Description
Francis Canning The Piano Man is from Ballykelly Co. Londonderry Northern Ireland. It actually started for him when he was delivered a piano accordion from Santa aged 6. Followed by him winning the junior talent competition at Butlin’s Mosney a year later.
When 9 he went to piano lessons and did his exams with Trinity while also playing piano keyboards in local groups to gain live experience.
As a teenager he went to Longford Eire aged 18 to join Brian Harkin and The Plainsmen Profectionly, followed by Larry Cunningham and The Country
Blue Boys. Then back to Derry for King Creole + Rock Stewart and The Plattermen in those great days of the buzz in dry halls and marquees.
Playing in the showbands is where Francis developed his own individual style, while influenced by a man with the same initials F.C Floyd Cramer.
All this took him on route to T.V. Programs such as Bob Says Opportunity Knocks, Kelly & The Late Late Show which landed him solo spots.
On many summer seasons shows in England with household names such as Jim Davidson, Lu Lu, Little + Large etc. Mind you England was somewhere he played many times for the Irish community in the showbands.
The world-famous Gleneagles Golf Hotel in Scotland is also where he did a residency having performed for many worldwide celebrities
plus around the world on the Queen Mary II as a headliner and several other cruise ships performing, travelling, seeing the world.
Francis had returned home many times to where it all began in the showbands and where his heart lays. He has worked with artists such as
Philomena Begley & Ray Lynam on tour also more recently with Johnny Brady and Dominic Kirwan. That has brought him to recording this album of showband classics featuring a string selection from the Ulster Orchestra. As something he’s always wanted to do in his own unique style it will leave you foot tapping and humming along with nostalgia.
Presently Francis is performing in venue’s across the country including Harvey’s Point Resort Donegal plus private functions & spots with the
showbands as it’s the atmosphere there that is the best.
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