Not long ago I caught up with Neil Byrne when he was in Tennessee, where, as one of the members of Irish band Celtic Thunder he was on tour. Neil has been with the group for six years now and was enjoying a rare relaxing day away from ‘the usual mayhem’.
The name Neil, derives from the name of an Irish king and means’ passionate’ or ‘champion’ and ‘Byrne’ means ‘high, noble, exalted’ and I’d have to agree that Neil is both passionate about his craft, a champion contender in it and part of the highly exalted group who are taking the world by the proverbial storm with their thunder (pardon the pun).
Neil is not unfamiliar with Australia having toured here with Celtic Thunder previously and has family in Adelaide. He and the other guys are looking forward to their first ever visit to Tasmania next May. They are excited at visiting, as Neil puts it, ‘a new land’. I tell Neil that its often the case that we are seen as a separate entity to the rest of Australia. It seems this is not altogether bad, as the boys are finding the prospect of visiting here both exotic and mysterious.
Neil has been singing since he was a youngster having done his first gig when he was 12 years old and would lug around suitcases using them as drums, at 13 he performed with his brother Paul in a band. Neil comes from a musical family and there really was no other career possibility.
‘Mythology’ is the latest hit show Celtic Thunder will be bringing to Australia next year. The production traces Irish music back to its to roots in the myths and legends of Celtic folklore. The show and the subsequent DVD have been extremely popular, not just in the US and Australia, a popularity which can in part be owed to the ex-pats in both countries but the group is extending their fan base to achieve popularity with’ mythology’ in many cultures that have no links to Ireland but are familiar with myths and legends that are universal.
The process of bringing this production to the stage was in some ways a heart wrenching one, with a few hundred songs much loved songs on the table that was narrowed down to 34. The selection must have been the right one as the group continue to achieve number one status in many places.
Neil believes apart from the amazing music much of the bands success is to do with the unique relationship they have with the fans. Group members are constantly keeping in touch with their fans on social media and in a real world, practical sense, including them in sound checks and invitations to spectacular pre show parties.
Further to his commitments to Celtic Thunder, Neil has linked up with fellow band member Ryan, and in August this year they began pursing, when time allows, a sideline career in performing Irish music as ‘Acoustically Irish’ a more intimate show, performed at smaller venues.
Ryan praises the amazing David Monroe who has arranged songs for the principle characters in Mythology and when we talk about ‘characters’ we are talking about each members particular ‘musical’ genre that they showcase individually in the production.
Ryan relishes rock, George boasts ballad, Keith favours Folk and Neil, well Neil prefers pop! in fact he is described as ‘a classy singer of soulful pop’. In addition to their singing the boys have grown, writing and directing some of their own songs.
An interesting piece of trivia about Neil is that he is the joker of the pack and when the band is on stage he will often be observed making faces, encouraging the others to laugh. Its something he has inherited from his dad and it’s these kind of tried and tested shenanigans that get a positive reaction from the audience.
He may be an impish leprechaun with his jovial nature but Neil Byrne is, to paraphrase the compliment previously bestowed upon him, ‘a classy and soulful man as well as a singer.’
You can see Celtic Thunder when they perform in Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart – Monday 12th May ; Princess Theatre, Launceston – Tuesday 13th May 2014.
Paula Xiberras
