"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)

SLIM WHITMAN TOURS

1970, 1976

Slim Whitman Programme - 1970

THE 1970 TOUR was supported by three of the four British acts who were all notable winners at that year's 'Country Music Association (Great Britain) Awards'.

This was SLIM WHITMAN's first UK tour in 14 years. Just three venues; Hammersmith Odeon (Apollo), Liverpool Empire and Sunderland Empire - two shows a night.

COUNTRY FEVER (Jon Derek, Pete Oakman, Roger Dean, Jed Kelly and Gerry Hogan) had their own spot on the show and they also backed Slim throughout the tour. Apparently, due to overwhelming public demand, the tour was extended and further dates were added. However, due to prior commitments, Country Fever were unable to fulfil these shows and another British band 'The Tumbleweeds' stepped in to replace them.

SLIM WHITMAN SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH (1970)

Jon, Sure good working with you

Wish you all the best - Slim Whitman

Slim Whitman Programme - 1976

THE 1976 TOUR was one of Slim Whitman's longest ever - 36 dates including two performances a day.

Jon Derek was billed as a solo act but he was using, at the time, the backing services of a very fine group in their own right - Jeannie Denver and the J.D. Band. Together, they also backed Slim Whitman.

In addition to having his own spot on the show and backing Slim, Jon also compered the entire tour. On the final date at the London Palladium, Jon introduced on stage legendary disc jockey Alan 'Fluff' Freeman who presented Slim Whitman with a gold disc for sales of his current album 'Happy Anniversary'.