MySpace a place for friends

Irish American Country Music Entertainer, JERRY HANLON spent his early life in the rural country farmlands near Kickapoo, in Illinois, which had been settled and occupied by his Great Grandfather who immigrated to America in the early 1800's.

Jerry became deeply involved in country music while serving in the U.S.Air Force, writing songs and participated in the Air Force "Tops In Blue" entertainment show. It was during his stint in the Air Force that he received special commendation awards by the American Red Cross and the United States Air Force for his involvement in entertaining patients in military hospitals. Through this activity Jerry was recognized as instrumental in the recovery of a psychiatric patient because of his musical intervention, an incident remembered by Jerry as his primary inspiration to pursue a career in country music. Since that time, his greatest musical rewards have been found when performing for the handicapped- and others who are less fortunate.

JERRY was the last of a long line of prot..g..'s of CARRIE RODGERS, the widow of his inspiration, JIMMIE RODGERS, also known as the legendary - "Father Of Country Music". Early in his country music career, JERRY had written a Jimmie Rodgers tribute song, which caught the attention of Mrs. Rodgers. He later met personally with her and they became close friends. She offered a lot of help and encouragement in his career and used her influence to get him acquainted with another country star he admired, ERNEST TUBB who had JERRY as a guest performer on his legendary radio show - MIDNIGHT JAMBOREE .. broadcast over the great WSM Radio, Nashville. He later featured JERRY as a special guest on a recorded rendition of that show - along with his Texas Troubadours and other special guests. On that album, JERRY performed the Harlan Howard song, "BOY WITH A FUTURE", a song that is still recognized by country DJ&..39;s and country fans around the world.

Following the introductory song, "BOY WITH A FUTURE", the name of JERRY HANLON became better known in the U.S. and in other parts of the world. There were guest appearances on the famed "GRAND OLE OPRY in Nashville and road tours with his friend ERNEST TUBB. He later formed his own band known as "THE MIDWEST PLAYBOYS" and in the following years performed throughout his native Midwest United States, and frequently appeared on national tour with The Ernest Tubb Show out of Nashville.

Over the past decade and after over 15 promotional tours, Jerry has gained popularity in Ireland and across Europe and European Radio with his brand of American Country Music and has likewise performed consistently on the American side with a full repertoire of Irish traditional and Irish Country Music, appearing as a solo performer in Irish venues across the country, including the Chicago Irish Festival, the Cleveland, Ohio Irish Festival and various other Irish Festivals in the United States.

JERRY has won his way into the hearts of country music fans. During the National Convention of the Country Music Associations of America held in Las Vegas, Nevada, during October of 1994, Jerry was presented with the coveted "Golden Eagle Award - Album Of The Year" for his recording .. "My Kind Of Country".

Recognized as a true humanitarian, JERRY has spent great amounts of time entertaining the handicapped and underprivileged. He holds the title of Honorary President of the Gateway Center For The Handicapped in Banbridge, Northern Ireland and has received special performance awards from D.A.R.E. (Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Organization) in America. Recent Irish tours have taken him inside prison walls to visit with fans after his recording "I'm Not The Boy I Used To Be" was aired on Irish radio stations.

MAJOR PERFORMING CREDITS

Grand Ole Opry - NashvilleTennessee (guest artist)
Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree Radio Show - Nashville, Tennessee
15 European Tours - Ireland/N. Ireland and Scandinavia
Ralph Emery Morning TV Show - Nashville, Tennessee
General Jackson Showboat - Nashville, Tennessee
Johnny High Country Music Revue .. Fort Worth, Texas
Jerry Hanlon's Midwest Playboys Showband (U.S.)
Ullerup Market Festival - Copenhagen, Denmark
North Counties Country Music Festival - Portrush, N. lreland. (1989)
International Country Music Festival - Newcastle, N. lreland . (1990)
Country Rock Cafe - Copenhagen, Denmark
Chicago Irish Festival - Chicago, Illinois
Appalachian Jubilee - Orrstown, Pennsylvania
Ohio Irish Festival - Cleveland, Ohio
Riverfront Centre Irish Festival - Cuyohoga Falls, Ohio
Almost Ireland Festival - Pottsville, Pennsylvania

---

MEMBERSHIPS AND AWARDS

Golden Eagle Award - Country Music Assns. Of America -Album Of Year (1994)
Country Music Associations of America (CMAA)
Country Music Association - Nashville, Tennessee (CMA)- 40 year member
American Federation Of Musicians - Local 26 - Peoria, Illinois
British Country Music Association - London, England
European Country Music Association .. Spain
Danish Country Music Organization - Denmark
Danish Country DJ Association - Denmark
Nordic Country Music Organization - Sweden
Reunion Of Professional Entertainers (ROPE) Nashville, Tennessee
Veteran - United States AIR FORCE
Loyal Order Of Moose - U.S.A. - Member
American Legion - U.S.A. - Member
United States Air Force .. Outstanding Airman Award
American Red Cross - Special Performance Award
D.A.R.E. of the United States .. Special Performance Award
Pensioners Organization - N. Ireland - Performance Award
Doreen Downing Memorial - N. Ireland - Performance Award

---

---

plain layout @ HOTFreeLayouts.com

HotFreeLayouts