They had been married for more than 50 years.The couple are survived by their four children, Thomas, Dermot, Aisling and Siobhán.Born near Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, Tom McBride was one of four siblings. Tom Fitzgerald, a host for St. John's radio station K-Rock 97.5 who was best known as Big Tom, died Wednesday.

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Due April 2014 "I grew up all through Big Tom's career. “That was a good answer. . Then Big Tom said "the one thing I have got is family, and that's something he ain't got" What did Big Tom mean by that? It is expected that this Friday’s Late Late Show Country Special will feature a tribute to McBride.President Michael D Higgins led tributes to the singer on Tuesday, praising him as “one of the most charismatic and influential” artists in Irish country music.“Lovers and supporters of Irish music everywhere will have heard the news of the death of Big Tom McBride with sadness,” said the President in a statement.“As one of the most charismatic and influential artists in Irish country music, Big Tom was widely respected and through his five decades of music making he leaves a lasting legacy.“His name will be recalled with fond memory by those who listened, and danced to, his and his band members’ generous nights of entertainment all over the island of Ireland.“A big personality and one of the country’s greatest country stars, his love of music and his passion and skill have enriched Ireland’s music scene.”The President expressed his sympathies to Big Tom’s family and friends, including his children, Thomas, Dermot, Aisling and Siobhán, and to “the countless numbers of people, at home and abroad who loved the man and his music.”Singer Daniel O’Donnell also paid tribute to McBride, naming him “the king” of Irish country music.O’Donnell said McBride was a bridge for generations of Irish emigrants whose connection to home was played out in the urban dance halls of England.“He was the pillar. "I am only getting my head around it," he told Irish broadcaster RTÉ . he was like another member of so many families.“He was an Irish phenomenon which will never be seen again.”Another friend, Fr Brian D’Arcy, also paid tribute.“He was the one the elitists sort of looked down their noses at, and Big Tom outlasted them all,” he said.“At his last gig, he was able to bring a thousand people into his show who still adored the ground he walked on, who still loved him as a friend and a singer, who still appreciated what he had did for them, who still made their hearts want to dance when he opened his mouth and sang.“Tom was one of them but he was their king as well.” Boxer Barry McGuigan, who hails from County Monaghan, tweeted his condolences

They’d be singing the country songs and I’d be sitting there watching them.”In 2016, Tom McBride was inducted into the Irish Country Music Awards Hall of Fame. After some years of traversing the length and breadth of Ireland on the ever-busy showband circuit, in 1966 the Mighty Mainliners appeared on RTÉ’s From the early 1970s, the band name of Big Tom and the Mainliners was adopted.