Let me throw out some Celtic Woman statistics for you to ponder for a minute.
Cumulatively, albums from Celtic Woman have sold over 50 million records worldwide, making it one of the all-time most commercially successful musical acts in history. "Celtic Woman", which was filmed at The Helix, Dublin, Ireland on September 15th, 2004 for PBS reached #1 on Billboard's World Music Chart within weeks. The album held the #1 position on the charts for 81 weeks total, shattering the previous record held by Andrea Bocelli.
Their second album, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration knocked their first album to the #2 spot on the World Music Chart. They bested themselves, in essence.
"A New Journey" (December 2006) was released on January 30th, 2007, simultaneously accompanied by the live performance DVD. The album immediately hit the Billboard 200 at #4 and the Billboard World chart at #1, bumping their first two releases down a notch. Celtic Woman secured the top three spots on the Billboard World at that time, a freakish accomplishment which may never be duplicated again. All in all, the Multi-Platinum Irish sensations have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide to date.
So Fans, Show Celtic Woman Chloe Some Love!
The reason I ran the numbers for you, as it regards the group's success to date, is to motivate you a little bit. You see, the group is now extremely active on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube. In my opinion they do not have the fan support/following that they so rightfully deserve on these social networks, even though networking is a recent addition to the group's repertoire.
Chloe Agnew is the Celtic Woman I wish to focus on in this post. Chloe has a fan page on Facebook (which I am a member of) and she interacts with the fans on a daily basis. The other day I visited her page just to say "Hi", and much to my surprise, I read one of her latest entries which read...
Celtic Woman supporters, where are you? Chloe Agnew - one of the original members of the ensemble, one of the premier female vocalists in all the world, smart as a whip, and a super cool and hip girl who bubbles with personality - hopes for 5000 Facebook Fans soon. Should she really have to wish for a measly 5000 fans on her Facebook Page? I mean, a girl this successful and talented should be more worried about crashing the Facebook servers because she has so many fans! (Bear in mind though, her page is new so 5000 fans in the blink of an eye is not too shabby.)
If you are reading this post, then obviously you are a Celtic Woman fan right? Chloe is adored, I think we can all agree on that. Please show her some love and join her over at her Facebook Fan Page. Let's try to crash the servers - a couple million fans in a few months should do the trick!
Chances are you have seen just about every Celtic Woman performance imaginable on YouTube, particularly those acts from juggernaut "A New Journey". If you're anything like me, the two questions you asked yourself were "Who Uploaded This Video? Was it Celtic Woman themselves?" Up until recently, the answer to these questions was most likely "No".
I have some very good news for all Celic Woman lovers and fans. The group is now live on YouTube with their official video channel! You can take a look at the Official Celtic Woman YouTube Channel and easily conclude, as I did, it is utterly professional. There is surely no doubt, this is the real deal CW video channel on YouTube. No knock-offs here.
The channel has over 1100 fans, over 50 friends, tons of comments, and many new videos from "Songs From The Heart". There is also a brand new video of the group performing "Carol of the Bells" at the White House
for the National Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Celtic Woman newsletters and 'Exclusive Announcements' roll on! Here is the latest gem for December 2009.
In summary, PBS is receiving a well deserved boost in viewer pledge contributions, courtesy of the new Celtic Woman extravaganza, "Songs From The Heart". Did we expect anything less?
The White House lighting of the National Christmas Tree last Thursday was a huge success for the girls, and they were honored by being chosen to perform alongside the other superstars on the card that evening!
If you are interested in attending any of the upcoming "Songs From The Heart" venues, then read on because the girls let you in on a big pre-sale event to take place this week!
Plus, Celtic Woman gift ideas for the holiday season!
Cheers
P.S. Need some great music to get you in the Christmas spirit, why not get some of the girls mp3 Downloads from Amazon.com!
