About Me
THE HEGGARTY TWINSOFFICIAL BIOGRAPHYIt was in the year 1968, that the late rock and roll legend, Bill Haley and his famous "Comets"- after having begun their career earlier on the American Country Music Scene, with follow up recordings that made their mark in Rock and Roll history including their forever classic "Rock Around The Clock" - entered a studio in the United States to record a single recording for the United Artist Record label, a version of Tom T. Hall’s "That’s How I Got To Memphis."In the same year, (1968) in the small village of Markethill - located in the County Armagh, Northern Ireland, The Heggarty Twins, Aidan and Paul, were born on November 6th to Maureen and Tommy Heggarty. Years later, the songs of Bill Haley and The Comets along with a host of other great Rock and Roll legends and a variety of country artists would become the influence for The Heggarty Twins interest in music.Born very premature and fragile with a slim chance for survival - the birth of The Heggarty Twins was a miracle for the Irish couple who had suffered the loss of other children during the early months of conception and had sadly concluded that their love and want for children was not to be.The Heggarty Twins survived, however, and grew to be respected young men of good character and special talents. Their father instilled in them his deep love for American Country Music and, at their early age of 6 years, he obtained a piano to provide a means for his sons to express their obvious budding love for music. It was at that young age and with the encouragement of their parents, that American Country music in particular became their favorite style of music. Learning to play the piano, drums and eventually the Saxophone (for Paul) seemed to come naturally. The hit song "Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On", initially recorded by one of America’s top country singers, Hank Locklin, became the song that decided their love for American Country Music, a song that is now beautifully sung by Aidan and is included on the newest CD release of The Heggarty Twins.The road to recognizable success has been difficult for The Heggarty Twins. With a combined love for country music and the eventual influence by many of the greatest rock artists of our time, they began combining the two styles of music with a growing fondness also for the popularity of the Irish showbands. Their endeavors were filled with the strong influences of the Living Legend, Big Tom and the Mainliners, as well as the fabulous Brian Coll. Paul Heggarty learned to play the drums with instruction from the late Joe Dean, formerly of the Clippertone Showband of Keady town.As with the majority of aspiring performers, the early teen years of The Heggarty Twins consisted of performing around their home area, wherever they would have the opportunity to play, whether it be for local parties, school events or concert halls. Their primary influence and "manager" for many years was their late father, Tommy Heggarty, who guided and directed them in the best ways he knew until his passing in 1995. For over the past 20 years, The Heggarty Twins have performed in both the North and South of Ireland, and they continue to perform in a variety of venues including night clubs, area pubs and lounges all around the area.In recent years, they have recorded two separate CD collections as well as a music video production. Area radio stations have offered some recognition of their recording efforts through the years, but the necessity of maintaining full time jobs prevented them from fulfilling their lifelong dream of being accepted as the top rated music performers they had witnessed in the popularity of the more major artists who had influenced their musical endeavors.In October 2007, Aidan Heggarty came upon the internet website of American Country Singer, Jerry Hanlon, who had, through the years, made numerous musical tours to Ireland and Northern Ireland - and is the author of the classic Irish song "The Calling Home" with appearances at America’s Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. A brief online note to Jerry Hanlon from Aidan Heggarty resulted in a response that has since added new life and challenge to the musical aspirations of The Heggarty Twins and has created a musical association between them that knows few, if any, bounds.Perhaps The Heggarty Twins were in awe of the reaction by Jerry Hanlon for their simple kind remarks, and perhaps they were not aware of the struggles this American Artist himself had endured for all his years involved in country music or, of his care and concern that talented artists such as The Heggarty Twins might, at the least, experience the same recognition and helping hand that had been offered to him so many years before.Followup communication found Jerry Hanlon to be so impressed by the sincerity and talent of The Heggarty Twins that they were signed to the U.S. Record label, UAR Records. In January of 2008, Jerry Hanlon entered a studio in Nashville to produce several music tracks for a collaboration CD release between The Heggarty Twins and himself. In February, 2008, in a small recording studio near Markethill in Northern Ireland, The Heggarty Twins likewise found themselves in a studio recording session with, and under the production guidance of Jerry Hanlon and able studio producer, John Giffin. On May 7th, 2008, their new 20 Track CD release "The Calling Home" was launched at the Gilford British Legion Dance Club-in Gilford, Northern Ireland, to an audience that was described only as "a packed house" of nearly 300 people - and the biggest crowd ever in attendance in the history of the place.The Irish roots of Jerry Hanlon run deep, and, having the O’Hanlon name in their own family history has only solidified the musical and personal relationship between The Heggarty Twins and Jerry Hanlon. The theme of their combined CD Production "The Calling Home" along with the circumstances that brought them together from across the world - is a unique story in itself, ie., the Irish/American Country Singer, being "called home" once again to Ireland , this time through even closer family and musical ties that offer a sense of hope and encouragement for better and continued successful adventures that may lie ahead for all of them.Compiled by UAR Record Productions, U.S.A. May 30, 2008
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