Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,Ian Haddrell
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 04:43 AM

I know that this thread is about Shag Connors and the Carrot Crunchers, but I was wondering if anybody knows the whereabouts of a former band member Richard Smith.

Richard co-wrote the music to the Lockleaze passion play 'A Man Dies' which was produced in 1960s, being performed at the Colston Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and on Sunday night television. An album was also released.

A reunion is being held in May of this year and we would like to invite Richard to the event.

Ian Haddrell
Frampton Cotterell
01454 772706
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,wayne
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 01:56 PM

Thanks for that clarification Roadie.   I've put my email address in the message this time, I'd really appreciate if you could tell me more directly as I'm planning something to remember the lost friends from our school. We have lost quite a few now.
I had only heard about Simon 2nd hand some years ago.
Is his mum still around?

There is something else I remembered about the little story, which came to me after I posted.

Alan.. The guy who shouted the comment back at Mike actually dug his grave! He was the council grave digger at the time.

Is that KARMA???

My brother is also buried there at Mays hill.

Wayne..... [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,The Roadie
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 05:36 AM

Its a good job he didn't catch you!! Yes, sadly you are correct, Simon died in a tragic accident in Swindon. He is also resting in Mayshill not far from Mick.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,Memories
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 05:42 PM

This is not much about Mike (Shag) connors as such, but for some reason I stumbled across this site. and this is a funny memory.

I knew him, from his Step Son (Simon McCarthy) who I went to school with. I think Simon may also be deceased I'm not totally sure.

Anyway at the time they lived in a little cottage at Mays Hill, Coalpit Heath near Bristol.    Simon used to bring carrot crunchers merchandise to school, for us lot. Pens, Keyrings etc etc.

Anyway here's my last memory of Mike Connors. We kids had gotten into a bit of trouble (1979) and Mike connors came out the house to tell us other kids to &*^* off!   We promptly started running away, while half bricks were being thrown at us!!   HONEST Truth!

My other pal in a moment of cheekyness turned around at shouted at the top of his voice. " *&(^ OFF you WURZEL"   

You had to be there I guess.

Regards....

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,ryan
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 05:35 PM

i've discovered this site by searching for more of Shag Connors and the Carrot Crunchers music, i have a couple of compilation albums that my brother-in-law has put together for me, if anyone here would like to share some of their "Shag Connors" music with me, please contact me at [e-mail]    ...also i have the lyrics to a song called "yodelling to angels" which my brother-in-law wrote as a tribute to Shag.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,The Roadie
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 09:39 AM

If anyone is interested, I have found a web site for Martin Connors on my space http://uk.myspace.com/martconnorscarrotcrunchers I am sure you could contact him via this site.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 05:19 AM

Mart Connors and the carrot crunchers are playing this weekend in local Village hall

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,The Roadie
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 01:48 PM

Hi Big Jim, as I said earlier in this thread Mick's son Martin is still preforming with a new band. I do not know his number any more but if you Google him you will find a contact number. Mick recorded several LP's "Furzlin" Pye Records- "A Little of What You Fancy" Starline EMI Records - "The Best in The West" small local label - "Country Capers" Sweet Folk and Country Records "Shag Connors Sing Country Style" Sweet Folk and Country Records "The Cotswolds" recorded at Mick's own recording studio, produced by Tony Kelly and Richard Smith two of the carrot crunchers. You will find most, if not all of these on e-bay or other record sites on the net.
A cassette was also released on Mick's own label "Carrot Crunching Country Music" Also another cassette was released by Shell Oil UK as Mick played at many country shows like the Royal Bath and West promoting Shell Oil the band line up was the same (less Stufin the cockerel!)and they were known as "The Good Companions" Mick only ever used this name when working for Shell, which as I say was at all the big agricultural shows through the summer months.
There were several singles and an EP over the years. I have all LP's and if you need more info please feel free to e-mail me [e-mail]
All the "original" carrot crunchers are still working in other bands and solo acts. As I say I am in regular contact with Barry Hinchley the ex keyboard player. Sure through me he would love to speak/contact you.
Kind regards to all

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,Ted Jones, Devon, UK
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 01:33 PM

