For this newsletter, rather than write his usual message introduction, Darren has recorded a short video for you all.
Country Showtime
“Tune into "Country Showtime" when I will be chatting to Irelands Eurovision King Johnny Logan, as well as showing some of his best known songs!
I had a lot of fun shooting this episode in Bruxelles, Dublin with Steve Bloor.”
“Tune into "Country Showtime" when I will be chatting to Irelands Eurovision King Johnny Logan, as well as showing some of his best known songs!
I had a lot of fun shooting this episode in Bruxelles, Dublin with Steve Bloor.”
Watch Darren interviewing Irish Eurovision star Johnny Logan on Keep It Country's 'Country Showtime'.
A nice article about Darren's presenting job on Sky TV's Keep It Country show 'Country Showtime' in the Kilkenny People.
Emerald Guitars Sligo & Maynooth
Darren playing his Artisan X20 performing Black Velvet Band at the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth.
Photos copyright Carol Billett
Elaine TV3
“Looking forward to joining the gang at TV3 today at 3pm for "The Elaine Show". Tune in for some interesting topics!”
“The boys on set at TV3 for "Man Friday" on The Elaine Show coming up today at 3pm. Great to hang out with Joe Rooney and Graham O' Toole.”
“Looking forward to joining the gang at TV3 today at 3pm for "The Elaine Show". Tune in for some interesting topics!”
“The boys on set at TV3 for "Man Friday" on The Elaine Show coming up today at 3pm. Great to hang out with Joe Rooney and Graham O' Toole.”
A few video stills of Darren on the panel.
Watch Darren on the all male panel of TV3's Elaine Show. Some of the topics were a little risqué but a lot of fun was had by all. We have tried to edit Darren's participation in the show, whilst keeping it in context.
Darren & Brian Q&A
While holed up in their Albany hotel during heavy snow storms, Darren & Brian took an hour out of their day to do a FB Live Q&A on Brian's official page. Watch them answer questions in two parts.
Part 1
While holed up in their Albany hotel during heavy snow storms, Darren & Brian took an hour out of their day to do a FB Live Q&A on Brian's official page. Watch them answer questions in two parts.
Part 1
Part 2
From the Archives
“From the Archives: The New York State of Mind Band.
Pic taken pre-concert at Mohegan Sun Casino 2007.
L-R Amy Goff (Meat Loaf) Dave Rosenthal (Billy Joel)Jeff Kazee (Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny) Nils Lofgren (E Street Band) Myself (Movin' Out) Christine Ohlman (Saturday Night Live) Chuck Burgi (Billy Joel) Mark Rivera (Billy Joel, Ringo Starr) Andy York (John Mellancamp) Crystal Taliefero (Billy Joel) Will Lee (Saturday Night Live)
What a pleasure it was to sing and be part of this incredible group.”
“From the Archives: The New York State of Mind Band.
Pic taken pre-concert at Mohegan Sun Casino 2007.
L-R Amy Goff (Meat Loaf) Dave Rosenthal (Billy Joel)Jeff Kazee (Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny) Nils Lofgren (E Street Band) Myself (Movin' Out) Christine Ohlman (Saturday Night Live) Chuck Burgi (Billy Joel) Mark Rivera (Billy Joel, Ringo Starr) Andy York (John Mellancamp) Crystal Taliefero (Billy Joel) Will Lee (Saturday Night Live)
What a pleasure it was to sing and be part of this incredible group.”
US Tour Round Up - 2nd Leg
First a few little extra videos shared with us from the venues in the first leg of the tour originally covered in the last newsletter.
When you take a 'Pianoman' to New York City, you have to expect him to be in a
'New York State of Mind'!
Thanks to Chrissy Silver for recording this clip at NYC City Winery and allowing us to share it.
First a few little extra videos shared with us from the venues in the first leg of the tour originally covered in the last newsletter.
When you take a 'Pianoman' to New York City, you have to expect him to be in a
'New York State of Mind'!
Thanks to Chrissy Silver for recording this clip at NYC City Winery and allowing us to share it.
Watch the High Kings in TV Studio A at KCPT in Kansas City, Missouri as they are interviewed by Jon Hart and perform ‘Hand Me Down My Bible’, 'Nancy Spain', and 'Ride On' live in studio.
Old Saybrook
“Old Sabrook CT.”
“Old Sabrook CT.”
“Massive thanks to a fantastic audience at The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Center in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
Big shout out to Marcella for the great gifts and also to our very first fan to sport a High Kings tattoo! On route to North Carolina, Avett Brothers country. Who wants to burn me a cd of their best songs?”