After an exciting week of visiting PBS stations for live pledge nights after Thanksgiving, Celtic Woman ended in Washington DC where they had the honor of performing at the White House for the National Christmas Tree Lighting! It was very exciting to share the stage with such incredible artists like Sheryl Crow, Jordin Sparks, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Ray LaMontagne, and Common. Check out the appearance on YouTube or check your local PBS listings for airdates....
And speaking of PBS...
We are overwhelmed with the outstanding response from PBS. Thank you for supporting your local PBS station during this December's pledge drive. These pledge drives are extremely important to future of PBS. Please continue to support your local station so they can continue brining you programming that you can't find on any other network. We are proud to be part of the PBS programming family.
Songs from the Heart Tour - Presale this Thursday in most markets!
If you haven't already pledged your support to PBS for seats prior to public sale, stay tuned! Most of the Celtic Woman Songs from the Heart tour dates go onsale Monday December 14th, however we're going to let you in on a secret!! All Ticketmaster box offices begin a presale this Thursday December 10th at 10am local time. The Ticketmaster presale password is: CWHEART. Check out our website tomorrow morning for ticket links!
Have you finished your holiday shopping yet?
Trying to find that perfect gift for someone special this Holiday season? Why not share the gift of music! Celtic Woman A Christmas Celebration would make a perfect gift (and it's easy to wrap!) Or perhaps preorder the new Celtic Woman Songs from the Heart album!
If you have not had the honor and pleasure of attending a Celtic Woman show yet, then you might be unaware of the fact that Lisa Kelly is worshiped by her fans. Enthusiastic audience members literally chant "Lisa, Lisa, Lisa..." most any time she appears onstage. There is one song in particular though which, in the eyes of the millions of loyal Celtic Woman fans, steals the show. Can you guess which one it is? Let me give you a little hint - do a YouTube search for keyword "Celtic Woman". If you guessed "The Voice", you nailed it!
It is really no surprise that the YouTube video of "The Voice" has nearly double the views of any other Celtic Woman video on the site (with the exception of "Ave Maria", performed by the amazingly talented Chloe Agnew) - as I said, Lisa is adored. Common sense might indicate that a popular follow up search to the video would be "Celtic Woman The Voice Lyrics", don't you think? Indeed, this is one of the top searches currently, related to the keyword Celtic Woman. Here is the graph for you to see for yourself.
Let's have a look at the lyrics to the phenom that is...
"The Voice"
I hear your voice on the wind
And I hear you call out my name
"Listen, my child," you say to me
"I am the voice of your history
Be not afraid, come follow me
Answer my call, and I'll set you free"
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice, I will remain
I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone
The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow
Ne'er do I sleep thoughout all the cold winter long
I am the force that in springtime will grow
I am the voice of the past that will always be
Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields
I am the voice of the future, bring me your peace
Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice
I am the voice of the past that will always be
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice of the future
I am the voice, I am the voice
I am the voice, I am the voice
The news from Celtic Woman just keeps right on a comin'. The group has been honored by being chosen to perform live for The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington D.C., in front of the White House! You can see it live online December 3, at 5pm (EST) at thenationaltree.org.
PBS will begin airing the event on December 4th. Go to pbs.org and use the station finder tool to check your local listings.
The Isle of Hope Tour has come to and end. Will Celtic Woman take a break now? Yeah, right - not these work-a-holic Irish beauties! They taped their new PBS special Celtic Woman "Songs From The Heart" back in August in Ireland at the Powerscourt House and Gardens. They will begin their new tour in early 2010.
For further details on the PBS debut of Celtic Woman "Songs From The Heart", check your local listings beginning Sunday November 29th. You can also log on to PBS.com for more information on the new show.
Celtic Woman Exclusive Announcement
The Isle of Hope tour comes to an end...
After 134 performances this year, the Isle of Hope tour comes to an end today in California. It has been an incredible year for Celtic Woman. The entire cast and crew of Celtic Woman would like to send a big thank you to all of you who came out to support us!
The Official Celtic Woman website launches SONGS FROM THE HEART this Monday...
