Friday, August 14, 2015

Finally I can tell you!

Its been a long time since I've sat down and written a blog to fill you all in on where I'm at, and more importantly, what I'm at!

In September my wife and myself made the very difficult decision to move home to Dublin, Ireland after four amazing years in New York. It came as a surprise to many of you, and indeed to our families and friends. We were well into the long and expensive process of getting our Greencards until one day I asked Dominique, "do you see us being here long term, considering we came for a year". The realism was, that despite having a whale of a time, we both saw our long term future in Ireland. There were a number of reasons, but the most important was the fact that we wanted to start the next chapter of our lives surrounded by family and life long friends. That being said we have life long friends in New York, Boston and throughout the States, but fundamentally, home is home!

Since coming home, it has been a roller coaster. Lots of fun times and one or two sad. In the early summer we discovered that Dominique's wonderful grandmother hadn't long left with us. Joan was a beautiful, fun character who always made me feel part of the family. We had a very similar sense of humour and all she asked of me was to look after her beautiful granddaughter. Needless to say I will always strive to do that. I had the great honour of singing at her funeral mass and it was great to have had so many great times with her since moving home. I suppose in many respects, validating our reasons for moving home.

In September I will be doing my very first bus tour of Ireland. Over the week, 40 of you will get to see what I believe are the finest spots in my homeland. Ireland has so much to offer and I can't wait to show it off. Obviously its a music bus tour, so I will perform 3 concerts for the guests over the course of the week and when the tour reaches Dublin, some of my family will come along and meet them all. Making it a personal experience too! I can't wait and think there will be lots of laughs along the way.

I've also been very busy organising a small tour in Ireland starting the end of October. The show will be themed and is called "The Great Irish Songbook". When living away from Ireland, I developed a new love and appreciation for all things Irish, and in particular our music. Most of the songs have beautiful stories and melodies written by many songwriters we know and a few we may never have heard of. So my show is somewhat of a tribute to the great songs and songwriters of my country. All too often, In Ireland, we are guilty of taking our successful artists for granted, so I hope to highlight them in my show. On the tour I will be going to Limerick,Sligo,Offaly,Waterford and indeed Dublin, with maybe a few more to be added along the way. It will be my first time to do a solo tour in Ireland in many years so I am nervous but extremely excited about what lies ahead.

This brings me on to the big announcement I have. Much as I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy my solo adventure, I have always looked back on my time with Celtic Thunder with great fondness. On a few occasions Sharon Browne has asked me to come back and perform with the group, however on those occasions it didn't suit for one reason or another. On the last tour they did of the States, I was close to rejoining but again, it didn't work out. Damian joined and thoroughly enjoyed it. I must say it was strange seeing him back and not being there with him. Then recently we all met up at a friends wedding in France and had a great time. Singing, laughing and reminiscing on good times from the past. So shortly after, Sharon asked again if I would consider performing with the group. I said I would be open to it. It was mentioned that there was going to be two Celtic Thunder performances in the States this fall and that it could be a great chance to come back and perform with the guys. On this occasion all the ducks were in a line, so I've said yes, and am very much looking forward to it. Whether it leads to more performances or tours together, who knows. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. However for the moment, I look forward to these two performances with Ryan, Colm, Neil, Damian and Emmet C. I hope I will be welcomed back into the fold as I always have been by the "Thunderheads" and I can't wait to see many of you again.
Celtic Thunder have released a press release which I have copied below for you to read. All concert details of the performances will be on their site www.celticthunder.com

My solo work will continue and I am currently working hard on getting some nice dates and venues throughout America for 2016 and perhaps even farther a field.
I look forward to seeing some of you in person, be it at the Celtic Thunder gigs, or my own solo gigs. One way or another I will be keeping myself as busy as ever.
Much love to you all and appreciation for all you have done for me and continue to do. Your support has and will always be appreciated.
For now,
Keep well

My Loves
My Doves
My Eggs

Paul


A Special Evening with Celtic Thunder!
Celtic Thunder play shows in Thackerville OK and Minot ND this fall!

Celtic music phenomenon, Celtic Thunder, will return to the US in October 2015 for two shows only; their first-ever festival engagement at the Norsk Hostfest in Minot, North Dakota and a show at the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville OK. Both shows are entitled “An Evening with Celtic Thunder” will feature both past and present members of the Celtic Thunder cast.

Fans will be delighted to welcome back former Celtic Thunder members Paul Byrom, Emmet Cahill and Damian McGinty for these two very special evenings. Paul, Emmet and Damian will be featured as guest artists and will be performing alongside current CT cast members Ryan Kelly, Colm Keegan and Neil Byrne.

Backed as ever by members of the amazing Celtic Thunder Band, Ryan, Colm, Neil, Paul, Emmet and Damian will deliver much loved Celtic Thunder ensemble numbers with selections from their 9 Public Television specials to date. In addition to these incredibly popular ensemble performances, the WinStar World Casino and Resort and the Norsk Høstfest shows will also feature a wide variety of solo hits highlighting each of the 6 principal artists diverse vocal styles, ranging from traditional Irish and Celtic song to more contemporary classics. The concert-style shows will also highlight the group’s fun side with performances of all time fan favorites and Celtic Thunder anthems.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Celtic Thunder members from down through the years! Tickets for both shows are now onsale. Norst Hostfest tickets can be purchased online at hostfest.com, by calling (701) 852-2368, or in person at 1020 South Broadway, Minot ND 58701. Tickets for WinStar World Casino and  Resort can be purchased at Win Star Tickets or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-653-8000.

