens, where he has worked for almost 25 years.

"It will be good for the image of Ballymena because David was an international star - very big in Europe and particularly popular in France, Holland and Italy," he says. "He grew up in the town, where he was a respected footballer who crossed the religious divide by playing for both Harryville Amateurs and Broadway Celtic.

"Growing up, the two things that really mattered to him were music and football.

" But that doesn't explain how Colin - born and bred in Ballykeel, a staunchly loyalist enclave - wound up swearing allegiance to Celtic.

"The most obvious team to support was Rangers or Manchester United, but I always like to do things differently so I adopted Celtic as my team," he says.

"I loved their unusual kit (the players used to wear their numbers on their shorts, not on the back of their shirts, which was really neat). I got a lot of stick, but people grew to respect that Celtic was my team. It was never a problem, but things were different back then ... "

Yet it's a tradition he has handed down to his sons, Daniel (13) and Benjamin (8).

"The boys follow Celtic as well. We try to get across to a couple of games every season," he says.

However, neither wife Gill (39) nor their daughter Sophie (10) share the boys' love of football.

Gill, who is originally from Cambridgeshire, works at Marks & Spencer. The couple met when her father was pastor of the local Baptist Church at Hill Street.

Interestingly, 1967 was a landmark year for both of Colin's passions.

"I remember when Celtic won the European Cup in 1967," he goes on. "That swung it for me. They were the first British team to win it. I was seven at the time and it made a big impression on me.

"That was the same year that David released The Days of Pearly Spencer, which is actually a poignant ballad about a homeless man whom David met in Ballymena."

The town has done little to honour McWilliams in the four years since his death.

Although he was born in the Cregagh area of Belfast and died in Ballycastle, his family moved to Ballymena when he was three and he grew up in the Rectory area.

Between 1967 and 1968, the prolific singer-songwriter recorded three British top 40 albums on the Major Minor record label. However, his 1967 recording of The Days of Pearly Spencer was never a British chart hit. A quarter of a century elapsed before a cover version by Soft Cell's Marc Almond reached number four.

But why has Colin taken up the gauntlet, as it were, in McWilliams' memory? Did they know each other?

"I never met him, which is something I regret ... I heard The Days of Pearly Spencer on the radio and someone told me he was local," he reveals.

"I like his music very much - 3 O'Clock Flamingo Street and Harlem Lady were big hits in Europe - and I set up the society because I think we need a lasting tribute.

"David has been somewhat overlooked since he died and people didn't realise what a star he was when he was alive. We aim to preserve his memory and work.

"We also want to highlight his Ballymena and Northern Irish connections by promoting the work of local songwriters and helping them in any way we can."

Another project in the pipeline involves producing a CD, although Colin has been unable to secure funding as yet.

"It has been a pilgrimage for me these last couple of years trying to get this thing off the ground," he says. "I have contacted a lot of musicians and I've 20 artists lined up - the list reads like a Who's Who of the Northern Irish music scene.

" Colin actually began his 'pilgrimage' two years ago, during the Ballymena Arts Festival.

"We had a very successful David McWilliams tribute night," he explains. "Afterwards, a number of people agreed it would be nice to pay him a lasting tribute.

"I went on George Jones' Radio Ulster show and received a lot of encouragement from musicians - even when funding fell through they told me to keep at it.

" He continues: "Initially, a funding application was rejected by the Arts Festival, so I decided to set up a committee locally and then submit another application. Hopefully any shortfall will be supplemented by Ballymena council.

" Dealing with red tape can't be easy for the Greenmount College graduate, who, as team leader at Botanic, is responsible for tending to an eclectic mixture of flower displays, exotic trees, tropical and sub-tropical plants.

"Plants are a lot less complicated than people. They're very easy to work with," he agrees. "I have always had a passion for plants. I get a great degree of satisfaction from nurturing a young seedling until it grows into a mature plant.

" And working with tropical plants has certainly taught him patience.

He explains: "You don't see them every day of the week; they are unusual. One of the breeds here, Doryantiaes Excelsa - commonly known as the Spear Lily - comes from Australia."

"This year, it flowered for the first time in 25 years. It was just a small plant when I arrived here, but I've been looking after it ever since. It was donated to Belfast by Kew Gardens in London just after the Palm House was refurbished in the late 70s, early 80s.

" Perhaps, another reason why his unsung hero strikes a chord with Colin has something to do with his own hidden talents?

He adds: "I love poetry - I actually dabble in it. I've had a couple of bits and pieces published in local anthologies, but I'm not very good ... "

The first meeting of The David McWilliams Appreciation Society will be held this Thursday at the Rectory Residents' Association offices in Ballymena.

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Ballymena's 60s hero back in limelight

BACK in the glory days of the sixties, Ballymena was a hotbed of musical talent.
The Flamingo played host to some of the greatest pop acts in history while at a lower level, the showbands were 'sending 'em home sweating' and young guitarists like Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore were bringing the 12 bar boogie of R'n'B to the thirsty masses.
It was in this culture of music, fashion and, above all, social change, that a young Ballymena man called David McWilliams first began writing songs and music.

