Summer In Dublin

Well to any of you sweltering in the heat during what may be a fantastic summer. Let me assure you, I left New York in the heat and humidity of a July day, and landed in the wet and windy Dublin. I thought it was November, and asked an air hostess, "exactly how long was that flight?"!!!


Needless to say, when the weather is good, its hard to be cooked up in a studio, so Im not too upset at the fact that the weather is not great at the moment. Once it is finished, I will want some blue skys, sun and a farmers sun tan!! 
Things are going great with the album so far. The orchestra came in on the weekend and added what I can only describe as "lush" to the project. I am without doubt positive that this will be the best album I have recorded to date. Between big belters to soft ballads, I truly believe this is the album for EVERYONE! 
Between today and tomorrow I will be working with my creative team on the album design and lay out. So pictures are been taken and there is a definite theme to the cover. They really are incredible with the ideas, and anything I throw at them, all I get in response is "Sure, no problem". Its fantastic to be back in the driving seat and creating again. Tomorrow is the final photo session, so happy about that. Ive never been and never will be, comfortable in front of the photo camera.


Saturday, my cousin is getting married, so all the family will be at that. Aside from my Uncle, whom you have all been praying for in recent days. He got bad news and will be operated on this Thursday. He is a young man, thats full of life and humor. So the thought of anything happening him would never have crossed our minds. We are a very close family. So naturally, we are all devastated, however, we are remaining positive. My Grandma at 92 is reminding us all that life is to be fought for. And my Uncle will fight. 
On a brighter note, we shall all attend the wedding to support my cousin and wish her well as she sets out in life with her groom to be! 
Sunday I shall play golf with my old school friends before the final week of recordings in Dublin. 
The final stage is me and the choir. I am so psyched to get into do my actual vocals. I have prepared like a prize fighter for this, and all I want is the bell to ring. I am also very excited about the choir that coming in. Fantastic group and they will add that extra umph to the songs. 
All going well I will be finished on Wednesday, and I can finally relax. Knowing that all I can do is done!


The tour dates that have been announced are selling well, but could of course be doing better. So if your in the area of the announced dates, please please please spread the word. The better the tour goes, the better my chances are for many other things in the future. If it fails, I'll be heading back to Ireland!! No pressure!!!!! 
With regard to other cities. There are approximately another 6 to be announced. I know I said I would be announcing another couple today, but I actually did that yesterday. I jumped the gun as I am as excited as you all are! So from now on, as I hear about them, you shall hear! 
I know there are a lot of people asking will I be coming to their town, but obviously, i wont be able to on this tour. However, as I said earlier, if this tour goes well, then there is a strong possibility of a Spring tour, which would be bigger and wider! So lets  all hope for the best! I believe in you all. You have never let me down before. 


Between the new album and the upcoming tour, and without the comfort of Celtic Thunder to fall back on, I need you more than ever. All I can say is, that this is the biggest gamble I have ever taken on myself. I have taken it because I know you will all be there for me. 


I thank you in advance for everything. I am doing it all with you in mind. I hope you will be happy with the results. 


Keep well 
My Loves 
My Doves 
My Eggs! 


Paul 

xxx   

"This Is The Moment"

After nearly 5 months of planning and a year of deciding repertoire, Im finally in Windmill Studio's, Dublin recording my new album "This Is The Moment".
Its always an exciting few days when one starts, as its the first time you hear the arrangements of the songs you are planning on doing. Im very lucky on this project in that I have my trusty right hand man, Joe Csibi working with me. We are also delighted to have a few originals from two of the top songwriters in the country. You will find out more about this coming closer to the release!

At this stage its all very basic in that we bring in pianist, drummer, guitarist and bass player. Sing them through, then put them down on track. At which point, when your happy, you bring in the orchestra and percussion. Then finally, we add the choir and backing vocals! So just when they all think its over,  to annoy all around me, I decide to re record my vocals!!

