6 posts tagged “celtic thunder”
The Amazing So Cal 7 Meet Celtic Thunder
So, the evening started in a wonderful fashion. Barb and I drove to Mimi's Cafe to meet our fellow Thunderheads. We were walking to the door when we heard some yelling. "THUNDERHEADS!" We turned to look and there was a carful of Thunderheads parking in the lot. It was truly a fun meeting when we walked in to Mimi's. We spent our dinner time taking pictures of each other and laughing and talking about the Pub. It was so much fun to be able to talk to each other without having to hit "refresh" every 30 seconds!!! We then transferred ourselves over to KVCR's very small studio at the local community college. While walking to the office, some of our Thunderheads (i.e., everyone but me and Barb) saw a brief glimpse of Keith and Damian as the boys were being taken to the radio station room to do a quick interview for KVCR radio. We were met outside by our adorable volunteer coordinator, Chelsea, and she led us back to their conference room, which was going to be our break room for the night. I carried my purse and the huge bag of gifts for Keith's birthday back to the room, sat down at the head of the table (which garnered a few chuckles) and we waited to be directed somewhere. We were shown the important things (i.e., the loo & the food) and then shown to the studio. We found our seats (we were the only volunteers there - just the 7 of us!), learned what our jobs were, and waited patiently for things to start. The camera man asked if we were groupies. Erin responded firmly “No we are Thunderheads”. The camera man did not get it so Barb had to explain we are more than just fans it was like being a dead head for the Grateful Dead. At that moment, we looked up and saw three handsome young men walk in the studio door, heading straight for us. They walked by both tables, shaking our hands as they walked by. For some reason unbeknownst to us, they felt the need to introduce themselves (cause, you know, we didn't already know who they were). Then, Paul stood in front of the front table and asked us how we all know each other. Erin then replied that we were all from the Pub. To this, Paul perked up quite a bit and asked if we had brought them anything to drink. ROFL! Sharon then mentioned that we were the So Cal 7, to which Keith responded "So Cal 7? Sounds like a street gang!" We got them talking and they said it was cool that we were volunteering at the station, to which Erin replied that we would do anything for our guys! So, Paul offered to give us a list of to dos: laundry, packing, etc. Paul then noticed Erin and said he recognized her from myspace! We then learned about Damian's attempt to steam his suit in the shower. Let's just say his shirt was still wet at the studio! The guys then had to get their mics set and get situated in their stools with the interviewer, Lillian. Paul did a practice promo off camera with a ridiculously bad southern accent. And then it was time!!! The interview was rather fun, the guys being so much fun. At one point, Paul mentioned "craic", which Lillian had to question. At this point, Paul and Keith launched into a comparison of their "craic" and our "crack". (Keep an eye on YouTube for the video of this). I then chimed in with “well this is LA.” Keith closed out the break by singing a bit of "The Island". The video will be on YouTube, but believe me, it doesn't do him justice. He sounds great on the video, but sounded phenomenal in person!!!! I was rather glad my phone didn't ring just then so I could just sit and take it all in. They started playing Desperado and Keith said that’s not me. We were laughing. The break ended, the boys were taken back to their green room, and we got a break ourselves. 20 minutes later, we walked back into the studio, where the boys were already getting set for the next pledge break. They had us giggling again through the taping, but the best moment occurred when they were done. Barb and Chris had actually gotten phone calls at this point and Chris's pledger was asking about lyrics to the songs. Paul overheard her asking us what to tell this man, so he walked over and took the phone from her. He proceeded to have a conversation with this man that seemed to never end! It included spelling out "celticthunder.ie" about 15 different times in his rich Irish brogue. By the end of the conversation, he was sitting on the floor in frustration - and we were in stitches!!! (Sorry there are no pictures KVCR would not allow camera in the studio.) Paul was talking so long that Keith came to check on him. He stood in the door way and waited for Paul. (That’s why we all got to pass him in the hall.) During the third segment, as we were waiting for them to do their next interview, Keith and Damian started messing around a bit - ok, really, it was mostly Keith. He eventually play punched