Wednesday 18 December 2013

Merry Christmas from Darren



Darren's Christmas Message

Ho Ho Ho!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Are you all ready? Shopping done? Munchies at the ready?

My answer to that is the usual. NO!!!! Eeek....

It's just been a crazy time over the last few weeks for HK and myself and shopping has had to wait until next week at the earliest. I traditionally like the buzz of last minute shopping. I always remember my childhood Christmas Eve's were spent in Woolworths in Waterford, where I my 7 year old self would run around picking up gifts for my family. Happy times. Maybe that's why I always leave it late! : )

I want to thank you all for your amazing support and friendship throughout 2013 and here's promising that 2014 is gearing up to be the biggest HK and DH year yet.

Stick around and jump aboard. You won't regret it.

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year.

God Bless.








Darren's Christmas Songs

These are two original Christmas Songs written by Darren with Bryan Steele





Darren KCLR FM Christmas 2009

Back in December 2009, Darren dropped in to KCLR to chat to Sue Nunn about his favorite books. Not expecting to sing he arrived without his guitar and performed a couple of impromptu songs. Listen to the chat and Darren performing acappella versions of Blue Christmas and Oh Holy Night.

CLICK HERE


Christmas at The White House

Dec 5th 2004. Darren was invited by President and Mrs Bush to perform with the US Marine Corps Band at the annual National Christmas tree lighting at The White House. Darren performed some seasonal standards along with a Billy Joel classic.


Here he is at the end of the night sharing a mic with the president to sing Jingle Bells!




A visit to see Santa....

“Taking my kids to see Santa Claus today, and just found this pic of me going to see him many moons ago! I'm just as excited!”




Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall

The High Kings joined the Young Voices choir on their Arena tour winter 2011/2012. The tour incl a very special Christmas charity concert in aid of CLIC Sargent at The Royal Albert Hall. Here they are singing Step It Out Mary! Watch through to the end when a couple of thousand children join in the singing in their Santa hats!


Earlier in the show they performed Rocky Road to Dublin and Whiskey in the Jar. They returned to the stage to close the show with the Queen Finale, Brian providing the lead vocal for Who Wants To Live Forever and Darren rocking the stage with One Vision, before they both took things up a gear out in to the audience for Don't Stop Me now, with a little help from Finbarr. Watch it all here!



Christmas Eve on Grafton Street

On Christmas Eve 2008, the High Kings joined Joe Duffy for the RTE R1 broadcast live from Grafton St. Here they are singing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. You can listen and download with our compliments!

CLICK HERE


High Kings Christmas classics

The High Kings recorded two Christmas classics, Driving Home For Christmas and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, which were included on the Celtic Woman 'A Celtic Family Christmas' CD a few years ago. Unfortunately, the CD isn't readily available now, but you can hear the songs courtesy of these two You Tube videos.






We hope you have enjoyed a little Christmas cheer from Darren and the High Kings.

We will be back with all the news in 2014, for now we will sign off 2013, wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and good health and happiness for the New Year.


Thanks you all for your continued support

Darren and the DH Team




Tuesday 10 December 2013

New York, Dublin, RTE, and More..




Sony Showcase - New York City

“On plane about to take off for New York where we will be performing a special acoustic set at the Irish Consulate, and later at the Mc Kittrick Hotel.”

“New York City!! As always, you never let me down. Great night in Manhattan with a warm, loud and totally fun crowd. So many friends at the show tonight. Great to see everyone. Huge thanks to everyone for coming to the show.”

The following photos and video are courtesy and copyright of Margaret Cowen




Playlist of videos from the Kitterick Hotel Show




Irish World Interview

Darren and Martin were interviewed by UK Irish newspaper Irish World before the High Kings 'Friends For Life UK Tour.


CLICK HERE  for readable version


Bord Gais Theatre Dublin

“Dublin Billboard Advertising for next week's opening night of the new tour at The BGET.”



“Rehearsals complete for the new tour kicking off tomorrow night here in Dublin at the BGET. Who's coming to see us around Ireland on this tour?”

“Tonight we kick off the brand new High Kings Irish Tour at The Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin.
Should be a great night.
See you all there.”




"Sound check"



“Just met up with my old pal Edele from Bewitched backstage. Must be at least 17 years since we shared a stage together. Time flies.”




“What an amazing opening night to the tour. Incredible. Loudest crowd in ages and a total blast from start to finish.
Thanks Dublin!!”



