Back In The USA!!

Hi Everyone

Before we head off back to the USA, we start with a few words from Darren following his beloved Kilkenny Cats win at Croke Park, as well as news of his new profile on Google+

"KK need a huge one for the next day. Let's hope it's in them. Woo hoo"

"Today I took Josh to see Kilkenny play in Croke Park for the first time and he loved every minute of it. He wore the Black and Amber with pride and roared on the Cats with his dad just like I did with my dad all those years ago. And so it begins......"

Google+

Darren has had a Google profile for a while and this has now been upgraded to a Google+ account. They say that Google+ may be bigger than Facebook and is one for the future, although it is currently still under development with sign up by invitation only. If you are on Google+, please add Darren to your circles. If you would like an invite, please email us at

darrenholden@live.co.uk

Darren's Google+ Profile

 

Stop Press Latest!!

Just in case you missed the 'Stop Press' added to the last blog a couple of days after it was published. With special thanks to Anne and Peter Greb, we now have a recording of the interview they did with the High Kings while they were in Germany. You can listen to the interview and their recording of 3 songs live from the show in 'The Cave' on the player on Darren's official website.

www.darrenholden.net

Heading for America!

"Well, after a long travel day from Dublin to New York, onto Minneapolis, then a 2 hour drive, we are finally here in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Wrecked.com but looking forward to playing the festival tomorrow night!"

"Stuffed.com! Thanks to Casey, our great promoter in Wisconsin, we have had an amazing meal at Piggy's! Totally top class despite the name. Great laugh. Brilliant show tonight, super crowd. On to St Paul tomorrow morning for 2 days. Can it really be a year since we played that festival??"

Irish Festival of Minnesota - St Paul

"Just arrived in St Paul for the Festival. We play tonight at 5pm and tomorrow at 2pm. Weather looks good so bring it on!!!"

"Absolutely massive crowd tonight in St Paul, Minnesota. Loved every second of it. Huge reaction and the weather was amazing. Can't wait to do it all again tomorrow at 2pm!"

Special thanks to Sarah Veverka for sharing her photos of The High Kings in St Paul with us. All photos on the following slide are copyright Sarah Veverka Photography

"Lovely show today under scorching sunshine at the Minnesota fair. Absolutely drained from the sun, but what a super audience again! few days off now to recharge."

"What a great city St Paul is. Thanks to Dave at "Anytime Fitness" for allowing me to work out there this morning. Beautiful weather here, and no better way to chill than grabbing a Starbucks and catching some ray's!"

RIP Elvis August 16 1977

Darren has always been a huge Elvis fan and couldn't let the day go by without a few words for his idol.

"34 years ago today, my mum walked into my bedroom and said to me and Vinnie "You will never guess who has died?" I immediately said Elvis! Even as a young child he played a major part in my life and it continues to this day. The world will never again witness anything like him. There will only ever be one Elvis! Long live the King!"

Back on the road!!

"Getting ready to leave St Paul for the 6 hour drive to Milwaukee. Another beautiful day which kicks off what should be a massive weekend for us."

Milwaukee Irish Fest

"Milwaukee!! What a first night! Amazing crowd, and this was meant to be the quietest night?? Can't wait for the next 3 then! :)
Seriously, great fun and a great vibe all round. Great to see so many HK fan's that travelled so far to be there. You know who you guy's are.
Let's do it all again on the Harley Davidson stage tomorrow night!"

"Milwaukee!!! If last night was crazy, then tonight was off the scale entirely!
Massive audience and the loudest for a long time! Beautiful setting yet again. Loved it big time. We are live again tomorrow night at 8.30pm."

"Milwaukee! once again I have been left speechless. What an amazing, loud, wild, massive audience you were tonight! I didn't want it to end. Thank you! Tomorrow is the final HK show of the festival and you can be sure we will go out with a bang!"

"Went out with a massive bang today. What a crowd!! Under glorious sunshine, it was one of the best days of performing ever. I can never thank Milwaukee enough for the reaction to The town I loved so well. Took me completely by surprise. Can't wait to hopefully do it all over again next year!!"

