Michael's holiday album and dvd Beyond The Star will be released in stores across the US on November 10.

Track Listing

Winter, Fire and Snow
Beyond the Star
In the Bleak Mid Winter
Magia Sara
The Wexford Carol
Ave Maria
Silent Night
With Strings of Lights
Don Oíche Úd I mBeithil
O Come, O Come Emanuel
Emanuel Interlude

Little Donkey

The album is being made exclusively available to NACTA traders from September 20 at the annual NACTA trade fair. Michael will perform at that launch with an amazing array of musicians like Liz Knowles, Kieran O Hare, Pat Broaders and Peter Storms.

Online orders can be placed from October 1 on our website.

Downloads will be available from Amazon and Itunes from Mid October.

More details to follow

Danny Boy Stats

Facts About Michaels version of Danny Boy:

1. When you Google Danny Boy, Michael's video is the No 1 result
2. Approx 2-5000 people watch Danny Boy video every day
3. As of today approx. 1 and a 1/2 million people have viewed the video

Below are some statistics taken from Youtube

#1 - Top Rated (All Time) - Travel & Events - Ireland

#1 - Most Viewed (All Time) - Travel & Events - Ireland

#1 - Top Favorited (All Time) - Travel & Events - Ireland

BEYOND THE STAR

So, the name of the Christmas album is

BEYOND THE STAR. The title track has been so good to me. People connect with the song.
I've gotten to hear choirs perform it in Ireland and the US. One of my personal favourites.

We are essentially done with the recording. Now it is all the design and marketing stuff...ugh!

In a week or so I will post the design for the cover. The photoshoot was an event in itself and I will tell all next week.

Come to Wexford

SO I want to tell everyone about my home town. I am lucky enough to be from Wexford, the singing capital of Ireland. Home to Wexford Festival Opera, one of the most magical festivals in the world. Every October , the Opera world comes to my little town to perform rare Operas, recitals, choral masses and best of all to sing in on of our many musical pubs. For information on the festival go to http://www.wexfordopera.com/
Nothing better than a night in Wexford Opera House followed by pints of Guinness in my local, Simon Lamberts. In one night you can hear magnificent arias, traditional Irish music and showtunes....this is in the pub!!!!
I just realised that this year I get to be there for the whole thing. First time in a long while. wahoooooooooooo!

Check out http://www.wexfordopera.com/ and think about paying a visit.

Name the Christmas Album

I am trying to decide the name of the upcoming Christmas album so I thought I would throw it out there for your thoughts.

The album will contain an updated version of the Concern Worldwide Documentary and the following songs

Beyond the Star
Winter, Fire and Snow
Wexford Carol
Ave Maria
O Come , O Come Emanuel
In the Bleak Mid Winter
With Strings of Lights
Silent Night
Don Oiche Ud i mBeitheal
The Winter Maiden

One other surprise hidden track......

So here are some suggestions.

Winter, Fire and Snow

Beyond the Star

Celtic Christmas


Let's hear your thoughts. Try to be somewhat appropriate. No...really!

Christmas Tour

Date Change

Christmas Dates have been coming in fast and furious and so there is a slight change. The San Bernadino date originally scheduled for Dec 4 will now go ahead on Dec 5.

We added 2 more dates, hitting Colville, WA on Dec 19 and Spokane, WA on Dec 20. I always love heading up to Washington State. It is great to sing with the band on their home territory.

This year we are mixing up the sound somewhat so the show will be different. Great....but different.

We have some new dancers on board from the US cast of Celtic Legends.

*So I thought I would give you a clue of the tracks on the upcoming Christmas album
I have been having a great time recording this week BIG TIME.

New Songs include

Ave Maria
Winter, Fire and Snow
In the Bleak Mid Winter
Beyond the Star
With Strings of Lights (a great Steve Skinner original)

We launch the album with a performance at the National Association of Celtic Buyers Association annual trade fair on September 20. The album will include a cd of great Christmas songs and an updated version of my documentary on Concern's work in Haiti.

plus many more

*See new dates added on front page of the website.
This week we added 2 more dates in the North West,

*I have been recording this week in New York and having the best time. I am so lucky to be paid to do this. I am blessed. I get to work with top songwriters on their compositions including an Oscar winner, who shall remain nameless.

* I want to send a shout out to hte people of Ponca City , OK who have responded in a huge way to the call for action on water issues in Haiti. I am inspired by your drive and warmth. I hope my concert down there will give a little back to you guys.

Till the next post.

Bye
M