Rhythm Nation

Anthony Kearns on being in the right place at the right time

This month The Irish Tenors celebrate their 25th anniversary together with a series of shows. Anthony Kearns reveals how Josef Locke and Luke Kelly are among those who most inspire him

‘We will continue to be ambassadors for Ireland, carrying our music with us’: Left to right, Anthony Kearns, Declan Kelly and Ronan Tynan – The Irish Tenors

“Your life is about to change forever – welcome on board.” This is how Wexford man Anthony Kearns remembers being told in 1998 by producer Bill Hughes that he had been selected to join The Irish Tenors.

Since then, that promise has been richly fulfilled with the group selling millions of albums, making several television specials and becoming the US’s second-most successful Irish touring act ever (after U2). This month, Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Declan ...