Jerry Hanlon
Irish American Country Music Entertainer, JERRY HANLON, was
the last of a long line of protégé’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's
and country fans around the world.
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.
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.
(Compiled · 2000 ·UAR Productions, Ltd)
Last Updated: 05/29/2002