Keith Harkin

Last updated

Keith Harkin
Birth nameKeith Harkin
Born (1986-06-10) 10 June 1986 (age 38)
Derry, Northern Ireland
Occupations
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Guitar
  • Mandolin
  • Piano
  • Banjo
  • Ukulele
Years active2006–present
LabelsBlue Elan
SpouseKelsey Harkin (m. 2016)
Website keithharkin.com

Keith Harkin (born June 10, 1986) is a singer-songwriter and former member of Irish group Celtic Thunder.

Contents

Musical career

Harkin is a singer-songwriter and plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele and piano.

In 2005, he travelled to London to record with a producer[ who? ] and played in various venues and festivals throughout England, including the Tavistock Festival on Portobello Road.[ citation needed ]

In 2006, he played the lead role in Dha Theanga, an Irish program on BBC tv. He also rewrote and arranged the music for the show. [1] Harkin was invited to support John Martyn and David Kitt on their Irish tours and BBC Radio Ulster called him the "Irish Jack Johnson."[ citation needed ]

Harkin was part of the band Celtic Thunder, which performed in the United States, Canada, and Australia. [2] Celtic Thunder had two #1 selling DVDs and three #1 selling albums on the World Billboard charts. [3] [4] Harkin began working with the band in 2007 [5] and wrote "Lauren and I" for the band. [6] [7]

After nearly ten years with the group, he decided to take time off and tour independently. Harkin has now recorded more original songs including: "How I Wish," "Daisy Fields," "Vanity," "September Sessions," and "All Day Long".

Harkin's self-titled solo album was released in Canada on 4 September 2012 and in the United States on 18 September 2012. The album was released with Verve Records, to which he was signed by Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster. [8] It reached the No. 8 spot in Amazon's Pop Music Charts and the #1 spot in Amazon's International charts two months before its release date. The album features a duet with two-time Grammy Award winner Colbie Caillat, a cover of Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You".

Harkin's second solo album, Mercy Street, was released in October 2015. [9] The songs on the album were written by Harkin and the album was self-funded. Harkin recorded all the songs on the album live in one take. [10] Mercy Street reached number one on the World Music Billboard charts. [11]

Harkin released a solo Christmas album titled Nollaig in 2016 which also reached number one on World Music Billboard charts. It was produced by Brian Byrne and recorded at his home studio. The album contains a mix of original and traditional songs, and features the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra on several tracks. [12]

Harkin's eighth studio album, Man of Many Hearts, was released in the fall of 2022.

Personal life

Harkin was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. He now resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife and son. [13]

Discography

Keith Harkin Debut Album (Sept 2012)

Mercy Street (March 2016)

Nollaig (2016)

In The Round (2017)

Ten Years Later" (2019)

It's Christmas Time (2019)

Santa Please Come Home (2021)

Solo singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Boy</span> 1913 song by Frederic Weatherly

"Danny Boy" is a song with lyrics written by English lawyer Frederic Weatherly in 1910, and set to the traditional Irish melody of "Londonderry Air" in 1913.

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. Frank Sinatra later recorded a version with modified lyrics. In 2007, ASCAP ranked it the third most performed Christmas song during the preceding five years that had been written by ASCAP members. In 2004 it finished at No. 76 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs rankings of the top tunes in North American cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SHeDAISY</span> American country music group

SHeDAISY was an American country music vocal group from Magna, Utah. The group consisted of sisters Kristyn, Kelsi, and Kassidy Osborn. Their name was derived from the word shideezhí, a Navajo term meaning "my little sister".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MercyMe</span> American band

MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian music band founded in Edmond, Oklahoma. The band consists of lead vocalist Bart Millard, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul.

"God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," also known as "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," is an English traditional Christmas carol. It is in the Roxburghe Collection, and is listed as no. 394 in the Roud Folk Song Index. It is also known as "Tidings of Comfort and Joy," and by other variant incipits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloë Agnew</span> Irish singer

Chloë Agnew is an Irish singer, best known for being an original and former member of the Celtic music group Celtic Woman.

