paul@paulobrien.ca Call: 413-584-9032 ext.105Tues-Fri 3-6pm, Copyright 2023 The Academy of Music Inc | Site by Itabix, Box Office Hours: 3pm - 6pm, Tuesday - Friday, Click here to read our health and safety policy. Friends for Life featured 8 original songs written and composed by the band and was released in 2013. Their first three studio albums appeared at number three or higher on the Billboard world music chart,[2] the first two went platinum in Ireland,[3] and all of their albums charted in Ireland. Towards the end of 2009 The High Kings licensed their second studio album Memory Lane to Universal Music Ireland signifying the fast trajectory that the band had taken in their short lifespan. They performed alongside the US Marine Corps band marking another special occasion for the band. He sang and played 5 string banjo, electric bass and flute with the group, which consisted at the time of Finbarr's father, Bobby Clancy, his uncles Paddy Clancy and Liam Clancy, and his cousin, singer-songwriter Robbie O'Connell. Darren Holden starred in Riverdance: The Show on Broadway for eighteen months. Paul himself is a self-taught musician; he plays Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Whistles, Harmonica and of course Bodhrn. He usually plays the guitar and sometimes the banjo with The High Kings. [citation needed], The group's first two albums went platinum.[10]. After touring with Billboard chart toppers, Celtic Woman, The High Kings came back to Ireland to do two sell out tours, within months of each other. A key High Kings moment for Darren was performing at the half time section of the All Ireland Hurling final, which his beloved Kilkenny won. The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy and newest member Paul O Brien. The High Kings - About They are about to tour in the States, their biggest one yet starting on the 16th of February and lasting to 23rd of May. He regularly performed in Kilkenny City through the Summer season, singing Irish Ballads and Folk music to the tourist audience, with a big American contingent who were highly appreciative. [9] O'Brien plays the tin whistle, among other instruments. The High Kings play 13 instruments between them, creating the unique sound and atmosphere that they still showcase to this day. He also performed on three albums with this father. Feb 21, 2020. The band consists of Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden, and Paul O'Brien. Copyright 2023 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. The idea behind this album was to bring our fans on a journey across the world, to some of the places we call home when we tour, via some of the classic folk songs that have inspired us along the way., Show Date/Time: In 2011, the High Kings toured the US again, playing in Chicago, Albany, New Haven, Philadelphia, Boston and Atlanta to promote their new album release "Memory Lane," which eventually reached the third spot on Billboard's Top World Albums chart. Paul was delighted to be asked to join The High Kings in 2019 and eagerly grasped the opportunity. It easily crosses generations wherever that be parent or school kids or your parents, Brian continues: A lot of these kids have their earphones in listening to these songs while heading off to school or when going to school their mums or dads will have the CDs on in the car and they just listen to it and they like it. Its a song we learned and listened to while growing up, it is wonderfully written by Liam Reilly, one of our best songwriters, its just a real story song. This article was submitted to the IrishCentral contributors network by a member of the global Irish community. Finbarr began touring North America with his Father and Uncles, The Clancy Brothers, in 1995. Their latest Christmas song Christmas the way I remember goes to the melody of Loch Lomond (also used in Red is the Rose), Darren Holden, explains the choice: The melody as you know is from Loch Lomond, it is a melody we have been using for many years with an Irish song, which is, called Red is the Rose. In 2019 after a 12 year journey. Within a few months of moving home, Finbarr joined The High Kings and spent all his time rehearsing and recording a new album and DVD. So that would be the one for me, Finbarr adds, I thought you wouldve said Elvis as if you can do it with anyone dead or alive Darren responds, If its that definitely Elvis or Sinatra would be good too, or even The Beatles., In the near-distant future, you never know The High Kings may just get to collaborate Imelda May as Darren jokes Its something we can do in the future do a duet album - find us when were old. He was lead singer with RIVERDANCE on Broadway and on tour for more than three years. Originally from Mooncoin County Kilkenny, he is comfortable performing all genres of music from Pop and Jazz to Country and Celtic. Brian is the son of Sean Dunphy, who represented Ireland in the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest. sign up to our newsletter for exclusive promotions and event invitations. To purchase by phone, The album charted at number 1 on the Irish Indie charts and was very well received by critics and fans alike. They performed alongside the US Marine Corps band marking another special occasion for the band. His CD of original traditional/contemporary Country songs, Live & Learn, released in 2002 in the US, produced three top 40 airplay hits and Darren was nominated for a 2004 New Music Weekly Award (Best Male Country Artist). Holden has also released three successful solo albums. Taking their original songs on the road was a new and exciting milestone for the band and it wasnt long before the likes of Oh Maggie and Irelands Shore were being sung back to them by the audience. People loved what they were doing bringing a new take on traditional Irish ballads to audiences of multiple generations. Following the passing of his uncle Paddy and later his father, Bobby in 2002. The Irish and the High Kings - IrishCentral.com They flew directly from London where they had already been the headline act for the Lord Mayor of Londons St. Patricks Day concert. Brian Dunphy got his first break as a performer in Riverdance: The Show. The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand-new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional . The High Kings performing in 2012 in Waterford, Ireland. $25 - $45 + taxes & fees. Paul O'Brien He had numerous chart hits with such songs as After Tonight and More Than I Can Say. His debut solo album, Suddenly produced three top 20 hits. And you can put your own little stamp on it, but you dont want to remove the sentiment of the song and what it is about. Darren Holden is not only a prolific Songwriter and Musician but a master interpreter of lyrics as well. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. When asked about what is the best thing about Irish music that helps it resonates with so many people, The stories, Finbarr says before, Brian Dunphy adds: It is about the stories, the songs, its about I suppose what we have brought the old songs as well as people really want to hold on to their heritage. The band will undertake their most extensive Tour of the US in 2016 with almost 50 shows confirmed. Growing up in the Clancy dynasty, Finbarrs was plucking the banjo and playing the bodhran from the age of 5. The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional Irish music. The High Kings performing in 2012 in Waterford, Ireland. He followed this success by appearing in the Broadway musical Movin' Out. Dunphy had also been a member of the band Druid. Spring 2023 Tour Dates Added. By 2011 the band had out grown the venues they had been previously playing and had to start playing larger venues not only in Ireland but also in America and across Europe. The High Kings play 13 instruments between them creating the unique sound and atmosphere that they still showcase to this day. The rest of 2016 and early 2017 was spent extensively touring the new album. They had a top ten hit in France with the album Excalibur, featuring Jean Reno as Merlin. Although they sing mostly traditional Irish songs, they are also known to sing arrangements of songs from other genres. The album spent a total of thirty-six weeks on the chart.[2]. [5] On 23 September 2013 The High Kings released Friends For Life on the Sony record label. The Irish folk band first formed in 2008, but it now consists of Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy, Finbarr Clancy, and the newest member Paul OBrien, as they continue to sell out arenas around the world. In 2008, the High Kings toured the United States with Celtic Woman as the opening act. It didnt take long during their first studio rehearsal for them to realise that the way their individual voices blended together meant that they were onto something special. Martin Furey, son of Irish folk musician Finbar Furey, formed the band Bohinta with his sister ine in 1992. Which is the one they do want to hold onto if they do move away from Ireland. Finbarr was born in County Waterford to Moira and Bobby, brother to Liam, Paddy & Tom Clancy. In 2017 they released a compilation album Decade which celebrated 10 amazingly successful years together and also included 5 brand new recordings. Their third album Friends for Life contains both traditional Irish songs, as well as some original songs. The event began on 27 December in Belfast, and (as of this edit) has not ended yet. Memory Lane was released in February 2010 and after a successful Irish tour the album went platinum in June only 4 months after its initial release. The High Kings. In 2016 the band performed at RT's Centenary Concert to mark the 100-year anniversary of Ireland's Easter Rising. [4], On 6 July 2012 The High Kings were invited to perform at the residence of the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins. The High Kings - ACADEMY OF MUSIC Being of a gregarious nature, he enjoys immensely meeting fans of The High Kings after a show and hearing their stories. The High Kings continue to perform in sell out venues across the globe to their ever growing army of loyal fans that span generations. The High Kings announced that they would be debuting an album in November 2017, titled Decade: The Best of The High Kings. Towards the end of 2009 The High Kings licensed their second studio album Memory Lane to Universal Music Ireland signifying the fast trajectory that the band had taken in their short lifespan. Irish folk band The High . The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy Paul O' Brien. He is very happy to share the stage with Darren, Brian and Finbarr and looks forward to more performing and recording as part of The High Kings. Finbarr went on to learn the guitar and flute and began writing songs at the age of 17. The band consists of Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden, and Paul O'Brien. The High Kings - the heirs to Irish folk (From left to right; Finbarr Clancy; Brian Dunphy; Daniel Byron; Paul O'Brien; and Darren Holden) Daniel Byron. As part of this group, Finbarr appeared in the Clancy Brothers' filmed Farewell to Ireland performance in 1996, which has since been released on DVD. Music Contact Blog. [1] As of 2020, the group had released five studio albums, four live albums, and two live DVDs, and one greatest hits album. In March 2009 The High Kings played 5 consecutive sold out shows to a packed audience in Dublins Olympia Theatre. He continues to perform solo shows when not with The High Kings. In 2019 after a 12 year journey The High Kings continue to perform in sell out venues across the globe to their ever-growing army of loyal fans that span generations. In 2017 they released a compilation album Decade which celebrated 10 amazingly successful years together and also included 5 brand new recordings. Indeed, enjoying the exchange. By 2011 the band had out grown the venues they had been previously playing and had to start playing larger venues not only in Ireland but also in America and across Europe. The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional Irish music. The High Kings is an Irish folk group formed