Darren and the the rest of the lads now have a couple of days off before their final show in the US at the Rocky Mountain Irish Festival in Loveland Denver Co.

We'll be back again soon with more news.

Thanks for your continued support

Darren & The DH Team

Kings in Germany at the Balve Hohle!

Hi Everyone

The High Kings took a short break from their festivals in the US to make a whistlestop visit to Germany for their first ever performance at the Balve Hohle. The event was an overwhelming success winning them many more new fans as well as finally delivering a dream to those German fans that had been patiently waiting to see them live in their own country.

This photo slide contains official and professional photos taken at the event. Special thanks to the following for sharing them with us.

Christian Paul www.festspiele-balver-hoehle.de

Uta Baumeister www.festspiele-balver-hoehle.de

Marc Dobrick for www.celtic-rock.de

There were a number of videos taken on the night and this player contains a selection for you to help you appreciate the atmosphere and amazing reception they got when they took to the stage. They did their full show, going through without a break, and then returned for the finale to join Na Fianna and the Keltic Kats for Go Lassie Go. You can watch that, and a selection of songs from their set, on the player.



As well as the official photos, some of the German fans lucky enough to be at the show on Saturday night have also generously allowed us to use their photos and share a little of the experience with them.

We would also like to thank Uta Baumeister from www.festspiele-balver-hoehle.de very much for sending us the following press cuttings from the German newspapers covering the event. The text is understandably in German and huge thanks to Thomas Loffel for very kindly giving an over view of the content of the articles for the benefit of the non German fans.

08.08.2011, Süderländer

 

High Kings let the Cave quake!

10th Irish Folk and Celtic Music Festival at Balve with 3500 visitors.

The High Kings commented that the venue and the mood was brilliant. During the 3 days of the of the10th anniversary festival, there were 3500 visitors to Europe's biggest cave. The highlight and Saturday Night's main event was the High Kings. The group, with all their CD's achieving Platinum status, interrupted their US tour for the performance in Balve. They rocked the cave from the first moment they appeared on stage. They gave us more than 2 hours of excellent entertainment. The article mentions 2 encores, but Thomas corrected that there had been 3. The audience had been 1200 people on Saturday Night, who also got to see, Craic from Germany, Keltic Kats from Kilkenny,  and Na Fianna, a young group from Ireland. Between the performances the 1st Sauerland Pipes & Drums filled in with Scottish Music while the stage was re-organised. There were visitors from almost all parts of Germany from Hamburg to Munich and even people from Italy and France. The festival was a great success for all groups and bands.

08.08.2011, Westfalenpost

High Kings release storms of cheering in front of 1200 visitors!

Sean Reeves commented that the 10th birthday of the Irish Folk Festival succeeded much more than expected. A great firework of Irish and scottish music. Sean Reeves, the organizer of the festival, was very proud to get the High Kings for 10th anniversary of the festival. The article mentioned that all members of the High Kings are sons of legends of the Irish folk scene, although we of course know that Darren isn't, and Sean Dunphy was actually known as a Showband singer. It went on to say that they had interrupted their US tour for their first concert in Germany and that their CDs in Ireland and the States are Platinium. They did an excellent more than 2 hours lasting performance without a break. 1200 visitors were thrilled and cheering and the High Kings showed enthusiasm, power, and great expression during the acapella parts like: Red is the Rose, The Old Triangle and the special version of Go Lassie Go/ The Dutchman.
They although mention here the other groups and bands: Craic, Keltic Kats, Na Fianna and The 1st Sauerland Pipes & Drums. There was great praise for everybody.
The article mentioned that many songs were played more than once time, for instance Dirty old Town, Rocky Road to Dublin, Whiskey in the Jar and so on, but that it was very interesting to listen to the different versions of all the groups. At the end of the event, all groups that had performed on Saturday came on stage to perform a last song together and say goodbye to the audience. The festival was a great success and all the people were happy and enthusiastic about the High Kings. 

