The late great Harry Hibbs once sang 21 years is a mighty long time, and that sentiment can surely be echoed by fans of traditional band Ryan's Fancy.

It's been that long since the group - composed of Denis Ryan, Dermot O'Reilly and Fergus O'Byrne - performed together.

From their forming in late 1970 to their last show at the St. John's Arts and Culture Centre in March 1983, Ryan's Fancy was easily the most popular Irish traditional band in the province. Their shows at such places as the old Strand Lounge in the Avalon Mall were so popular that people lined up to see them play. The band released 14 albums, the most recent in 2001 featuring 15 tracks from their TV series, entitled Songs from the Shows. Tragically, most of their music, first issued on vinyl, is now unavailable, unless you're lucky enough to buy an original somewhere at a flea market or used record store.

"The CD reinforced what we had been doing for years," O'Reilly says. "It wasn't a regurgitation of previous CDs, as it contained songs that were never heard before except for the one night they were aired way back when."

In 1972, the group appeared regularly on CHCH-TV in Hamilton. By 1976, they hosted a national CBC television series, which became a fan favourite taking the group into every comer of the country's East Coast. Some of the names showcased on the show included Stan Rogers, the Barra MacNeils, Minnie White, Emile Benoit and Rufus Guinchard, just to name a few.

Ryan's Fancy also made appearances on The Tommy Hunter Show, Singalong Jubilee and The Denny Doherty Show. In 12 years, the group made appearances on over 200 television shows. O'Reilly says the TV shows bring back special memories.

"Each one of those shows, we would move from location to location, so every time we went somewhere we were learning something different," ht says.

O'Byrne says the welcome at every community was warm and friendly.

"The sense of friendship and open-heartedness of people in the Atlantic provinces were well shown."

Here's one thing about the television shows you may not have known, however. Like late country balladeer, Johnny Cash, the band performed at a prison - not Folsom Prison or San Quentin, but Dorchester Penitentiary in Nova Scotia.

"That was very interesting, to say the least," O'Reilly recollects. "It opened my eyes to that particular side of society and a lot of the songs we sang (21 years, The Boston Burglar) made a lot more sense in there.

"It gives you that greater insight, even though we were only there a day and a half and we didn't stay overnight either."

O'Byrne agrees, saying "At the time, we were a kind of bright light in the day to day existence of those prisoners. I found both the guards and the prisoners were very friendly when we performed at that prison gymnasium."

Ryan's Fancy regularly performed their own unique versions of songs that were so much a part of -not just Irish culture -but Newfoundland culture, making a significant impact on our folklore.

The group graced the cover of The Newfoundland Herald back in September 1978. The opening sentence of the article reads: Denis, Dermot and Fergus: They're ours and they're loved wherever they go ...Impressive praise indeed for three CFAs (Come from aways) who came here in the 1960s to study at Memorial University (All three were born in Ireland).

And then there are those unforgettable songs, tunes like Dark Island, Streets of London, The cross of Spancil Hill, I'm a rover; Candlelight and wine, West country lady, Come along, Go to sea no more, and Come to the bower just to name a few. Those songs became part of the musical lexicon of our province as fans, young and old, embraced the group.

"We were at the right place at the right time," Ryan says.

"We were doing a lot of experimenting," O'Byrne says. "When the Newfoundland Drinking Songs album came out, it was a really popular seller, and then right after that we went in and did Looking Back, where we spent a lot of time in the studio.

"To me, that's technically a really good album. We later sent some tracks to Nashville to add some piano and orchestration. It was constantly chang ing," he says.

Their music also impacted a new generation of traditionalists, as bands such as Great Big Sea, The Punters and the Irish Descendants all name Ryan's Fancy as a deep influence. O'Byrne and O'Reilly recently opened for Great Big Sea at their Great Big Christmas show.

So it's no surprise that 21 years after their end as a group, the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) will be honouring the band at its annual awards gala with a special honour -the 2004 Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award.