Damian in the gut. Damian keeled over like he was truly hurt and Paul shot Keith THE LOOK (mothers everywhere know what look I mean) and Damian started cracking up. Of course, we were all giggles at this point, so Keith turned around to us and said "You guys don't have a clue!" Chelsea walked up to reapply makeup to the lads. Keith held back his hair while she dusted his face and then shook it loose, styling back to his norm. It was rather interesting to watch. Somehow, makeup got on the sleeve of Damian's suit (which was still a little damp from the steaming experience). So, Paul asked for a towel to brush the make-up off of Damian and Chelsea brought baby wipes. It was kind of precious to watch Paul dusting Damian off. When he was done, Damian had the wet wipe in his hands and obviously want to lose the wipe. So, he stuck it in Keith's lap. If you have ever watched to kids fight over not holding on to something they didn't want, you can imagine what happened next. Keith then “slapped” Damian but Damian made it look like he was hurt. Then we could see him pull his hand away from his face and he had a smile from ear to ear! After that third segment (which ended with Paul singing Remember Me Recuerdame, sigh), we headed back to our break room. I passed Keith in the hall and said "Heya. How’re you doing?" He was obviously very tired but smiled and said "just grand, thanks!" I made my way back to the room and started towards the other door so I could jet quickly to the loo when Keith walked in to the room. I didn't hear this, but according to some of the other So Cal 7, his first words we're "So, where's my moderator?" I happened to turn back his way and walked over to where he was (right by the seat I had left my stuff at). Told him there was a huge bag of presents under the table for his birthday, to which he hollered "Yee Haw!! I love prezzies! Happy birthday to me!" Paul and Damian joined us in the room, at which point I can no longer speak for everyone else. I just know Keith then threw his arm around me and said "So, how's my moderator then?" It was nice to get such a great hug and too feel like he actually knew who I was. We all had something for the guys to sign, so I got Keith to sign my inserts for my cd and dvd, and then Paul graced them with his signature. I kind of stood back and took it all in, really watching them all interact. Paul was in rare form, still making us laugh hysterically. He signed Thumper’s Puppy and then did super secret agent poses with it. Damian did say that he loved the weather here in LA. I wish I could remember everything that was said, but I honestly can't. I got a picture with Paul, done my favorite way - self portrait style. Paul held my camera and got a picture of the two of us (which really turned out great). Eventually, after everyone had got their stuff signed, Keith picked up his big birthday bag and decided to start opening some of his gifts. He opened his first gift it was a shot glass. His response was got anything to put in it? (which I did get video of) We only got through about four of them (which he loved, by the way) when our PBS wrangler told us time was up and we had to do our last pledge break. So, Keith walked his big bag of stuff (all items small enough to pack in his suitcase, mind you) back to their green room and we all filed into the studio for the last big hurrah. Just before the final pledge break, Damian was sitting in his chair on set and lifted his pant leg up to scratch his knee (I believe). Lillian turned toward him at just that moment and asked what he was doing! So, we all noticed from our seats and I believe Erin commented that he IS in LA and it's very much the gangsta/homie way to wear one pant leg up. So, then Paul and Keith both pulled up one of their pant legs, too!!! We started laughing so hard in our seats. Paul then gets out of his chair and starts acting like a stereotypical gangsta, speaking like a gangsta, etc. He starts practicing his pledge spiel in this manner, making us all bust up even more. I was wiping tears by the time they started actually filming. When the final segment was over, the boys walked back to their green room, waving goodbye as they went off. And that was it, really. We collected our gear, walked out the door (passing their green room on the way with a guy guarding the door like we were going to barge in there on them), and headed over to Barb's house to watch the PBS broadcast. That in itself was a fun experience. We had two bottles of champagne (one being a bottle of Queen Sharon's favorite - Veuve Cliquot) and we laughed it up, watching the broadcast and remembering all of the things that happened off camera!!! You can visit the following links for visuals: Photos: http://sarahliz.slide.com/?public_pr=true
That's what has happened. I've been hijacked. Swept away. And by what? A male Celtic group.
