Biography
No mere green-shaded knock-offs of their more famous Mediterranean counterparts, the Irish Tenors formed when three established vocalists—John McDermott, Ronan Tynan, and Anthony Kearns—united for a single performance at Ireland’s Royal Dublin Society complex. A sixty-piece orchestra backed the event, which drew strong crowds and was captured for television. The PBS network’s March 1999 fundraiser broadcast of that concert, featuring such standards as “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “Only Our Rivers Run Free,” proved decisive; riding the wave of renewed American interest in Irish music, the broadcast led directly to a recording contract for the trio.
McDermott, an Irish Canadian, had first attracted label attention in 1995 after privately recording a selection of Irish songs to mark his parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary; EMI Music obtained a copy and promptly offered him a multi-album deal. Tynan, who wears two prosthetic legs, had already collected prizes in major European vocal competitions as well as several equestrian titles. Kearns, long recognized as one of Ireland’s foremost lyric tenors, had also performed extensively with the English Light Opera Company. McDermott departed before the group’s 2000 tour and was succeeded by Finbar Wright. Subsequent releases include Home for Christmas (1999), Live in Belfast (2000), Ellis Island (2001), We Three Kings (2003), and Heritage (2004). Tynan exited the following year, at which point McDermott rejoined; the resulting album of sacred material, Sacred, appeared in 2005.
McDermott, an Irish Canadian, had first attracted label attention in 1995 after privately recording a selection of Irish songs to mark his parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary; EMI Music obtained a copy and promptly offered him a multi-album deal. Tynan, who wears two prosthetic legs, had already collected prizes in major European vocal competitions as well as several equestrian titles. Kearns, long recognized as one of Ireland’s foremost lyric tenors, had also performed extensively with the English Light Opera Company. McDermott departed before the group’s 2000 tour and was succeeded by Finbar Wright. Subsequent releases include Home for Christmas (1999), Live in Belfast (2000), Ellis Island (2001), We Three Kings (2003), and Heritage (2004). Tynan exited the following year, at which point McDermott rejoined; the resulting album of sacred material, Sacred, appeared in 2005.
Albums
