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2000


New "Irish Tenor" is having a ball 

By Sara Fiedelholtz



At age 43, Finbar Wright believes that practice, practice, practice is what got 
him to where he is today--a member of the Irish Tenors. 



Wright began his musical education at age 6 and eventually went on to become one of 
Ireland's "great romantic singers," with a repertoire that includes everything from 
classical opera to modern pop. Now, with the Irish Tenors, he has gone back to traditional 
roots. 



Wright has the venerable distinction of being the oldest and also the newest member of 
the Irish Tenors. Flanked by Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan, Wright joined the world-renowned 
duo in 2000, and was part of the trio's most recent album and video, "Live in Belfast." 



Wright spoke to WeekendPlus about his new musical career. 



Q. How did you get involved with The Irish Tenors? 

A. I was asked to be a part of the group when it was initially being put together in 1998, 
but I was still under contract with Sony Music where I had done six solo albums and couldn't 
get out of my contract. John McDermick joined the group, but six months later his mother died 
and he decided to return to his solo career. I was asked a second time to join and since my 
contract with Sony was coming to a close, it was a good time to join.



Q.What was it like to be the new guy on the block?

A. It was a bit scary. I initially had 10 days to learn the music and songs for the performance 
of "Live in Belfast." I have enjoyed it. 



Q.Since you have been a solo artist, was it hard to be a part of a group? 

A. There are certain compromises you have to make in terms of repertoire. My repertoire as a solo 
artist would have included some Spanish, Italian and Gershwin music. But since we are an Irish group, 
the music is a bit restrictive. I love Irish music and to be performing these songs is something special. 



Q.How did you find your place in the group? 

A. It wasn't hard. I know the entertainment business. I've been a solo artist for 10 years, and although 
we never performed together before, we all did study with the same teacher in Dublin. Basically we are 
three country boys from Ireland who get on and enjoy our time on the road. 



Q.Were there any issues of stage choreography with the three of you? 

A. No. It is a great thing to get to perform with a full orchestra. It is a luxury that as a solo act you 
can't afford. To have a full orchestra every night takes the music to a new level. It turns the Irish ballads 
into something far greater than they would have been. 



Q.Are there any issues of who gets to sing lead? 

A. No problem. The program is so long that everybody gets a chance to perform the lead. And a lot of the music 
is in harmony or shared verses. We love the music and there is a natural healthy competition that we each want 
to sing well, especially if the other guys are singing well, you want to match them. 



Q.What do you think about North America's response to the Irish Tenors?

A. It is surprising and heartwarming. There is a huge Irish immigrant population here. I think it is calculated 
at something like 40 million people in North America are of Irish descent. Compare that to Ireland's total 
population of 4 million people. But we think that the music has stretched beyond the Irish community and there 
is a greater interest in the music. But the core audience is the Irish community, and I would hope that they are 
proud of what we do and the way we treat the music. I'm also surprised at how enthusiastic the audiences are here. 
They are very warm and appreciative. Americans are more upfront with their emotions and that really helps to get 
your adrenaline flowing. 



Q.What is your favorite song to perform? 

A. For me it is "40 Shades of Green." It was written by Johnny Cash. Many people think it is an old ballad, but 
it has been written in the last 20 years. People are also surprised that it is by Johnny Cash, but it is his 
tribute to Ireland. 



Q.What do you think about the other Irish music groups--the Corrs, the Cranberries, U2?

A. U2, they are fantastic. They show the other side of Irish music that has dominated. The Irish Tenors are trying 
to redirect the balance to the bit more neglected classic Irish ballads and songs. But you can see in the Corrs and 
the Cranberries the influence of traditional ballads. You can also hear the more traditional influences in their 
playing. With U2, the traditional influences are probably more in the lyrics. 



Q.You mentioned you listen to a lot of music. What type? 

A. I love guitar music. I love Spanish guitar. I tend to listen to a lot of instrumental music. But then I listen to 
everything. I just bought the CD for the television show "Ally McBeal" and it is quite nice.