Anyway, I thought I would just drop by and let you know all is going to plan, and by early Autumn you shall hear the labours of my work. I appreciate all your support and thank you for it.
Some of the tour dates are now up on this page too under the "news" section. Im expecting to add another eight or nine to that list in the near future, so bear with me. The dates announced will go on sale this coming Friday the 16th. Once again, with the tour, I thank you all for your support in advance and hope to see many of you on the road with me.  Remember, these are small venues, so tickets are limited and hopefully will sell out quickly, and much like my grannies pies, once they are gone, they are gone!!

Keep well
My Loves
My Doves
My Eggs

Paul

xxx  

Mad week

I was lying in bed last night and was thinking to myself about all I had to do in the last week or so in New York. I head back to Ireland on the 5th of July to record the new album and touch base with a few business contacts back home. Mainly because of the fact I am hoping to get this new album released to a number of regions, including home! When in bed, I generally do all my thinking, hence why I have my ipad on my locker. Much to the annoyance of Dominique, when I wake in the middle of the night to write something down. 


One of the things I was thinking about was doing a blog for yourselves, and also to follow up on my tech guy to organize that video chat I was mentioning! The blog is easier, but the video could be a lot of fun so I have been on to that already today. Should know more this evening. 


It has been a very busy few days as there has been a lot going on here in the city, whilst also trying to tie things down for the Autumn release. It started all last Wednesday when I got word that a guy I went to school with was in town giving a talk to IN-NYC. Its an organization based in the city which helps Irish based companies network. In order to help this along they sometimes bring in some well known Irish faces to give a talk about their field of expertise. With Brian O'Driscoll, its rugby. He has played for our National side for nearly 12 years and has captained our side to the world cup. He is still playing and winning all around him. When it comes to rugby, Ireland are a serious force to be reckoned with. 
After the event, which was based in the beautiful NY Athletic Club, which overlooks Central Park, we headed to a bar in the meat packing district. It was great to spend some time with him and chat about the priests in school and all the banter that was had back then. He is a thorough gentleman, and completely unaffected by all the success he has had. My old school, Blackrock College, are extremely proud. As are we all. 
The following night, my close friend Isobel McMahon was named as one of the most influential Irish women in New York. As her boyfriend was out of town, she asked Dominique could she borrow hers!! 
It was a great opportunity for me to meet and mingle with some very influential people in the city. So off I went. The event was based in the Irish Consulate, which has the most amazing view of the city I have ever seen......for free!!  I was very proud of Isobel and delighted to see another school day friend get recognized for her work. 
Needless to say, I met a lot of people and a lot of contacts, of which are all willing to help when needed! Little do they realize, it will be sooner than they think!!! muuuuuuaaaaahhhhhaa hhaaa haaa!!!!(evil laugh)


All of a sudden I find the weekend upon me and decided I was going to take it easy and get back to the music work. Ive got to the stage now where I just want to get into studio and sing. There has been a lot of planning and organizing, and now I just want in! I was talking to my Musical Director and he was telling me he had the orchestra booked, and the choir too! Needless to say, we are pulling out all the stops for this album! He is up to his eyes with arrangements, but assures me, all is well on schedule. So much so that if a potential deal falls into place, you may have the album a tad earlier than I expected. 


Word on the tour is that we are pretty much complete, and are now working on announcing it all at the same time. This means making sure the ticket sellers are all ready to go. I feel that all should be named at once so that you all have options on which gig you would like to go to, as opposed to getting a ticket, then finding out later than I will be playing in a venue closer! Cant have any angry birds!!!! 
It also looks like I have the tour bus sorted and am finalizing my musicians as the days go by. 


All in all, things are good, and I am happy with how its all panning out. Had a little hic cup last week on the album title, but not to be deterred, its staying the same, and says all about what this album is! 


I will be on to you again before I go, and will have news for you on the Q,n,A asap! 
Off to Boston tomorrow to spend some QT with Dominique before I leave. Looking forward to seeing some old friends! 

The Count down is on!!!!




Keep well my loves 
                my doves 
               my eggs

Keeping In Touch

Where in the world is the year going? I cannot believe it is nearly July and I am getting ready to record my third album since 2005. After months of planning, negotiating, meetings and decisions, things are finally falling into place. I know an awful lot of you understand that it takes more than an idea and desire to put together an album. However it never seizes to amaze me how much time it takes to piece it all together.

