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The Country Gentlemen

If you’re reading this, whether you are a former ‘fan’ of the band, a friend, or just interested in Country music and performers, I hope you enjoy and can find something of interest in this site

Formed in the Hartlepool and surrounding areas in 1965 The Country Gentlemen were at that time, one of the few regularly performing C & W groups (they didn't call them Bands in those days) in the North East, and with some, but relatively few, line-up changes continued playing their Country music until eventually disbanding in 1998. Who could have imagined that starting a country music act at the height of the 60’s ‘Beatle-mania’ would lead to over thirty years of continuous performing!

So why a website now?....why build a website 40+ years after a band started, and even more strange, 10 years after it disbanded? Others have asked me, and it’s a very good question...

· Maybe its partly out of a feeling of unfinished business, after being one of the founder members, leaving, losing contact with friends for 30+ years, and then re-establishing contact and interest.

· It’s also a feeling that any band that started to play a relatively niche, unfashionable music such as Country & Western at the height of the 60’s music revolution, particularly in the N-East of England, couldn’t get all the recognition it deserved, and

· Possibly its just nostalgia. Like all of us I’m certainly getting older, and I’ve been thinking about doing something like this for some time.…….Ladies and Gentlemen I give you!!

From the 60’s

through the 70-80’s

into the 90’s

The Country Gentlemen

Mike Watson

If there are any errors in this site, believe me they are unintentional and purely down to fading recollections. However if you want to contribute to this site with your own memories of the band, photos, press clippings, venues or comments, please send an email to me at the address below, I’d love to hear from you. Happy browsing!!

Thanks to all who have contributed to this site, particularly Alan & Pauline Plant, Joe & Lynne Powell, Billy Hully and Billy Crallan for sharing their collection of photos and memorabilia.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Cliffy Brookes, Michael Gallagher, Ray Bennett and Ken Nicholson.

E Mail: WebMaster thecountrygentlemen@fsmail.net

2008