Country music gunslingers go eyeball to eyeball

The town ain't big enough for both of them, so Joe Moran and Paul Coulson are fixin' for a showdown.

The managing director of IWP and the chief executive Yeoman International have both emerged as backers of rival consortiums bidding to run country music radio stations in Dublin.

Mr Moran has thrown his lot in with Peter Cassidy - son of music impresario and Fianna Fail senator Donie Cassidy - as part of the Country 106.8FM consortium. Mr Moran has 20 per cent and Mr Cassidy has 22.5 per cent. The other major shareholders are Mr Gerry Murphy with 22.5 per cent and Mr Martin Larkin who has 15 per cent.

They are offering programming with such enigmatic titles as Tears in your Beer, The Hillbilly Hayride, Whoopin' and a Hollerin plus three hours of Country Gospel every Sunday morning called The Rhythm of the Lord.

Yeoman has put its weight behind the Star Broadcasting which is led by Mr Dave Harvey, the independent television producer best known for Crimeline. The other members of the consortium are Mr Pascal Mooney, the country music promoter and Mr Hugh Brown, the former chief executive of Carlow Kilkenny Radio. Star is planning to entice listeners with a more contemporary country music sound.

The two consortiums are among nine applicants for a licence to operate a special interest music service for Dublin, which will be awarded in April. The other seven applicants have submitted proposals for rock, jazz and alternative music stations.

Classic Rock 106.8FM, FM108.8 the City and X106.8 have all applied to operate rock stations. Many of the backers of Classic Rock - represented by Mr Mike Ormond - were involved in an unsuccessful bid for a Dublin radio licence last year.

FM106.8 the City is promoted by Superior Entertainment and its investors include TV3, the independent television station part-owned by Granada Media. X106.8's members include Mr Ron Wood, the Rolling Stones guitarist and Today FM, the national independent radio station.

Jazz FM is supported by Mr Niall Fortune of the Eddie Rockets chain of hamburger restaurants. Phantom FM and zer0106.8 are both proposing alternative music stations.