Timmy Cronin started his musical life as a fiddle student of James Morrison but switched to the D/C# button accordion and took further tuition from Eddie Meehan, a multi-talented musician better known as a flute player on recordings with John McKenna. As a youth, Cronin performed with James Hayden’s Advocate Players. He later played with Paddy Killoran’s band and formed his own “Irish orchestra.” Cronin was also a champion step dancer, so renowned that when tap dance star Gene Kelly needed some instruction in Irish steps, Timmy was his tutor. He continued to teach Irish dancing until the last day of life in 1970.