 

09.08.2011, Westfalenpost 

New stage provides a unique atmosphere

Soundproblems because of Bands own mixers. Hopes for a light financial plus

The decision to change the concept for placement of the stage for the festival at club Balve proved to be right. The Club' s bosses decided not to build a stand, because of  financial pressures. Sean Reeves, the event organiser, commented that he´d been very sceptical about  placing the stage on the dance floor and not in the right hand cave arm, like in former years. But it turned out to be a positive surprise for all. The acoustics were brilliant, cause the bands now played directly into the cave.
A very special and unique ambience was created this way and a special installation of the lighting brought the cave into the right place. The sound was a great point of discussion in the audience. Sometimes ingenious, at other times totally mushy. Technical boss Stephan Haarmann commented: All bands with their own sound mixer sounded bad in the beginning, it´s very difficult for a soundman to work in a cave. Anybody who´s not willing to listen to the advice of the cave pros will have big problems. The High Kings had to fight this point when they started with the performance, but they made it in the end by boundless enthusiasm. It is written in the article that the High Kings actually wanted to do a short gig and go back to the hotel, which was completely untrue, they knew they were booked as Saturday Night main act and they were on fire for their first concert in Germany.

 

Celtic Rock 

Google translation of an article from Celtic Rock Music in Germany. To read the original article in German www.celtic-rock.de/en/archives​/11948

The High Kings did an interview for Celtic Rock while they were in Germany. The interview has been transcribed for the Celtic Rock Music website. This article is in German, but if you paste the URL in to a Google search it should bring the page up as the first link with an option to translate the page. 

Celtic Rock Interview

That is all we have for you from Germany for the moment, although we will soon have a recording of an interview the High Kings did with Peter Greb for a German community radio "Radio Unerhört Marburg" and for the internet radios www.birdhillradio.com, Ireland and www.earsradio.com, USA soon!

You can listen in live to the interview!!
Saturday 13th August

www.birdhillradio.com

"We will start at 7 pm Irish Time and 2 pm Eastern Standard Time in the USA. You will get an evening with a lot of good music, most of it from the Irish Scene, old and new. There's an interview with the Irish Group "The High Kings" (Finbarr Clancy, Martin Furey, Darren Holden and Brian Dunphy) on their trip to Germany. They did an outstanding concert in Balve. We will talk about it. Please join us for this "Big Irish Night" on www.birdhillradio.com and enjoy the music. We hope to see you all in the Chat of birdhillradio.com."

Stop Press Latest!!

Special thanks to Anne and Peter Greb for giving us a recording of the interview they did with the High Kings while they were in Germany. You can listen to the interview and their recording of 3 songs from the show on the player on www.darrenholden.net

We'll leave Germany with a few words from Darren as he arrived back in Ireland!

"Just landed back in Dublin after an amazing night in Germany!
Massive crowd and on the more memorable shows to date.
Now.....Come on The Cats!!"

The Kilkenny Cats won their All Ireland Senior Championship Semi Final and will be heading for the final again this year! A good weekend all round for Darren!

He is now heading back to the US with the rest of the High Kings to take up where they left off with a series of Irish festivals. We'll be back with more news from the US as soon as we have it.

Thanks for your continued support

Darren and the DH Team

Good News, Utica NY, and Pittsburgh!

Hi Everyone

The High Kings have just finished their first run of US Irish festivals before a short break and we  bring you photos and video from the last few shows. Also, thanks to your support, we are pleased that Darren's various official sites are continuing to flourish. Have you visited all of his sites yet? You can find direct links to them all on the left of this blog!

Good News!!

We have two pieces of good news to celebrate. On the 3rd August, just 7 months after Darren's new official website darrenholden.net was launched, it has reached 25,000 views! If you've not visited the site, why not pop by there now? You'll find everything you need to know about Darren and all the various phases of his career to date.

And that's not all!!

We are also thrilled to report that Darren is currently at Number 1 in the Reverbnation Singer/Songwriter chart for Dublin. He also holds the number 2 slot nationally in Ireland!

