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“Moonlight” The Philip Lynott Enigma

AMA Music
06/11/2024
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Traditional & Celtic Bands

The Celtic Tenors

AMA Music
26/01/2012
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“The finest version of ‘Danny Boy’ I have ever heard.”

Former President Bill Clinton

 

The Celtic Tenors have had world wide success and have become global phenomenon’s touring

consistently over the past ten years, which has seen them become Irish superstars all across the globe including United States and Canada where they now spend at least 6 months of the year as well as having huge success in Holland and the Middle East and next year they will tour China.

With a total album sales worldwide of over one million and over two million in ticket sales alone as well as a full international touring schedule, the Celtic Tenors have become the most successful classical crossover artists to emerge from Ireland. They have topped the charts in the USA, Canada, Germany, the UK and Ireland.

Their new album, Feels Like Home, was released in Ireland and the UK in September 2011, and the rest of the world October 2011.  The album features 13 fantastic songs, all chosen by The Celtic Tenors and it focuses on The Celtic countries, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England with a mix of contemporary and traditional song choices.

It includes the moving ‘Going Home’, the beautiful balladry of ‘Feels Like Home’ which was originally sung by Edwina Hayes and featured in the smash hit movie ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ to the more upbeat traditional toe tapping anthem of ‘Red Haired Mary’ to the Irish Folk classic ‘She moved through the Fair, they have even recorded the beautiful Welsh lullaby ‘Suo Gan’ in Welsh. The Celtic Tenors have effortlessly combined a selection of songs that take you on an emotionally charged journey with a thoroughly uplifting experience.

While each of The Celtic Tenors have been influenced by the musical traditions from their own individual parts of Ireland, Daryl, James and Matthew show great flexibility in melding their voices to suit the appropriate classical, folk, Irish and pop genres.

The Celtic Tenors will be touring the UK in September and their show is an experience ov

erflowing with vitality and variety from start to finish. Daryl, James and Matthew shine with their unique voices, charm and wit and their personalities shine through alongside their undeniable Celtic charm.

“A class act… These guys are in a league of their own…

They are the best at what they do….” Louis Walsh

 

“Many things came after,” he jokes. “After the Three Tenors came the Three Sopranos, then the Celtic Tenors, then the Three Finnish Basses. But it was great for everybody. I know there were many people who were purist about it, but I don’t care because I have given to the purists all my life. I have the right to enjoy it.” Placido Domingo

Career Fact Sheet

• have appeared on TV across the USA, Canada and Europe
• Signed to EMI Classics for three album deal after impromptu audition in London, 2000
• Top Ten US Billboard and Canadian Charts
• Two Coast to Coast PBS TV Specials in the US
• No. 1 Chart Positions Ireland & Germany, No. 2 UK
• Triple Platinum selling artists in Ireland
• ECHO Germany Award Winners for “music without borders”, a core concept of the group.
• Headlining major Celtic festivals around the world. (Skagen, London, Milwaukee, Dublin Ohio).
• Orchestral shows include BBC CO, Concertgebouw, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops, Vancouver & Toronto SOs and individually have sung leading roles with top opera companies and performed in oratorio and concerts across the globe
• Have performed to private audiences for world leaders such as Bill Clinton and Kofi Annan (personally organised by Bono).
• Performed at international sporting events such as The Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, hosted by Sheik Nahyan in 2009; The Opening Ceremony for Dubai Tennis Open in 2010 and many matches with Munster Rugby at home in Thomond Park, Limerick since 2008 up to 2011.
• They have performed at the Hong Kong Football Club 125th Anniversary Celebrations in February 2011.
• Have hosted the Rose of Tralee Dubai in May 2010, Comparing the show and providing full musical entertainment.

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Blog

Irish Artist, Niall Toner, Signs with Pinecastle Records

andy kirk
24/01/2012
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Pinecastle Records is pleased to announce that it has signed Irish bluegrass artist , Niall Toner, to its roster. Niall will soon release a new single in his native Ireland, a song called “Tomorrow,” taken from his upcoming Pinecastle release. This will be a new album of original material, due in the fall of 2012, in conjunction with a U.S. tour. Niall's most recent release in the U.S. was The Sounds of the Blackstairs Mountains, featuring his tribute to the father of bluegrass, “William Smith Monroe,” which is still receiving extensive airplay on bluegrass radio.

“I am thrilled and delighted to be the first Irish artist signed to Pinecastle Records. It's a dream come true for me, and an honour to be part of a label roster that includes many of my own musical heroes, like Jesse McReynolds and the Osborne Brothers. I look forward to working with Lonnie, Ethan, Matt and the entire Pinecastle team. Onwards and upwards.” – Niall Toner.

Niall Toner
Niall Toner Irish Blue Grass Musician

“I so enjoy your William Smith Monroe song, Niall, very well-written, and performed, and also timely in 2011, the Bill Monroe Centennial Year. Your video is also great. Very professional, and mighty good music to boot!” Greg Cahill, Special Consensus, Chicago, IL.

