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Keith Harkin

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Keith Harkin
Birth nameKeith Harkin
Born (1986-06-10) 10 June 1986 (age 38)
Derry, Northern Ireland
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • mandolin
  • piano
  • banjo
  • ukulele
Years active2006–present
LabelsBlue Elan
Websitekeithharkin.com

Keith Harkin (born (1986-06-10)10 June 1986 in Derry, Northern Ireland) is an Irish singer and songwriter.[1]

Early life and influences

As a young boy Keith was thought to be odd by his peers. He started performing for the public at the age of four. By the age of 18, Harkin was an accomplished singer, songwriter, guitarist, and popular live act.

Musical career

In 2005, Harkin travelled to London and recorded with a producer, and played in various venues and festivals throughout England, including the Tavistock Festival on Portobello Road. In 2006, Harkin was picked to play the lead role in Dha Theanga, an Irish program on BBC. He also rewrote and arranged all of the music.[2] Harkin was invited to support John Martyn and David Kitt on their Irish tours. BBC Radio Ulster has referred to Harkin as the "Irish Jack Johnson".

Harkin is part of Celtic Thunder, performing in the United States, Canada and Australia.[3] Celtic Thunder has had two #1 selling DVDs and three #1 selling albums on the World Billboard charts.[citation needed] Harkin began working with Celtic thunder in 2007.[4] He plays the guitar and piano and wrote "Lauren and I" for Celtic Thunder.[5][6] Harkin has now recorded more original songs apart from Celtic Thunder; some titles include: "How I Wish", "Daisy Fields", "Vanity", "September Sessions", and "All Day Long".

Harkin's self-titled solo album was released in Canada on 4 September 2012 and in the United States on 18 September 2012. Harkin's first solo album was released with Verve Records who the Grammy Award winning producer David Foster signed him to.[7] Long-awaited by fans, the album reached #8 spot in Amazon.com's Pop Music Charts and #1 spot in Amazon.com's International charts two months before the release date. On the album, is a heartwarming duet with the two-time Grammy Award winner, Colbie Caillat. They cover Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" as the third track on the album.

Harkin's second solo album was released in October 2015.[8] The songs on Harkin's second solo album On Mercy Street were written by Harkin and he completely funded the album.[9] Collaborations with Gavin Goldberg and Andy Wright guided Harkin to make it his own style. Harkin recorded all the songs on the album live and in only one take.[10]

Harkin released a solo Christmas album titled Nollaig in 2016. It was recorded at his home studio with the help of Brian Byrne who produced the album. The album has a mix of original and traditional songs and he is accompanied by the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra for several songs.[11]

Harkin is sponsored by McPherson Guitars.[12]

Discography

Celtic Thunder

Celtic Thunder (2008)

  • "The Mountains of Mourne"
  • "The Island"
  • "Lauren & I"
  • Group numbers: "Heartland", "Steal Away", "Ireland's Call"

Act II (2009)

Take Me Home (2009)

Celtic Thunder Christmas (2010)

It's Entertainment! (2010)

Heritage (2011)

Storm (2011)

  • "Stand and Deliver"
  • "Look at Me" (with Damian McGinty)
  • Group numbers: "New Day Dawning", "Lagan Love", "Hail the Hero (Mo Ghile Mear)"

Voyage (2012)

  • "All Day Long"
  • "All Out of Love"
  • Group numbers: "Dulaman", "Song for the Mira", "Maid of Culmore", "The Galway Girl", "Seven Drunken Nights"

Mythology (2013)

  • "Tears of Hercules"
  • "Rosa"
  • "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow"
  • "Now We Are Free"
  • "Sounds of Silence" (with Colm Keegan)
  • Group Numbers: "Voices", "Turning Away", "My Land", "Seven Drunken Nights", "The Boys are Back in Town", "Derag Doom"

"Christmas Voices" (2013)

  • "Comfort Ye"
  • Group Numbers: "Fairytale of New York", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "The Christmas Song", O Come all Ye Faithful"

"Legacy-Volume 1" (2016)

  • "The Mountains of Mourne"
  • "The Dutchman"
  • Group Numbers: "Heartland", "The Galway Girl", "Raggle Taggle Gypsy", "A Place in the Choir", "Caledonia", "Ireland's Call"

Solo singles

  • "Daisy Fields" (Keith Harkin, 2012)
  • "September Sessions" (Mercy Street, 2015)
  • "Don't Forget About Me" (Keith Harkin, 2012)
  • "Nothing But You & I" (Keith Harkin, 2012)

Solo Albums

  • Keith Harkin (2012)
  • "On Mercy Street" (2016)
  • Nollaig (2016)[13]

References

  1. ^ "Keith Harkin - Official Website - Bio". www.keithharkin.com. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Celtic Thunder". New Jersey Public Television. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Celtic Thunder Artist Page - Keith Harkin". Archived from the original on 9 December 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Keith Harkin - Celtic Thunder". Celtic Thunder. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Lauren and I" lyrics and credits, retrieved 9 December 2011
  6. ^ "Lauren and I" on YouTube, retrieved 9 December 2011
  7. ^ "Keith Harkin - Official Website - Bio". www.keithharkin.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Keith Harkin - Celtic Thunder". Celtic Thunder. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  9. ^ "Keith Harkin - Official Website - Bio". www.keithharkin.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  10. ^ Admin, Abhaile - Site. "KEITH HARKIN - 'ON MERCY STREET'". www.theceltictimes.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  11. ^ "Keith Harkin's "Nollaig" Officially Released Worldwide". Blue Elan Records. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  12. ^ Artist profile on McPherson Guitars, retrieved 9 December 2011
  13. ^ "Keith Harkin's "Nollaig" Officially Released Worldwide". Blue Elan Records. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
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