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Friday 28th November 2003
Heavenly harmony
Anthony Kearns says life on the road with the Irish Tenors is the perfect way to spend the holidays
Friday, November 28, 2003 - CONCERT PREVIEW: The Irish Tenors Christmas Spectacular, Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, 8 p.m.
On a cell phone from the Plaza Hotel in New York where he just sang at the lighting of a giant snowflake, Anthony Kearns is one busy Irishman.
The day after Thanksgiving he'll touch down in Florida with Finbar Wright and Ronan Tynan for a few dates en route to Lowell next weekend for their Christmas Spectacular tour. Such is the hectic life of an Irish Tenor.
The popular trio's latest album, We Three Kings, came out last month and is packed with holiday chestnuts such as "Little Drummer Boy," "O Holy Night," and wild cards like the Pouges' "Fairytale of New York" and "America the Beautiful."
Kearns, who performs a beautiful solo of "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" on the album, doesn't mind being on the road, far from his him in Wexford, Ireland, this time of year.
"I love Christmas; it's a festive time for family and friends. It's a wonderful time to celebrate," said the 32-year-old Kearns.
The Irish Tenors got their start like many boy bands do these days. They were dreamed up by deep-pocketed corporate execs in a boardroom.
In 1998 at an entertainment festival in Cannes, France, representatives of TV Matters, a U.S.-based company, and Radius thought a Celtic version of the Three Tenors Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jos Carreras would be a smash success. Harnessing the history of tenor singing in Ireland, which is as rich as high opera, they conducted a worldwide talent search that netted Kearns, Tynan and John McDermott, who has since been replaced by Wright.
"We never worked together and when we started singing, it was great. From the beginning, we had harmonies and sang wonderfully," said Kearns.
Before he was discovered, Kearns worked in hotel management. Aware that he could sing, he entered a contest in 1993 on a whim. "I had a fair idea I had a good voice. I'd been working on the voice for a while."
His inkling was right on. He won "Ireland's Search for a Tenor," which brought him accolades like the Dermot Troy Trophy for oratorio performance and best male singer at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera.
Years later, when he tried out to be an Irish Tenor, he was chosen immediately. "I thought I'd give it a good stab, make a go of it. I had an idea we would take off, but no one could know it would happen in such a short time. I was in the right place at right time," said Kearns.
Next Friday and Saturday, the Irish Tenors will turn the Lowell Memorial Auditorium into a heavenly cathedral. A 48-piece orchestra and spectacular light show, coupled with their lilting voices will be nothing shy of enchanting.
Unlike the last two times they played Lowell, the Irish Tenors will perform some duets. "It's a wonderful show, the new one. It's a fun time, that's the bottom line," said Kearns.
What is it about Irish music that's urged 1.5 million people to buy their records? "Hundreds of years of history," according to Kearns. "A majority of our audience has some connection with Ireland. I think they are looking for a piece of their past."
To keep his voice in good shape, Kearns does something that flies in the face of every Irish stereotype he refrains from hitting the pubs. "I take it easy, take the breaks. Sleep, don't party," he said.
Since they're together on the road a good part of the year, one wonders if these tenors can stand each other?
"No, we hate each other. We wouldn't be together if we didn't. We have great fun," said Kearns in a friendly brogue.