Brought up in the Rectory area of the town, McWilliams, like so many others, Van Morrison included, eagerly devoured the music poured out by stations like Radio Luxembourg.
He also heard the work of emerging singer song-writers like Bob Dylan, who, with his acoutic guitar and a twangy harmonica, almost single handedly changed the nature of pop music forever.
McWilliams may not have a catalogue to rival the majestic Dylan, but he did pen one of the iconic songs of the sixties.
Music lovers of a 'certain age' in Ballymena will undoubtedly know just how popular 'The Days of Pearly Spencer' became not only in Britain, but around the world.

Now the works of David McWilliams will be highlighted and cherished with the formation of a special focus group in the town.
The first meeting of the David McWilliams Appreciation Society will take place on Thursday, August 17. It will be held, fittingly, in the Rectory Residents' Association Offices (located behind High Kirk Presbyerian Church.).
Colin Agnew, a Ballymena who feels McWilliams' legacy deserves great local appreciation says all fellow musical enthusiasts are welcome.
"David McWilliams recorded three British top 40 albums between 1967 and 1968. He attracted a large following in mainland Europe and he was particularly popular in France, Holland and Italy. He died in January 2002 aged just 56."
For more information contact Colin on 25630006 or google for www.davidmcwilliams.com

Ballymena Times, 02 August 2006

It also included a photo of David with the caption: "LOCAL HERO: David McWilliams"

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6th Octobre 2006 David McWilliams Tribute Stage

At this years Ballymena Arts Festival the DAVID McWILLIAMS TRIBUTE STAGE will feature-Anthony Toner, Bob Speers, Errol Walsh, Brian Houston,and Ursula Burns. ' IN THE ROUND ' Fri. 6th Oct 2006.

Each artist will be singing original material and encouraged to talk about the inspiration behind their songs. They will also perform a cover version of their favourite David McWilliams composition.

I plan to make this an annual event in the Arts Festival calender as a means of showcasing the very best N. Irish songwriting talent and of course as a lasting tribute to Ballymena's most famous musical son!

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Plans for tribute CD in memory of David McWilliams
Despite David's early success and stardom, he never forgot where he came from and was immensely proud of his Ballymena roots.
As a means of paying a lasting tribute to Ballymena' s most famous musical son, I am trying to fund a tribute CD featuring his best loved recordings, sung by musicians who knew him and who share my enthusiasm and admiration for his talent as a songwriter.

To date George Jones has pledged his support and has agreed to contribute a song to the compilation. George has already publicised the recording of the CD on his afternoon Radio Ulster show during which he commented that "David was one of our great unsung Hero's and that he was" A great, great star arising from the 60's". George also stated that in his opinion "Pearly Spencer has become one of the great pop anthems of the world".

Other musicians who have confirmed their participation in the recording of the CD include: Henry McCullough; Bob Speers; Richard Gilpin; The Irish Rovers; Davy Sloan; Michael Robinson; Clive Culbertson; Anthony Toner ,Blackthorn; Megan McWilliams; Brian Houston; Gill McWilliams; "Nae Goats Toe"; Ciaran McGowan; Ursula Burns and Finbar Furey.

The cost of releasing the album will be quite high (hire of recording studio etc) and, although all the contributors will be participating on a voluntary basis, the overheads will still be significant and I am therefore seeking help by way of funding through "Awards for All" plus same grant aid from Ballymena Borough Council.

I must stress that this initiative is strictly a non- profit making: event and, neither myself, members of the Project Management Board or any of the contributors will benefit financially from the proceeds of the safe of the album. All funders will be fully acknowledge and credited on the sleeve notes of the CD.

Bursary
The profits from the sale of the tribute CD will be used to establish an annual Youth Football Bursary Scheme which will be managed and administrated through a Project Management Board under the auspices of the Ballymena United Youth Academy. The Bursary will be used to develop youth football in a number of ways, for example by funding trips for children to Football Bursary Scheme which will be managed and administrated through to play in youth football tournaments organised by the top English clubs. It is, I believe fitting that the funds should be donated to Ballymena United Youth Academy as the club epitomises David's love of participation in junior football in the town and, Like David and his music, it reaches across all communities both within and outside the borough.

If we are successful with the funding we would hope to launch the cd in the Spring of 2007. We would also like to organize a gala concert featuring all the artists at the Ballymena Arts Festival in October 2007 to coincide with the official opening of our new Town Hall-concert venue and the forty years since the release of "Pearly Spencer" in October 1967!

Project Management Board

Colin Agnew - Administrator
Lyle Foster - Treasurer
Bill Crothers - Assistant Administrator

Further assistance and organising of fund raising events will be given by the committee and members of the Ballymena United Youth Academy.

Colin Agnew

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