PAUL BYROM

Paul Byrom is often hailed as Ireland's premier young tenor and with good reason. From an early age his special vocal talent brought him the attention of music coaches and talent spotters. The Dublin-born tenor began voice study and training when he was just seven years old and went on to study as a tenor under the legendary Dr. Veronica Dunne, Ireland's leading lady of opera and a renowned vocal teacher. He was a professional singer by his early teens and Paul recorded his first album as a boy soprano at 14. His second release, entitled VELVET, was in 2005 and it reached #2 in the Irish music charts. This led to many appearances on Irish Television and Radio, including "Celebrity Jigs and Reels" where he reached the grand final. Paul went on to release his Christmas album entitled "I'll Be Home For Christmas" in 2008, which charted in the Classical Billboard Charts. His talent as a tenor has taken him far and wide, and some of the many highlights of his career to date include performing for many dignitaries such as Irish President Mary McAleese, Emperor Akihito of Japan, Former Irish President and UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson and most recently for the President Barack Obama. Paul is an avid sports fan and he has also performed at many large-scale and high profile sporting events such as six All-Ireland Finals in Croke Park, Dublin, a Six Nations rugby game in Landsdowne Road, Dublin, a Pittsburgh Steelers American Football game at Heinz Field in the US, for the world famous football team, Barcelona and at a Boston Celtics basketball game in the Banknorth Garden in Boston. In 2007 Paul was invited to join Celtic Thunder as one of the five soloists. "I was thrilled to join Celtic Thunder and get the chance to work with Phil Coulter again" says Paul. "We have had a lot of fun making the show's and it's very exciting to think about bringing it to new audiences around the world." Fans call Byrom "The Swanky Tenor" for his suave and romantic style in performing, which is stamped on such numbers in Celtic Thunder as "Remember Me Recuerde Me" and "She". Coming from a classical background, Paul is not used to his new hordes of screaming fans. "They want to know every detail" exclaims Paul, "and not just about my music – down to what boxers I'm wearing!!!!"