DUBLIN, IRELAND (Top40 Charts/ Kirsten Fedewa And Associates) - Anthony Kearns was named "Best Irish Tenor" by the Irish
Music Association (IMA) at their second annual Irish
Music Awards ceremony, it was announced. "It's an honor to be recognized by the Irish
Music Association, an organization devoted to and supportive of the Irish music community," said Kearns while on location. "I believe what makes Irish music so unique is the spirit that we imbue into it. The Irish put a piece of ourselves into the music we share - be it our humor, love, or passion - and that depth comes through when we share our songs," said Kearns.
Kearns is working on a new musical called "Halleluiah Broadway," to be taped at the Church of St. Jude & St. Simon on February 8. Produced by Bill Hughes (creator of The Irish Tenors), the program features Kearns as one of three soloists performing Broadway standards. It is slated to air later this year.
Kearns, an original member of The Irish Tenors and international solo artist, is frequently praised as "Ireland's Finest Tenor" because of the power and range of his vocal skills, as well as the vast number of Irish traditional, classical songs and arias in his repertoire.
The Irish Music Association honors and support Irish music throughout the world, according to its website. It created the Irish Music Awards to recognize excellence in this genre.
In December 2009, Ireland's Ambassador to the United States, The Honorable E. Michael Collins, called Kearns a "great Ambassador" for Ireland. Kearns' recognition by the IMA comes after his hugely successful performance at the recent inaugural festivities for Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and a bipartisan holiday party - called a "Celebration of Irish Spirits featuring Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns" - last December.
Kearns' solo performance schedule includes "Romeo and Juliet: Then and Now" (Opera Naples, Feb. 2010 and "Carmen" (Glasthule Opera Company, June 2010).
Kearns' and The Irish Tenors' recent CD, "Christmas," was No. 1 on the World Chart (according to Billboard) in December. Their new CD, "Ireland," is scheduled for release later this month. The Irish Tenors will tour in March 2010.
