"HE WAS THE REAL DEAL"

Albert Lee (Musician)

"THE BEST BRITAIN EVER PRODUCED"

Frank Jennings (Musician)

"A GREAT COUNTRY SINGER"

Chas Hodges (Chas & Dave)

"A REAL PROFESSIONAL - SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL"

David Allan (Broadcaster/Journalist)

"NO ONE BETTER EVER IN BRITISH COUNTRY MUSIC"

Jed Ford (Promoter/Musician)

"THE UK's BEST COUNTRY SINGER /

FRONT MAN"

Dave Anderson (Musician/Agent)

"STANDS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE MAJORITY"

Tony Byworth (Journalist/Publicist)

"AN EXTREMELY TALENTED PERFORMER INDEED - A MASTER OF HIS TRADE"

Mervyn Futter (Promoter/Musician)

"THE STAR WE ALL LOOKED UP TO"

Rusty Douch (Musician)

"THE FIRST REAL ICON OF BRITISH COUNTRY MUSIC"

Vic Woodhouse (Broadcaster/Musician)

"A TRUE PROFESSIONAL - SUCH A SUPERB DISTINCTIVE VOICE"

Diane Richards (Promoter)

"A WONDERFUL ACT"

Jimmy Cricket (Comedian)

"A GREAT LOSS TO THE MUSIC WORLD"

Alan Hope (Politician)

"I ALWAYS CONSIDERED JON TO BE BRITAIN'S BEST COUNTRY SINGER"

Graham Barker (Photographer)

"A BRILLIANT MUSICIAN AND SINGER - MY HERO"

Lisa Rogers (Fan)

"SIMPLY 'THE BEST'

Ray Kedge (Musician)

HANK LOCKLIN TOURS

1967, 1969, 1970, 1972

Jon Derek pictured with Hank Locklin in 1970

RCA recording artist Hank Locklin has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1960. With a reputed 15 million record sales worldwide and six No.1 songs on the country chart, including classics such as 'Please Help Me I'm Falling' and 'Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On', he became a frequent visitor to the UK and Ireland from the mid 1960's onwards.

Apparently, Jon Derek first worked with Hank Locklin when he was part of the band 'Johnny and The Hayriders'. Hank came over for a short tour of US Air Force bases and they supported him at these venues. In 1967, an agent by the name of Lou Rodgers brought Hank back to the UK for a tour which included 'The Clarendon' venue in Hammersmith, London. Jon's band 'Jamie, Jon and Jerry' supported and backed him on this tour as well as Irish songstress Clodagh Rodgers.

Jon's band 'Country Fever' embarked on extensive tours with Hank Locklin in 1969, 1970 and 1972 performing at venues all over the UK and Ireland. Their paths undoubtedly crossed at times over the years, however, they were officially reunited one final time in 1984 when Jon Derek and Country Fever were asked to back Hank at the Peterborough Festival of Country Music.

HANK LOCKLIN TOUR (1967)

A 'package show' which featured Jamie, Jon & Jerry who supported Hank Locklin throughout the tour and Clodagh Rodgers (Cloda as it was spelt at the time so that it would be easier to pronounce).

HANK LOCKLIN TOUR (Dec 2, 1969)

Newcastle City Hall

Country Fever supporting Hank who they also backed

Pictured: Jon Derek, Albert Lee and Gerry Hogan

Following their performance at Newcastle City Hall, journalist Stan Laundon, who was covering the show for the publication, 'Country Music People' wrote;

"Praise must go to Jon Derek, Albert Lee, Peter Oakman and Jed Kelly - collectively known as Country Fever who played an important part in the success of this show. After playing for more than one hour, they returned, after a break, to spend a further hour backing Mr Locklin. My personal opinion does not apply here but judging from the audience reaction, I believe they all agreed with Bob Powell and myself that Albert Lee surely must be the hottest guitar player this country has ever seen. 1970 will certainly be a big year for Country Fever."