LOS ANGELES (Top40 Chart/ MSO PRs) Following the tragic death of original principal singer
George Donaldson in March,
Celtic Thunder has announced they will be dedicating their upcoming "
Greatest Hits" show onboard the (November 8-12, 2014) to their late colleague. George's death has stunned his fellow band mates, along with their fans. He was highly regarded and loved by all. Affectionately known as "Big George," he was invaluable in helping to establish the show's trademark celebration of Celtic heritage.
Emmet Cahill, who left the show in December to pursue a solo career, has graciously rescheduled other commitments to join the cruise with Keith, Ryan, Neil and Colm, to pay tribute to, and honor, their lost friend and colleague. "I am deeply saddened by the death of not only a colleague but a friend, and felt that it was only right to rejoin the guys on this momentous occasion, paying homage to a wonderful man." In addition to performing in the "
Greatest Hits" show alongside his former band mates, Emmet will also perform two solo shows and a duet show with Colm Keegan.
Celtic Thunder will also introduce their newest member Emmett O'Hanlon on the CELTIC THUNDER CRUISE. Emmett is an Irish-American baritone who will be replacing Emmet Cahill on Celtic Thunder's US Symphony Tour which is scheduled to start immediately after the cruise. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Emmett and watch him perform in the "Celtic
Thunder Holiday Show" both onboard the CELTIC THUNDER CRUISEand in the subsequent Symphony Tour. He will also perform two solo shows onboard. Emmett was born and raised in New York to Irish parents and is currently finishing his Master Degree in Voice at Julliard School of Music.
This is the second cruise for Celtic Thunder-sailing out of Miami this November 8-12, 2014, with a pre-cruise event in Miami on the 7th November-featuring excursions to Nassau, Bahamas and an event-filled day at the private island
Thunder Bay. The CELTIC THUNDER CRUISE returns this year, sailing on the , one of the world's newest and most amazing floating festival ships, featuring top tier Irish entertainment. Along with the two full shows from
Celtic Thunder and solo shows from the
Celtic Thunder Principals, there will be performances by an array of Irish music artists and a full slate of activities with the participating bands. Guest artists on the CELTIC THUNDER CRUISEinclude former
Celtic Woman star Chloë Agnew, Gaelic Storm, Young Dubliners, The Killdares, Paddy Cole Jazz Band, Dueling Pianos,
Belinda Murphy's Gaelic Rhythm Dance Show and Full Set Traditional Irish Band amongst others. Full bios on each artist performing on the cruise here: https://tinyurl.com/kx2r92g. Activities include demonstrations by acclaimed Mixologists, comedy shows from Mick Thomas, psychic
Sandra O'Hara, surprise guests, black tie night, sound check parties, a whiskey and cigar event, afternoon teas, Céilí dancing, pub quizzes, dancing lessons, Irish-inspired movies, cooking demonstrations and much more.
Celtic Thunder is the brainchild of producer Sharon Browne and since its inception in 2007 has released 11 albums, toured the U.S. and Canada, coast to coast, six times, and Australia twice performing at over 700 shows to date.
Celtic Thunder has also been hailed as BILLBOARD's "Top World
Music Artist," along with "Top World
Music Imprint" and "Top World Album" of in 2008, 2009 and again in 2011. The
Celtic Thunder official has received over 28 million views since 2008.
Celtic Thunder is comprised of diverse performers, each of whom are a powerhouse in both their solo and ensemble songs. The group is backed by the dynamic
Celtic Thunder Band and their shows are known for the use of dramatic effects of lighting and choreography as well as a stage set resembling an ancient stone pathway suggestive of those referenced in Celtic lore.
For information about the Celtic Thunder- Symphony Tour of North
America in fall 2014 please see www.celticthunder.com/tour For information on the inaugural
Celtic Thunder Cruise please see www.celticthundercruise.com for full details and reservation information.
For more, please see www.celticthunder.ie, www.facebook.com/celticthunder, vimeo.com/user12988579, www.myspace.com/celticthundershow, twitter.com/CelticThunder and www.youtube.com/user/TheThunderTube
