January, 2012


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Traditional & Celtic Bands

The Celtic Tenors

26/01/2012
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“The finest version of ‘Danny Boy’ I have ever heard.”

Former President Bill Clinton

 

The Celtic Tenors have had world wide success and have become global phenomenon’s touring

consistently over the past ten years, which has seen them become Irish superstars all across the globe including United States and Canada where they now spend at least 6 months of the year as well as having huge success in Holland and the Middle East and next year they will tour China.

With a total album sales worldwide of over one million and over two million in ticket sales alone as well as a full international touring schedule, the Celtic Tenors have become the most successful classical crossover artists to emerge from Ireland. They have topped the charts in the USA, Canada, Germany, the UK and Ireland.

Their new album, Feels Like Home, was released in Ireland and the UK in September 2011, and the rest of the world October 2011.  The album features 13 fantastic songs, all chosen by The Celtic Tenors and it focuses on The Celtic countries, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England with a mix of contemporary and traditional song choices.

It includes the moving ‘Going Home’, the beautiful balladry of ‘Feels Like Home’ which was originally sung by Edwina Hayes and featured in the smash hit movie ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ to the more upbeat traditional toe tapping anthem of ‘Red Haired Mary’ to the Irish Folk classic ‘She moved through the Fair, they have even recorded the beautiful Welsh lullaby ‘Suo Gan’ in Welsh. The Celtic Tenors have effortlessly combined a selection of songs that take you on an emotionally charged journey with a thoroughly uplifting experience.

While each of The Celtic Tenors have been influenced by the musical traditions from their own individual parts of Ireland, Daryl, James and Matthew show great flexibility in melding their voices to suit the appropriate classical, folk, Irish and pop genres.

The Celtic Tenors will be touring the UK in September and their show is an experience ov

erflowing with vitality and variety from start to finish. Daryl, James and Matthew shine with their unique voices, charm and wit and their personalities shine through alongside their undeniable Celtic charm.

“A class act… These guys are in a league of their own…

They are the best at what they do….” Louis Walsh

 

“Many things came after,” he jokes. “After the Three Tenors came the Three Sopranos, then the Celtic Tenors, then the Three Finnish Basses. But it was great for everybody. I know there were many people who were purist about it, but I don’t care because I have given to the purists all my life. I have the right to enjoy it.” Placido Domingo

Career Fact Sheet

• have appeared on TV across the USA, Canada and Europe
• Signed to EMI Classics for three album deal after impromptu audition in London, 2000
• Top Ten US Billboard and Canadian Charts
• Two Coast to Coast PBS TV Specials in the US
• No. 1 Chart Positions Ireland & Germany, No. 2 UK
• Triple Platinum selling artists in Ireland
• ECHO Germany Award Winners for “music without borders”, a core concept of the group.
• Headlining major Celtic festivals around the world. (Skagen, London, Milwaukee, Dublin Ohio).
• Orchestral shows include BBC CO, Concertgebouw, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops, Vancouver & Toronto SOs and individually have sung leading roles with top opera companies and performed in oratorio and concerts across the globe
• Have performed to private audiences for world leaders such as Bill Clinton and Kofi Annan (personally organised by Bono).
• Performed at international sporting events such as The Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, hosted by Sheik Nahyan in 2009; The Opening Ceremony for Dubai Tennis Open in 2010 and many matches with Munster Rugby at home in Thomond Park, Limerick since 2008 up to 2011.
• They have performed at the Hong Kong Football Club 125th Anniversary Celebrations in February 2011.
• Have hosted the Rose of Tralee Dubai in May 2010, Comparing the show and providing full musical entertainment.

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Blog

Irish Artist, Niall Toner, Signs with Pinecastle Records

24/01/2012

Pinecastle Records is pleased to announce that it has signed Irish bluegrass artist , Niall Toner, to its roster. Niall will soon release a new single in his native Ireland, a song called “Tomorrow,” taken from his upcoming Pinecastle release. This will be a new album of original material, due in the fall of 2012, in conjunction with a U.S. tour. Niall's most recent release in the U.S. was The Sounds of the Blackstairs Mountains, featuring his tribute to the father of bluegrass, “William Smith Monroe,” which is still receiving extensive airplay on bluegrass radio.

“I am thrilled and delighted to be the first Irish artist signed to Pinecastle Records. It's a dream come true for me, and an honour to be part of a label roster that includes many of my own musical heroes, like Jesse McReynolds and the Osborne Brothers. I look forward to working with Lonnie, Ethan, Matt and the entire Pinecastle team. Onwards and upwards.” – Niall Toner.

Niall Toner
Niall Toner Irish Blue Grass Musician

“I so enjoy your William Smith Monroe song, Niall, very well-written, and performed, and also timely in 2011, the Bill Monroe Centennial Year. Your video is also great. Very professional, and mighty good music to boot!” Greg Cahill, Special Consensus, Chicago, IL.

“It has been truly amazing to watch how the global radio community has responded to Niall [Toner] and his music. Niall has the fastest rising bluegrass album in the history of AirPlay Direct, and currently has the #2 bluegrass album of “All Time” on AirPlay Direct. This success at global radio has now translated into a record deal for Niall with Pinecastle Records… congratulations!” – Robert Weingartz, Chairman & CEO of Ai

rPlay Direct.

“Niall makes great 'open-hearted' music, and his tributes to Monroe are just superb. His 'Ocean Of Teardrops,' composed 'in-the-style-of' the Blue Sky Boys and the Monroe Brothers, is a duet song that kills me!” Paul Williams, Songwriter and President of ASCAP.
The Niall Toner Band is an acoustic Irish bluegrass band with Celtic influences whose diverse repertoire ranges from contemporary up-tempo songs and tunes to inspirational gospel-style numbers, as well as tributes to Bill Monroe the father of bluegrass like “The Master's Resting Place” and “Bill Monroe's Mandolin.” Niall formed the Band 2001 with musical cohorts Clem O'Brien (guitar) and Dick Gladney (bass). Toner credits Clem and Dick for being so supportive in the constant strive for originality in his music.

Niall's composition credits include songs recorded by artists like Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones), The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Albert Lee, Special Consensus, Keith Sewell, The Swanson Family and more. In 2003 Toner was nominated for a Global Artist Award by the CMA. To date, Niall and his Band have recorded and released three CD albums, and they perform their original songs and tunes on a regular basis at Festivals and Venues in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA.

Niall was born in Dublin, Ireland and nurtured an early interest in music by tuning in to Radio Luxemburg and the AFN radio service from Germany. The Saturday night re-broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry from Nashville was his first exposure to Country music, and when a local school-friend showed up with a collection that included the music of Hank Williams, Bill Monroe, The Carter Family and Jimmy Rodgers, Niall's musical fate was sealed. Niall Toner is widely regarded as one of Ireland's leading experts on bluegrass and American country music, and he brings this knowledge of music to a wide

audience, both through his live performances with The Niall Toner Band and various workshops, as well as through his radio show, Roots Freeway, which is broadcast on Ireland's national radio station, RTE Radio One. www.rte.ie/radio1/rootsfreeway/

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