New York, NY (Top40 Charts / Verve Music Group) Verve recording artist Keith Harkin's self-titled solo debut is set for release on
September 18th, 2012. Anticipation for the album has already driven pre-sale orders to Number 2 on Amazon. Jochem van der Saag - who has worked with such artists as Josh Groban, Michael Bublé and Seal, produced the CD.
David Foster, the multi-Grammy Award-winning producer and recently appointed Chairman of
Verve Music Group, serves as executive producer. Harkin is best-known as a principle singer with Irish global powerhouse Celtic Thunder, which Billboard named Top World
Music Artist.
"Keith Harkin has a rare combination of talents - he's a great singer, a unique songwriter and gifted live performer. He defines the very qualities true artists are born with," said
David Foster, adding, "We're proud to have Keith as a key member of the growing
Verve family."
Keith Harkin, a twelve-track collection split between classic covers and original compositions, illustrates the artist's skills as both an interpreter and a writer. The album's first single is the bittersweet traveler's plea, "Don't Forget About Me," which will be accompanied by a video.
"I love all music, and a lot of my influences are on this record," says Harkin. "Neil Young, pop, dance, country - I love Glen Campbell. I see it like an old-school
Elton John record, where he would play rock next to country next to folk. It's quite a broad horizon."
Cover versions of rock and pop classics include Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," featuring a duet with two-time Grammy Award winner Colbie Caillat, Tom Waits' "The
Heart Of Saturday Night," "Everybody's Talkin'," which Harkin mastered at age 13, and a powerful version of Don Henley's "The End of the Innocence."
In addition to "Don't Forget About Me," other self-penned tracks include the gently rolling, heartfelt love song "Nothing But You & I," and the yearning ballad, "Rosa," which Harkin considers "one of the best tracks on the album," adding, the first time I heard the strings added at Abbey Road Studios, I was in tears."
A native of County Derry in Northern Ireland, Keith Harkin started performing at the age of four. Already an accomplished songwriter and guitarist, he has composed and recorded songs for "Dha Theanga," an Irish program on BBC in which he plays a lead role. As a principle singer and songwriter for Celtic Thunder, Harkin has already sold millions of albums and DVDs and performed at the White House.
Harkin's signing to
Verve Records furthers the label's commitment to the pop and contemporary music markets.
Prior to a solo tour of the U.S. in late spring 2013, look for Keith Harkin performing with his band mates in
Celtic Thunder in the U.S. and Canada in late summer and fall 2012, and Australia in early spring 2013. More info on those tours at www.celticthunder.com
