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Thunder and Lightning!

By
Cahir O'Doherty,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 4:11 PM
Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 6:10 PM

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Celtic Thunder, the all-male Irish (and Scottish) super group, has arrived to take America by storm. But forget chunky Aran sweaters and shining Tara pins. These lads wear Armani - even when it comes to their kilts. CAHIR O'DOHERTY meets them in New York.

YOU know you've hit the big time when you meet your first stalker. For Celtic Thunder, the group of four conspicuously handsome young Irishmen (and one Scot) currently making their U.S. debut, the moment arrived last week when they made their first ever public appearances in New York. "Some of the fans just found out which hotel we're staying in," says Keith Harkin, the angelic looking 21-year-old singer from Derry distinguished by his retro Rod Stewart blond shag.

"There's a few Celtic Thunder discussion boards on the Internet. So the fans discovered where we're staying tonight and they just turned up in the lobby waiting, like."

Screams followed, and then breathless requests for autographs. That's a very different kind of reaction to the type traditional bands like the Dubliners usually get, but from the beginning Celtic Thunder was always going to be different.

An unstoppable juggernaut of looks, creamy Irish charm and honest to God singing talent, expect the whole world to be enslaved by 2009.

Created and produced 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 then the Three Tenors.

Making their U.S. debut with a PBS television special airing nationwide throughout the month of March, the big budget show features the talents of the five vocalists Damian McGinty, Keith 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 pop hits like "Brothers in Arms" and "Desperado," as well as original compositions by Celtic Thunder's musical director and composer, the legendary Phil Coulter, who knows a thing or two about promoting heartthrobs.

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