<i>Christmas with the Rat Pack</i> 2002 compilation album by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.

Christmas with the Rat Pack is a 2002 musical album compiling Christmas songs by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.

<i>The Christmas Sessions</i> 2005 studio album by MercyMe

The Christmas Sessions is the first Christmas album by American Christian rock band MercyMe. The album, produced by Brown Bannister, was released on September 27, 2005. The band, who greatly enjoy Christmas, had previously recorded Christmas songs and enjoyed the process so much that they wanted to produce a full-length album. After releasing a studio album in early 2004, they decided to take time off; they realized they could record a Christmas album over that period and began work in December 2004. The band, aiming to produce a rock-oriented album, recruited Bannister, a noted rock producer, to produce it. In addition to one original song, "Joseph's Lullaby", the album consists of covers of both modern and traditional Christmas songs that the band members had listened to when growing up.

Celtic Thunder is an Irish singing group and stage show known for its eclectic, theatrical style show. The group is backed by the Celtic Thunder Band on their concert tours, and their live shows are known for the use of dramatic set pieces, visual effects, and highly choreographed staging.

<i>A Swingin Christmas</i> 2008 studio album by Tony Bennett featuring the Count Basie Big Band

A Swingin' Christmas is a Christmas album by Tony Bennett, released in 2008, that features the Count Basie Big Band. Bennett's daughter Antonia duets with him on one track.

<i>Merry Christmas II You</i> 2010 studio album by Mariah Carey

Merry Christmas II You is the thirteenth studio album and second Christmas album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released by Island Records on November 2, 2010. Recording began in April 2010 and continued while Carey became pregnant. She was the executive producer of Merry Christmas II You and worked with various record producers, including Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Randy Jackson, James Poyser, Marc Shaiman, James "Big Jim" Wright and Johnny "Sev" Severin of RedOne. The album features Carey's mother Patricia Carey as a guest vocalist on "O Come All Ye Faithful" / "Hallelujah Chorus". The album serves as a sequel to her fourth studio album Merry Christmas (1994). It is composed of original songs and covers, ballads and uptempo tracks, incorporating R&B, soul, and house music in its composition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MercyMe discography</span>

The discography of MercyMe, an American Christian rock band, includes 11 studio albums, two compilation albums, two video albums, and 28 singles. MercyMe, formed in 1994, released six independent albums from 1995–2000 before signing with INO Records and releasing their major label debut album, Almost There (2001). Almost There peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. The band released Spoken For, their second studio album, in 2002; it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart and No. 41 on the Billboard 200. Its second single, "Word of God Speak", spent a record 23 weeks atop the Billboard Christian Songs chart. The album has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and has sold over 550,000 copies. In 2003, mainstream radio interest in "I Can Only Imagine", the band's second single from Almost There, caused sales of the album to surge. "I Can Only Imagine" would peak at No. 5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100. Almost There was eventually certified triple Platinum by the RIAA, signifying shipments of over 3,000,000 copies, and has sold over 2.2 million copies in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)</span> 2010 single by Mariah Carey

"Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her second Christmas album/thirteenth studio album, Merry Christmas II You (2010). The second single from the album, an extended play consisting of nine remixes was released by Island on December 14, 2010. Using the Robert Burns poem "Auld Lang Syne," Carey along with Randy Jackson and Johnny "Sev" Severin (of RedOne) composed a new arrangement, added lyrics and re-titled it. The track garnered a negative response from critics, all of whom disliked how Carey had changed the poem into a house song. An accompanying music video was released featuring a pregnant Carey singing in front of a background of exploding fireworks. "Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)" charted on the lower regions of the South Korean international singles charts and at number nine on the US Holiday Digital Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentatonix discography</span>

