Biography
Born in a modest village amid the countryside of Kent in southern England, Declan Galbraith carries an unmistakably Irish-sounding name despite his British roots. His father hailed from Scotland while his mother came from Ireland, where her own father had performed as a semi-professional musician steeped in folk traditions, and this heritage shaped a home filled with music from the start. Galbraith first stepped onto a stage at seven during a community festival celebrating the life and writings of Charles Dickens, after which he appeared frequently on local talent competitions. At nine he issued his debut single in 2001, a recording of the holiday classic “Walking in the Air.” The following year the ten-year-old released his first full-length project, Declan, an assortment of traditional melodies and Irish airs that included “Danny Boy” alongside a rendition of Robbie Williams’ “Angels.” Though the collection achieved modest sales, EMI parted ways with the singer soon afterward. In 2006 Galbraith joined the Starwatch roster, which repositioned the maturing artist as a European pop heartthrob. His next album, Thank You, presented polished adult-contemporary interpretations of well-known tracks such as Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” and the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin.” The year 2007 brought his third release, You and Me, highlighted by a version of Queen’s ballad “Love of My Life.”