Biography
Originating from County Sligo along Ireland’s western seaboard, red-haired vocalist Tommy Fleming reached international prominence through an indirect route. Throughout most of the 1990s he served as lead singer for the established Irish acts Phil Coulter and De Dannan before striking out alone late in the decade. Although he briefly explored a more globalized style, Fleming attained his strongest commercial footing by delivering both traditional and contemporary Irish material in a forceful, dynamic bel canto tenor. His appeal rests on the same capacity to translate refined vocal traditions to mainstream listeners that has marked the careers of Andrea Bocelli and Russell Watson.
Fleming entered the world in 1971 in Aclare, County Sligo, near the Atlantic coast in a district long noted for its singing and musical customs. While still at school he began performing in local talent contests, later forming a rock band that played pubs and clubs in the surrounding area. After finishing his studies he fronted the five-piece group Jarog on tours across Ireland, yet the project drew scant label interest. His situation changed abruptly in July 1993 when an unplanned encounter with composer Phil Coulter—writer of “Congratulations” and “Puppet on a String”—secured Fleming a featured role with Phil Coulter & His Orchestra and a subsequent North American tour.
Returning to Ireland, he accepted the open vocalist chair in the folk ensemble De Dannan, a post once held by Dolores Keane, Mary Black, and Johnny Moynihan. Fleming remained with the group for three years, contributing to the 1995 album Hibernian Rhapsody before departing to launch a solo career. In 1996 he recorded his debut solo album, Different Sides of Life, an unofficial release that nonetheless earned him a contract with the independent Irish label Dara Records. November 1998 brought his second album, Restless Spirit, which entered the Irish albums chart at number five and later reached double-platinum status.
Just as his solo profile was rising, Fleming was nearly killed in a car crash near his home. He walked away from the wreck and was later found and taken home, only to be diagnosed days later with a broken neck. A full year of painful rehabilitation passed before physicians cleared him to resume touring. April 2000 saw the release of his third solo album, The Contender, which debuted at number three on the Irish albums chart and outsold Restless Spirit as listeners welcomed his return to folk repertoire. The album contained his widely recognized version of the standard “Danny Boy,” and he received a nomination for Best Irish Male Vocalist at that year’s Meteor Irish Music Awards.
Sand and Water arrived in 2002 after Fleming spent six months in famine-stricken Sudan assisting the relief organization GOAL; the album appeared upon his return in March. A compilation, Tommy Fleming: The Collection, followed in January 2003. In December 2004 Fleming became the first artist to perform at Knock’s Shrine Basilica, an event filmed for the 26-track live CD and DVD A Voice of Hope. Released in October 2005 on the newly established Clann Records, the project aired on PBS in the United States and opened a fresh market for the singer.
The year 2006 opened with another nomination for Best Irish Male Vocalist at the Meteor Irish Music Awards. He also concluded a five-album agreement with Universal Records—his first major-label contract—after which the label’s Classics and Jazz division began reissuing his earlier catalog. October brought the release of A Life Like Mine. The following October saw the live album A Journey Home, while A Life Like Mine received its official United Kingdom release.
Fleming entered the world in 1971 in Aclare, County Sligo, near the Atlantic coast in a district long noted for its singing and musical customs. While still at school he began performing in local talent contests, later forming a rock band that played pubs and clubs in the surrounding area. After finishing his studies he fronted the five-piece group Jarog on tours across Ireland, yet the project drew scant label interest. His situation changed abruptly in July 1993 when an unplanned encounter with composer Phil Coulter—writer of “Congratulations” and “Puppet on a String”—secured Fleming a featured role with Phil Coulter & His Orchestra and a subsequent North American tour.
Returning to Ireland, he accepted the open vocalist chair in the folk ensemble De Dannan, a post once held by Dolores Keane, Mary Black, and Johnny Moynihan. Fleming remained with the group for three years, contributing to the 1995 album Hibernian Rhapsody before departing to launch a solo career. In 1996 he recorded his debut solo album, Different Sides of Life, an unofficial release that nonetheless earned him a contract with the independent Irish label Dara Records. November 1998 brought his second album, Restless Spirit, which entered the Irish albums chart at number five and later reached double-platinum status.
Just as his solo profile was rising, Fleming was nearly killed in a car crash near his home. He walked away from the wreck and was later found and taken home, only to be diagnosed days later with a broken neck. A full year of painful rehabilitation passed before physicians cleared him to resume touring. April 2000 saw the release of his third solo album, The Contender, which debuted at number three on the Irish albums chart and outsold Restless Spirit as listeners welcomed his return to folk repertoire. The album contained his widely recognized version of the standard “Danny Boy,” and he received a nomination for Best Irish Male Vocalist at that year’s Meteor Irish Music Awards.
Sand and Water arrived in 2002 after Fleming spent six months in famine-stricken Sudan assisting the relief organization GOAL; the album appeared upon his return in March. A compilation, Tommy Fleming: The Collection, followed in January 2003. In December 2004 Fleming became the first artist to perform at Knock’s Shrine Basilica, an event filmed for the 26-track live CD and DVD A Voice of Hope. Released in October 2005 on the newly established Clann Records, the project aired on PBS in the United States and opened a fresh market for the singer.
The year 2006 opened with another nomination for Best Irish Male Vocalist at the Meteor Irish Music Awards. He also concluded a five-album agreement with Universal Records—his first major-label contract—after which the label’s Classics and Jazz division began reissuing his earlier catalog. October brought the release of A Life Like Mine. The following October saw the live album A Journey Home, while A Life Like Mine received its official United Kingdom release.
Albums
