Phil Richardson is my great uncle. He is left of centre, playing the saxophone, in the photo on your website. I have another photo of the Phil Richardson Showband. I also have a photo of the Kilcoran Melody Dance Band, which I think is a precursor to the Showband. In that picture, Phil Richardson is the fiddler.

Phil Richardson was born in Scartnaglorane, Ballylooby, Cahir, Tipperary around 1919. At the time of his death, he lived on Abbey St in Cahir. I don’t know much else about the band. I found a clipping on the web from a Tipperary newspaper in 1964:From the Nenagh Guardian: At the Borrisokane Show dance on Thursday night next, Borrisokane's 'Harvest Queen‘ will be crowned. The Phil Richardson Bandshow will supply the music for the dance, which is always one of the most popular social events in the area.

There is a family story about Phil Richardson. As a child, he was upstairs in the bed with his mother when the “Black and Tans” barged into the house. Phil made a rude gesture toward them and cried “ha, ha big man” and Phil's mother thought for sure they would pay for it. Luckily, the Black and Tans left without disturbing the house further. I remember that music played some part in the Black and Tans entering the home, either because they heard music or the family was known to enjoy music, which was considered an offense.

Elizabeth Rosky