October 2004

The past weeks have taken their toll on me as I have been running around NYC.

On Friday I sang at the Irish Arts Center Black Tie event. As soon as I get photos I will post them up for you. It was all a bit posh and I had the best time. Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne and the inspiring Edna O Brien were there which added to the glitz factor. The next night there was a party to celebrate Ronan Tynans Carnegie concert. I was up till all hours singing in Langans with the girls from The Irish Sopranos. In Ronans Band is violinist Greg Harrington who plays a solo concert in the Irish Arts Center, NYC next month. Dont miss it. He is amazing.

Just found out I am sharing the bill with the likes of Donny Osmond and Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees) on the Jim Brickman Christmas Album. Steve, my producer and I have remixed "The Wexford Carol" for it and it sounds gorgeous.

Tickets go on sale today, Oct 4 for the first of "The Passion of the Christ" concerts to be held in the BILO Arena in Greenville, SC. The full tour is to be announced in the coming week so I will keep you posted.

Living legends Edna O Brien, Liam Neeson and me tring not to be starstruck before I performed at the Irish Arts Center Event in NYC.

Hello from my new home in New York. I forgot how crazy it is here and I seem to be knackered all the time. Delighted to be back though.

Just performed at W.A.A. in Spokane and enjoyed it very much.It was fun hanging out with my band "An Dochas" and with the HARAN Irish Dancers who were my guests.

Next week, I get to perform for John Kerry and frankly I am thrilled to be a part of any ceremony that contributes toward his campaign. The event isn't open to the public but it is to be held in the Midtown Hilton, New York on Monday Sept 20.

Jim Brickman (Piano guru, Grammy nominee and never out of the AC charts) has asked me to submit a song for his Christmas album."The Wexford Carol" will be one of the tracks on his "Christmas from the Heart" album. I am amazed and honored to be asked to sing a Wexford song on a Jim Brickman album.

Go to www.jimbrickman.com

Planning some Christmas concerts on the West Coast and will let you know the dates as soon as possible.

On Sept 14, I was asked by NYPD to perform at an Honor Legion Ceremony. I had no idea what I was attending but was happy to. When I got there I found that officers who had been injured or who had shown amazing bravery were being inducted in to the Honor Legion.

I also found that I was sharing the bill....with Jackie Mason. I KNOW!

I had the best time and wanted to thank everyone for a fantastic night. I was humbled and honored to sing for these remarkable men and women.

I however could not believe it when I was presented with a certificate making me an honorary member. I also might add that getting a ride home in an NYPD car is a thrill too.

Whenever you guys want me to sing again, I am there.

Newsflash

A report on last night's performance for John Kerry and the Democratic Party at the Hilton.

First of all, I had a headcold. I mean a rotten headcold so I sounded rough, I mean ROUGH. It went off without a hitch though and despite the blinding camera flashes of the press, the TV lights, the terrible sound system and the secret service not being the most pleasant of people to deal with, it was fun.

Had a nice chat with Terry McAuliffe, Chairman of the National Democratic Party. He knew his stuff about Ireland and about Wexford indeed. He called me another son of Wexford like the Kennedy's. Faux Pas of the evening though was probably not remembering the name of the gentleman complimenting me. It was only PLACIDO DOMINGO. I was mortified but the words would not come into my head. Earlier I saw him and thought Holy Gawd. Look who's here. Anyway, I covered it nicely and quickly moved along.

I was so impressed by Mr Kerry in person. He comes across as honest and kind, a gentleman.His wife doesn't evoke the word gentle but I was awed by her speech and found her a fascinating, funny and clever woman. LOVED HER.

I spent the evening reminding myself how lucky I was to be there, how proud I was to be representing Wexford and how great Mr. Kerry is. Now....it is up to the Gods.

August 2004

Hey

Getting loads of emails asking about move to New York. Well, NYC was home for a long time and in a way no matter where I am, it will always be home to me. I am in the middel of shipping my life back there even though I will obviously be back and forth to Chicago a lot.

I have a lot of news to tell but it will all have to wait till I settle back in. Departing for NYC on Aug 17 and should have more info for you all then.