I can't remember the exact year, but sometime back in the seventies, we were members of a country club called 'Matchams' between Ferndown and Bournemouth in Dorset. They had cabaret events and one night, The Wurzels were booked, but cancelled at the last minute as their record 'Combine Harvester' became a hit and they were booked onto TV's 'Top of the Pops'. Anyway, Shag Connors and the Carrot Crunchers were booked in their place, and bought the house down. I've never laughed so much and they were absolutely brilliant.   We made a point of seeing them several times after that, after we had moved to Devon. A DJ called Glen Richards used to play Shag's record 'Cleanest Little Piggy in the Market' on Devonair Radio in the eighties and that became a great hit in Devon, and he's still asked to play it even now.
I well remember the cockerel which used to sit on a stand during the show.. Excuse me being a little rude, but Shag used to say to the audience: "I bet I'm the only bloke her what can keep his cock on stand all night"
Happy memories!

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 11:14 AM

To the step-son, grand daughter and all who are related to Shag or knew him well: I started this thread to find out what happened to someone I consider to be a fantasticly good performer. I am so glad to know what happened to him; it would have bothered me forever were it not for Mudcat and its members! I play Shag on occasions on my radio show which is on a small local public radio station in the middle of the USA (southeastern Missouri). My favorite album is the "Furzlin" album.
If any of the Carrot Crunchers would like to get in contact, I would like to hear from them, and if there are any albums they have I would be most interested in hearing them. If the Crunchers still continue with other personnel but play a similar style of music, I would like to hear from them as well.
I remain fascinated with his voice and his joke-telling personna, the latter a trait I share.
I extend to his family very belated but heart felt condolences with respect to his passing.
                                  Jim

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 10:38 AM

Your grandad was one of the best, he was a great man and a great friend of mine, and is still sadly missed by me and my family.
Yes you did see Martin on TV the other week, none of the original carrot crunchers are with the band now though. I am off to Spain in May so will catch up with Joyce, have not seen her for a couple of years.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,GUEST - The Grandaughter
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 11:41 AM

Best of luck with the show Roadie - I think I saw Uncle Martin and the Carrot Crunchers on a tv show with Justin Lee Collins - Convention Crashers a little while ago at BREEAM. (Coulcn't see if it was Keith and Barry though)

Wish my Grandad had been round a little longer to know as I grew up but life's cruel that way.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,The Roadie
Date: 26 Feb 08 - 10:40 AM

Any one who is in the UK and would like to see 2 of the original Carrot Crunchers in August. I have Barry "Plonker" Hinchley former keyboard player with Mick, and Keith "Scarecrow" Harris former lead guitarist with the band. They are playing at my annual Fund raising Its a Knock out day. Google Stogursey Its A Knock Out for more info.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 07:23 PM

All the times I read comments from Scrump on this and other threads I never made the connection between him and Paul Gunningham who had the web site "Scrumpy and Western"---that is, until Paul's untimely death. As mentioned above, I had been corresponding with Paul for some time. Paul had hopes that some of Shag's albums would be reissued on CD. I hope that comes to pass.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,Phil B
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 04:34 AM

I played on a couple of Carrot Crunchers albums in the '70's when they were at Mid Wales sound studio at Llanfair Caerinion. Mick had a particularly lovely voice and I often wondered what would have happened if he made a straightforward folk album. I think it would have been very good. I seem to recall we had a great time and both he and the band were a good bunch.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 06:19 PM

IWISH I COULD FIND OUT WOT HAPPENED TO HIM ILOVE THERE RECORDS DO U KNOW IF THEY HAVE A WEB SITE

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,his step son
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 06:09 PM

Mick connors died of cancer ...he is buried at mayshill cematery ...he was married to my mum (joyce mccarthy) he is burried in the corner near where he lived

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Scrump
Date: 22 Mar 07 - 11:49 AM

Thanks for the reminiscences, Roadie. I actually used to prefer Ray Moore's rather dry sense of humour to Wogan's. He was a sad loss too.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,The Roadie
Date: 22 Mar 07 - 11:36 AM