We thought it would be a good idea to launch a new version of our website to coincide with our brand new special CELTIC WOMAN SONGS FROM THE HEART!! On November 23rd, check out the Celtic Woman website which will feature everything you'll want to know about CELTIC WOMAN SONGS FROM THE HEART including a trailer for the new television special, tons of information about the CD and companion DVD, the 2010 North American Tour, PBS airings, and gorgeous new photos of Lisa, Chloë, Lynn, Alex and Máiréad. And speaking of PBS...
Celtic Woman Songs from the Heart airs nationally on PBS beginning Saturday November 28th!
Check your local TV listings and tune into an airing of the brand new Celtic Woman special SONGS FROM THE HEART. Pledge your support to your local PBS station, and be the first to access tickets for the new 2010 live concert tour! Also, by pledging to PBS you will be the first to get a copy of the brand new CD and companion DVD which will not be released to the public until January 26, 2010.
To find your local PBS stations website go to http://www.pbs.org and click "station finder."
Are you our fan on Facebook?
If you haven't become our fan yet on Facebook, "click here" to become a fan now! Check our fan page for up to the minute updates, fun facts, discussions, photos and connect with other Celtic Woman fans!
Isle of Hope Tour returns this fall with 36 more dates!!
After completing 97 dates of the Isle of Hope tour this past spring, Alex, Chloe, Lisa, Lynn and Mairead are hitting the road again on October 7th through November 22nd, and are stopping in some cities they didn't make it to in the spring, as well as a few return engagements due to overwhelming response! Tickets are on sale now and are going fast! Please check all of the tour dates here at CelticWoman.com!
Also, the Celtic Woman North American Tour fan page on Facebook has up to date information as well as fun facts, questions, photos, and discussions.
We have a special treat in store for our fans. Coming soon we will have a live online chat with one of our ladies! In the coming weeks we will have the opportunity for fans to register for this very special event and take part in this question and answer session where you can learn about what life is really like on the road, and get the latest backstage scoop! Please stay tuned to our website for more details closer to the event.
I have received word from the group's newsletter team, regarding the groups encore U.S. Fall Tour schedule for 'Isle of Hope'. More details can be found in the press release below.
Celtic Woman's brand new concert (Filmed in HD at Powerscourt House and Gardens) is titled 'Songs From the Heart'. It will air here in the United States exclusively on PBS, beginning November 28th, 2009!
The 'Songs From the Heart' companion CD/DVD will be released through EMI Manhattan Records in January 2010.
The 'Songs From the Heart' Tour will debut in February 2010. I assume it will be here in the United States.
For complete details, check out the brand new press release below!
Celtic Woman are excited to announce their Fall North American Tour.
Lisa, Chloe, Alex, Lynn and Mairead will bring their acclaimed 'Isle Of Hope' Show to over 35 cities this October and November. Please check out our website for dates and information on how to purchase tickets. Do not miss your opportunity to see this stunning show at a venue near you!
Celtic Woman 'Songs from the Heart' Live from Powerscourt House and Gardens
We have just completed the filming in HD of our spectacular show LIVE from the majestic 'Powerscourt House and Gardens'.
The program will be aired exclusively on PBS across the United States beginning November 28th 2009. By supporting your local PBS station you will have the opportunity to secure the very best tickets for the live tour as well as the opportunity to own the CD and DVD before anyone else!! Don't miss out on this opportunity. Check your local TV listings beginning the last week of November for local airtimes.
Celtic Woman 'Songs from the Heart' companion CD and DVD will be released through EMI Manhattan Records January 2010.
Celtic Woman 'Songs from the Heart' Tour will open in February 2010.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fans who traveled over for the two shows. Without your support and love none of this would be possible.
Celtic Woman Scoop best Celtic Act at Ireland's Music Awards.
Topping off a sensational week for the girls, they had the honour of being awarded Best Celtic Group in Ireland's Music Awards at The World Fleadh, by public vote. Again, thank you to all our fans who showed their support for the girls at this prestigious event.
