Hello,
I see there is lots of speculation on the auditions coming up in Ireland. So, I'll give a little more information here.
Basically we have done a deal to release the original "Celtic Thunder - The Show" in Europe, Asia and Africa.
As a result we will have to tour that original show as it will be a couple of years before the releases in those territories catch up to "It's Entertainment".
These territories want tours of the "Celtic Thunder - The Show" that we toured here in 2008.
I'm sure all the CT fans here would be less than impressed with us disappearing from North America entirely to break Celtic Thunder elsewhere!
It should also be pretty apparent that our 6 foot plus 18 year old Damian (as he will be from September) is not going to be going out later this year or next in Europe or Asia singing "Puppy Love" at this stage. Not sure our new audiences wouldn't wonder if we'd switched the little boy on the show they will see on TV and buy on DVD with George were Damian to try to do that! Remember, they are not aware of CT yet and are not up to speed on the evolution and progression of the show and performers. When they catch up with that, they will want to see Damian as he is now.
It's important to let Artists develop. I have an abhorrence of record companies and producers who take on a young singer and stifle them at the level they broke making them continue to perform material (just because it worked at 14) that prevents them growing and maturing their talents.
Market demand dictates what we do. The wait for all of us from August 2007 to our first Tour in October 2008 felt interminable at the time. But we just had to wait for the label to release the products, PBS to air it in a few pledges for Promoters to be interested in taking a chance on touring Celtic Thunder in America.
That progression, following the success here, will be quicker in other countries. However, if we are not in a position to guarantee to tour the show in these other places, the Record Labels, TV Stations etc will not release the products, air the show on TV or support Celtic Thunder in their country.
Release dates in these places will be dictated by local market trends, same for TV airings, same for touring. We have to be in a position to be able to put up a tour when the market demand is there for it. Otherwise, it won't happen. This is just a commercial reality.
It is also a fact that 3 years in, Damian, Keith, Paul, Ryan and George have a much higher profile as individual Artists as well as being part of the Celtic Thunder Show. Don't panic, it hasn't happened yet, but it is likely their solo careers will grow faster as a result of this and not all of them may be available in time to tour with Celtic Thunder.
This has been a reality with Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Celtic Woman and numerous other shows. And it is my sincere hope for them that they do get amazingly successful solo careers as a result of their exposure through Celtic Thunder as well as their individual talents deserve.
My job as the Producer of Celtic Thunder and Phil's job as Musical Director is to sustain, grow and develop Celtic Thunder all of the time. As a business venture, it is important that the show expand to other territories. I'm hoping fans in other countries react as well to the show and love it as much.
I know all of CT's fans love the 5 guys. I also know that if one of the guys had a big solo tour on that our fans wouldn't be pleased if our response was to cancel a Celtic Thunder tour entirely because only 4 of the 5 were available!
The auditions have been planned because we have to be professional and prepared for simultaneous tours should the need arise. We also have to be prepared in the event someone was ill or unavailable and couldn't do a tour, that the show or tour would still go on.
That's what has been advertised, that we are looking for singers for a 2nd production, nothing sinister, no big secret. Have a little faith that Phil and I will always maintain the standard and integrity of Celtic Thunder
I hope this allays the fears I've been picking up.
And we are all looking forward to this falls tour and the release of the current recordings in time.
Regards
Sharon
I see there is lots of speculation on the auditions coming up in Ireland. So, I'll give a little more information here.
Basically we have done a deal to release the original "Celtic Thunder - The Show" in Europe, Asia and Africa.
As a result we will have to tour that original show as it will be a couple of years before the releases in those territories catch up to "It's Entertainment".
These territories want tours of the "Celtic Thunder - The Show" that we toured here in 2008.
I'm sure all the CT fans here would be less than impressed with us disappearing from North America entirely to break Celtic Thunder elsewhere!
It should also be pretty apparent that our 6 foot plus 18 year old Damian (as he will be from September) is not going to be going out later this year or next in Europe or Asia singing "Puppy Love" at this stage. Not sure our new audiences wouldn't wonder if we'd switched the little boy on the show they will see on TV and buy on DVD with George were Damian to try to do that! Remember, they are not aware of CT yet and are not up to speed on the evolution and progression of the show and performers. When they catch up with that, they will want to see Damian as he is now.
It's important to let Artists develop. I have an abhorrence of record companies and producers who take on a young singer and stifle them at the level they broke making them continue to perform material (just because it worked at 14) that prevents them growing and maturing their talents.
Market demand dictates what we do. The wait for all of us from August 2007 to our first Tour in October 2008 felt interminable at the time. But we just had to wait for the label to release the products, PBS to air it in a few pledges for Promoters to be interested in taking a chance on touring Celtic Thunder in America.
That progression, following the success here, will be quicker in other countries. However, if we are not in a position to guarantee to tour the show in these other places, the Record Labels, TV Stations etc will not release the products, air the show on TV or support Celtic Thunder in their country.
Release dates in these places will be dictated by local market trends, same for TV airings, same for touring. We have to be in a position to be able to put up a tour when the market demand is there for it. Otherwise, it won't happen. This is just a commercial reality.
It is also a fact that 3 years in, Damian, Keith, Paul, Ryan and George have a much higher profile as individual Artists as well as being part of the Celtic Thunder Show. Don't panic, it hasn't happened yet, but it is likely their solo careers will grow faster as a result of this and not all of them may be available in time to tour with Celtic Thunder.
This has been a reality with Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Celtic Woman and numerous other shows. And it is my sincere hope for them that they do get amazingly successful solo careers as a result of their exposure through Celtic Thunder as well as their individual talents deserve.
My job as the Producer of Celtic Thunder and Phil's job as Musical Director is to sustain, grow and develop Celtic Thunder all of the time. As a business venture, it is important that the show expand to other territories. I'm hoping fans in other countries react as well to the show and love it as much.
I know all of CT's fans love the 5 guys. I also know that if one of the guys had a big solo tour on that our fans wouldn't be pleased if our response was to cancel a Celtic Thunder tour entirely because only 4 of the 5 were available!
The auditions have been planned because we have to be professional and prepared for simultaneous tours should the need arise. We also have to be prepared in the event someone was ill or unavailable and couldn't do a tour, that the show or tour would still go on.
That's what has been advertised, that we are looking for singers for a 2nd production, nothing sinister, no big secret. Have a little faith that Phil and I will always maintain the standard and integrity of Celtic Thunder
I hope this allays the fears I've been picking up.
And we are all looking forward to this falls tour and the release of the current recordings in time.
Regards
Sharon