Me Father had a Rabbit and the Bog eyed jog were both recorded for Children In Need. In fact these songs were the first ever to be recorded for Children in need. As we all know there is a single each year now.
The song Mike is refering to is called "Help The Cones are taking over" done to the tune of John Brown body. Sadly it never quite made the charts as Wogan dropped his banter on cones shortly after it was released! Shag, Terry and the late Ray Moore remained good friends and at Shags funeral Ray made a speach, sadly only a few months before he died himself. Also Brendan Shine sang at Shags funeral.
By the way, Brendan Shine is currently on tour in the UK and I am pleased to report is still singing Micks songs!If any one has any video recording of Mick I would love to hear from you. I have a few but the quality is not good, happy to copy and send to anyone who is interested. Most of Micks recordings can be found on e-bay. I am in touch with the old band members, in particular Barry (Plonker!) who was the keyboard player for many years and is still preforming today. Barry and myself are hoping to organise a re union this year to mark the 20th anniversary of Micks death. Great to see he is not totally forgotten out there! Happy to answer any e-mail sent me your questions to [e-mail] Keep on crunching!

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:00 AM

.. ok.. you might find this lot interesting..


http://www.myspace.com/surfinturnips


http://hometown.aol.co.uk/__121b_TS8%2B881tLWutUPSzq%2BzT9KCW0%2B%2Bk742lad0sDoy7UXr7IbvTCo4Odw==





http://www.barkingdogstudios.co.uk/bands.cfm

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 06:56 PM

Paul Gunningham, who posts the scrumpy and western website is an email acquaintance of mine. In fact, I think he mentions me on the website somewhere. I am a Wurzel fan, and I have a liking for the Yetties. There is another interesting group called the Yokels. I have to say that Shag is my favorite. I agree that he could really sing well. My own personal bent is toward the jokes and silly songs, as well, so he was a natural for me to appreciate. You have no idea how hard it is here in the middle of the USA to find out about these kind of folks! When I play some of their material on my radio show I always wonder what the reaction of the listeners is. I can just picture their startled glances in the direction of their radios. "What in the ..................!   :-)

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Scrump
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 11:41 AM

Well, the Wurzels and The Yetties are both still around, and perform what is sometimes described loosely as "Scrumpy and Western" music, and has some similarity to what Shag did, being based on West Country humour (Shag's from Gloucestershire, Wurzels from Somerset and Yetties from Dorset).

Shag Connors was pretty unique though, and those other artists aren't quite the same. He was actually a fine singer if you look past the humour, and of course many of the songs he wrote were fairly 'serious' songs.

Adge Cutler (the founder of the Wurzels) was another one-off - some of his stuff is still available on CD, I believe. I've always been a fan of his, and preferred his material to the later Wurzels' stuff.

You can find out about these and similar artists at www.scrumpyandwestern.co.uk.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 10:25 AM

I'm glad to see this thread appear again. I started it under the name Big Byrd. Shag remains one of my favorites and the "Fruzlin" album is still my favorite. Scrump, I too, can't quite decipher the line in the chorus you mention. I'm still trying to figure out the meaning of the "furzlin" word, as well. Are there any other performers who do similar kinds of music? I've taken his song about the Radstock Queen and adapted it to American audiences. Words like "lorry" just are not easily understood by us Yanks. I will check out the reffereces to his son and Brendan Shine. If anyone has contact information, I'd appreciate it.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Scrump
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 05:16 AM

Mick also wrote a couple of songs that were recorded by another Radio 2 DJ, the late Ray Moore - these were "O Me Father Had A Rabbit" and "Bog Eyed Jog". These were both issued for charity purposes (I don't remember which charities).

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,Mike Dowding...guest
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 04:56 AM

I watched Shag and The carrot Crunchers often in the 70's ...I think, can't remember exactly. He had a big white cockerel that he taught to fly up onto a perch about 4' off the ground and he threatend the audience that if they didn't behave he would send it to fly over them. I heard that at one time he had 2 of 'em but when touring overseas someone killed one of 'em and he was heartbroken about it..
I have 2 LP's and, mind you, you'll need one of those modern music playin' machines 'cos they're both in stereo. One is Shag Connors and the CC's...Country Capers SFA064 and the other is 'The Best in the West' SRTZ/CUS 78099 (1978) My 3rd Lp I have lent and....!
Most of his songs were self penned and I remember him writing a song for Terry Wogan a famous UK DJ who played it so often it got into the UK hit parade. It was all about the miles and miles of red cones used here by guys repairing motorways. If I can help anymore e-mail me at mike at mdowding dot co dot uk. as I'm not a regular reader of Mudcat. MD

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Scrump
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:38 AM

Talking of Shag Connors (yes, I'm a fan of his too) there's one song on the Furzlin' album I've never been able to make out the words to. Seeing this thread has reminded me, and I thought I'd ask if anyone can help.

