Gene Chetty returns to Enniskillen to guest at a big night of showband music in the Westville Hotel
WELL-KNOWN showband singer Gene Chetty is to return to Enniskillen to guest at a big night of showband music at the Westville Hotel on January 30.
Along with the newly-formed North West Showband, Gene will perform a selection of his old favourites – including from his time with showband ‘Gene and the Gents’.
The North West Showband consists of a range of local musicians and is aiming to bring a contemporary style to the classic showband catalogue.
With Eunan McCaffrey and Bob Quick at the helm, the duo have amassed a talented crew and have begun to play around the county.
Eunan takes on guitar and vocal duties, while trombonist Bob takes charge of the brass section, which includes star players from the Strabane Concert Brass band. Alongside them are, on bass and vocals, Eddie McCaffrey, Ryan McCaffrey lead guitar, and Marty Jones on drums and vocals.
In the brass section, Kevin Harley and Derek McGillan are on trumpets, Liam Doherty on trombone and Gerry Bradley on keyboard.
“We’re basically doing a full launch for the showband. We had done a free night and a couple of nights here and there but this is going to be the big one,” explained Eunan.
“Gene is coming over for an appearance – he’s very much behind us. He was big with ‘Gene and the Gents’ and he wants to see this type of music do well again.”
Gene is now based in London – and the band are expecting his appearance to add extra incentive to what is promised to be a big night.
“What we’re ofering is totally live music, revisiting a mixture of old showband songs with a modern twist.
“It’s a Committments style band, we’re taking old and new and putting the brass through all of it. It’ll be a good night and we’re hoping for a big crowd,” he added.