| EUGENE REA Eugene Rea’s musical career started at the age of 12, when his dad presented him with his first guitar. By age 14 he was already performing semi-professionally and, together with his brother and sister, had begun an impressive collection of trophies and awards as they travelled throughout Ireland. At 13 Eugene was already the senior tin-whistle champion in his county, (normally restricted to over 18’s). His first professional sound engineering job was at Downtown Radio, Newtownards, N.Ireland. Working as tape op/assistant engineer to Steven Nelson, senior engineer, he quickly displayed a real talent both as a technician, and for his “ears”. Downtown is one of the largest studios in Ireland, and at that time used large format analog multi-track equipment. As well as recording album material, Eugene worked on TV ad sound-tracks, and live music production to air. In the 1970s Eugene toured extensively in the USA and Canada, and at one time made his home in the US, returning to Ireland in 1982 to take up a “real job” in industry. (Starting as an Industrial Engineer, he ultimat-ely became Director and Vice President of a large multi-national). Despite his responsibilities and workload, Eugene maintained an active involvement in the music scene. He played with various groups includingCrubeen, Atlantic Bridge, The Mourne Ramblers, Dhu Varryn, The Rea Brothers, and Eugene and Andrea Rea, and recorded a number of albums. However it was with Houl Yer Whisht that he achieved his biggest success, with an album “On Boyne’s Red Shore” which made #1 onthe Irish charts, and resulted in a gold record. Since arriving in Canada Eugene has appeared with many acts including:-Killiecrankie, Lea-Rig, The Murphy Family, Rathlin, Failte and now wife Nonie Thompson. Eugene has remained very active in sound engineering, and has worked with some of the best known acts in the UK Ireland, and Canada includi-ng: “Houl Yer Whisht – On Boyne’s Red Shore”, “Houl Yer Whisht – The Muttonburn Stream”, Eugene and Andrea Rea, “The Murphy Family – “Here we are Amongst You”, and Rathlin; and several cds with Nonie. He’s also released is own cd ‘Songbook’. |
| Now working at General Manager of the Midland Cultural Centre, he is recording in his home studio which offers the relaxing, creative environment. Eugene believes that sound engineering, whether live or recording, starts with the ears listening to the artists, the voices, the instruments, the performance, the message. He believes that his success depends completely on his client’s success, and that means doing the absolute best job every time. A great sound engineer is really the extra member of the band. You trust him with your creativity – it’s a huge responsibility – and he loves it! |
Nonie Thompson 