American a cappella group Pentatonix (PTX) has released 11 studio albums, six compilation albums, six extended plays (EPs), 34 singles and 58 music videos. The group won the third season of The Sing-Off in 2011, and subsequently received a recording contract with Sony. In June 2012, Pentatonix released their first extended play, PTX, Volume 1 through Sony-owned independent record label Madison Gate Records. The EP debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200, selling 18,401 copies in its first week of sales. A Christmas EP, PTXmas, was released in November 2012. It was re-released in November 2013 with one of its new tracks, "Little Drummer Boy", debuting at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charting in other countries such as Austria, Canada and New Zealand. The EP became the sixth highest-selling Christmas album of 2013, selling over 168,000 copies. In November 2013, Pentatonix released their third EP, PTX, Vol. II which debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200, selling 31,000 copies in its first week of sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Daigle</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1991)

Lauren Ashley Daigle is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. After being signed to the label Centricity Music, she released her debut album, How Can It Be, in 2015. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and produced three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.

<i>Candlelight Christmas</i> 2013 studio album by Marina Prior

Candlelight Christmas is the sixth studio album and first Christmas album by Australian singer Marina Prior. The album was released through on 8 November 2013 and peaked at number 46 on the ARIA Albums Chart three weeks later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith & Kristyn Getty</span> Northern Irish Christian duo

Keith & Kristyn Getty are a musical duo from Northern Ireland, focusing on hymns and other Christian music. They are best known for the 2001 hymn “In Christ Alone”, co-written with Stuart Townend.

<i>Blue Christmas</i> (Jimmy Barnes album) 2022 studio album by Jimmy Barnes

Blue Christmas is the twentieth studio and first Christmas album by Scottish Australian musician Jimmy Barnes, released on 25 November 2022 through Bloodlines. Speaking on his motivations to release a Christmas album, in a press statement, Barnes said, "One of the greatest surprises I ever got from our children was when they all snuck away into the garage and secretly recorded themselves singing carols for me. On Christmas morning, when I awoke, they proudly gave me the recording and sat eagerly waiting for me to listen to it. That year I received lots of great gifts from various family members, but that recording had me weeping like a baby. It was the most beautiful gift I ever got. This album is my gift back to the kids, the grandkids and everyone out there who just wants to sit and sing with their family on Christmas. These songs take me back and they remind me why I'm here right now. I hope they do the same for you."

<i>Billboard</i> Christmas Holiday charts Music rankings by the trade magazine Billboard of Christmas Holiday Music

Billboard magazine only charted Christmas singles and albums along with the other popular non-holiday records until the 1958 holiday season when they published their first section that surveys only Christmas music.

References

  1. "Celtic Thunder". New Jersey Public Television. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  2. "Celtic Thunder Artist Page – Keith Harkin". Archived from the original on 9 December 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  3. Graff, Gary (9 December 2011). "'Glee' Role Makes Celtic Thunder Singer's 'Dream Come True'". Billboard. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  4. Officer, Press (7 December 2016). "Keith Harkin hits #1 on the Billboard World Music Chart with new Christmas Album 'Nollaig'". IMRO. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  5. "Keith Harkin – Celtic Thunder". Celtic Thunder. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  6. "Lauren and I" lyrics and credits, archived from the original on 2 October 2011, retrieved 9 December 2011
  7. "Lauren and I" on YouTube , retrieved 9 December 2011
  8. "Keith Harkin – Official Website – Bio". keithharkin.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  9. "Keith Harkin – Celtic Thunder". Celtic Thunder. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  10. "KEITH HARKIN – 'ON MERCY STREET'". theceltictimes.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  11. "Keith Harkin – Official Website – Bio". keithharkin.com. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  12. "Keith Harkin's "Nollaig" Officially Released Worldwide". Blue Elan Records. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  13. "Keith Harkin – Official Website – Bio". keithharkin.com. Retrieved 22 October 2016.