Exclusive Extended Interview with Neil Byrne, singer, songwriter, composer, musician, founding member of the popular Internationally acclaimed Irish vocal group Celtic Thunder returns to The Jim Masters Show entertainment, lifestyle, celebrity talk show series and joins host Jim Masters for another amazing conversation and music. On this episode of the show, Neil shares exciting about his new music, his American tour and the Celtic Thunder Odyssey tour.
The conversation goes deep and Neil and Jim catch up like two long time friends and Neil shares why he loves writing and performing his music. Jim and Neil talk music, family, life, friendship and so much more. Neil and Jim have been friends for years, ever since Jim first interviewed Celtic Thunder on PBS television in America 17 years ago.
Music has been a huge part of Neil's life since he was very young. A native of Bray, County Wicklow - Ireland, Neil's father was a busy musician and it was at the age of 6 that he watched his father's three-piece band play at a wedding. "The sound just completely blew me away," he recalls. "I didn't really understand what I was listening to but I just understood it was absolutely wonderful."
What followed were lots of gigs the length and breath of Ireland and beyond with many bands including Chase (with his brother Paul!), Oden, Hipple Street and Phil Coulter's band. It was this connection that lead to Neil becoming part of Celtic Thunder.
In October 2010 Neil released the 4 track EP Sensitive Souls. Gaining a positive response from media and music fans alike along with sales in more than 20 countries around the world, it was clear a full album would soon follow. In October 2011 Neil released his debut album entitled Pale Blue Jak - Faces, which became CD Baby's second best selling album that month and entered the iTunes US Top 100 Pop Albums and the iTunes Canada Top 50 Pop Albums.
Pale Blue Jak comes from the imagination of Neil Byrne "I wanted something that would excite me, something that would make me cry, something that would make me laugh, something I would find myself dancing to without trying and most importantly something with a cool vibe. I want these songs to mean as much to the listener as they do to me. Writing random songs is not what I wanted to achieve. I was after a common thread throughout.... I could visualize the live performance, an unconventional, energetic, charismatic, quirkey show all in one mix."
For the past 12 years, Neil has been performing to thousands of people across North America and Australia with Celtic Thunder as a lead vocalist and band member along with recording on Billboard's Top World Artist, Album and Imprint for 2009 & 2011.
Neil is also part of the duo Byrne and Kelly along with his Celtic Thunder colleague Ryan Kelly. In addition to performing on all five Byrne and Kelly albums, Neil has produced all five records and continues to write and produce new music.
Picking up two awards for Byrne and Kelly’s music documentary “Echoes” was a very proud chapter in Neil’s career. .
Neil resides in Co. Wexford with his partner Nicole and two daughters, Fleur and Wren.
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