Celtic Thunder is the brainchild of producer Sharon Browne and since its inception in 2007 has released 11 albums, toured the U.S. and Canada, coast to coast, eight times, and Australia three times performing at over 800 shows to date. Celtic Thunder has also been hailed as BILLBOARD’s “Top World Music Artist,” along with “Top World Music Imprint” and “Top World Album” of in 2008, 2009 and again in 2011. The Celtic Thunder official YouTube channel, “Thunder Tube” has received over 28 million views since 2008. Celtic Thunder is backed by the members of the dynamic Celtic Thunder Band and their shows are known for the use of dramatic effects of lighting and choreography. 

24 comments:

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  3. Paul, first I want to tell you please tell Dom that I'm very sorry for her lose about her grandmother ... And the news about CT is ........
    F....A....N....T....A....S....T....I....C .... I can't wait ... Once again a great blog Paul ..
    As always God bless you and Dom
    Charlotte Patton

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  4. So very sorry to hear of Dom's loss of her grandmother, and you as well. I know you will keep the promise you made to her and continue to take complete care of Dom. Next, Congrats on the CT news. I'm sure you will have a great time being back with the gang in CT. Wish I could make one of those shows but coming on the heels of your Ireland bus tour don't think it's feasible. That said, I know there will be many, many fans that will be thrilled to see you on stage again. Guess I'll see you in a month, IN IRELAND!!

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  5. So sorry to hear about Dominique's grandmother,I know how painful that can be.
    I am so happy to hear about you rejoining Celtic Thunder, congratulations! I hope you have many fun times together.

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    1. I don't read this as Paul's "rejoining" CT. He leaves 2016 CT Tour as a possibility he would like. This is EmmetC, Paul and Damian (note: Keith and Emmett Oare on personal tours at that time) joining CT Band and several current CT members for two special shows: a festival in ND and a casino in OK. Keith and Emmett are still current CT members. We can all calm down now facts are known.

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    2. I never meant rejoining for the long term, only for the tour in Oct. Wrong words were used

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  6. sounds like a great reunion time hope more of these to come

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  7. Paul great news wish I could see at least one of the concerts you will be in. So sorry to hear that Dog last her grandmother. Someday hope to see you in concert Will always be a Paul Byrom fan.
    Jeannie Rose

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  8. OMG!!! How amazing! I'd always hoped you'd go back. Although I've missed your entertainment side, I have missed your sense of humour even more! Can't wait! FLORIDA! FLORIDA! FLORIDA!

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  9. I would definitely attend but my father and I will be landing in Dublin on the 3rd.

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  10. This is great news for you and the Celtic Thunder Family..just wish you were coming to Pa again! Miss you..hope to see you all soon!

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear of Dominique's Grandmother. It's great to hear about your reunion with CT. You and Damian sing together so beautifully! I hope you have lots of fun with them, and on your bus tour. I would love to see you come to Michigan on your solo tour! Have lots of fun!

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  12. where is Kieth? is Keith not gonna be there? how can there be a CT program without Kieth?

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    1. It won't be a Celtic Thunder program, just some members of CT performing.

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  13. Where is Kieth? Is Kieth not gonna be there? how can there be a CT program without Kieth?

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    1. Actually, Deborah, Paul, then Damian, then Emmet all quit CT to go their own way - of course, George ws a CT Show member until his end. Neither Keith nor Emmett have quit CT and are both still active, current CT members. Paul, Damian, Emmet are still members of the "CT Family", as are all who were ever. Yes, Keith Harkin is Celtic Thunder as he has been since its inception, as Emmett O is now as well.

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  14. Sorry to hear about Dom'd Gram. Things like that are always difficult to deal with. Glad you are going to be back with CT for those 2 shows. CT FB page says they are going to be doing 100 shows in the US and Canada this season. Will you be joining them for any of those?

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  15. I was glad to hear you are coming back to CT for two shows. Please come back for more shows so that my sister & I can see you with the rest of CT. Thank you.

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  16. Paul ( and Dom), I am so glad that you are back in your incomparable Home country of Ireland (Erie). There is, literally, no other place quite like it on Earth. I believe God Himself, especially loves your special bit of Earth and sky. I am glad of your, (Paul's) successful, enriching USA career. I believe that you could find no better place on Earth to live than in your beloved home country. I hope in a yr or two to be a member of one of "Paul's Ireland Tour" and look forward to movies out of Ireland with our beloved Paul and hope one day to experience you on stage as actor. You are born to the stage: are a delightful, talented entertainer/dancer and have an incredible tenor voice. You are pure delight when onstage.

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  17. I love your solo albums but I'm looking forward to you being back with Celtic Thunder even if it is briefly. I do hope there will be a cd and dvd.

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