Anthony Joesph Kearns was born on 17th August 1971 in the village of Kiltealy, Co. Wexford situated at the foot of the picturesque Blackstairs Mountains. His parents are Betty and Aidan (Mogue) Kearns; his farther is deceased. Anthony has one brother John and four sisters: Margaret, twins Caroline and Caithriona and the youngest of the family Joanne. All the family are musical but Anthony is the only one to pursue a music career. Anthony now lives in Dublin but always considers himself a Wexforman.
Anthony began the foundation of his singing career in Kiltealy at the age of ten taking part in the Tops of the Towns competition. Having been bitten by the bug he went on to represent Wexford and Leinster in a solo capacity in the all Ireland finals of Readoiri Ceol an Geimhrídh, and Fleadh Ceol Na hEireann. His only musical training at this time was on the button accordion.
When Anthony went to St. Mary's FCJ convent Seconday School in nearby Bunclody he began playing the trombone in the school orchestra. He also earned the reputation of the school's vocalist at all their concerts and masses. The school was renowned for it's musicals and Anthony had an opportunity to be part of three, Oklahoma, Godspell and Fiddler On The Roof. Geroid Grant, the school's music teacher and also a much renowned conductor nationally and internationally, asked Anthony to sing on the schools recording of "No Strings Attached". This was followed by a schools concert tour of Boston and New York.
After finishing school Anthony began working in the hotel industry at the Grand Hotel, Wicklow while attending Cathal Brugha catering college in Dublin. In the hotel he earned a reputation as "The Singing Barman". He worked at the Grand for four years. While in the Grand he got involved in the local Musical Society playing the part of Joe Cable in their production of South Pacific in 1992. He became know to the music scene throughout Ireland in talent contests singing everything from Sean Nos to Country, Pop Classics and Rock and Roll.
Anthony then moved into sales. He had been in sales in a telecommunications business in Dun Laoighaire for about a year when one morning he took part in a radio phone in singing competition being run by the Gay Byrne Show. He won. His prize was an appearance on the very popular RTE Late Late Show. One of the adjudicators of the competition was Veronica Dunne a renowned singing teacher, she was so impressed with his singing that she took him on as a pupil. Anthony also won Best Male singer at the 1995 Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. In 1996 he had the honour of singing at the All Ireland Hurling Final between Wexford and Limerick (Wexford won!). He also won the Dermot Troy trophy in the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition in 1999.
That year he auditioned for the new group being formed by promoter Bill Huges and became a founding member of the Irish Tenors with John McDermot and Ronan Tynan. since then the Irish Tenors have produced seven albums selling millions of copies. Had many successful tours of America and Canada as well as visiting Australia and New Zealand. Their most recent venture being the TV series for RTE - The Irish Tenors and Friends. Previous appearance on TV have included three PBS specials. He has also been guest soloist with the Boston Pops
Anthony made his Opera Ireland debut as Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi in 2005. In opera he has also sung Verdi's McDuff and Alfredo for Lyric Opera at the NCH in Dublin. He has also played Fenton in Verdi's Falstaff at Montepulciano in Italy. He sang the tenor excerpts from the three "Irish Ring" operas - Lily of Killarney, Maritana and Bohemian Girl in the NCH Dublin and at New York's Carnegie Hall. His latest opera role was Faust in Opera Ireland's production this April (2006). Anthony continues to tour with the Irish Tenors and to do his solo concerts with good friend and accompanist Patrick Healy.
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