When "Celtic Woman" debuted on PBS back in 2005, their intent was to shine the spotlight on Traditional Celtic Music in a one-time-only, special concert production for Public Television. No less than three separate #1 Billboard World Chart dominions (totaling more than 81 weeks atop the world charts) later, 'Riverdance for the Voice' is still hungry for more global success! This time around the phenoms intend to inspire hope and assurance within the hearts of all Americans and deep within the soul of America itself.
The struggling U.S. economy has affected the global economy, because as America goes, so goes the world. Feelings of despair are utterly unavoidable because it is anyone's guess as to what looms around the corner for all of us. Enter the inspirational goddesses themselves, Celtic Woman, to uplift the spirits of America and the entire world once more!
Their 'Isle of Hope' tour has been a smashing success here in the United States, from coast to coast, mountaintop to mountaintop. As the tour winds down, there is one song in particular that now steals every show. I am of course referring to their brand new original production, "O, America", which is now available for mp3 download at amazon.com.
The question we must ask ourselves is, will Celtic Woman reap the enormous accolades from their latest release "O, America" like they did with their prior albums? Time will tell but I can tell you one thing, I saw the live performance and I wouldn't bet against it. Celtic Woman is still one of a kind, and their ability to transfix audiences is still as profound as ever!
On Friday, June 12, 2009, at 8:00p.m.(EST), at the Covelli Center in Youngstown, OH, I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing Celtic Woman (featuring Lisa, Chloe, Mairead, Alex, and Lynn) live in concert for their brand new "Isle of Hope" Tour. I will now break down the show in complete detail, and do my best to provide an impartial, unbiased review. (Bear in mind that I am limited as far as how much detail I can offer because of patents, copyrights, and trademarks owned by Celtic Woman.)
The thing that stood out very clearly prior to the start of the concert was the strict enforcement of the copyright protection rights of the show (and the act) itself. The very first thing the door greeters checked for was audio/video recording devices or equipment.
When we purchased our tickets on Ticketmaster.com back in February, there was a bold, extra-large warning atop the order page which stated "NO CAMERAS, VIDEO RECORDERS, OR AUDIO RECORDING DEVICES ARE PERMITTED AT THIS SHOW." The announcer even came over the audio system 10 minutes before the show began and again announced the strict policy against audio/video recording devices. For the most part, the audience of approximately 3,000 respected and adhered to the act's stern policy.
Many people do not understand why Celtic Woman is enforcing the ban on cameras and video recorders so strictly. It's very simple if you stop and think about it for a minute. The very first "Celtic Woman" show at the Helix in Dublin, Ireland debuted in 2005. "A New Journey" debuted from the Slane Castle in Ireland. Take a wild guess at the commonality between these two shows. If you answered PBS, you got it right!
The "Isle of Hope" Tour is the first Celtic Woman show not to be broken on Public Broadcast Television. "Isle of Hope" debuted in St. Paul, Minnesota at the Target Center, if memory serves me correctly. PBS is heavily involved in the ticket sales for this tour, however since the concert has yet to air on PBS from Ireland (as all the prior shows have), PBS and Celtic Woman are fully vested in preventing the concert from debuting on YouTube instead. Can you blame them?
For whatever reason, some people just don't get it, and they insist on trying to video or photograph the show. I can assure you, very few get away with it! If you do not believe me, do a video search for Celtic Woman Isle of Hope. Not much there huh?
I really don't anticipate you will find much for this tour until the show airs on PBS, if it in fact does air. I am fairly certain that the new show (which will be taped at Powerscourt House and Gardens, Wicklow County, Ireland on Wednesday, July 29th and Thursday, July 30th, 2009) will unveil brand new material.
"Isle of Hope" Show - Set 1
The show began with Chloe narrating a lovely United States, Isle of Hope infused version of "The Sky and The Dawn and The Sun". Lisa, Chloe, Alex, Lynn, and Mairead appeared on stage, all wearing stunning gowns. Mairead was dressed in her distinctive vintage white gown, and she was wearing knee wraps on both knees (gee, I wonder why!), while the rest of the girls wore the solid colors red, orange, green, and blue.
