Jerry Hanlon    

In September of 1962, it was a special occasion for JERRY HANLON, when, as a young, aspiring entertainer, he stepped for the first time into the spotlight at the famed GRAND OLE OPRY in Nashville, Tennessee and performed his first recorded song "Boy With A Future". Released in a hit album (Midnight Jamboree) by his mentor, the late ERNEST TUBB, the song fast became known around the world to Country Music Fans and the Radio Media.

Of Irish heritage, 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. 

After many years of recording and performing throughout America, the song "Boy With A Future" surfaced in Northern Ireland in 1986 when the Irish recording artist, Jackie Nelson, recorded it. Encouraged by an Irish DJ friend, Gerry Donaghy, Jerry joined Jackie on his first personal appearance tour to Northern Ireland in April, 1987, thus beginning a series of over 15 subsequent tours to Ireland where he has appeared at a variety of venues and several of the major festivals.

Jerry has worked with most of the Northern Irish Country Entertainers and has been instrumental in assisting several of them in their continued recording and performing careers, being recognized most recently as a duet partner with the long time popular Irish Artist - Tracy Wells.

Jerry's humanitarian efforts have been noted in his charity appearances for many of the handicapped children in N. Ireland · and he considers it a privilege to carry the title of Honorary President of the Banbridge, N. Ireland Gateway Center for the Handicapped.

"THE CALLING" is an Irish song penned by Jerry Hanlon in tribute to his Great Grandfather. The song has become well known throughout Ireland and has been recorded by several Irish artists, including Shawn Cuddy, Finbarr Harte, Sean Michael, Coner McKay, Tracy Wells, and the Australian artist, Slim Dusty. Another of Jerry's songs "Words Great Grandpa Said" has become a favorite on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as "Waltzing Through lreland" which Jerry wrote in collaboration with Irish songwriter, Eddie Grew.

Trevor Smyth Productions of Ballymoney, N. Ireland have produced two recent CD's of Jerry Hanlon.  "If The Good Lord Is Willing" (a superb album of religious songs) and "Livin' On Dreams", a full country CD which also includes some Irish recordings. Both of these CD's can be found in the shops in N. Ireland or obtained through TSP Productions and Music Box Records in Ballymoney.

In addition to his frequent tours to N. Ireland, Jerry Hanlon has become increasingly popular with his brand of Irish Country and American Country Music in Irish/American venues in Chicago and other Irish Centers in America including a variety of Irish Festivals held annually in Chicago, Cleveland, Ohio and Pennsylvania, among others.

(Compiled - 2001 - UAR Productions, Ltd)

Last Updated:  05/29/2002