Fanrealm.com » Damian McGinty

Congratulations to Damian McGinty and Samuel Larsen

Jane Woods — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:04:32 +0000

In a surprise move the producers of Glee and the Glee Project chose both boys to get the coveted 7 episode stint on the hit show Glee. Fanrealm readers know Damian, the only Irish contestant, from his appearances at the From the Heart concerts in Derry and from having been a cast member of Celtic Thunder. He has a fairly impressive resume for someone who is only 18 years old.

Before getting the gig on the Glee Project, Samuel Larsen was a singer songwriter fronting his own band in Los Angeles. You can hear samples of Sam’s music at his myspace page here

Both the grand prize winners have excellent starts at huge careers and we wish them both all the best. It should be noted, however, that all 12 contestants were winners to even get on the show. The kind of exposure they got was priceless and they all have very bright futures ahead of them, as well.

Congratulations too all involved for a job very well done.

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From The Heart 3

Diane Splon — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:20:30 +0000

Seldom does an event so special come along that when it happens; the night sky lights up like a shower of stars against the darkness. From The Heart 3 at the Millennium Forum in Derry was one of those rare moments. A celebration of life fashioned out of heartache, this was certainly not a cheerless, sad concert. Rather it was filled with a huge amount of joy and laughter; the tone of the evening being set at the start by Michael Doherty’s raucous version of She Bangs. What a hoot! From Francis Black’s On Grafton Street and Niamh McGlinchey’s Seven Spanish Angels to Damian McGinty’s flawless performance of Jessie’s Girl, the evening was packed with outstanding performers and an appreciative audience. Damian’s cover of Mickey Coleman’s sorrowful Miss You More Than Words Can Say brought the evening to its successful and moving conclusion.

Currently appearing on the hit TV show, The Glee Project, Damian has matured into a charming, talented gentleman over the last four years. Fanrealm wishes him much success with Glee and his bright future.

“There’s something in me that comes out and pushes me to do this, my own personal journey dedicated to those we have loved and lost to suicide.” ~ Bebe Johnston

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From The Heart 3 ~ Charity Concert

Diane Splon — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:35:51 +0000

Fanrealm is again pleased to spotlight a most worthy charity concert – From The Heart 3. It is being staged for the third year in a row at the Millennium Forum in Derry, Northern Ireland. The inspiration for the concert was a grieving mother looking for a way to honor the memory of her much loved son.

From The Heart 3 also strives to raise awareness of the increasing number of youth senselessly lost to suicide. Eamonn Johnston was lost around this time four years ago. These concerts and those to come are certainly a fitting legacy to his memory. Don’t miss this fantastic night’s entertainment and the opportunity to support this worthy cause.

“It will certainly be an entertaining night which will send a powerful message of hope to many people who may be feeling that they have nowhere to turn.” …..Junior Minister, Martina Anderson MLA (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

The artist line-up includes talented musicians and performers:

Frances Black
Damian McGinty
Plunkett McGartland
Niamh McGlinchey
Keelan McDermott
Ben Kelly
Stephen Barr
Colleen Gormley

Serving as master of ceremonies for the evening’s entertainment is Michael Doherty, who will also perform with his band, Upbeat.

Date:                     July 8, 2011
Time:                     8:00p.m.
Location:              Millennium Forum, Derry, NI

To purchase tickets:

http://www.millenniumforum.co.uk/index.php?view=details&id=113%3Afrom-the-heart-3&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=8

Tickets: £12.50, £15.00, £16.50
Family Ticket (4 seats): £55.00
Proceeds to: Youthlife

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From The Heart2 – Thank you all

Diane Splon — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:39:35 +0000

Fanrealm just received a most gracious thank you note addressed to all From The Heart 2 charity concert artists and supporters in Ireland and the States. We are thrilled to post this for all those performing, attending last night both in Derry and vicariously, and those who’ve donated at the Foyle Search and Rescue site.

“I wish to thank everyone for a fantastic show last night! Very rarely does so much talent share one stage for such a great cause. The ever-popular Damian McGinty brought his best with some great songs, and we had many talents such as Niamh McGlinchy, Stephen Barr and Michael Doherty.

However the highlight of the show was by far the headliner, Mickey Coleman and Plunkett McGartland. Mickey’s “Miss You More Than Words Can Say” was first performed at the concert a year earlier, but I believe this performance was his greatest yet, accompanied with a slideshow and footage of Eamonn Johnston, who was tragically lost to suicide in 2007; barely a dry eye in the audience by the end.

A last thank you must go out to our many American friends and supporters, particularly DianeS, whom I met long before the Facebook program began. Thank you all, there was as many people at the show in spirit as there were in the seats. Hopefully somewhere along the line, we can all meet in person, but From The Heart 2 has brought many people together. We did not foresee support from so far, but greatly appreciate it!”