Once in the studio, it all falls into place very easily, as thats when I am most comfortable....singing. 

At the moment, I have been spending the last couple of weeks working on the material for the album. There will be a mixture of originals and of course a few that you will all know, accompanied by one or two you may or may not have ever heard of before. I will tell you, it is not an all Irish album. There will of course be one or two, but not many. This is an album for everyone as I feel that my fan base has grown over the years to many more than just people of Irish decent. 

Saying that, there are already plans a foot for early next year and a more Irish type album then. In the meantime, we will go on a journey with this one. I have spent the last few days brushing up on my Italian, which thankfully is never much of a struggle. Spanish on the other hand, is a totally different kettle of fish. Trying to sing with the tongue behind the teeth on occasion is proving to be truly awful. Im trying to sing, but instead spitting! Hopefully I will get it under my belt as the song I am hoping to sing sounds so much better in Spanish than in English. I will keep working on it! 

Due to the fact that I am in studio with my producer and Musical Director Joe Csibi, on the 5th of July, I am being very well behaved. No drinking, no fast food, gym and steam room every day. Healthy mind leads to a healthy body, and also one that can hit a few top notes without wearing any of Damians tight jeans! 

This took a hitch last weekend though when Damian invited me into the premier of The Glee Project. I got to meet all the gang he has been working with and we ended up having a great night all together. I gotta say I was a bit nervous when I saw Damian in the bottom three, but sure, who could kick out a young boy from Derry who wants to be a girl!!! Its what Glee thrives on! So from now on, Damian will forever be Jessie's girl!! Needless to say, I am rooting for him 100%. The future is rosy for the boy, I hope! However, none of us will ever really know whats around the corner for any of us in the music business! 

What I do know is that the Paul Byrom Tour (yet to be named officially), is coming fast. I am aware you all want to know sooner than later, and I am bursting at the seams to tell you all what I know at this stage, but all I can tell you is that we are 80% there and hope to be able to make an announcement by the end of the month or early July. I am excited but nervous. Any gigs I did at home or before now were always with a full orchestra. I think its obvious that due to it being my first tour, I wont have the orchestra with me this time. I have to start almost from scratch here, and it really feels odd. Like Ive stepped back in time. Although my mother often reminds me that this time, I have large groups of friends following me now in America and Canada and that I shouldn't worry as much. I do hope she is right!! Anyway, I can tell you that the tickets will be reasonable and that there will be a chance for me to meet you all after the gig. I can also tell you that I have concerts both sides of America. As for my Canadian friends reading, I am pushing hard for some gigs up your way too, so hopefully they will fall in to place also. Its not for the want of getting to you all, its the means! 

With the concert itself, there will be a mixed bag of material in the show and certainly something, I hope, for everyone's taste. 

In the meantime, I am working away every day on my "homework", and also trying to run the office. When I lived in Ireland, I would have received a lot of help from my sister Amanda and often my mom too, but now I am running it all on my own. Dominique tries to help out, but has a job of her own to maintain, so her time is limited. Plus, its important to find time where work isn't an issue and we get to do things together, just for the sake of it! 

This brings me to my final point tonight, I have received so many wonderful gifts in my P.O. BOX(like the BYROM BABES COOK BOOK!!!)  and read so many touching letters, that it amazes me how much you all care. You have been so supportive since you became aware of my music in Celtic Thunder. Some of you have been on the journey from the start and some only jumping on board now. Either way, I appreciate you all. 

However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain contact with you all on a regular basis, whether through facebook, twitter, myspace, my official website or by letter. This does not mean that I dont read everything, because I genuinely do. I enjoy reading the letters, messages and of course getting the generous gifts! Its just that I could actually spend 24hrs a day, on line or responding to post. I set aside time weekly to do this, but for some this may not be enough. My priority now is and always will be, making music for you to enjoy. All the rest sometimes has to take a back seat. If not, I wouldn't get any deals done and wouldnt learn any new songs or eventually get to record some. If you havn't heard from me on a certain site, I am most certainly not ignoring you. If you havn't received a response, it is most definitely nothing personal. I do post a lot on twitter as it is the easiest way. I am always aware you are out there and always aware of you support. I appreciate you all. I am utterly grateful to you all, for so much, so know, that the only way I can ever repay you all, is by making the best music I can. All the social websites are only a way of keeping in touch every now and again, its not what I do for a living. Singing is. I hope you understand, and for those who dont, all I can say is, hopefully I will get around to responding to you soon. 

