'Movin' Out' Star Holden to Perform at All-Ireland Event

Acclaimed singer Darren Holden has been chosen to perform on "Up for the Match," the highly-anticipated prelude to the All-Ireland Hurling Final, airing on RTE Saturday, September 1st at 10:20 PM.  Holden, who hails from Mooncoin, County Kilkenny, is scheduled to sing "The Rose of Mooncoin" and will accompany himself on piano. "I am so proud that Kilkenny are back in the final this year," Holden said, "and I'm thrilled to be a part of this programme and sing this very special song."

Holden starred as "The Piano Man" (a/k/a Billy Joel) in the hit Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical Movin' Out both on Broadway and the first US national tour, for nearly four years. His latest CD, "Roadworks," is the result of two years of writing and recording while touring the USA and Canada with Movin' Out. Holden has also released a single, "Through Hell and High Water" dedicated to the Katrina victims which received major airplay in the US.  Prior to this, he was lead singer in Riverdance on Broadway and US national tour.

Holden's versions of "After Tonight" and Leo Sayer's "More Than I Can Say" were hits for him in Ireland. His debut solo album, Suddenly, contained three top 20 hits and 2FM honored it with "Album of the Week" status. His album of original traditional/contemporary country songs, Live & Learn, was released in 2002 in the US and produced three top 20 airplay hits.  Darren was also nominated for the 2004 New Music Weekly Award in the category of "Best Country Male Artist."

He has appeared in concert at The Cutting Room in New York City, Crawdaddy's in Tokyo and the famed Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles, performing original songs and backed by members of the Movin' Out band.  He has become a favorite of sports teams and other events for his phenomenal versions of a variety of national anthems. He currently can be seen performing in the US with the famed members of The Billy Joel Band (sans Mr. Joel) and will soon be touring the US with his band.

Visit www.darrenholden.com or www.myspace.com/officialdarrenholden for more information.

Photo by Joshua Waldron