JON DEREK (1975-1991)

‘Hat-trick for Jon Derek & Country Fever’

The Renegades CMC awards night held at the Town Hall, Wirksworth was well worth the journey. The club's ‘Top Group’ award went deservedly to Jon Derek & Country Fever making a hat-trick for them after their previous successes at Basingstoke and Leicester.

DENISE LATHAM-WEST - COUNTRY MUSIC ROUND UP (1979)

Jon Derek has been one of Great Britain’s most famous names on the Country Music scene since the year 1200 B.C. – Now that is not strictly true but it just seems that way to anyone who knows anything about the music, because the name of Country Fever has become synonymous with Country Music throughout recent history in these islands, and therefore, with the title ‘Country Fever’ goes the name Jon Derek. And with the name Jon Derek goes ‘Country Music’ and with Country Music goes ‘Country Fever'.

Throughout the years Jon has always gathered round him the finest collection of musicians and though the personnel may have changed from time to time, neither the standard, the image nor the finished product has ever changed from anything other than excellent and highly professional.

Country Fever have made more European and British nationwide tours than could possibly be imagined. Many of the greatest American stars owe much of their success within Europe’s boundaries to the superb backing provided by ‘Jon and Co’. Television and Radio programmes have on many occasions been the richer for featuring their talents.

It would be easy to write a million words but let this final comment suffice – Jon Derek and Country Fever have done it all.

Taken from the 1980 PETERBOROUGH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL - Souvenir Programme 

‘Jon Derek – Golcar’s answer to Nashville’

Golcar is fast becoming Britain’s answer to Nashville with the arrival of country and western star Jon Derek.

Jon, who has been at the forefront of British country music for more than 20 years, has moved to Golcar from London.

HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER (1983)

If you need an introduction to Jon Derek you are probably sitting in the wrong tent. However, just in case someone has dropped in after an extended stay on Jupiter or Mars and has missed the last twenty years, perhaps a few words may not come amiss. Jon Derek and Country Fever are not only a first class band in their own right, but they are also the band chosen to back the visiting Americans (Tommy Cash, Hank Locklin & Barbara Fairchild) who are topping the bill on Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday night.

Taken from the 1984 PETERBOROROUGH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL - Souvenir Programme

Peterborough Country Music Festival

Possibly around the British Country Music scene for more years than he cares to remember, Jon Derek's music is always quality stuff. Saddled with the responsibilty of backing most of the bill-topping American acts, here in his own spot the material was classic country.

DON FORD - COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE (1984)

‘Classy Jon tops bill’

I watched most of the top bands at last year’s Norfolk Country Festival and for sheer class was most impressed with the performance of Jon Derek and Country Fever. This extremely talented band feature at the Apollo Club, Harleston tomorrow.

DEN McCARTHY - EASTERN EVENING NEWS (1989)

Lazy K Country Music Festival - Haverhill

...Talking about nice things, it's good to see Jon Derek back where he belongs. The country music scene can only benefit from his presence. Backed by the admirable Country Fever, Jon took othe crowd back in time with old favourites such as 'Pass Me By', 'Barstool Mountain' and his song from the seventies, 'Till The Rivers All Run Dry' bringing great applause from an audience who had now completely filled the entire football ground.

GRAHAM TAYLOR - INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS (1989)

The Guisborough T.A. Social Club had a visit from one of the top British country artists, Jon Derek & Country Fever and what a show they put on for the really packed audience here. With a varied selection of country some old, some new, and how the audience loved them. Jon gave us most of the songs we have come to associate with him over the years, and he just seems as if he will go on forever. I am sure that many fans will remember the original Country Fever and three of them met up recently at a show. Jon Derek, Albert Lee and Gerry Hogan who all look as good as ever and have gone on to be the top of the country music tree for years now. Back to the show and this Country Fever are certainly proving to be a very talented band. Put Jon Derek in front of this line up and you have one of the top country bands around.

DON PEIRSE - INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS (1990)

Another great country music personality finished the month off in dynamic fashion. Introduced as the Peter Pan of country music, Jon Derek & Country Fever was brilliant, if anything, even better than his recent visit to us. So varied a programme you could not fault it. As usual the George Jones influenced numbers were among my particular favourites. Jon's career has spanned many years, the original Country Fever being among the early stalwarts of British country music. When a youngster posed the question "Did Jon sing with such verve years ago?" I replied with a smug nod and a wink. Happy in the knowledge that I was about at the beginning, and certain that it won't be long before I'm ready for another helping of his standards so artistically interpreted.

JEFF SARGEANT - SOUTHERN COUNTRY MAGAZINE (1991)

I don't often get to see Jon Derek & Country Fever but I managed to catch them at the Riverside Country Music Club and they put on a show I will remember for a long time. Jon's George Jones style voice certainly went down well with this crowd and his version of 'When The Grass Grows Over Me' was superb.

JOHN BROOKFIELD - BRITISH COUNTRY MUSIC ROOTS (1991)