Lisa Kelly and Chloe Agnew performed brand new songs early in the set, and although I cannot disclose the specific details, I can say that they were much more hip than anything we've seen from them to date. I was blown away by Lisa's versatility and Chloe's diverse vocal range, although this was already common knowledge!
In the middle of the first set, Alex and Lynn got in on the action performing a few classics from "A New Journey". Alex Sharpe has a very powerful voice and is quite diverse vocally. Lynn Hilary is fantastic as well - her voice is so pretty and crystal clear to boot. She's not too hard on the eyes either, to say the least. Orla and Meav are irreplaceable, but Alex and Lynn add a brand new flavor and an expanded dimension to the group.
The first set was round out with a spectacular performance of "Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears", the title track of the tour. Ray Fean played the unmistakable military marching cadence on the snare drum, with the fine precision of a well-oiled machine.
"Isle of Hope" Show - Set 2
There was a brief 20 minute intermission, then came set 2 of the show. The women were dressed in solid colored gowns once again, however the colors were rotated among them. Mairead had on a white gown once again, but midway through the second set she changed into something a bit more colorful.
The second set began with a new performance from Alex Sharpe, which I cannot go into much detail about, once again. I can give you a big hint - she sang a great rendition of an Elton John classic, which was made popular in one of the biggest animated films ever produced.
The group performed several more songs from the Slane Castle show, including Mairead's amazing rendition of "Shenandoah (The Pacific Slope)".
Then, out of the blue, something rather unusual occurred during Mairead's playing of this classic. A string on her bow broke during this song, but she made it through by altering the key at the points in the song where the string was needed. Now let me tell you folks, that takes plenty of experience and raw talent! Mairead reappeared a few songs later with a shiny new bow.
The group performed a few more new songs, which featured Lynn. They also sang more classics from the first two shows, with Lisa Kelly wowing the crowd with the YouTube sensation "The Voice". Towards the finale of the show, Chloe thanked the audience for their support and raved about how successful their stint in Ohio has been since the group was formed back in 2004.
Then came their brand new hit "Oh, America", which will debut on June 23 internationally. Again for this song, Fean played a military snare cadence which highlighted the American theme of the show itself.
Celtic Woman exited the stage after their performances of "Mo Ghile Mear" and "You Raise Me Up", however the show was far from over. After a long standing ovation, Mairead reappeared and ignited the crowd all over again, performing "Reels".
The entire group then appeared onstage once more, along with the choir and the backup female vocalists. "Ceili Outro" took the group out for good, with the entire cast taking either a bow or curtsy.
The arena lights came up, and the stage lights went dark; Celtic Woman exited stage right.
Celtic Woman will be filming their brand-new live show for PBS Television and DVD at Powerscourt House and Gardens, County Wicklow, Ireland on Wednesday July 29th and Thursday July 30th 2009.
If you would like to attend the concerts please email your requests to tickets@celticwoman.com. We can not guarantee admittance due to the high demand expected, however we will endeavour to accommodate as many requests as possible.
The video can be found along with some other new videos, including a recent tour diary entry by Lisa, by following this link.
O, America! Blog
At our concerts 'O, America!' always receives a profound emotional response from you, our fans. Consequently we have set up a special Celtic Woman 'O America' blog where we would like you to tell us how the song 'O, America!' has affected or inspired you and maybe your words will inspire others to become fans of Celtic Woman....spread the word.
All members of the Isle of Hope tour are on a short break to re-charge the batteries before finishing the final leg of their tour. Having completed over 3 quarters of the tour, the cast and crew have a chance to put their feet up for a few days. The last few weeks of the tour takes in Philadelphia, Nashville, parts of Ohio and of course, the Iconic Red Rocks amphitheatre.
from Amazon.com!