I am now off to do some work on the album cover, as that is next on the to-do list! 

Thinking of ideas for that are also proving to be as difficult as the Spanish! I'll get there though eventually! 

Keep well 

My Loves 

My Doves

My Eggs 

Paul 

xxx 

Historical Times

To say that we are living in historical times would be a massive understatement. When we look back on the last ten years it has been so incredible. So many things have happened in the world that has shaped a very different future for so many. Whether its the poor in Thailand who had all they owned in life washed away on that faithful day the Tsunami stroke their world, or the thousands of innocent civilians making their way to work on that sunny morning in September here in the U.S only to meet their maker instead of returning to their loved ones at home. All the lives affected since, in the likes of Afghanistan and Iraq. Thoughts also go to the people affected by Hurricane Katriana, who to this day, for one reason or another are still struggling to recover. What about Haiti, wow, mother earth is an angry lady. There are no words. In more recent times, the Earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand reassure us that she is still angry and more powerful than any army in the world or any amount of money a Government may have. 

Of course it hasnt all been bad. I know that one of the happiest memories in my life was when the Good Friday agreement was struck in Northern Ireland. Having an affect on so many lives. For too long people suffered at the hands of terror on my shores of Ireland and those of England too. Lets never forget, that innocent lives were lost on both sides of the trouble in Ireland and the UK. So when the likes of George Mitchell came over under the instruction of President Bill Clinton and through the work of all parties in Ireland and the Uk and decided enough was enough, well many people rejoiced. Peace at last. Yes there are still a lot of angry and hurt people who lost loved ones through the troubles who will take time to get over the pain, if ever. However what we have now is a will for both countries to move forward. There will be those who will do their utmost to derail what we have achieved, but thankfully, there are too many good people living in my country and my neighbours to let that ever happen. We shall NEVER return to those times again. 

So why, Im sure are you asking am I going on about these things. Well for no other reason than I think it important to sometimes sit back and look at the world we are living in today. What have we created and how can we change it. Yesterday for the first time in over 100 years, a head of the British Monarch touched down on Irish soil. It was hugely momentous and one that would never have been contemplated 10 years ago. To have her come and pay respects to Irish history and to those who died creating a better future for all that live in it today, was hugely significant. I was extremely proud watching it all unfold, and hope that the remainder of her visit on my island will be a pleasant one. When talking to my Grandma yesterday on the phone, she said that she too was very proud. A woman of 92 years of age, who has seen Ireland grow and develop through its formative years, was delighted to have the Queen in her country. That for me questioned why the handful of thugs that we're demonstrating on the Dublin streets yesterday would have an issue with her visit. What harm would it do to mend bridges. Im sure if asked, a lot of them wouldn't know. When interviewed on a Dublin radio station last night, one of the thugs couldn't even name the 6 Counties he wanted the Queen to give back. MORON! 

Needless to say when the Queen dined tonight at Dublin Castle, hosted by our President Mary McAleese, I was sensing from Twitter and Facebook, Ireland was turning a page in what has been a turbulent past.

To move on to lighter matters. How over whelming it is to sit and read all the letters and open the gifts you have sent me since arriving here in New York. For any of you who doubt it, I open all the letters myself and read them all. If it was someone else doing it, as has been accused, many of you would have received responses sooner than now. The delay is due to the fact that I want to read them all, and find many of the stories told to me extremely interesting. Some funny and some very moving. It saddens me that there a some out there who are very lonely. Who find music to be their only friend or comfort. Why is that? I often ask. I was blessed with a wonderful family and great friends, so ask how come I get that, and so many dont. If my music can bring solace to this people, it makes whatever I do so worth while. 

