By Paddy McCarthy
I just did a nice interview with Chloë Agnew of Celtic Woman. I have to say that she and the others in the group are star quality and boy are they ready to perform to live audiences and I can positivity say, all full houses. Here we go with the interview:
Paddy McCarthy (PM): How was the name Celtic Woman chosen?
Chloë Agnew (CA): Despite their being five of us in the lineup originally, as we were all so different as women and in age and musical styles, we chose to use ‘woman’ instead of ‘women’ as each of us represented different elements of a quintessential Celtic Woman.
PM: Celtic Woman is an all-female Irish musical ensemble conceived and created by who?
CA: Celtic Woman was created back in 2004 by Dave Kavanagh, Sharon Browne and the musical genius David Downes. Along with a wonderful creative team, EMI Manhattan and the power of PBS audiences and their communities, Celtic Woman came onto the scene internationally in 2005 and it’s been the most incredible journey ever since.
PM: The group lineup has changed over the years, who is in the present lineup?
CA: It’s been a beautiful evolution for Celtic Woman since its inception, as there have been many chapters of the show and each woman, musician, dancer, choir and crew member have been a part of carrying on the show’s legacy. The current lineup consists of myself, our violin virtuoso Tara McNeill, Megan Walsh and our newest addition to the family Muirgen Mahony. As one of the original and founding members of the group and after taking a hiatus from the show to pursue some solo projects, I’m thrilled to be reuniting with the girls once again for our upcoming tour ‘Postcards from Ireland’ and one of our long-time members Susan McFadden will be taking over from me in several shows on our upcoming schedule.
PM: Did any of you ever perform together as vocalists and musicians before you joined Celtic Woman.
CA: This will be our first official time on the road together with this current line up! We had the best time recently filming our new TV special and DVD ‘Postcards from Ireland’ all over Ireland. We laughed, sang and made amazing memories getting to be tourists together in iconic Irish landscapes. It made us all the more excited to get out on the road with the rest of our show family – it’s very special when you get to share the stage with friends.
PM: From what I have been told, Celtic Women was to be a one-time event held in Dublin. Is that right?
CA: Absolutely correct! We all came together on the understanding it was a one-time show and then when we did the show, we all knew something very special had happened that night and there was an amazing atmosphere of it all feeling so new and exciting, but none of one of us had any idea it would go on to be the success it is today. We’re so thankful to every single person who has supported us along the way. It’s been a great honor for me to have been there that night when none of us knew what was coming next and to watch it grow into the show it’s known for today.
PM: Your repertoire ranges from traditional to modern songs, was that always the plan?
CA: We have been so lucky in Celtic Woman to work with the best musical directors Ireland has to offer. David Downes who created the original sound and since then Gavin Murphy and our current MD Daragh O’ Toole have both masterfully captained our musical ship. I think there is a unique Celtic Woman sound that lends itself to different styles of songs and we’ve always been very proud of the fact the show has a wide range of music for the whole family to enjoy. We have everything from slow ballads and traditional airs to classical, crossover, upbeat Irish reels, old tunes and more modern songs too so I think why we’ve developed such a diverse fan base is because there’s something there for everyone!
PM: The coverage you get here in the US with a lot of airings on television, particularly PBS, must have helped your popularity?
CA: We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of PBS Television in the US and the wonderfully loyal fanbase we have thanks to them. They’ve aired our shows every year since we began and as we celebrate 17 years this year it’s so brilliant to see their love for our new show ‘Postcards From Ireland’ which just aired. They’ve given us a home for our music and TV specials which has allowed us to continue to do what we do and we will always be thankful to them.
PM: The albums by Celtic Women have sold over 10 million records worldwide which is just fabulous and it seems like it’s not going to stop. Thoughts?
CA: Celtic Woman emerged into the music world at a time pre-Netflix, pre-Spotify and in the days where things like iTunes and YouTube were not really part of how the industry operated. Today they’re what own and control it so how artists do things nowadays is very different to when we first started. We can only hope that people continue to support us, come to the shows, listen to our music and pass their love and appreciation of it onto younger generations.
PM: With five women traveling together all over the world performing how do you all get on when you’re on the road?
CA: Of course we’re all different, independent women with lives of our own but the beauty of Celtic Woman is that we get to share that sacred space together to create something we know brings so much joy to audiences all over the world and that’s a very special connection that bonds us forever. When you spend months on end away from your own loved ones, you become your own little family on the road and you have to look out for each other. You also get to experience magic moments and memories together which is one of the things I cherish most. I’m very thankful to have learnt so much from the Celtic sisters I grew up with on the road as a teenager and now I’m loving every second of this new chapter for Celtic Woman and getting to share it with the girls, they are all truly kind, funny, caring and talented souls. I have lifelong friends in the people I’ve shared the stage with throughout my time in the show!
PM: Your tours had to be rescheduled and the celebration of the 15th Anniversary Tour was postponed to spring 2022 and now been renamed. What will the tour be called?
CA: We are so excited to FINALLY get back out on the road and we cannot wait to bring our new show to audiences all over the USA and back home to Ireland later this year. The new tour is called ‘Postcards From Ireland’ and will feature lots of music from our new CD along with some classics and fan favorites joined by our phenomenal band, bagpiper, choir and dancers. It’s going to be one of our best shows yet and I’m counting down the days to kicking off the tour!
PM: Celtic Woman as a group must be all looking forward to be back performing and I am sure all your fans are as well.
CA: It’s been a long two years for people everywhere and I know we all have so missed being out doing what we love so it’s genuinely so exciting to think about getting back to that. It’s been a thrill getting to be a part of ‘Postcards From Ireland’ and seeing it all come together in the studio over the last year, now we just can’t wait to get it in front of a live audience and we hope all our fans will come out to join us, show the love and have a long overdue bit of fun with us!
PM: I am sure the fans see a lot of surprises with the Celtic Women new show, would I be right?
CA: Well of course BUT….you’ll have to come see us to find out what they are cause I’m not spilling! 🙂