—Cathal Lynch
—From The Heart 2

Cathal, the videos were wonderful. Those of us over here sure appreciate your middle of the night tenacity. Thank you back. DianeS

Here are some videos from the concert.

Mickey Coleman singing Miss You More than Words Can Say. He wrote this song for the first concert.

Damian McGinty singing Ronan Keating’s Hold On

Micheal Doherty doing Boy George’s Karma Chameleon

To read more about this concert click here. You can find more videos from the concert at Cathal’s YouTube Page

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From The Heart 2 – Charity Concert

Diane Splon — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:23:22 +0000

Once in a while a cause so worthy comes along that I feel compelled to write about it. This is the case with From The Heart 2, a charity concert staged for a second time to honor the memory of a vibrant, young man and beloved son lost to suicide. The concert idea was conceived by the mother of Eamonn Johnston who has tirelessly worked to craft a legacy to his memory and awareness of the increasing number of young people in Derry and all of Ireland who are lost every day to this evil and upward trend.

Following the success of last years “From The Heart” concert in The Millennium Forum, a second will take place to raise awareness of suicide and honor Eamonn’s memory.

DATE: Saturday, July 10, 2010

Time: 8:00pm – 11:30pm

Location: Millennium Forum, Derry

Many musical talents will be on show for the concert. Among them are:

Ben Kelly

Damian McGinty (of Celtic Thunder)

Maureen Campbell

Michael Doherty

Mickey Coleman

Niamh McGlinchey

Plunkett McGartland

Stephen Barr

May McFetridge will also be the hilarious host for the evening, plus much more to be announced!

Tickets: £12.50, £15.00, £16.50

All proceeds go to Foyle Search & Rescue: http://www.foylesearchandrescue.org/

Tickets available online:
http://gcldvsh.sed2.info/index.php?view=details&id=178%3Afrom-the-heart-memorial-concert&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=3

Or by telephone: 028 71 264 455

The following is an excerpt from a statement by SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan:
“The marked incidence of suicide in Derry – in particular among young people – is devastating the families and friends of victims and shocking the whole community. We are all left struggling with perplexing questions. No one on their own can establish or express adequate answers. This is a profound issue where we literally have to come together – different agencies, churches, professionals, community groups and families. We have to admire and applaud so much good, hard, sensitive work which is being done and so much of it led by those who have been bereaved by suicide.
Through this follow up concert, Bebe Johnson is determined to do just that. This is a warm way to bring people together to talk openly and honestly about suicide and mental health issues, so that we can encourage our young people to do the same. Bebe has put her heart and soul into the organisation of this concert. In support of her courageous efforts, I would urge people throughout the North West to support this concert, the proceeds of which will go to Foyle Search & Rescue.”

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Celtic Thunder Tour Update

Jane Woods — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:56:30 +0000

I just got this in my other email and thought I would post it here. For those who have not heard of Celtic Thunder a brief word of explanation might be in order. They are not a group. It is a show made up of 5 Celtic soloists. If you are a fan of Phil Coulter, you would enjoy the show as he is the musical director and wrote many original pieces for the show. The five soloists are Paul Bryom (see reviews for his other work directly below and here ), George Donaldson (the only Scot in the crowd), Keith Harkin (see more about him here ), Ryan Kelly (beloved bad boy of the show) and Damian McGinty (youngest of the bunch, growing up before the eyes of the fans).

This is their third North American tour. The second time touring Take Me Home, which is their 3rd cd. They have made a few national appearances like the the Today Show and the NYC St Patrick’s Day parade but have been shown mostly on PBS. I keep hoping they will do more national tv so the rest of America can discover them. The show is actually a good time and not as formal as you might expect because of their association with PBS. The word Celtic in the show title refers to their countries of origin. It does not mean it is all classic Celtic music. They have a variety of songs in the show including an original number written by one of the members, Keith Harkin. There are also covers of more familiar tunes that we all know and love.

They are in Minneapolis tonight and Chicago tomorrow night. The tour continues into November as follows:

11/1/09 – Detriot, MI
11/2/09 – South Bend, IN
11/3/09 – St. Lousi, MO
11/5/09 – Denver, CO
11/7/09 – Sand Diego, CA
11/8/09 – Los Angeles, CA
11/10/09 – Seattle, WA
11/11/09 – Seattle, WA
11/12/09 – Portland, OR
11/16/09 – Grand Prairie, TX
11/17/09 – Houston, TX
11/18/09 – Little Rock, AR
11/19/09 – Nashville, TN
11/21/09 – Orlando, FL

Tickets for most shows can be purchased through ticketmaster but you can check here for more details.

You can see a sample of the show here

MP3 downloads also available at Amazon and ITunes.

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