For Derry native, Keith Harkin, there has only ever been one love and that was singing. Since the age of four he has been singing and performing and dreaming of a career in the music industry. His dream was soon realised when he landed the role as a principal singer for vocal group phenomenon Celtic Thunder.
The group was formed by Sharon Brown (producer) and then MD Phil Coulter in 2007. They wanted to put together a singing group of composed of soloists who could perform both solo and ensemble numbers. Auditions took place all over Ireland and it was at one of these that Keith attended and was soon thrust into the limelight. Since their formation, the group have sold millions of albums, performed across the globe and were named Top World Music Artist by 'Billboard' and are known all across America for their specials on PBS. The Irishman, at the age 26, has toured the world with Celtic Thunder multiple times and even performed at the White House for President Obama.
This fall, fans of Keith and the group have a chance to see them perform their new ‘Mythology’ tour in arenas around America. Celtic Thunder is known for its eclectic style with songs ranging from a soloist to an ensemble focus and audiences across their state will testify to their live shows being dramatic productions based on Celtic lore.
Keith and his fellow band members are looking forward to performing songs from their “Mythology” album which was released in February 2013 as well as meeting their loyal fans across the nation. Keith, speaking hours before one of these shows in Buffalo, New York, can’t praise his ‘amazing’ fans enough and jokes that no matter where they are in the states, the fans reaction to their shows are “equally insane”. A lot of the songs that the group sings are timeless Celtic songs but Keith, who is also an accomplished songwriter, has seen some of his original material appear in both the album and the tour such as the songs “Rosa” and “Lauren and I”. On stage, Keith is accompanied by five accomplished Irish and Scottish vocalists onstage (George Donaldson, Neil Byrne, Ryan Kelly, Colm Keegan, and Emmet Cahill) and supported by the Celtic Thunder Orchestral band.
The ‘Mythology’ Tour is an innovative and exciting Celtic production celebrating the very best of Irish heritage and culture which started in British Colombia this September and will finish in Washington this September. The show so far has received glowing reviews from critics and fans alike and given the public’s reaction, it comes as no surprise that dates for the show are fast selling out. For now, Keith is enjoying every moment and feeling ‘blessed’ to be living his dream. For fans of Celtic Thunder wishing to find out more information on the group, you can visit www.celticthunder.ie
Here’s Celtic Thunder performing “Turning Away” from the album “Mythology”:
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