Great American Irish Festival Utica NY

After the rain washed out most of the Saturday night shows in Cleveland, they were hoping for better weather in up state NY. It looked as if they were going to be unlucky once again! Fortunately, this time when the rain came, the show could still go on!

"Wow. Spent 5 hours on a beautifully scenic train ride from NYC to Syracuse today. Totally chilled after 4 days of Big Apple mayhem. Great to hook up with everyone there. Tomorrow The High Kings go to The Great American Irish Festival in Utica NY for 2 nights.

Rainy day in upstate New York."

"What a great night tonight at the Great American Irish Festival. Huge crowd who braved yet more torrential rain to come and sing their lungs out with us, and thanks to the festival organizers for having such a well run event happening! Great catching up with so many familiar faces too. Roll on tomorrow!"

"Holy crap. Ridiculously large crowd this evening for our show at the festival, and took LOUD to a whole new level. Great fun. What a night!"

Hartwood Acres Pittsburgh

"7 hours drive to get here to Pittsburgh!! Quick change and now off to soundcheck!! arghhhh"

"Tonight was a night to remember. The most stunning setting that we have played in to date. Hartwood Acre's Pittsburgh. We arrived onstage to a 5,000 strong crowd while the sun was setting, and the atmosphere was just electric. Beautiful night. This leg of the US summer tour is done as we head home tomorrow night for a few days. Can't wait to see my gang!"

Final words from Darren.....

"Back on the home turf again for a few days after a long overnight flight from Atlanta. Off out to the sunshine with the kiddies!"

The High Kings have returned home to Ireland for just a few days. They have a whistlestop visit to Germany to perform at at the Balver Hohle this weekend, then after a few more days in Ireland will be heading back to the US for more festivals. Hopefully Darren will get to see his beloved Kilkenny Cats beat Waterford and book their place in another All Ireland Hurling Final on Sunday!

We'll be back with all the news of Germany and the rest of the US festivals soon.


Until then, thanks for your continued support.

Darren and the DH Team

Killarney, Cork and Cleveland USA!

Hi Everyone

It been a little while since we have done a news update as the focus was on the Kilimanjaro Climb For Kids Documentary with our last blog. We will start with a little update on that before moving on to the High Kings shows in Ireland and across the pond.

 Kilimanjaro, the reaction!

"Absolutely bowled over by the enormous reaction to the documentary tonight. The phone and FB hasn't stopped!! What's most amazing about all this, is not only the lifelong bonds that are formed with everyone who climbed Kilimanjaro, but the awareness for "Our Lady's" in Crumlin thats has been highlighted again throughout the country. Thanks so much for all of your kind comments tonight! Its a proud moment for us all."

"Climb for Kids Director Michael Sheridan has confirmed the official RTE viewership figures from last night's documentary was a whopping 365,000 viewers or 25% of audience market share!!!"

One final newspaper article, received too late for the Kilimanjaro special 

Sunday Mirror 17 July 2011

High Kings in Ireland!

"Castlebar!! Time and time again the Royal Theatre just never lets us down! What a night! What a party! What a crowd!"

"Kilross! Amazingly out if control crowd with loads of old friends!! Loved it!!
On to Killarney!!!"

Gleneagle Hotel Killarney, and Neptune Stadium Cork

The High Kings set off for Killarney for the first of their 3 shows scheduled there this summer. They were performing in the Ballroom of the INEC Gleneagle Hotel and the tables in the dance floor area to make way for additional seating. Just as well as the sign above the box office said 'Standing room only for the High Kings' The audience were treated with not just one, but two performances by young wannabee High Kings.

"INEC Killarney! Literally wedged with a sensational audience who wanted it bad! They got it too! Brilliant night. Here's to next Saturday. If it's anything like tonight we are in for a treat!"

"Morning all. About to head to Cork for tonight's show with John Spillane at Neptune Stadium. Should be a blast.

Huge thanks to the 5th High King Adam O' Sullivan for once more tearing the house down with his dazzling vocal skills last night. The man's a legend. Sam Dunphy also showed us how it's really done too, a born entertainer."