“It has been truly amazing to watch how the global radio community has responded to Niall [Toner] and his music. Niall has the fastest rising bluegrass album in the history of AirPlay Direct, and currently has the #2 bluegrass album of “All Time” on AirPlay Direct. This success at global radio has now translated into a record deal for Niall with Pinecastle Records… congratulations!” – Robert Weingartz, Chairman & CEO of Ai

rPlay Direct.

“Niall makes great 'open-hearted' music, and his tributes to Monroe are just superb. His 'Ocean Of Teardrops,' composed 'in-the-style-of' the Blue Sky Boys and the Monroe Brothers, is a duet song that kills me!” Paul Williams, Songwriter and President of ASCAP.
The Niall Toner Band is an acoustic Irish bluegrass band with Celtic influences whose diverse repertoire ranges from contemporary up-tempo songs and tunes to inspirational gospel-style numbers, as well as tributes to Bill Monroe the father of bluegrass like “The Master's Resting Place” and “Bill Monroe's Mandolin.” Niall formed the Band 2001 with musical cohorts Clem O'Brien (guitar) and Dick Gladney (bass). Toner credits Clem and Dick for being so supportive in the constant strive for originality in his music.

Niall's composition credits include songs recorded by artists like Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones), The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Albert Lee, Special Consensus, Keith Sewell, The Swanson Family and more. In 2003 Toner was nominated for a Global Artist Award by the CMA. To date, Niall and his Band have recorded and released three CD albums, and they perform their original songs and tunes on a regular basis at Festivals and Venues in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA.

Niall was born in Dublin, Ireland and nurtured an early interest in music by tuning in to Radio Luxemburg and the AFN radio service from Germany. The Saturday night re-broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry from Nashville was his first exposure to Country music, and when a local school-friend showed up with a collection that included the music of Hank Williams, Bill Monroe, The Carter Family and Jimmy Rodgers, Niall's musical fate was sealed. Niall Toner is widely regarded as one of Ireland's leading experts on bluegrass and American country music, and he brings this knowledge of music to a wide

audience, both through his live performances with The Niall Toner Band and various workshops, as well as through his radio show, Roots Freeway, which is broadcast on Ireland's national radio station, RTE Radio One. www.rte.ie/radio1/rootsfreeway/

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International USA

Melinda Ortner

AMA Music
04/12/2011
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AMA Music Agency is delighted to represent Melinda Ortner. With a song already on the charts, no less in the top 100 i-tunes Finland and recent grand prize winner
of MTV’s “Steal The Spotlight”, Melinda Ortner is well on her way to mainstream success. She has three recent song placements in the feature films, I Hate Valentine’s Day by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and American Pie 7: Book Of Love, She’s written for Chevrolet, and recently licensed a song to Glen Ballard’s young new artist also working with Desmond Child and The Jonas Brothers. In August, she opened for Joe Jonas, Miguel and Cobra Starship at the pre-VMA’s House Of Blues.

Melinda was chosen as one of 15 songwriters of the year for ASCAP’s Johnny Mercer Project. She got to perform at Kate Hudson’s Christmas Party last year and was voted “Best of Sundance Music” also performing at SXSW. She was invited to perform the ESPN Dinner Party and several film premieres. Melinda is in the middle of a 4 month UK tour and debut album launch.
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Traditional & Celtic Bands

Mary Black

AMA Music
25/10/2011
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Mary Black's distinguished career has spanned over 25 years,

from her early days in Dublin folk clubs through to her astonishing success today. To date, she has had 7 platinum-selling solo albums, one of which, No Frontiers, spent fifty-six weeks in the Irish Top 30. Needless to say, Mary is a seminal figure in Irish musical history, and one of the artists responsible for its recent global popularity.

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Blog

Music Festivals in Europe: Find a New Take on the Festival Experience

andy kirk
19/10/2011
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It is great to leap on a train and go to music festival in a town not far from where you live, where you are almost guaranteed to bump into a bunch of people you know. Listening to familiar local bands and big names thrown together can be a real thrill. But sometimes it is better to head far afield, where the weather is more reliable and the music offers something a little different in among the headline acts. Bands can also benefit from expanding their horizons and looking for gigs at music festivals elsewhere in Europe, which will allow them to play music, make new contacts and have a holiday all at the same time.

More fun, without the financial sting

European music festivals can also be a much cheaper choice compared to the increasingly wallet-scorching ticket prices of festivals at home. This summer, a two-day camping ticket to the Hartera Festival in Rijeka, Croatia, cost just €85 as opposed to €224.50 for three days at this year's Oxegen Festival, or around €233 for Glastonbury in England. However, you do have to take the cost of travel into account. Unless you

manage to grab a very cheap flight you will probably end up paying the same, although you do get a lot for your money.

A lot of people like the idea of a summer music festivals but prefer to stay away from camp sites unless they involve a luxury trailer complete with fridge, shower and a leather sectional recliner to laze on whilst listening to the tunes. If so, the good news is that a lot of European music festivals offer the music without the mud and lack of permanent plumbing. There are a number of world-class festivals in Europe that offer great music without the need to camp.