I have been trying to reply to one and all in recent days, but am quickly realizing that this maybe a task too far. Today I sent over 100 letters in the post, yet Im not even half way through. Its not going to be a case where I will pick and choose who to write to because of the best story, or the best gift, but I will have to come up with some sort of plan. In the meantime, I will continue my task of finishing the job I started.

I want you to know that I appreciate it all. Genuinely. Today I received $5.00 in a card from a kid to buy myself a coffee. I was utterly touched by how one could be so generous. So whether you send a letter, a card, or a gift, I appreciate them all and thank you for them. I often get great encouragement from reading your letters and thoughts. So keep them coming. I will get around to reading them all at some point. This I promise.

I feel it important to take a moment to talk about the recent departure of Ryan Kelly from the Celtic Thunder group and from public life in general. I know many of you were shocked and saddened by the news. As was I. I was unaware of his intentions. I have got to know Ryan well over the four years working with him and we have shared many a great laugh together. This I expect to remain intact. I do know that Ryan is a very private person and that whatever reason he felt he couldnt continue is for him to divulge in his own time. Being in the public eye is difficult. Its not one I complain about as it is something I knew came with the territory of being a professional singer. I was fortunate to have had experience of this lifestyle prior to joining Celtic Thunder. For some in the group its easier than others. Im not for a moment suggesting Ryan struggled with this. In fact I know he appreciated the support and adoration he got from many of his fans, as we all did. However, sometimes it can get tough due to a handful. For this I hope is not the reason Ryan needs time away. 

Whatever it is, I do want to thank him for all his support and friendship over the years. I want to wish him well in whatever road he decides is best for him, and hope that both himself and Anna find true happiness together. I can assure you all the rumours that have been brought to my attention are untrue. He is not joining the army, or going to the jungles to save the Rainforest, or expecting twins, or adopting orphans, or joining the Greenpeace fight against whale fishing. He just wants time out, and for those who love his music and indeed himself, Im sure you'll give it to him. We will ALL be here for him when and if he decides to return. Of this Im sure.

As for the GLEE project. Where to begin!! I dont watch the show Glee so when the wee man was here in New York visiting, I had to have him explain it all to me. Im still confused. There's no shooting, no murders to be solved, no text voting, its all about high school??!! OK! Great. 

Damian is very excited and I know they are exciting times ahead for the fella. How he copes with it all, we will have to see....on a weekly show!! I wish him the best, as if its needed to be said. I feel there are great things ahead for him. How super cool would it be if he got on the show....like OMG, LOL!!! 

I know the boys are in studio recording new stuff as I type. I wait like the rest of you, to hear it. It is changing times for Celtic Thunder, and after spending 4 years building and developing the show and the brand, I can only wish them continued success.

Now, Im off to reply to some more mail and make my dinner. Dom is working, so one has to figure out what to eat. 

Keep well my loves 

my doves 

my eggs

Paul 

xxx

Just hello

Hey everyone!
Thought I would just drop in and say hello to all in the world of Celtic Thunder. Ive had a fun and compact couple of weeks.
Damian arrived on my doorstep a couple of weeks back and stayed with me for 10 days. It was great to spend some time with him and just hang out without having to worry about a gig or recording to do. Hanging just as mates. I suppose now that I am flying solo, its nice to still be in contact and to know that we will more than likely be friends for live.
He is going through a very exciting period of time in his life and career, and aside from being delighted for him, I am very supportive and hope it all goes great. It couldnt happen a harder working, nicer guy.
Who knows whats around the corner for any of us, but thats the beauty and the beast of the music business.

Things are going great for me too and i have signed with one of the biggest Agencies in the world call the Agency Group, who are now in the process of finalizing my Autumn tour. They have a lot of major acts on their books and people who sing in the same field as I do. This bodes well for me, knowing I have people who understand me, represent me.
The new album is being recorded in July, and due to be released pre tour.
Last night i popped in to a fundraiser for my favourite charity of choice www.goal.ie. I got chatting to John O'Shea, the CEO and he had my skin crawling at some of the atrocities going on in the far regions of the world. How some leaders and dictators get away with this is beyond words for me. Uganda, Darfur, Niger to name but a few. Its amazing that our governments turn a blind eye. Shame on them and anyone else who does. The world needs to know its loved now more than ever, and I believe the best way to do this is to help those less fortunate.
However this is not a blog to promote anything Im doing. The purpose of this blog is just to drop by, say hello and tell you that I am thinking of you all and often think how lucky I am to have so many supportive and genuine fans.

