The 27-date US tour for the touring song concert known as Celtic Thunder begins October 8, 2009 in Greenvale, NY, and ends November 17 in Houston, TX. Celtic Thunder has developed a group of devoted fans that have been given their own name: Thunderheads. Thunderheads have message boards and hold dinners, exchange information about tickets and all things Celtic Thunder. Here are the people behind all the excitement.
Sharon Browne, Producer of Celtic Thunder
Sharon Browne ran an Irish recording company for 20 years. During that time she signed many female vocalists to the record company, but had difficulty marketing them. To showcase that talent she created Celtic Woman. It was an overwhelming success, and from that grew the idea for Celtic Thunder.
Celtic Thunder auditions were held in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Derry and Glasgow with Phil Coulter. Hundreds turned up, including the five that became Celtic Thunder. “With Damian [vocalist Damien McGinty], it was firstly the power in his voice for one so young, then the glint in his eye amused me and he came across as such a ‘boy’. It was the energy and enthusiasm for life that appealed to me," says Browne. "I realised that Keith [singer and guitar player Keith Harkin] would be a teen idol. I felt he would perfectly fit the role of that stage in a man's life between childhood and the responsibility that comes with being an adult."
Of George Donaldson, she says, "it was definitely a likeability factor. You just couldn't not like George … and he was a Scot. I really wanted a Scot in this show! With Ryan [singer Ryan Kelly], I was looking for my Dark Destroyer Character. I liked the slightly rough edge to his voice, huskiness.," she continues. "With Paul [singer Paul Byrom], I wanted a tenor for the show to be Mr Right … I wanted a guy who was a real bloke, into football, drinking with the lads etc, with oodles of personality, He was and is exactly what I was looking for in a tenor.”
Celtic Thunder Cast Biographies
- Composer and Musical Director Phil Coulter: Phil Coulter was born in Northern Ireland in 1942. For over four decades he has been a successful songwriter, pianist, music producer, arranger and director. He had worked with Sharon Browne before and with her, chose the artists for Celtic Thunder. While the performance talent is outstanding, Coulter’s music and arrangements define the show.
- Vocalist Damian McGinty: Damian Joseph McGinty, Jr was born September 9, 1992. He is from Derry, Northern Ireland. When he was only fourteen years old he recorded the first Celtic Thunder album. He lives with his parents, brother and sister in Co. Derry. He began singing at a young age, winning his first singing competition when he was only six years old. In 2006 Damian won a singing competition. The award was to record 2 C. D. tracks. Damian later recorded a 14 track CD, with the profits going to a local charity. Damian sent a copy of his CD to Phil Coulter, and Damian was invited to audition as a singer for Celtic Thunder.
- Vocalist and Musician Keith Harkin: Keith R. Harkin is also from Derry, Northern Ireland. He was born June 10, 1986. He has written one of the songs for Celtic Thunder: "Lauren and I" and plays the guitar. Keith heard about the Celtic Thunder auditions late on the day they were held in Derry. Just as the auditions were concluding he arrived, guitar in hand, and was asked immediately to attend the final auditions in Dublin.
- Vocalist Paul Byrom: Paul Michael Byrom is from Dublin and was born on April 11, 1979. He has been singing professionally since his teens, and had a hit solo album VELVET in 2005. Paul is a great sports fan and his talent has allowed him to perform at major sporting events in Ireland and abroad, including at a Pittsburgh Steelers game at Heinz Field. He has sung for presidents and emperors. Phil Coulter invited Paul to audition for Celtic Thunder and became the only tenor in the show.
- Vocalist Ryan Kelly: Ryan John Kelly, in addition to being a talented singer, holds two degrees from Queen’s University Belfast, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Accounting. He was born November 6, 1978 and is from Moy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Beyond singing, Ryan is an accomplished actor, having played the lead in “Blood Brothers” and “Judas Iscariot” in “Jesus Christ, Superstar”.
- Vocalist and Musician George Donaldson: George Donaldson was born on February 1, 1968. He is from Glasgow, Scotland where he is well-known as a balladeer, guitarist and flutist. He also plays the mandolin, bodhran, and banjo He too has performed at sporting events, notably before 65,000 fans at an opening match at Scotland’s Celtic Park.
David J. Shestokas - Mr. Shestokas is a former prosecutor & writes on the Constitution & legal issues for the Save America Foundation & Suite 101.
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