AMAZED and HUMBLED

So here I am sitting in front of my screen in utter disbelief. A project that I was initially skeptical about and a little uncomfortable with has REALLY knocked me for six. The thought of coming to you all and asking for your support, not just in normal circumstances, but support in a financial manner, really didn't sit well. Then it was explained that with Kickstarter (KS) I could offer incentives so that it would be beneficial for all and that I could give back. I started to warm to the idea.

From that, I had to decide what the target would be. I knew that in order to get this TV special together, I would need a good bit. So therefore, if I was going to go to KS I would need to make it large enough to be beneficial but not too big to be unsuccessful. When I discussed it with my advisors, and decided on $50,000 as a base line figure, I thought, "This will be AMAZING if we get there, but its a HUGE ask".  How stupid of me to ever doubt my fans.

I am so humbled, touched and indeed excited at what lies ahead now. I will continue to raise funds for this project with the hope of making it the best possible production I can. That being said, A friend of mine named Scott said to me today
 "Paul it's never about the budget. It's about the passion, pride and vision. Which you have in spades. "  
   
This no longer is my production. This is our production. Whether you have donated a dollar or ten thousand.Your involved. Its ours. I will work tirelessly to ensure that its the best I can do. It will be full of guts, pride and passion. I will knock on every PBS station and ask them to air it at least once! Then the hope will be that we will be then coming to your town to perform live. 
What lies ahead, no one knows. Thats the glory of life, but I'm walking into the future full of confidence and energy. When people talk about chasing the dream and living it, then look me up. Im chasing it, and Im living it. Largely because of you,my support network, my friends. 
I cant single out everyone at this moment in time, however I do want to thank Laura McLure for helping me set up my KickStarter project and also Killian O'Sullivan for helping me make the video for the project. Obviously, I wouldn't be able to do all this on my own so help received to date is hugely appreciated and I will never be able to show my full gratitude. That of course goes to all of you too. 
I also want to thank some in the industry that have supported me during this KS project. As I said, when I posted the project, I was worried what those in the industry would think. So when some rallied in behind me, I was so chuffed, and encouraged to keep going. Michael Londra, Damian McGinty, the girls of Celtic Woman, Pat Kehoe, Pat Henning at PBS, Randy Snyder, Phil Coulter, Joe Csibi, my agent Andrea Johnson and my Manager David Hart. Thank you all for your tweets, retweets and messages!  

Finally I want to thank my family in Ireland and Dominique. You have never left my side. When weak, you make me strong.When small, you make me tall. When discouraged, you make me courageous to carry on. When dark, you give me light. When in doubt, you tell me you love me, and that is really all I will ever need. 

Thank you all so much. As Karen Carpenter sang "We've only just begun"! 

Forever in your debt 
My Loves 
My Doves 
My Eggs 

Paul xxx 

P.S. Its not to late to donate to the cause : http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulbyrom/paul-byrom-a-concert-experience