The
Trend
Showband

By Richard Kelly: The Trend band-members resided in Derry City but the band was managed first by Eddie Davis and later by Tony Byrne in Dublin, working out of the same office as Red Hurley and the Nevada Showband.

Under the management of Eddie Davis in Derry City, the Trend Showband embarked on a professional career in 1969, entertaining in the various NATO bases in Germany, Italy, Greece and Turkey. After returning, the band enjoyed playing the Irish Ballroom venues and released a couple of 45s getting a fair amount of air play. Around this time Tony Byrne from Dublin took over management and the band continued on a busy schedule playing the dance halls all over Ireland and also travelling to Toronto, Canada to play the Maple Leaf Ballroom.

This came about when Sean Jordon heard the band perform on a Monday night in the National Ballroom in Dublin. In 1974 Richard Kelly, Donal Sweeney and Ray Beales emigrated to Canada. In 1975 some of the remaining members also emigrated to Canada reforming the band and continued to entertain from coast to coast. Richard Kelly rejoined the band on drums. Today, Eddie Sweeney, John Murray, Peter Roddy, Hugo Carlin, Tony Mc Gonigle and Michael O' Doherty live in the Derry area, while Richard, Ray and Donal still live in Canada.

Town/Village/County: Derry City

Discography compiled by Richard Kelly
7"/45 r.p.m.
Almost Persuaded
Funny Face
Roofs and Rafters
Walk in Peace
Good old Country Music.