I have been very busy since coming to New York and will continue to plug away. All the time having a laugh and creating a lot of some great memories like last week!

I am off to Central Park tomorrow to enjoy a well earned day off with Dominique, who is working equally hard. The two of us have been made feel so welcome here in the U.S. Life is good. Sometimes its important to wake up in the morning and tell one self that.

Keep well
My Loves
My doves
My Eggs

Paul
x

G'DAY mate!

G'day! What a brilliant couple of weeks Ive had. To be honest when Sharon asked me to take part in the promo work in March, I was very hesitant. Simply because I had a lot to do myself and that taking, essentially a month out to go back promoting Celtic Thunder wasnt on my schedule at all! However, the thoughts of having the craic with Neil for a couple of weeks on a bus alone and a trip to the Southern Hemisphere was too hard to turn down. I also knew that I would be able to get the majority of what I needed to get done, done whilst on the road. The rest could wait!

When first we started the trip in Seattle, it was evident from the get go, that I was going to be the quiet one of the pairing on air........NOT!! Neil and I, were like a good cop, bad cop combo! He was calm collected and chatty, whilst I was like a raging lunatic, desperate for people to pick up the phone and pledge. I was also a man who had no boss no more, so was totally up for having a laugh on air. Honestly, Im not sure what some of the presenters thought. A lot rolled with it, others were very scared! Either way, we both had a lot of fun going from Seattle all the way across to the east coast. It was also a great chance to catch up with many fans. I also enjoy the banter with the fans and often feel it would be great fun to mix it up with a couple of bottles of wine at the stations! Could you imagine! PBS would never be the same.
Whilst out and about a lot asked and wondered about what my plans were. I was delighted to be able to tell all about my pending album and plans for some gigs in the Autumn. One thing I said was that as soon as I know anything, ye will know everything!

In the throws of going from one PBS station to the next, I was off to Boston for a very special gig! On the 16th of March I was asked to perform the American national anthem in the world famous TD Gaaaaden! Although I had performed anthems for a number of countries to large audiences on many occasions, this was different. Im not sure why. Maybe it was because it was my first major appearance in America on my own, or maybe it was because I hoped it symbolized the beginning of some fun times ahead. Either way, before I walked out on the court to perform, I was more nervous than I had been for a long time. It was at this point I realised that there is definightly a chemical imbalance in my head. Why in Gods name would anyone in their right mind want to walk out infront of 10's of thousands of people and sing a countries national anthem. No normal person would want to do that. To stand with a big spotlight on you, like a scene from Basic Instinct, and have all these faces looking at you waiting. Waiting for you to perform something they had all grown up saying nearly everyday of their life. Something that, if messed up, would be totally unforgivable. Something that, after a certain Super Bowl performance, was now at the point of people just wanting it to be sung as written and meant. All these things were running through my mind At a million miles a minute! Then I was announced and I was on my own. Heart thumping and stomach churning. When all of a sudden I was half way through it, and absolutely loving it. The adrenalin was pumping through every vein in my body, the crowd was cheering, the vibe was electric from the crowd to myself and back at them. I sang it like it was my own anthem. With pride and passion, and I didnt care if anyone liked my version or not. I just gave it welly! Then at the end, the place went wild. At which point, I realised exactly why I do what I do for a living, and wouldnt change it for a moment. I was buzzing after it. Definightly a highlight in my career. Hopefully the next time I go to do it, I wont be as nervous, and will give an ever better rendition. Never, straying from how it was written though. This I can promise you! Word is, I will get that shot for game one of the playoffs......ooohhh yea!