in Dublin in 2008. In late December, the High Kings began their Grace & Glory tour. The early part of 2016 was spent back in the studio recording their Grace & Glory album. Irelands most popular baby names of 2022 - by county! The High Kings flew home specially for the event from their headline US tour, one of three hugely successful tours they completed in 2008. Rita OHare passes a mighty voice for justice is stilled, UPDATE: Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murdering wife and son, WATCH: Irish bishop's funeral held in Los Angeles today, Liam Neeson, Michael D Higgins and Bono among voices featured on "Patrick Kavanagh Almost Everything'", Colin Farrell says Irish people have a strong "sense of civic duty". The rest of 2016 and early 2017 was spent extensively touring the new album. But definitely, that as the older generation would know that., Keep up-to-date with music news on IrishCentral. To become an IrishCentral contributor click here. The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand-new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional Irish music. Brian is never fazed by the wise-cracking comments thrown at him from a sometimes raucous audience member. "Artists: The High Kings Chart History (World Albums)", "The High Kings Announce George Murphy Joining Them For Canadian Tour", "Laois musician becomes newest member of popular Irish band", "Artists: The High Kings Chart History (Billboard 200)", "Artists: The High Kings Chart History (Independent Albums)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_High_Kings&oldid=1138027986, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 February 2023, at 17:02. Its pretty amusing standing there on stage watching these little nippers singing these songs. In March 2009 The High Kings played 5 consecutive sold out shows to a packed audience in Dublins Olympia Theatre. The bands 2019 Christmas single is the first recording featuring Paul as part of the band. After the release of their first album, the new group moved from a highly staged format to a more natural performance style. Over the past 12 years The High Kings have released 4 studio albums, 2 live albums and 2 DVDs. The early part of 2016 was spent back in the studio recording their Grace & Glory album. I think there is 85 million Irish around the world.. Having just left America, Finbarr found himself back in New York, appearing on hit TV shows The View and This Morning performing with The High Kings. The High Kings continue to set the bar extremely high for Irish Folk bands across the world and are widely regarded to be at the forefront of the genre. The album contains traditional Irish music, ranging from religious songs to pub music. Throughout his already very successful career, Brian has had the honour of recording with many artists including world renowned violinist Vanessa Mae, Celtic Woman, Bill Whelans Riverdance-On Broadway and Riverdance The 10th Anniversary. He realised early on that the musical path would be the one he would follow. Suddenly was released in 1998 and yielded three top 20 singles in Ireland and one top 30 in Finland. The High Kings - Wikipedia Audiences around the world continue to praise his exceptional vocal talents. So thats what it descends too. So, when we got back, we took a week off to see our families and then we got back into the studio, and we put it out and it has down really, really well for us. The music of the Clancys was integral to Finbarrs musical education and he hopes to continue this strong ballad tradition with The High Kings. Live and Learn was released in the United States in March 2003, garnering three top 40 airplay hits on the country music charts. And when we came out and done all the old songs, in the new way weve done them - its a link thats why they hold onto it. $25 - $45 + taxes & fees(Service fees will apply), Tickets Darren starred as The Piano Man (Billy Joel) in the Tony Award-winning hit Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical Movin Out both on Broadway and on tour for four years receiving unanimous critical acclaim throughout the US, Canada and Japan. Recorded live at Concert Deck in Dublin, Home from Home is a journey through classic folk songs, old and new. The event was hosted by US President Barack Obama and attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. His first professional performance was on stage at the tender age of ten singing and playing the banjo with his cousin Eban Clancy (Liams son). Billie Eilish releases theme song for new James Bond movie, Bringing old and new together this Kerry singer is making waves, Craic Fest, for the best of Irish film and music in New York City, How you can learn Gaelic literature and culture online with a top Irish university, All-male Beckett play canceled for only hiring male actors, The story behind Ireland's favorite song, The Cranberries "Zombie". Furey left the band in September 2017. Read more:Billie Eilish releases theme song for new James Bond movie, And then well be heading back over there in the summer. People loved what they were doing; bringing a new take on traditional Irish ballads to audiences of multiple generations. Most singers have others theyd love to collaborate with, well The High Kings are the same as Darren, said I think Imelda May - I just think if we were to get in the studio with her wed have a really good collaboration and a really good vibe, with good energy. Finbarr continued the tradition by touring with Eddie Dillon and Mark Fitzpatrick along the festival route, which included playing at Americas biggest Irish Festival in Milwaukee. Paul O'Brien. But I wouldve loved to have done a full album with him., Read more:Craic Fest, for the best of Irish film and music in New York City. Darren relished the opportunity to join The High Kings, and reach a new audience, singing the songs he had learnt as a child. [6][non-primary source needed] In October 2017, they announced that George Murphy would join them on a Canadian tour,[7] and he was later added as a permanent member of The High Kings.