There is more involvement in Irish music in the USA then there is in Ireland itself." So said Jim McPhail in a radio interview over WFUV in which he talked of his many years on the Irish music scene. However, he says that it is more difficult to please an audience here, as an entertainer has to be far more versatile, incorporating Irish and American blends.
Jim McPhail, born in Co.Cavan, the third youngest of 13 children, started playing the accordion at the age of seven and made his first broadcast over Radio Eireann at 13. His family had moved to Dublin when Jim was nine years old.
Jim is the son of Thomas McPhail, a champion violinist who also sang with the famed John McCormack and a nephew of renowned accordionist and musician, Albert Healy.
Though his zest for perfection and the earnest endeavours of his voice coach, Mr. Brennan, Jim did reach the pinnacle of Irish competion winning first place in both the Dublin and Cualann feiseanna in the singing section in 1955 and 1956 respectively, culminating with a Radio Eireann recording. While in Dublin, he formed his own group, The Hillcrest Ceili Band, and was the resident group in the Dublin Irish Club there.
In 1959 the emigrant ship was calling and Jim landed in America in June of that year, and has caused many an Irish eyelid to flutter with his musical renditions since then.
While in the Army reserve from 1963 to 1969 he intertained the troops stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. On being discharged from the army Jim was accepted at Pace University, New York and graduated in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Jim records on his own label, Regal Records. "His recordings amply demonstrates the singing and musical ability which has been evident since his early childhood.