Big shout out to Marcella for the great gifts and also to our very first fan to sport a High Kings tattoo! On route to North Carolina, Avett Brothers country. Who wants to burn me a cd of their best songs?”
Morganton
“Kings in North Carolina.”
“Kings in North Carolina.”
Darren performing a little bit of 'I'm Going to Carolina in My Mind' in Morganton North Carolina, March 16th 2017. Thanks to Amy Lacoste for recording the clip and allowing us to share it.
Cleveland
“Cleveland, as I said onstage, to be thousands of miles from home on our National Holiday, you made us feel so at home in your city.
One of the most memorable nights of this or any tour to date.
Every song was met with deafening applause, but on a personal note, the reaction to "Town" and "Oh Maggie" topped off an already great St Patrick's Day for me. I love to write songs, and to hear one sung at me at such volume, is goosebumps stuff.
Also, thank you for joining me on "Rock you like a Hurricane" which I dedicated to the legendary Uli Jon Roth from The Scorpions who was in the audience. Great to chat with him after the show and to hear how much he enjoyed what we did.
Finally, I dedicated my performance last night to the memory of Sean Dunphy, who last performed with us onstage, 6 years ago to the day. RIP.
Onwards to Michigan!”
“Cleveland, as I said onstage, to be thousands of miles from home on our National Holiday, you made us feel so at home in your city.
One of the most memorable nights of this or any tour to date.
Every song was met with deafening applause, but on a personal note, the reaction to "Town" and "Oh Maggie" topped off an already great St Patrick's Day for me. I love to write songs, and to hear one sung at me at such volume, is goosebumps stuff.
Also, thank you for joining me on "Rock you like a Hurricane" which I dedicated to the legendary Uli Jon Roth from The Scorpions who was in the audience. Great to chat with him after the show and to hear how much he enjoyed what we did.
Finally, I dedicated my performance last night to the memory of Sean Dunphy, who last performed with us onstage, 6 years ago to the day. RIP.
Onwards to Michigan!”
Michigan
A little video from Darren.
A little video from Darren.
Chicago
“Beautiful day in Chicago for our final show of our US Tour. Sold out at City Winery.”
“Beautiful day in Chicago for our final show of our US Tour. Sold out at City Winery.”
“Homeward bound tonight from Chicago after a great 3 weeks of touring. Incredible night at City Winery last night. Maybe the best crowd of the run! Loud and proud. Thanks for joining in on "Right here Waiting" which true to form on this tour, is a Chicago song.
Even the writer got a kick out of it.”
Even the writer got a kick out of it.”
Watch Darren perform a little of 'Right Here Waiting' at the City Winery Chicago 19 March 2017, the final stop on the High Kings Grace & Glory US Spring Tour.
“I was very lucky to be able to sit down in the British Airways Lounge in O'Hare airport in Chicago on Monday last and have a lovely chat with the legend that is Paddy Maloney. I didn't think he'd have a clue who I was, but after I introduced myself, he said, "Ah, You're the chap that sings Coulters song... He was on to me about ya"
You could've knocked me over with a feather. Dumbstruck.
One of Irelands most important and greatest musicians, and by far one of the nicest I've encountered in my career. After we chatted about Mooncoin and my Dad bringing me up on The Chieftains, I walked away totally inspired, and he called me back to give me his phone number "Come over for a few tunes someday". Sure we'll sing The Rose of Mooncoin!
I can die happy now.”
Ireland Tour Round Up
Ennis
“Hats off to a fantastic audience at Glor in Ennis last night. A brilliant atmosphere throughout the show and quite a few great spontaneous moments. The Grace & Glory songs were met with rapturous cheers so massive thanks to CLARE FM for playlisting the album and listening to your listeners.
Onwards to Sligo for tonight's concert at Sligo Park Hotel.”
Sligo
Listen to Darren chatting to Pauric Byrne on OCEAN FM, in advance of The High Kings concert at Sligo Park Hotel.
CLICK HERE
“Sligo! Fantastic crowd. A really great night. Thanks so much to you all for a very memorable show.”
Photos copyright Carol Billett.
Maynooth
All photos copyright Carol Billett.
All photos copyright Carol Billett.
The lads after the signing.
Kilkenny
Listen to Darren chatting to John Keane at KCLR ahead of the High Kings show at The Hub, Cillian Hill Kilkenny.
CLICK HERE
“Great to be back on home turf tonight at The Hub in Kilkenny!
Shaping up to be a big one.”