"Just met the main man!!"

"Neptune Stadium Cork! Amazing night!! Brilliant crowd. Great vibe."

This player has a number of videos recorded at both the Killarney and Cork shows.

Off to Donegal, then back to Killarney!

"Tomorrow marks a new chapter in The High Kings domestic touring schedule. We fly to our show in Co Donegal! I kid you not."

"The new HK mode of transport."

 

"Wow! Long long day, but tonight's superb audience made it so worthwhile.

Fantastic crowd here in Ballyliffin, who sang and laughed their way through 2 hours with us tonight. Great fun."

"Up at 6am to fly back to Dublin, and then on to Killarney for another concert at the INEC tomorrow night."

"Massive night a the INEC! Just Massive. Loudest crowd in months. So nice to have the family there too. Makes it extra special to sing the songs my mam and dad taught me, and dedicate it to them. Homebound in the morning."

"We're coming to America......"

Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival

As the High Kings set off for America and their first festival in Cleveland OH they were hearing of soaring temperatures and knew they were going to be melting in the heat. They didn't expect that there would also be a fear of drowning and washed out shows!

"Just ended up a very long but enjoyable day of travel. Spent the day laughing with Tommy Fleming who is also on the festival this weekend.

The heat is unreal here in Cleveland, and tomorrow we kick off the first of 5 shows! Bring it on."

"Wow, did I sleep that long!! Beautiful day outside, Dunphy is at the pool! :)
Gym first though! Need to wake up."

"First gig of the Cleveland Festival done! Great crowd, and after todays massive thunder storm it was actually a lovely night! Thanks to everyone who turned out to see us. Back at it again tomorrow."

"OK Cleveland....What's with these storms!!"

"Well we reached the halfway point in the show today before yet another massive storm disrupted proceeding's. People ran left right and centre for cover. This weather is nuts!

Tonight's show depend's on how the clouds behave so...let's see!"

"Tonight's show has been cancelled due to the rain and storms. Oh well, at least we have tomorrow!"

This player has a number of fan videos of the High Kings performing at all the 2011 US festivals.

"Cleveland! Thanks for a great weekend! Huge crowd tonight for our last performance. Brian and I joined Tommy Fleming tonight in his show, for a performance of "Red is The Rose" and " Raglan Road" Really enjoyed that!

Early start in the morning for me as I am going to favourite city for 4 days! Woo hoo!!"

"Loved being back in the Big Apple. Loads done and the buzz here is electric as always. Heading to Syracuse to hook u with the guys tomorrow night."

 

 

 

Darren did hook up with the guys in Syracuse ready to hit the next festival on their schedule in Frankfort NY, The Great American Irish Festival! We'll be back with news of that soon.

 

If you don't want to miss anything, sign up for our periodic newsletter and get all the news delivered to your inbox  Click Here

Thanks for your continued support

Darren and the DH Team

Climb for Kids – Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge Documentary

Fantastic national coverage of "The Climb for kids Kilimanjaro documentary" which airs on RTE 1 this coming Monday 18th July at 9.30pm.

Its been great hooking up with the gang again for promo, and I can't wait for people to see the film.

A few words from Darren

The Documentary

Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free standing mountain. It reaches almost six kilometres into the sky. In October 2010 a group of Irish climbers set out to reach the summit in an effort to raise over €250,000 for Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin in Dublin. This is the story of the Climb For Kids. The expedition wad led by expert guides but the twenty eight strong group was made up of novice climbers who would have to push their bodies and minds further than they had ever done before.

Accepting the challenge among the fundraisers were some well known faces like TV presenters Kathryn Thomas, Sile Seoige and Jenny Buckley, comedians Alan Shortt and Karl Spain, singer Darren Holden and fitness guru and former Mister Ireland Paul Byrne - plus keeping the group in touch with Ryan Tubridy's radio show was 2FM DJ Ruth Scott.

In just four and a half days on Africa's highest mountain, the group was scheduled to reach the summit at five thousand eight hundred and ninty five metres above sea level - that's well over nineteen thousand feet. Without the aid of oxygen tanks climbing at this extreme high altitude claims around thirty lives each year on Kilimanjaro.