The past weeks have been a bit crazy and I will try to give you an idea of the kind of things I have coming up:

The Irish Arts Center have asked me to become involved in their fall program. That will involve performing at their Annual Benefit in New York Sports Club in October. I am honored, of course and encourage everyone in NYC to come along to this event
http://www.irishartscenter.org/abt_annual.htm

Booked an event at the historic Hershey Theater on June 10, 2005
http://www.hersheytheatre.com/

Looking forward to performing there supported by the best in Irish Music and Dance.

Looks like "Artemis" from my first album is being remixed and turned into a trance track. I know, it's funny to me too but the djs involved love the track and are releasing it. (under a different name because an Irish Tenor is "not cool.") I, of course am thrilled and will let you hear the results as soon as I can (much to the dismay of the djs.) Apparently they think I am already a "trance God". I know.....FUNNY as hell.

Judging the singing contest at the New York Feis in Staten Island next Sunday, Sept 5.

Heading to Spokane, WA, on Sept 8 for a few dates.

All in all I am very happy to be back home in NYC. My heart is in Chicago too so I guess I will have to split it in two.

Nothing further on the tour of "The Passion of the Christ" But word from the composer John Debney is that it will not start till November for sure. Meanwhile the dvd is out on August 31.

Check out this weeks Billboard (Aug 28 Edition) Page 39. My recording of Star of Cartagena gets a nice mention.

July 2004

Update on The Passion tour

From what I can gather the tour doesnt start until November and will run through to Easter.No dates confirmed although I am getting sketchy details slowly.

http://ccm.caa.com/artists/artists.asp?id=44

The above URL should get you to the promo info on the tour and over time will start giving dates.

The good news is that "Star of Cartagena" has been picked up by Ray Contreras writer / producer for people like Jennifer Lopez(on her last album, J. Lo) and Carlos Santana. http://www.jimmyray.com/

Got a call this week and had to fly to NYC the next day to start remixing the track.The Grammy nominee gave my track a new life with Spanish Guitar and new Latin rhythms.

Star of Cartagena was written in honor of my cousin, Lorraine Whitty who died last year.I am thrilled that it has been picked up and that Lorraines memory is being honoured. It will appear on an album called "In Memory Of..." later in the summer. Also on the album Broadway great, Daphne Rubin Vega, Disco Queen, Brenda K Starr (I Still Believe) and many more.Watch out for the single, "I'm Not the Same" by Brenda K Starr,which will launch the release of the album.It is just amazing.

I also wanted to let everyone know about my return to New York. After tooing and froing for a long time I have decided to head back to NYC. I like Chicago a lot but after listening to the advice from all concerned I have decided it is time to bite the bullet. Chicago isn't too far away and I plan on being there a lot.

Meanwhile, I had no idea Danny Boy would be so popular. Apparently my uncle Jack is a little upset that I recorded his song. Tough, Jack. Ya missed the boat.

June 2004

Check out my version of Danny Boy on the music page. Hope you like it.

Well, mea culpa yet again I have been neglecting the site.It is all due to being way too busy which I guess is a good complaint.Over the past few weeks I have been recording demos for John Debney,Oscar nominated composer of The Passion of The Christ and many other major Hollywood movies. He is currently working on Princess Diaries 2 and Chicken Little for Disney and together with Icon Productions will be putting out a tour starting in September, based on the score from The Passion of the Christ (sales of the cd now going platinum),which is going to be huge.The tour will hit most major performance centres across North America.

John first heard me sing in the MGM Grand in Vegas and has been very encouraging over the years.He has always said that when he found the right vehicle we would work together.Check out his own website at www.johndebney.com I am hoping that time will be this year.......thats all I am saying.....for now.

Scheduling prevents me from attending the Rose of Tralee ceremony at the Irish Embassy in DC. next month. I had begun learning "The Pale Moon was........" Apologies to all concerned.

Thanks to everyone who expressed interest at the Symphony conference last week in Pittsburgh.Looking forward to working with your orchestras in 2005/6

April 2004