Listen to Darren chatting to John Keane at KCLR ahead of the High Kings show at The Hub, Cillian Hill Kilkenny.
CLICK HERE
“Great to be back on home turf tonight at The Hub in Kilkenny!
Shaping up to be a big one.”
“Theres something special about doing a show on home turf, but last night at The Hub in Kilkenny City was something else! I can't say how proud I was to walk on that stage and hear such a massive greeting from an incredible audience. And it never let up for 2 hours. So many memories in one show. Thanks from the bottom of my heart to Kilkenny. You never let us down.
Great to have my family and many friends from Mooncoin there!”
Athy
“Thank you Athy! Amazing night. #hk17”
Great to have my family and many friends from Mooncoin there!”
Athy
“Thank you Athy! Amazing night. #hk17”
Clonmel
“Always good to see.”
“There are great nights, and great nights but tonight in Clonmel was something altogether different. A raging hot crowd with ear blasting volume gave us a show to remember for years. Absolutely incredible.
Every chorus was sung as if they're lives depended on it and when Brian called my Josh and Sophie on stage for the last song......icing on the cake.
Thank you Clonmel.”
Mullingar
“Nearing showtime in Mullingar.”
Every chorus was sung as if they're lives depended on it and when Brian called my Josh and Sophie on stage for the last song......icing on the cake.
Thank you Clonmel.”
Mullingar
“Nearing showtime in Mullingar.”
“Thanks to another fantastic audience in Mullingar Park Hotel last night. Brilliant night.
Tonight it's the INEC Killarney where we are onstage at 9.30pm.”
Killarney
Photo copyright Siobhan English.
Tonight it's the INEC Killarney where we are onstage at 9.30pm.”
Killarney
Photo copyright Siobhan English.
“INEC Killarney was just ridiculous last night. Unbelievable crowd and show.
On the road now to Ballybofey for tonight concert.”
On the road now to Ballybofey for tonight concert.”
Ballybofey
“About to go onstage here in beautiful Ballybofey, County Donegal.” HK17
“About to go onstage here in beautiful Ballybofey, County Donegal.” HK17
“Just when I thought we couldn't top last nights crowd at The INEC, we walk onstage tonight to a completely packed audience at Jacksons Hotel Ballybofey. The volume!! Wow, this was my favourite show in years. Very live, raw and real from start to finish. More than 2 hours of pure energy and fun. Love it. Standing ovations, massive crowd singalongs......I could go on and on. Thank you Co Donegal!”
Charleville
“Charleville Co Cork.....last night was just off the scale! Thanks you for another full house and massive crowd that made more than loads of noise! Great fun.
Big thanks to Aodan O' Cadhain from Ireland's best trad/folk group "Socks in the Frying Pan" for joining us onstage for the last song.”
Photos copyright Siobhan English.
Charleville
“Charleville Co Cork.....last night was just off the scale! Thanks you for another full house and massive crowd that made more than loads of noise! Great fun.
Big thanks to Aodan O' Cadhain from Ireland's best trad/folk group "Socks in the Frying Pan" for joining us onstage for the last song.”
Photos copyright Siobhan English.
Baltinglass
“The best atmosphere at a HK show for a long time. Best fun in ages.
Thank you Baltinglass!”
Claremorris
“The last night of the tour. Claremorris Town Hall. Should be a stormer.”
“Claremorris Town Hall. What a fantastic way to end another sold out tour. Too much fun. Our ears are still ringing from the volume. Apologies for the Elvis impersonation but when you're put on the spot....😊
Thanks to everyone who saw us on this tour. You all made it very memorable.”
Thanks to everyone who saw us on this tour. You all made it very memorable.”
Hoogeveen
“Netherlands! We will see you all tomorrow!”
“Netherlands! We will see you all tomorrow!”
“Netherlands, we are on our way.” #HK17
“Hoogeveen soundcheck”. #hk17
“Loved tonight's audience in Hoogaveen. Absolutely incredible volume and atmosphere from start to finish. Thanks to everyone who travelled from Germany to be there also. This is why we love The Netherlands. Digging the Dutch HK Tour shirt also. Hope to see you guys again!”
Photos copyright Patricia Zerta.
Dublin Date Announced!
That's the round up of all the news for now. The High Kings are now having a short break from touring with a few days off with their families. The family time is brief though, as Darren said in his video introduction, they are about to head in to the studio for a project to be announced at a later date! We'll bring you news of that as soon as we have it!
For now, as always, thanks for your continued support.
Darren & the DH Team
For now, as always, thanks for your continued support.
Darren & the DH Team
