CELTIC THUNDER
In 200, producer Sharon Browne filmed the first ever Celtic Thunder show at the Helix in Dublin, Ireland. The concept was to feature a group of men from Ireland and Scotland, who range in age from 21 to 42, and feature songs that celebrate a common Celtic heritage.
The resulting show included an eclectic mix of songs ranging from the traditional to international hits and some original pieces along the way. The group is backed by the dynamic Celtic Thunder Band and their shows are known for the use of dramatic effects of lighting and choreography as well as a stage set resembling an ancient stone pathway suggestive of those referenced in Celtic lore. In 2009, Celtic Thunder released their second DVD and third CD called "Take Me Home". This was followed by "It’s Entertainment", a homage to US pop culture. The next 3 releases "Heritage", "Voyage" and "New Yoyage" firmly returned to their Celtic roots, stocked full of Irish and Scottish traditional and contemporary songs. In 2011 Celtic Thunder also release their first theatrical production “Storm”. February 2013 saw the show return to the Helix in Dublin to film their 9th DVD and 10th CD entitled "Mythology". The new DVD from the show Mythology presents a perfect blend of entertainment, ideology and Gaelic spirituality, providing a modern twist on the old Celtic storytelling tradition. In addition to the six main vocalists featured on Mythology, the CD and DVD also features a full orchestra as well as strings, guitar, percussion, whistles, pipes, guitars in the eight- piece Celtic Thunder band. Celtic Thunder’s musical director is David Munro, who also plays keyboards on the DVD.
Celtic Thunder has now toured the US and Canada, coast to coast, six times, and Australia twice performing at over 700 shows to date. Celtic Thunder has also been hailed as BILLBOARD’s Top World Music Artist, along with Top World Music Imprint and Top World Album of in 2009 and again in 2011. The Celtic Thunder official YouTube channel, “Thunder Tube” has received over twenty eight million views since its inception in 2008.
Sharon Browne has been working in the music industry for over 30 years. Her management buyout in 1996 of K-Tel in Ireland created what was to become Ireland’s Premier Irish Music Label – Celtic Collections, an independent and Irish owned label representing Ireland’s best loved Artists such as Phil Coulter, The Dubliners, The Wolfetones, The Furey Bros & Davy Arthur as well as the female vocalists from Celtic Woman. Sharon’s career to date has focused on promoting established artists as well as breaking new acts and launching them on the world stage.
Sharon Browne created Irish record label Celtic Collections and was the Original Producer of Celtic Woman. For Sharon, no longer with Celtic Collections or Celtic Woman, it was time for a new challenge and a new chapter in her life. In Celtic Thunder, Sharon Browne met that challenge head on. She channeled 30 years of music industry experience, her production expertise and her unique vision into sculpting a new and exciting show from scratch.
In 2007 Sharon held auditions in Ireland and Scotland to cast her new show Celtic Thunder, which featured 5 talented male soloists performing Celtic and international hits. She shot the Public Television special at the Helix in Dublin in August 2007 and it first broadcast in the US in March ’08, where it immediately captured the imagination and hearts of the US Public Television audience.
Immediately upon its release, the show’s debut album, Celtic Thunder, shot straight to the top of Billboard‘s World Music Charts. Since then Celtic Thunder has released a steady and impressive collection of best-selling albums, all developed around the show initially conceptualized by Sharon Browne. Celtic Thunder, Act Two, Take Me Home, It’s Entertainment, Christmas, Heritage, Storm, Voyage, Mythology, Holiday Symphony and Very Best of Celtic Thunder as well as multiple live performances on DVD and live touring shows.