At a November 2003 press conference announcing the award, ECMA vice-chair and Newfoundland and Labrador board member Robert Buck noted: "Ryan's Fancy has been a bridge connecting generations, musical styles and cultures. They have given the region a rich musical contribution and have created in the process a deserved legacy. They adopted the culture they found here, reveled in it and took an active role in uncovering the rich tapestry of poems and music created by the people of Atlantic Canada."

The group are humbled by the honour.

"I was elated," O'Reilly says. "It's a nice recognition of the work that we put into it at the time. We met a lot of people along the way and it was that exposure into places off the beaten track

which was one of the features of the band. It was very spontaneous."

O'Byrne agrees.

"The recognition also highlights the strength of the culture here on the Atlantic coast, not just in Newfoundland and Labrador. Talking to some of the younger musicians around, I guess what we did with the music was give it a popular sound that was accessible to the ordinary person on the street."

Ryan is now working in the investment business and is the founder of Nova Scotian Crystal -the only mouth-blown, hand-cut crystal company in North America.

O'Reilly and Byrne still play together at least once a week, performing the love songs and sea shantys that have such an influence on them. And while the hair may be a little greyer, their shows are still magical. They look as comfortable performing a cappella on a song like General Taylor or with instruments such as guitar, accordion, or bodhran on any of their other traditional tunes. The older audience regularly sings along, knowing intimately the tunes that made such an impression on them many years ago.

"Whenever we play as a duo or individually, we represent the continuity of the music and I guess that's why the recognition of the name is still there."

Is there any chance that a best of Ryan's Fancy compilation album will ever be released?

"Because we're not a group anymore, we've sort of drifted- away from that because we each have our own projects, and we don't get the chance to sit down with Denis much and discuss these types of things. However, we never say never," says O'Reilly.

Ryan, for his part, has released two solo albums in the last decade and looking forward to the ECMA gala.

"This honour will be great for seeing some people that we haven't seen in a longtime."

O'Reilly is currently working on a solo album at his studio in Torbay. "It's the longest solo album I've ever worked on, 21 years now," O'Reilly jokes. "There's a bit of creative procrastination going on."

But don't worry fans, it may be released later this year.

"The songs on the new CD will stand the test of time," O'Reilly promises.

O'Byrne is also very occupied these days. A member of the traditional group A Crowd of Bold Sharemen, who will be performing at this month's ECMA awards gala, he is also involved with the annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, performs for children and adults at various functions and is a tireless volunteer, recently organizing Young Folk at the Hall, a traditional music workshop for young people.

"I'm very proactive with young people," O'Byrne says. "I've always been wondering how to get kids involved with traditional music. We will be getting a bunch of kids together, and ve workshop over two weeks. It's a matter of exposing them to the music and showing them that it's fun."

One of those mentors for the event is his son Fergus Brown O'Byme, an accomplished fiddle and accordion player.

O'Byrne believes the traditional music scene is alive and well in the province.

"Look at bands like Great Big Sea. They started off with the same idea we had, just playing music that was fun and good to be around and see where it takes you. They've done wonders popularizing traditional music."

O'Reilly agrees

"We have bands like Shanneyganock and The Punters who put their own spin on the songs. Each of the songs in traditional music tell a story about real people and real events ...there's history there."

The modem age has also recognized Ryan's Fancy on the World Wide Web, as an unofficial fan website by Roger Lockyer entitled Ryan's Fancy Online is filled with articles, photos, and background on the group (http://ryansfancy.tripod.com). It proves an excellent resource for those who may want to know more about this wonderful Newfoundland group.

Fans who want to get a taste of the timeless music of Ryan's Fancy can check out O'Byme and O'Reilly Thursday evening (Feb. 12) at Mickey Quinn's Pub, and Ryan will be in town on Saturday for the group to receive its award at the ECMA gala Sunday (Feb.15).

It will be a chance to relive memories, remember the songs and congratulate a band that made such an impact on our music.

Ryan's Fancy will continue to be admired and loved by all Fans of traditional music.

Their music is timeless and no matter how many years pass, the special bond that Ryan's Fancy has with this province will always be remembered.

Kevin Kelly is a St. John's based freelance writer. He can be reached at thekmaster@yahoo.com