One of the wackiest and most lively festivals on the planet is the month-long

_blank”>KaZantip event in Crimea, Ukraine, a lovely part of the world that declares itself to be an independent republic once a year, even electing its own 'preZident'. Instead of buying tickets, visitors must buy either single- or multiple-entry visas that will allow them into the temporary republic so they can enjoy electro music in an utterly unique atmosphere.

Alternately, for a more sedate experience head to the small, intimate festival in Antalya, Turkey, for the likes of Gilles Peterson, Theo Parrish, and Tim Sweeney. The Sunsplash Antalya festival price comes with hotel accommodation included at about €745 for a full seven days of sunshine and chilled sounds, as well as workshops on everything from mixing to graffiti art.

Gilles Peterson also hosts his own event in Sète, France, called Worldwide: a four day festival ending with a huge eighteen-hour party on the beach. Last year the festival, which also has a sister event in Singapore, included music by artists such as Jamie xx, Ghostpoet, Quantic, MC Dynamite and James Blake.

Croatia is a great place for a festival. Lying outside of the Eurozone, living costs within the country are usually a little lower than elsewhere in Europe, and during the summer months hot, sunny weather is pretty much guaranteed. As well as the Hartera Festival, mentioned above, Croatia is home to a number of other festivals including Outlook at Fort Punta Christo, Pula, in the north of the country, and INmusic in Lake Jarun, Zagreb, the country's capital city.

Across Europe music lovers have created events that cover all kinds of music, served up in beautiful locations that would be worth visiting just for themselves. From electro, dubstep and bass in a ruined Croatian fort to Gypsy-inspired folk music on the beach in Spain, everyone will find a festival to suit their musical taste.

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Blog

Episode 1 Music Festival

andy kirk
30/09/2011
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Episode 1 Music Festival will be hosted at the Venue Theatre, Ratoath on Friday 7th and Saturday October 7th, 2011. Headlining the festival are The Minutes and Pugwash, with performances by The Fallen Drakes and other artists to be announced over the coming weeks.

Straight off the back of their recent festival performances at Oxegen, Sea Sessions and Electric Picnic, The Minutes are bringing their live tour to Episode 1 at The Venue, Ratoath, on Saturday October 8th. As one of the must-see bands of the year, they headline on Saturday night, where they will perform tracks from their debut album, ‘Marcata’, including the hard-hitting and catchy single ‘Fleetwood’.

Following a brief hiatus from the live scene, 2011 has seen Pugwash make their triumphant return with the release of their critically acclaimed album ‘The Olympus Sound’. Widely regarded as one of the best Irish albums of the year, they will be bringing their easy sound to The Venue, Ratoath on Friday 7th October as the headline act.

//www.amamusicagency.ie/emerging/the-fallen-drakes/http://” title=”The Fallen Drakes”>Fallen Drakes play Episode 1 at The Venue Theatre, Ratoath on Saturday afternoon, 8th October. As one of Ireland’s most promising new bands, they have recently played to sell-out audiences in both the O2 and the RDS, as support to both the Commitments and Bon Jovi.

Media are invited to attend the following:

Date: Friday and Saturday October 7th and 8th, 2011

Time: (doors open)

7.30pm on Friday, doors open 4pm on Saturday

Tickets: €22 (Friday and Saturday inclusive) available at www.venuetheatre.ie

Location: The Venue Theatre, Ratoath, Co. Meath

Episode 1 is a new small music festival being run by young promoters, showcasing some of the best of established Irish musical talent as well as young, up-and-coming local talent. Headline acts including The Minutes, Pugwash and The Fallen Drakes will perform on the main stage at The Venue Theatre. Local acts will perform in the Studio at The Venue Theatre, Ratoath and on featured stages at various locations in Ratoath village.

Easily accessible and only 20 minutes from Dublin City Centre, Episode 1 at The Venue is a new destination for Irish music lovers.

The festival will be over 18s and drinks will be available at The Venue.

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Blog

Feis 2011

andy kirk
19/04/2011
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Vince Power’s Feis festival takes place in the London’s Finsbury Park on Saturday 18th

and Sunday 19th June 2011. The festival celebrates over two decades of the very best in Traditional Irish and International music and aids in promoting Celtic culture worldwide.

As an Irishman, it is fantastic to see Traditional Irish music receive the international acclaim it has, for so long, deserved, especially from the international music Langst ner pa varje sida finns en list med genvagar till casino spelen samt en snabbknapp for live chat. hub and savvy music enthusiasts which is London and its inhabitants. It is p

henomenally pride instilling to see the likes of the old greats such as Christy Moore, The Cranberries, The Saw Doctors, Thin Lizzy and Van Morrison play along side some of Ireland’s best emerging talent such as The Coronas and Ham Sandwich as well as huge international superstars like Bob Dylan.

This open-air, multi-stage event is a great celebration of Irish music and culture and in times like these it is vital in to the tourist industry that we support the promotion of Ireland and Irish music abroad.

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