Paul Byrom
One of Ireland’s premier tenors, Paul Byrom, will perform at the Red Bank Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, March 20, as part of his 14-city “10 Years On” tour, celebrating more than 10 years that he’s been entertaining in the United States and other locations beyond his native Ireland.
Review for Paul Byrom:
Fans remember him as one of the original members of the world-renowned all-male singing group Celtic Thunder, which he joined in 2007. During his time with them, the group had six #1 World Billboard albums and appeared in several television specials on PBS stations throughout the country. Since leaving the group in 2010, he’s had a highly successful solo career, with his first post-Celtic Thunder recording “This is the Moment” also debuting at #1 on the World Billboard Chart.
He began his official classical training in his hometown of Dublin when he was just seven years old. By the time he was 14, he’d recorded his first album, “The Golden Voice”, and subsequent recordings landed on Irish and Billboard charts. Byrom comes from a musical background. His mother is a concert pianist and his father played guitar as a hobby. As a result, he grew up listening to both classical and mainstream music, ranging from Mozart to Buddy Holly to the Eagles, and this wide variance in genre and style influences his song choices to this day.
He has performed for dignitaries such as Emperor Akihito of Japan, former Irish Presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, as well as U.S. President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner. But he always enjoys performing for North American audiences who range in age from teens to grandmothers in their 80s, who appreciate his classical voice yet his sense of humor, showmanship and his ease with any musical genre.
His performance at Red Bank Cumberland Presbyterian Church will feature songs to touch the heart and uplift the soul, and he’ll share humorous stories of his musical career as well as tidbits of his personal life. The concert is a blend of many song types, including show tunes and classical – something for everyone. Because the tour occurs in the month of St. Patrick’s Day, he’ll be sure to include several Irish favorites. He still lives in Dublin, in a small seaside area called Blackrock. While he enjoys traveling to share his musical talents with concertgoers, he declares himself a proud Irishman who likes to “fly the flag” when he’s away from home. Deep inside, he says he’ll always be “Dublin through and through.”
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and runs for two hours, but as a special treat, attendees can choose to have a chance to meet Paul and have their photo taken with him prior to the show, if they choose the Meet and Greet package. General admission tickets are $35 and the Meet and Greet package (concert, pre-show photo plus early seating) is $45.
Tickets or more information can be found at www.paulbyrom.ie. Red Bank Cumberland Presbyterian Church is at 115 Morrison Springs Road. For more information call 877-1383.