The following day, I was already back in NY for the St.Patricks day celebrations. I had a lunchtime engagement on the Adrian Flannely radio show in the city and then was free for the remainder of the day. Its hard to put into words the celebrations in New York on this day. Ive seen nothing like it ever. Everyone is bloody Irish, and half are drunk but lunchtime! Fun times for a lot of people, however part of me dislikes the fact that us Irish are associated so heavily with drink. I myself enjoy drink and a good time, within reason. However, I also know that drink has a very dangerous side, and has turned many a good person into a wreck of a person. Alcohol should be enjoyed, but respected. It can be quiet a dangerous thing when not respected. Some of the scenes I saw that day were hilarious, but one or two sad scenes too. I hope that for some of these people, it was only a once off event. Although my senses tell me different. Ireland is a wonderful country. Full of culture, music, literature and history. I hate that so many associate getting drunk with the Irish. But no amount of ranting by some tenor in a wine bar (ironically) is going to change that! Either way, we had a lot of fun in New York on Paddy's day, and one where I was proud, and VERY proud to be from where I am. It makes me smile and beam that so many that are not Irish, want to be. That for such a small country, we have spread the shamrock far and wide, and that so many are doing so much good for our little nation. We are small in number, but large in heart!

With that pride, I boarded a plane to New Zealand to promote Irish music in the Southern Hemisphere. I had never been down there before, but many of my friends and some of my family had been and I was hearing nothing but great things about the countries and the people down there. When we got to New Zealand, all I wanted to do was go meet the Maori people. They are so steeped in history and culture I just wanted to sample some of it. So I rented a people carrier and drove a small group of us 3 and a half hours out to meet them. This was one hell of a day. Great laugh and great sites. The one thing that occurred to me was how similar it was to Ireland. Truly green and full of sheep and cows! Although the moo from the cows had a different accent!
After four days we headed to Sydney, and I couldnt believe the fact our hotel was right by the harbour. I was going to do as much as I could in the short space of time I had off. The schedule was going to be full on as the buzz and excitement from the tv and radio stations down there was impalpable. They all wanted a piece, and we were totally on for giving it to them!
On day one I showered quickly and grabbed my camera and ran out the door. Then went back to the room to get dressed......I was that excited!! First stop for me was to go to the Sydney bridge. Then when I heard you could climb it, there was no stopping me. It was $200 to do it, which I thought was very OTT, but I felt it would be a once in a lifetime experience and that I would regret it if I didnt. Needless to say when I reached the top, I was delighted and proud of my achievement. I was in a nice group of ten climbers, but oddly enough, one was afraid of heights! I thought, darling, have you not read the memo? What are you doing up here!??!!! That being said, she was very brave and got up and back without a panic attack.
Later that evening, Emmet called my room and suggested we go to "The Barber of Seville" in the Opera House. I love Rossini, so thought, brilliant, lets do it! Needless to say, there were no other takers on the offer, so off the two of us went! AMAZING is all I will say on this.
After a couple of days of touristy things it was time to work, and work we did. We met many presenters and hosts and all were really fun and so laid back. Very similar personalities to the Irish and exact same sense of humour. All they do is take the mic outta each other, much like us. It made the whole experience so much fun.
As the trip was winding down, I knew it could be a long time before I saw the boys again, so a night on the town was on the cards. Needless to say we had some great laughs, and right in the middle of it all was Sharon. She maybe the boss of CT, but she is also a friend and some good times were had with her over the last month or so. She works very hard for Celtic Thunder, and I am delighted it is paying off for her.

The flight back was going to be long and one I wasnt looking forward to. Especially when I saw an infant sit two rows in front of me. I knew from the way he looked at me, that he was not happy about being on a plane. Then for 14 hours, he would often let us all know how unhappy he was. Frustrated as I was, I was also sympathetic to the parents who tried everything to keep him happy. Its a tough job being a parent, so those of us who are not, need to give them a break sometimes and just get on with it, in the hope than one day I will travel with a minnie me, and that those around will understand how tough it is.
After nearly a day and a half of travel, I got back to New York and back to the one I love. Im also back to start pressing those who have promised much and are yet to fulfill. No more mister nice guy. its time to get Byrom out there!

Love you all, and appreciate all your support. Please dont ever give up on me

My Loves
My Doves
My Eggs!

Paul

xxx