Directed by Michael Sheridan and narrated by Colin Farrell "Climb For Kids" in aid of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin airs on RTE One on July 18th at 9:35pm.

Documentary Promo Clip




Local Press

Evening Herald 12 July



Kilkenny People 15 July Edition



Munster Express 15 July Edition



National Press

"Fantastic promo pieces in today's Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Daily Star etc in advance of RTE 1 screening the Climb for kids documentary this coming Monday 18th July at 9.30pm."


Irish Daily Mirror 13 July

The Star 13 July

Internet Article Links

RTE Climb for Kids Kilimanjaro Challenge Page

www.globalbuzz.net

blog.marketing.ie

www.limerickleader.ie

entertainment.ie


Promo Photo Shoot

"On a rooftop promo shoot in Dublin with Sile, Paul, kathyn, Jenny and co, in advance of the Kilimanjaro documentary being shown on RTE 1 on Mon 18th"

   

All photos courtesy and copyright of the Children's Medical and Research Foundation.
Please do not use on any website or in any publication without the permission of the copyright owner.

Directed by Michael Sheridan and narrated by Colin Farrell, the "Climb For Kids" documentary, in aid of Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, airs on RTE One on July 18th at 9:35pm.



Thanks for your continued support


Darren and the DH Team

Cashel and Newtownbutler Photos And More

Hi Everyone

 After the High Kings took a month long break, they were back on the road again at the end of June, starting with a an hour long set at the Cashel Charter event in Co Tipperary. Before that, Darren enjoyed a couple of great night's out! 

"Still rocking from Bon Jovi last night! Amazing gig and one of the best crowds ever to be part of. Gotta motivate myself for the gym now, then the wife and I are off to the "Music Through Time" event in the city, celebrating a collaboration between Gucci and The Grammy's. Should be fun."

 Cashel Charter

"Getting ready to go see Princess Ava in her first play today, then its off to Cashel for the first High Kings show after our summer break." 

"Beautiful night in Cashel.
A perfect way to kick off the second half of this years HK schedule.
Massive crowd that brought it big time." 

These photos are courtesy and copyright Caroline Fogarty and John O'Dwyer

Kilimanjaro Documentary

The long awaited documentary of the 'Climb for Kids' Kilimanjaro climb is being aired on RTE1 in the 9:35pm prime time slot after the news on July 18th. Unfortunately, it looks as if it is going to be Ireland Only viewing online, but we will let you know if that changes. In the meantime here is the final cut of the documentary promo video

A Great Night

"Getting offered 2 box seats for The Script tonight at The Aviva does not suck!!
Can't wait.
Then afterwards I'll be doing my thing at Lillies from 12 'til Late."

A few words from Darren

"So proud of the lads on The Script tonight!
Massive show and man did they deliver!!
The party is on it's way to Lillies!!
Onstage in 10 mins."

"Best night ever at Lillies! Late one, but very worth it! Tiny Tempah and The Coronas in the house, and the lads from John Blake's contingent rocking the party!
Loved it. Great craic!
HK show in Fermanagh tonight. Keep us in your thoughts." 

Newtownbutler, Fermanagh

The show in Newtownbutler very nearly didn't go ahead. The Irish Independent newspaper had received a coded death threat for the High Kings earlier in the week, but it was decided that with precautions the show could go on. The show was a great success but understandably all the lads were glad to have that one over.

"Great show in Newtownbutler. Massive crowd! On way home now. Phew."

  

These photos are all courtesy and copyright Donnie Phair.

More Movin' Out

We have added Innocent Man and Goodnight Saigon to the Movin Out Live playlist

Finally......

Happy Birthday Darren

On the 4th of July it was not only the US celebrating, it was also Darren's birthday and he received hundreds of best wishes from his friends and fans.

"Thanks a million for the amazing amount of birthday wishes everyone! Totally added to a great day!"

That's all the news for the moment, we will be back with more as we have it.

