Cahal Dunne
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Cahal Dunne

Allison Park, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF

Allison Park, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF
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"Popular singer, musician taking Cape Coral by Storm"

Popular singer, musician taking Cape Coral by storm
Irish performer Cahal Dunne is carving out a fan base in Cape Coral. More than 600 people filed into Cape Coral High School recently to take in a performance by the musician, hosted by the St.- Andrew Council No. 7131 of the Knights of Columbus.
The fraternal Catholic group has already hosted about five Dunne performances because his music comedy show is so revered
by its members.
"Every time we book him, he does a fantastic job," said Joe Vieceli, chairman for the Knights of Columbus' "Showtime"
performance series, which raises money for local charities.
Dunne, 51, is scheduled to return to town to play at the Cape Coral Irish American Club's annual festival on March 6.
For his performance at Cape High, the red-haired musician took the stage in a sparkly red suit jacket and told a few Irish jokes before he sat at a grand piano and sang everything from Irish Christmas songs to Broadway and country tunes.
Dunne debuted a song he wrote last month called "My Brand New Double Wide," which tells the story of a man whose wife of 40 years has just died. The man travels to Florida, goes to grief counseling at the urging of friends and family and becomes enamored ,••with the Sunshine State. "I love writing little ditties like that," Dunne said.
Dunne was born in Cork, Ireland, and began playing the piano at the age of 3. He is the nephew of former Irish Prime Minister Jack Lynch. He earned his bachelor's degree in music from the University College of Cork in 1973. Dunne's big break came a month after he graduated college, when he won Ireland's National Song Contest with his tune"Happy Man." "It was sort of like American Idol', where they (viewers) phone in for the best song," he said. Winning the contest gave the musician the opportunity
to represent Ireland in 1979 at the Eurovision Music Contest in Israel, which was televised all over the world. "Happy Man"
became a No. 1 song in Europe and Dunne's record sales topped 250,000. "Unfortunately, just around then, the recession hit in Ireland," Dunne said. "It got really bad for about 15 years. Clubs and everything died-there was nobody coming out"
Because gigs were scarce during the recession, Dunne immigrated to Chicago and later moved to Pittsburgh. In the U.S., the
performer said he is best known for "The Menopause Song," a silly piece sung to the tune of "Here Comes Santa Clause."
Dunne told jokes and played everything from traditional Irish songs to Broadway tunes'
The singer and comedian now tours about six months out of the year, often performing at retirement communities and festivals
across the state of Florida. .
The same way the piano gave him comfort after his parents died when he was a
young child, Dunne hopes his music uplifts his audiences. People write me some nice letters saying they got a lot of solace and fun from the show," Dunne said. "It makes me feel very good. That's how you measure it (success), really."
- Lindsay Downey The Cape Coral News-Press


"Dunne, MSO sham-rock the house"

Generally when McKeesport Symphony Orchestra welcomes a guest , the newcomer pops on and offstage after a couple of numbers.
Cahal Cunne is a different situation. When he joined MSO at its season-ending concert Saturday, the Irish entertainer was thehead-liner, with the orchestra in solid support, Great idea; lets hope MSO soes it againDunne, who brought his own piano skill, rhythum section and vocal treo to the mix., is no stranger to melding hi show with an orchestra. He did a similar teaming a whild back at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg; film of that concert is destined for public broadcasting in August.
The personable "Happy Man" (his Irish chart-topping hit) worked the crowd both physically - shaking hands, inspiring sing - or sway- alongs - and visually - from an emerald green tux to jackets of various other hues and designs.
Dunne mixed familiar pop and Broadway tunes with originals, gospel, classical (Tchaikovsky - given a jazzy going-over - and Strauss), stories, jokes (some of them groaners).
Dunne bubbles with personality and has a good vocal range. If you missed the show and are emerald green with envy, that's appropriate. - David Sallinger Daily News Entertainment Editor


Discography

Shamrocks & Heather
A Little Bit of Irish
Thank You America
The Menopause Song
Cahal Dunne Salute to Broadway
What Color is The Wind
The Very Best of Cahal Dunne
Dunne Gone Country
The Christmas Album

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Bio

Cahal Dunne, "Ireland's Happy Man", possesses that certain magical quality known in show business as "it." "It" transcends talent. "It" comes from deep within a great entertainer and washes over an audience, captivating them. This native of County Cork has a following of loyal admirers and friends that is unique in the rich history of Pittsburgh entertainment, and continues to make new friends with each appearance.

Mr. Dunne is the nephew of the former Prime Minister of Ireland, Jack Lynch. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University College of Cork.

In that same year he won first prize in the Castlebar Song Contest with his own song, "Shalom." He represented Ireland in the Yamaha World Song Contest in Tokyo with another of his own songs, "Lover, Not Just a Wife."

Mr. Dunne credits his winning of Ireland's National Song Contest as his biggest break. With his winning song, "Happy Man", he earned the right to represent Ireland at the International Eurovision Music Contest in Israel. The song became number one in Europe and Ireland with record sales topping the 250,000 mark.

Cahal Dunne is a composer, pianist, comedian, story teller, and television personality. His style is rich and deep, reflecting the many strands in his distinguished career. Sit back and enjoy this entertainer extraordinaire.