I like to think I am a private unassuming individual who does not pursue the limelight, however for the purpose of this website and with apologies in advance for the ‘self-praise’, I must indulge.
In the late 60’s I was and played no small part in the foundation of the Irish record industry as we know it today. Apart from the well-established music company WALTONS, there were few other Irish mainstream recording companies around resulting in the British company PYE RECORDS, who had a base in Dublin, cornering enthusiastic Irish acts who wanted to release a record.
Initiated by Oliver Barry, band manager and show business entrepreneur and in conjunction with Joe O’Reilly (Sen) (RIP), owner of The Dolphin Discs chain of record shops at the time and with the cooperation of the UK company ISLAND RECORDS, the DOLPHIN RECORDS label was formed. Other directors of the company along with myself were Jim Aiken (RIP), boss of Jim Aiken Promotions and Jim Hand (RIP) Band manager.
All records released on the Dolphin Label from its inception up until the early 80’s went through my hands.
I was in regular contact and associated socially with
The Wolfe Tones, Paddy Reilly, The Dublin City Ramblers, The Barleycorn, The Fureys, Ronnie Drew and more.
In 1969 I negotiated the release of the Irish entry for The Eurovision Song Contest; WAGES OF LOVE sung by Murial Day which eventually finished 7th. in the competition.
In my days at Dolphin Records I was responsible for the establishment of Celtic Songs as a publishing company and obtaining the full publishing rights of the song THE FIELDS OF ATHENRY (Pete St. John), and securing a 50% stake in the publishing of DUBLIN IN THE RARE AULD TIMES by the same writer.
In 1977 I released THE RARE AULD TIMES as a single and we all (at least all Dubliners) know of its success.
In 1998 I was approached by Canadian music industry entrepreneur Jury Krytiuk to set up an Irish based company to co-publish his vast catalogue in the European territory. Together a company named Musicare Limited was formed.
I am still a partner in that company.
In brief, I’ve been around.
At the launch of the Ronnie Drew solo album GUARANTEED RONNIE DREW in 1978, that’s me, Brian Barker on the left, Paddy Belton (RIP), Lord Mayor of Dublin (centre) and Ronnie (RIP).