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Celtic Thunder Over Manhattan

By
Cahir O'Doherty,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 4:08 PM
Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 6:09 PM

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NEXT week Celtic Thunder, the group of four conspicuously handsome young Irishmen (and one Scot), will play two concerts at Radio City Music Hall on October 7 and 8.

It's been a short road to the big time for the Irish group. It was only in March of this year that they made their New York debut but since then - thanks to heavy rotation on PBS television and on the radio - they've captured the hearts of Americans from coast to coast.

An unstoppable combination of Irish charm, good looks and honest to God singing talent created by famous Irish producer Sharon Browne, the group range in ages from 14 to 40, and they all share a common Celtic heritage.

But in terms of audience reaction they have more in common with Irish pop sensations like Westlife than the Three Tenors. Unlike other traditional Irish music groups screaming fans follow this lot, as well as breathless requests for autographs.

"It was great doing smaller shows and getting a huge reaction back in March, but since then it's been mad," says Keith Harkin, the 21-year-old Derry lad with the Rod Stewart blond shag haircut who writes his own songs for the group.

"Our websites getting so many hits every day, with all these people coming to the shows - the reaction we're getting is brilliant."

The big budget show features the talents of the five vocalists - Damian McGinty, Harkin, Ryan Kelly, Paul Byrom and George Donaldson -performing an eclectic mix of songs, ranging from the traditional "Mountains of Mourne" and "Come By the Hills" to standard pop hits like "Brothers in Arms" and "Desperado," as well as original compositions by Celtic Thunder's musical director and composer, Phil Coulter, who knows a thing or two about promoting heartthrobs.

"We're five solo artists that come together to perform a show," says Harkin, who at 21 is already sounding like a seasoned professional. "We've been rehearsing for weeks with the band and the choreographer and now we're basically chomping at the bit to go out and do the show."

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