John Murray Show RTE Radio 1

“The High Kings will be live on RTE Radio 1 tomorrow morning with John Murray at 9am.”




The High Kings on RTE Radio 1 with John Murray. Following an announcement that the Monty Python show had sold out is seconds, they began by looking on the bright side of life! The songs, Friends For Life and Leave Her Johnny have been edited due to the download option of file. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE


The High Kings sing for RTÉ TEN

The High Kings give an amusing interview and perform Leave Her Johnny, for RTE TEN. Watch them both here!

CLICK HERE





Irish Consulate Performance

The High Kings performing at the Irish Consulate 1 November 2013 to announce the Honorable Jack Ahern as the Grand Marshall for the 2014 St Patrick's Day Parade. Photographs copyright of James Higgins and Dominick Totino Photography




Cliff Richard

“Michelle and I had the honour of meeting and chatting with Sir Cliff Richard on Friday. An absolute gentleman and legend.” 




Irish Music Magazine

“Irish Music Magazine article.”


CLICK HERE for readable version


Darren on WLR FM

“Hey folks. Tune in to the legendary Geoff Harris on WLR FM around 2.15pm today. I will be chatting to him in advance of The High Kings concert tonight at The Theatre Royal in Waterford.”

Listen to Darren chatting to Geoff Harris on WLR FM ahead of the show at Waterford's Theatre Royal that night.

CLICK HERE


TG4 – Geantrai Na Nollaig

“Tomorrow The High Kings are Offaly bound to film "Geantrai Na Nollaig" for TG4 in the beautiful surroundings of Kinnitty Castle. The show will be broadcast on Christmas Night and will also feature some other well know folk and trad artists. Should be fun.”

“Tonight's venue for Christmas TG4 taping. Kinnitty Castle.”



“Brilliant night in Kinnitty Castle taping TG 4 Christmas special.
Met up with some great friends, Martin O' Connor, Donal Lunny, John John Spillane.
The show will be broadcast on Christmas Night.”



HK Irish Tour hits the road

“This Sunday Night The High Kings will return to The Theatre Royal Waterford. Always a great night and brilliant crowd. Looking forward to being back in the aul' stomping ground.”

“Waterford!! What a night! Full house at The Theatre Royal. Rockin' from start to end. Great to see all my family and old friends and really nice to see the big turnout from the Mooncoin crowd!
'Oh Maggie' Holden had a blast!!
Thanks to everyone once again.
Back in Dublin and Zzzzzzz.....time”


The High Kings announced – “The High Kings are performing a very special 1 hour set at the Button Factory this coming Friday at 1pm. It's all part of Fiver Friday and in aid of The Simon Community. Tickets are......A FIVER.”

Button Factory photos courtesy and copyright Anja Muller




“On route to University Concert Hall in Limerick on a rainy Friday evening.”


“Limerick you are indeed a lady!!
What a fantastic crowd and totally there to party!
Brilliant night. Thanks to everyone for coming out in such huge numbers.”


Other Updates from Darren...

“50 years ago today The Beatles came to Dublin.
Time Machine please!”

“Love, Hope and Healing to the people of The Philippines. They need it. So tragic.”

“Monday workout done. Now I'm going home to cry....#damnthathurt”

“Still Top 20 after 7 weeks.”

“4 miles done at gym. Feet up tonight to kick off season 3 of Love Hate. Yes, I know I'm behind but we will be up to speed by the weekend!”

“One of my favourite nights ever playing The Library at Lillies Bordello. Unreal buzz. Great and very loud crowd. Great to see so many musicians in tonight. Plus to the wild ladies from the Hen party ......WOW!!
Good times.”

“Sending prayers and sympathy to all those affected by the terrible tornados and storms in the USA.”

“JFK. 50”

“Kilkenny wins top award for best large tourism town led by Kilkenny Tourism and Keep Kilkenny Beautiful. Congrats to everyone involved! Great achievement.”

"’Friends for Life’ is back up 2 places to 23 in this weeks album chart. 10 weeks in the Top 30! Yay
Thanks to everyone who is buying the album and keeping us there.”

“Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. The world is a lesser place immediately.”

“Nothing like a night of enjoyable mayhem in Lillies. Great crowd. Great fun. Nuts in a festive kinda way!”

“John Lennon. Legend. 33 Years gone today.”



That's all the news for now, we'll be back with more news as we have it!


Thanks for your continued support


Darren and the DH Team