Gerry Ford

Singer, songwriter, deejay and emcee Gerry Ford was in the music business in one capacity or another for over 30 years and was one of the best-known country singers in Great Britain. Born Gerard Corcorran in Athlone, Ireland, he heard American country and western music on the radio as a boy and took a fancy to it. He taught himself to play guitar and eventually moved to London, working as a baker by day and a deejay and emcee by night. After marrying in 1964, he and his new bride returned to Scotland, and he became a policeman while singing in local establishments at night. In 1974, Ford debuted on Radio Clyde in Glasgow, which led to his own show, Forth Country Special, on Edinburgh's Radio Forth. He made his recording debut in 1976 with "Reuben James," and afterwards decided to become a full-time musician. He began working in clubs as a performer and deejay and then signed with Emerald Records. His first album, These Songs Are Just for You, was released in 1977, and he began touring the nation's clubs with his Gerry Ford Country Show. Ford hosted BBC Radio Scotland's Country Corner for fifteen years, beginning in 1978. When the show was finally pulled, a national outcry resulted and the network was swamped with petitions, irate phone calls, and letters of complaint. He toured with such American performers as Willie Nelson and Boxcar Willie and also hosted and performed at the Wembley Festival for many years. Among Ford's albums were On the Road (1981), 16 Country Favorites (Volumes 1 & 2, 1990 and 1994, respectively), and Can I Count on You (1992). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Music Guide