Celtic Woman Bio



Celtic Woman Biography


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Celtic Woman Bio

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Celtic Woman is a musical ensemble comprised of five Irish female artists: vocalists Chloí« Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt. The group's repertoire ranges from traditional Celtic tunes to modern songs. To date, the group has released four albums, Celtic Woman, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration, Celtic Woman: A New Journey and Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey and have undertaken a number of world tours.

The foundation for Celtic music's popularity outside of Ireland and Europe was previously set by artists Enya and Clannad, along with stage shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. Accordingly, Celtic Woman has been referred to as "Riverdance for the voice."

Celtic Woman: Albums

Celtic Woman was filmed on 15 September 2004 for PBS Television at The Helix, Dublin, Ireland, in front of a sold out audience. Organized by producer Sharon Browne, Chairman & CEO Dave Kavanagh and musical director and composer David Downes, this performance was first broadcast on PBS during March 2005 in the United States, and within weeks the group's eponymous debut album Celtic Woman reached #1 on Billboard's World Music chart, eventually breaking Andrea Bocelli's long-standing record on 22 July 2006 by staying at #1 for 68 weeks, and held that position for 81 weeks total. Much of the group's success in America has been credited to the extensive PBS publicity throughout 2005. The live performance at The Helix was released on DVD alongside the studio album.

The release of the second album, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration, on 19 October 2006 knocked their first album to the #2 spot on the World Music chart.

In preparation for their third studio album, Celtic Woman performed at Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland, on 23 August and 24 August 2006, with this show airing on PBS during December 2006. The studio album, titled Celtic Woman: A New Journey, was released on 30 January 2007, and as with their debut, the live performance was released on DVD simultaneously. This album immediately hit the Billboard 200 at #4 and the Billboard World Music chart at #1, bumping their previous two releases down a spot and securing the top three positions on that chart for the group.

In response to the amazing popularity of the performance at Slane Castle in 2006, on 7 December 2007 PBS aired a special concert of Celtic Woman performing again in The Helix Theatre, Dublin, Ireland. This performance included songs from the group's second album Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration.

The Irish group released a fourth album called Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey in October 28, 2008.

Celtic Woman: Tours

Celtic Woman has performed a total of three tours in America, with additional performances overseas. The group appeared live in more than a dozen US cities in 2005 for their original album debut. The group toured the United States twice with their "Celtic Woman: A New Journey" tour, visiting 88 cities in 2007 and over 75 cities in 2008. In early April 2008 it was announced that The High Kings would be opening the act for the group through June 2008.

The 2009 Isle of Hope Tour was announced in late 2008, and features a blend of original music from composer David Downes and Brendan Graham (the author of the group favorite You Raise Me Up), renditions of songs such as "Fields of Gold" and "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" and traditional performances of "Danny Boy", "The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun" and "Spanish Lady".

Celtic Woman: Membership

The original members of Celtic Woman were Chloí« Agnew, í“rla Fallon, Lisa Kelly, Méav Ní­ Mhaolchatha, and Máiréad Nesbitt. During Ní­ Mhaolchatha's pregnancy in 2005, Deirdre Shannon was selected to fill her place during tours. Shannon departed in February 2006, and Ní­ Mhaolchatha returned to the group in time to record A New Journey and tour for that album.

The second lineup change was announced on 6 September 2006, when Hayley Westenra was stated as having officially joined Celtic Woman on 24 August. As well as being featured on the album and DVD for A New Journey, Westenra alternated with Ní­ Mhaolchatha during tour events to maintain the live five-person lineup.

On 20 August 2007, Ní­ Mhaolchatha was announced as taking a permanent break from Celtic Woman to focus on her solo career. Ní­ Mhaolchatha's replacement, Lynn Hilary, made her first appearance on 10 October 2007 in Estero, Florida, United States.

In December 2007, Lisa Kelly, who was expecting a new child in 2008, took maternity leave from the group. Alex Sharpe filled her position on the A New Journey tour during this leave.

For the 2009 Isle of Hope Tour, the group was comprised of vocalists Chloí« Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt. It was announced on the official Celtic Woman website that í“rla Fallon was taking a full break to spend time with her family and focus on recording a new solo album. Therefore, Alex will take over full time in í“rla's place.

When asked how the group members get along, member Lisa Kelly responded,

According to Chloí« Agnew, the friendship between the vocalists is the number one question they're asked,

Celtic Woman: Discography

Celtic Woman: See also

  • The High Kings
  • Celtic Thunder

Celtic Woman: References

Celtic Woman: External links

Official sites

  • CelticWoman.com
  • Celtic Woman at MySpace

Current Members

  • Chloí« Agnew
  • Lisa Kelly
  • Lynn Hilary
  • Máiréad Nesbitt

Former members

  • í“rla Fallon
  • Méav Ní­ Mhaolchatha
  • Deirdre Shannon
  • Hayley Westenra