Thanks for your continued support.

Darren and the DH Team

Message From Darren and More Movin' Out

This is the message from Darren that introduced the latest edition of his newsletter, issued last weekend.

Hey everyone,

Can you believe it's another newsletter aleady!!  Well, thats what happens when there's a lot of stuff going on. I actually planned to use the HK vacation period to relax and chill, but it's been a totally different story, with numerous solo shows booked and more turned down for next month and beyond as I can't fit them around our schedule. I have absolutely loved being out there again doing my pianoman shows and not only was the audience reaction mindblowing at each show, the memories that came flooding back to me with every song was amazing.

To get to perform for Howard and Jason from Take That was very cool indeed, and have them sit beside me and sing a few tunes and just hang and chat was brilliant.

Thanks to my old friend Bruce Allen, who manages Bryan Adam's, Michelle and myself were once more invited along to see his show on Thursday night here in Dublin. As always, he rocked big time. What a singer, what a career!

As I write this, I am gearing up for yet another solo show tonight in "Lillies Bordello" in Dublin. I don't know who may show up tonight to sing with me, but you can be sure" Lillies" is the place to be.

'Til next time, take care and stay safe!

DH

 

 

Darren's Official Newsletters

As you can see from the above message, Darren is very personally involved with his newsletters and the latest edition, Issue 3, also has Darren answering some questions put to him by the fans. If you sign up now for future issues, you'll get a link to the latest edition and be able to see Darren's Questions & Answers, and have a chance to ask him some questions yourself. You can sign up using the Sign up form on the left of this blog.

To read the previous Issue 2 you can click this link Darren's Newsletter Issue 2

 

More Movin' Out Video

We have now added two more videos of Darren performing live in Movin' Out at the Pantages Theater in LA back in September 2004 to YouTube

Just The Way You Are

Summer Highland Falls

We will be adding more over the next few weeks.

Kilimanjaro Documentary 

The long awaited documentary of the 'Climb for Kids' Kilimanjaro climb has now been edited and finalised and will be aired on RTE1 at 9:35pm on July 18th. This is a much deserved prime time slot after the news and it is sure to be a very emotional time for the 30 strong party who did the climb, and their friends and families sharing the experience with them for the first time.

Unfortunately, it looks as if it is going to be Ireland Only viewing online so fans outside of Ireland are not going to be able to watch. If this changes, we will let you know. Just as a little taster, here is the final version on the promo video.

New Cork Date Added.....

The High Kings have a number of Irish dates before they set off for America, including two shows at the INEC/Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, and the Royal Theatre Castlebar. But they have now added another date at the Neptune Stadium in Cork where they will be performing on the final night of a 3 night festival of music, with John Spillane.

Tickets for all the events are available from www.ticketmaster.ie

 

Final Few Words From Darren 

The High Kings have been on a break during June and Darren took the opportunity to take a holiday with his family. They are back on stage in Cashel tonight for the first of a few shows in Ireland before they set off for a string of Irish Festivals in America during July and August.

Here are Darren's status updates from the last few days.

"Just received an e-mail from the Take That camp, thanking me for a great show at Lillies on Saturday night last! Now how cool is that!"

"Bryan Adams! Rock 'N' Roll Baby!!!
Brilliant night! Hit after hit after hit after.....
Ryan Sheridan rocked it big time too!!"

"Gearing up for another show tonight at 'Lillie's Bordello'. No 'Take That' this week, so I wonder who will sing with me?.........."

"Lillies!! What a night. Great crowd who brought the party to The Library! Loved it.
A heaving sweaty night with everyone singing with me from start to finish."

"Still rocking from Bon Jovi last night! Amazing gig and one of the best crowds ever to be part of. Gotta motivate myself for the gym now, then the wife and I are off to the "Music Through Time" event in the city, celebrating a collaboration between Gucci and The Grammy's. Should be fun."

"Getting ready to go see Princess Ava in her first play today, then its off to Cashel for the first High Kings show after our summer break."

 

That's it for now folks

We will be back with more news soon

Darren and the DH Team