Ex-pat Irishman Peter Byrne is excited about visiting Tasmania for the first time with his ‘Hot August night’ tribute show to Neil Diamond.
Peter performed at the casino singing Neil Diamond songs many years ago and this time around will return to the casino, as well as to the Princess Theatre in Launceston with his ‘Hot August Night’show.
This year is the 41st anniversary of the album ‘Hot August Night’ and this prompted Peter’s Tassie fans to ask him when was he going to bring his show to Tassie, because of the important anniversary date Peter decided this was the time to bring the show, which has been doing great business on the mainland (in fact in a nice little twist every August) for a long while.
Peter is delighted that he has got support from Allianz to fly the Australian Philharmonic Orchestra to Tasmania to accompany him and help him recreate precisely the famous Neil Diamond concert ‘Hot August night’ at the Greek theatre.
Audiences will be treated to the famous duet with Barbra Streisand with the exact same arrangement and a completely new addition this time, also at the urging of fans, a special tribute to Neil’s song based on the novel ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’ by Richard Bach.
Peter realises there are quite a few Neil Diamond tribute artists out there but for him, he doesn’t want to clone Neil’s appearance although he has an uncanny similarity in voice to the Neil. In the show he also includes a biographical history about each song.
How did this Irishman find himself in Australia performing Neil Diamond songs?
Peter can call Ireland’s famous Furey Brothers his best friends and he’d often sing with them in Ireland. He realised with all the singers vying for fame in Ireland and those spreading their wings and travelling to the USA and UK for that elusive fame, he would have to do the same. After Peter’s brother immigrated to Canada he decided to follow but came to the decision of why replace the cool weather of Ireland with the equally cool weather of Canada? and so he opted for a place which was decidedly warmer. In Australia. The strong connection with the Fureys remains with Peter supporting Finbar on his tour to Australia early this year.
On arriving in Australia Peter found plenty of pubs, RSLs and other venues to perform. He also saw that Australian’s had a love for entertainment. It was in a restaurant in Sydney that things started to happen for him. Peter would sing a variety of songs as people dined. One evening a couple sat down to dine; the gentleman approached him and asked him if he knew any Neil Diamond songs. Peter sang what he had in his repertoire and was told by the diner he should extend his Neil Diamond repertoire. Peter did just this and the next week when the couple took to their seats and the gentleman diner gave Peter the nod, his cue to sing a Diamond song, Peter began trying out his more extensive repertoire. But this time something was different. Instead of the usual conversation by the diners while he sang, there was a sudden silence enveloping the room as the diners became enthralled by Peter’s rendition and uncanny resemblance to Neil’s voice.
It was the life changing moment for Peter. Soon after he was approached by an Elvis tribute artist saying he would like to put together a tribute show featuring famous singers. After six months working with ‘Elvis’ Peter was confident enough to go out on his own and the rest as they say is history and also the present! The tribute act further established itself with again on the suggestion of fans, a more specialised tribute to Neil’s album ‘Hot August Night’.
Peter has realised what a great song writer Neil is, and at 72 years of age is still performing to perfection.
A dream came true in April 1996 when Peter met Neil. Neil was generous and appreciative in his thanks for Peter’s tribute. Seven years later when Peter won the Mo award for best show producer Neil sent him a message of congratulations.
Peter has a unique approach to Neil Diamond and to just remind people that he is not just a Neil tribute artist, and of his Irish heritage, Peter takes a moment in his show to sing an Irish song or two. Peter encourages audience interaction and there is much fun during his performances. This has led to a recent new production ‘Legends of Ireland’ which Peter is hoping to bring to Tasmania next year. In this show Peter takes us on a journey through the whole history of Irish music including all genres.
You can see Peter perform ‘Hot August Night’ the Neil Diamond tribute show at the Wrest Point Entertainment Centre 3rd August 2013.
Paula Xiberras