I know what you're thinking. Surprise, surprise. Sarah is crushing on Irish boys who can sing. And, you know, it may have started that way. But that's not where I'm at now. (Besides, one of them is Scottish!)
I'm invested. I don't mean I've sent the wonderful Sharon Browne a basket of money (though, I did spend $$ on a cd, dvd, and meet and greet tickets). I mean, I have become emotionally invested. They have drawn me in with they're personalities and fun stories. I have been to their discussion page (like a chat room on steroids) and their fan forum. I have made friends with other fans across the US (and some outside of the US). And I've gotten to interact with each of them, personally. They are such truly down to earth guys. They have gone back to Ireland (and Scotland) and are back to the everyday. Damian, bless him, is back in school and it's almost like nothing has happened - except now he makes time near the end of the week to come online and say hello to all of his rabid American fans. George is back in Glasgow, living his life with his wife and daughter. And still going to the factory every day, building busses, before coming home for father-daughter time. He still does pub gigs. But there is a change. He tries to get online at least once a day with a cyber-pub full of people he has come to see as family. And we all love him for it (he has even admitted an addiction to the forum - drawing in even his wife and two of his sisters).
All five of these guys are really super-talented singers. They've got a gorgeous dancer named Zara who is a very graceful woman (and a good sport). And they've been brought together by an awesome producer named Sharon, a woman who has such a vision for this group! They blow me away every time I listen or watch. And they've helped to form a community. But the thing that makes me the most proud of them is how humble they all are about it. They all see themselves as lucky to be a part of this phenomenon. And because of that, I want to see them take the world by storm. I want to see their dreams come true. I want them to be bigger than Celtic Woman. I want them to succeed. So, I am willing to do whatever I can to make that happen. I am even moderating a section of their forum (after swearing I would never mod again).
So, if you haven't gotten on board with this, haven't even heard of them, this is for you. I hate to sound like I'm selling them, but they do have a magnificent cd and dvd for sale in stores and on Amazon (you can also get the cd on iTunes). And they will be touring the States in the fall (you can find out more about their stops and dates on their website, www.celticthunder.ie). Consider them. They definitely deserve a look!
Show us who you would want as a guest if you were a talk show host.
Well, that's an easy one:
I found some awesome audio from the PBS broadcast and had to share it (since the cd doesn't come out until the day after St.Paddys)! These guys are truly awesome. If you weren't able to catch them last Friday, there is at least one more chance: Monday, 3/17 (yup, St. Paddys) on KOCE at 7pm. It is really an awesome show and worth dealing with the pledge breaks (especially since there are interviews in three of the four breaks).
Anyway, I have one group number and a song featuring each guy.
This one is called Ireland's Call and it's actually the official anthem of the Ireland Rugby Team (now you know why I had to share it ::wink::)
The other songs I've picked are:
Heartbreaker - Ryan Kelly
Steal Away - Paul Byrom
The Island - Keith Harkin
The Voyage - George Donaldson
Puppy Love - Damian McGinty
ENJOY!!!!
I'm sure you've already noticed that I am a huge fan of Celtic Woman. Truth be told, I love celtic music in general. Now, PBS is showing a new celtic performance show featuring five very talented guys.
It's called Celtic Thunder (for those in the LA area, it will be on at 8:30pm on KCET this Friday, March 7th). You can go to their MySpace page to hear full versions of six of the songs (my favorite is The Island, sung by Keith Harkin). This video shows little clips of some of their songs in the tv special.
The five amazingly talented guys are:
Quick Fact: The oldest (George) is 40 while the youngest (Damian) is 14!