I think the song is called "Au Pair Girl" and starts something like (this is from memory so could be wrong):

"She was an au pair girl from Austria..." and it's in 3/4 time.

But it's the last line of the verse that is sort of yodelled, that I can't make out. Does anyone know what the lyrics are?

In fact Shag (Mick) was a very good singer and an accomplished yodeller.

You're right GUEST,The Roadie, Shag wrote a lot of songs that were hits for Brendan Shine in Ireland. I have some of those records too.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,The Roadie
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:28 AM

As far as I know the band is still going with Shag's son Martin at the lead. They seem only to do occasional shows not like the old days!
They are simply called Mart Connors and The Carrot Crunchers.
They have had a couple of records but I do not know what label. Most of Micks records can be found on e-bay. Also Brendan Shine a very good Irish singer, recorded a lot of Micks songs. They are still preforming and Brendan has many records on the Play label.
Cheers The Roadie

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 10 Aug 06 - 11:49 AM

Aah remember back in '72 Shag & the lads played a gig at the naval base in Cornwall and they were accommodated in the mess next to ours.

A truly fabulous nights entertainment - The humour was very 'raw' and extremely funny

After the gig they invited our 'mess' into their 'mess' because we weren't allowed alcohol in the mess and they had a suitcase full.

We were up until about 5.am swapping jokes and songs

The bloody cockerel was in the van but started at about 5.30

Great Days and very sad to hear of his demise

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Cruiser
Date: 10 Aug 06 - 11:35 AM

What a neat site Mudcat is! It may take 3 years or more to get an answer, but one is likely if you remain patient and remember to check back in to read old threads.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 10 Aug 06 - 10:36 AM

(I started this thread under the name Big Byrd) I still remain a Shag Conners fan and have sought out as many of his recordings as I can find on Ebay. I play him on occasion on my radio show on a couple of public radio stations in the middle of the USA. I would be interested in hearing anything the remaining group has recorded. How are they billed? Are they still the "Carrot Crunchers"? If you know of any way they can be contacted, I'd be most appreciative for the contact information.
Th man had a voice with a kind of built-in quality that made him sound like he was going to break into a yodel at any moment---and sometimes he did!
Thanks for the information, The Roadie. I am glad to have the correct facts of his demise.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,The Roadie
Date: 10 Aug 06 - 07:29 AM

Hello Mick (Shag) Connors did not die in a car crash sadly that was Adge Cutler in 1974.

Mick Connors died 19 years ago of the dreaded diesese - cancer. The carrot crunchers are still preforming but with the loss of the lead singer, like the Wurzels when Adge died, not quite the same anymore. I was roadie for Mick and the carrot crunchers up until his untimley death. The recordings Mick made did not do justice to the live show - it was brill!

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: cobber
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 10:44 PM

I had a Shag Connors record too and it was because the humour was so awful that it was funny. Apparently their live show was great. I used to work with an English musician years ago who was a Shag Connors fan - yes there really were some - and he told me Shag was killed in a car crash.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Orac
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 03:46 AM

A couple of years ago we used have a copy of an LP of theirs and we put it in the raffle at our Folk club. The record was so awful it used to return every week and go back in the raffle again and became a standing joke. In the end one of the winners kept it ... or made a plant pot out of it I'm not sure which.

Subject: RE: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:13 AM

All I can find about them is on this site. In all the pictures he seems to bear a remarkable resemblance to actor Ian McShane.

Subject: Obit: what happened to Shag Connor?
From: GUEST,Big Byrd
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 08:14 PM

I have become acquainted with the music of Shag Connor and the Carrot Crunchers and enjoy this West country (England) group very much. I have recently come across a reference to Shag's death, and I would like details as to what happened to him. Like Adge Cutler of the Wurzels, the leader of the Carrot Crunchers was quite a character and his music, at least to these Missouri ears,was certainly different from the usual English folk music of, say, the Copper family. Still,it was rooted in folk with perhapse a dash of music hall thrown in. If you are not acquainted with Shag's music, I recommend it, especially the album "Furzlin"---is that a naughty word?