Getting to Know Celtic Thunder's Keith Harkin

Keith Harkin, whom the Thunderheads refer to as the "Surfer Boy", has had the opportunity to have one of his own songs, Lauren and I, included in the show.

"Keith Harkin, [24 this June], grew up surrounded by music and musicians in County Derry in Northern Ireland. From the age of four, Keith has been wowing audiences with his beautiful voice and musical virtuosity. Keith has shared his talents by opening for acts such as John Martyn, The Undertones, and David Kitt in 2007. Yet this self-taught guitarist almost didn't even audition for Celtic Thunder...

"'To be honest I didn't have a clue what Celtic Thunder was when I auditioned,' says Keith. 'I had never auditioned for anything before in my life. I walked on and here I am, living my dream and doing what I've always wanted to do.'

"Keith is also an accomplished songwriter, and plays five-string banjo and piano in addition to guitar. Keith has played at the Tavistock Festival in the UK and was the lead in BBC's Dha Theanga in 2006 - also composing and recording most of the songs for the show.

"The singer is also an avid surfer, surfing almost year-round in the frigid waters near his home in Derry - but don't think surfing is all play to him. 'Without surfing, I don't think I'd be able to write certain songs that I do.... It's a very therapeutic thing, there's nothing else on your mind but water and nature ... which is a very helpful thing when you're writing a song.' ...

Of Celtic Thunder - The Show, Keith says, 'We didn't realize that we sound Irish, but people hear us and think it's unmistakable. Modern day Ireland offers more than just one traditional sound, which is part of the appeal of the show. The thing about the show from day one was that they were looking for five soloists who can stand together and alone,'..." [Excerpts from the Celtic Thunder Street Team's Keith Harkin Biography]

This lens was created as part of a series meant to provide a place to link new fans of Celtic Thunder to all the various spots online every Thunderhead should know about and visit! These lenses are fan-maintained, so please do not leave messages here for any of the talented people involved in Celtic Thunder... they will not see them here.

[Photography credit goes to Alan Arthur Katz]