Fetaured CD, We Three Kings, (2003)
Other albums include Live inBelfast, Ellis Island (CD & DVD PBS Special), Best of the Irish Tenors, and Heritage
GUEST
Christmas with the Irish Tenors
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–TALENTED IRISH TRIO
Since 1998, Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan have been touring together as The Irish Tenors. Each one of them is a classically trained singer who has found solo successes. Together, they have sold out shows at major concert halls throughout the world, including Radio City Music Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, and The Hollywood Bowl. Most concerts end with two, three, and sometimes four standing ovations, with Irish and American songs bringing audiences to their feet. This talented trio also has performed in several PBS specials, including the “Ellis Island” recordings that sold a million CDs and DVDs.
Despite there being several “copy” versions of The Irish Tenors, this original trio of Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan are regarded as “the acknowledged Godfathers of Irish repertoire.” In the United States, they are one of the most successful Irish touring acts ever, second only to the popular rock band U2.
They have given new life to countless traditional songs. They have shown themselves as skilled musicians of a wide range of material, with such songs as “My Heart Will Go On” (from Titanic), “Fairytale of New York” (previously recorded by Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues) and even Jimmy Kennedy’s “South of the Border (Down Mexico Way).” These songs are in their repertoire alongside “Danny Boy” and “Fields of Athenry.”
WE THREE KINGS is their best-selling Christmas album and includes all of the favorite Christmas songs featured year after year in their legendary Christmas tour, which has become a tradition for so many families who love their music. The Irish Tenors will be singing “We Three Kings” and “Silent Night.”
IRISH TENORS TO HELP OPERATION BLESSING
Later this week on Thursday, December 13 the Irish Tenors will join Operation Blessing as they serve a special Christmas Lunch for the Breezy Point community in Queens, NY. The Irish Tenors will help in the serving line, mingle with the crowd. This should be a special treat for the many fireman and policemen of Breezy Point who are of Irish descent.
MORE ABOUT THE IRISH TENORS – FINBAR WRIGHT
Aside from singing, Finbar Wright is also a songwriter and poet. Having won all of the major singing awards at Feis Ceoil, Dublin and having represented Ireland at the BBC’s Cardiff ‘Singer of the World’ competition, he began his solo career in 1990 with the release of his first best-selling album “Because.” Since then he has recorded six solo albums. He has also recorded six albums with The Irish Tenors.
Growing up on a farm, Finbar’s musical education began at the age of six with piano lessons. He later studied music theory at one of the oldest schools of music in the world, The Cork School of Music. There he also studied singing with Robert Beare, and piano with distinguished Spanish pianist Angel Climent, who was to be his accompanist for many years.
Finbar has won several of the major awards of the Irish Music Industry, including ‘Best Artist of the Year’ in two consecutive years in the mid 90’s. He has performed at many historical world events in recent times, including the reading of the Gospel at Pope John Paul II’s legendary first Papal Mass at the Phoenix Park, Dublin, in 1979 and a live performance for “Good Morning America” during its coverage of President Reagan’s funeral on Capitol Hill, Washington in 2004.
MORE ABOUT ANTHONY KEARNS
Anthony Kearns’ interest in music began at about the age of four, eventually perfecting traditional Irish instruments such as the double row black dot (accordion), mouth organ, and spoons. He is a self-taught, accomplished musician, placing in an All-Ireland competition in Black Dot as a youth. Anthony began singing at a very early age and possessed the natural lilt necessary to sing traditional Sean Nós music. (Sean Nós is referred to as 'shut eye songs' in Ireland, due to the intimate way it is performed. Traditionally, it is performed a cappella.) After entering the F.C.J. Bunclody Secondary School, he joined the orchestra playing trombone, and eventually became the resident singer, singing at all the Masses and in school shows. He sang in various All-Ireland singing festivals (Ceol an Geimhridh, Feis Ceoils, Readoiri, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann), winning on a regular basis. As an adult, Anthony continued entering and winning singing competitions all over Ireland, including Ireland's Search for a Tenor in 1993. This was a turning point for Anthony. He won the competition singing "The Impossible Dream" and "Danny Boy" as an encore - he was the only untrained singer competing. Later, he won the prestigious Dermot Troy Trophy for oratorio in 1995 and 1996, the Best Male Singer at the 1995 Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, and he reached the top at the ESB Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition in 1999. In 2010, Anthony was recognized by the Irish Music Association as the Best Irish Tenor in the US, UK, and European Union. He is also a voting member of The Grammy's.
Anthony has a busy solo career touring several times each year in both Ireland and America, and tours at least twice annually with The Irish Tenors. He has recorded 10 best-selling CDs with The Irish Tenors, many of which went Gold, Platinum, and double Platinum.
MORE ABOUT RONAN TYNAN
Ronan Tynan is known for singing at many high-profile events; Nancy Reagan invited him to sing “Amazing Grace” & “Ave Maria” at President Reagan’s funeral. He often sings “God Bless America” at NY Yankees’ games, at NASCAR events, etc. But it is his personal story that sets him apart and allows him to connect to people who have suffered tragedy. He was born with lower leg deformities, and was blessed with parents who told him that he could do anything he wanted to do. His ability to “keep on keeping on” comes from the loving environment in which he was raised. His parents supported him with love and never allowed him to let his disability stand in the way. He attended an all-boys boarding school and vigorously competed in athletic activities. He is a noteworthy equestrian. After a motorcycle accident – and due to worsening pain - at age 21, Ronan chose to have both legs amputated below the knee, then went full out competing and winning 18 gold medals and setting 14 world records in the Paralympics Games from 1981-1984. He is a medical doctor, with a special emphasis on Orthopedic Sports medicine.
It wasn’t until he was 30 years old when, encouraged by his father, Ronan began to study voice. It was 1993 and he was in his fifth year of medical school. His father missed his great musical success; he died in 1998. But Ronan says his father is part of his success. He won the John McCormack Cup for Tenor Voice less than one year after beginning classes. His debut album, “My Life Belongs to You” turned platinum just weeks after its release. In 1998, Ronan joined The Irish Tenors. After completing six best-selling albums, in 2004 Ronan left the group to go solo and released several albums of his own.
Ronan is one of the most sought after motivational speakers in the U.S., presenting nearly 50 speeches annually for major international corporations and organizations. He has a special relationship with American audiences now, and he considers New York his home away from home. On May 12, 2012, Ronan received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition (NECO). Each year, The Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony celebrates the immigrant experience on Ellis Island through which millions of immigrants passed on their way to a new life in America.
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