Darren Holden

Birth Place: Co Kilkenny Ireland

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Darren Holden BIO

Born in Kilkenny Ireland, Darren is a prolific songwriter with exceptional vocal talents. His early solo career saw him support Boyzone, The Backstreet Boy's, East 17, Paul Young, Bonnie Tyler, Peter Andre, and Belinda Carlisle.

Darren’s first break in to musical theatre came in 1999 when he was cast as the lead vocalist in Rhythm Of The Dance giving 500 performances on tour in Ireland and across Europe. The show featured his him singing his own compositions The Great Hunger. In 2000, his career took him to America where he was cast in Riverdance, becoming lead vocalist in January 2000. He performed over 1500 shows, initially on Broadway before taking the show on a 3 year tour of the US.

As his contract with Riverdance came to an end in 2003, he successfully auditioned as the lead vocalist/pianist in the Tony Award-winning hit Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical Movin’ Out. There had been 460 potential ‘Pianomen’ auditioned before him, but Darren was offered the role immediately after his audition, by Billy himself. The show saw him again performing on Broadway, before embarking on an extensive 3 year tour of the US, Canada, and Tokyo. The tour was a major success, breaking all previous box office records in many cities in the first year. Darren was ever present as the lead ‘Pianoman’ on the original US tour from January 2004, until he brought the curtain down on the final show in Birmingham Alabama in January 2007 after an impressive 1300 performances. The show gained him a huge fan base for both his interpretation of the Billy Joel back catalogue, and performing his own music.

He also became a regular face on American Prime Time TV, clocking up more than 500 appearances on CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC. His natural ability in front of the camera charmed both the presenters and the millions of viewers, as he shared his amusing experiences and treated them to his amazing renditions of the Billy Joel classics.

Darren has appeared in concert at The Cutting Room in New York City and the famed Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles, performing original songs backed by members of the Movin' Out band. He has also regularly performed at corporate events with "The New York State of Mind" band which features The Billy Joel band with Darren taking the place of the main man on piano and lead vocals. His phenomenal rendition of the US National Anthem made Darren a popular choice for sports events and he has performed the Anthem for an estimated 1.5 million people. In 2004, he was invited to perform for President and Mrs. Bush at the White House Christmas pageant.

Darren has also released 3 solo albums, all in different genres, and had top ten hits in Ireland from his first album Suddenly before he moved in to musical theatre.

While in New York with Riverdance, Darren recorded his second album Live and Learn, a collection of original traditional/contemporary country songs from recording sessions in both New York and Nashville. Released in the US in 2002, the album produced three top 30 airplay hits, with Wherever You Are, hitting the Top 20. This success gained Darren much deserved industry recognition and he was subsequently nominated in the ‘Best Country Male Artist’ category for the 2004 New Music Weekly Awards in Los Angeles.
The latest album Roadworks was released in 2006 having been written and recorded on the road while Darren was performing in Movin’ Out. It has a fine blend of both ballads and rockier songs. The opening track Bad Tattoo was produced by Billy Joel’s guitarist/bandleader Tommy Byrnes. The album also includes Through Hell and High Water, a song Darren wrote with Bryan Steele in dedication to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Released in November 2005, it became one of the most downloaded songs of the year in the US and gained him much praise for the touching lyrics and heartfelt message, from fans of all ages and backgrounds.

Darren has a very varied taste in music and lists, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Billy Joel, Richard Marx, Jim Steinman, Meatloaf, Bruce Springsteen, and Bryan Adams, as some of the many artists that have influenced his career.

Darren is currently a member of Ireland’s top folk group The High Kings, with two platinum albums in Ireland under his belt. At the invitation of President Obama, he returned to the White House, for the second time in his career, with The High Kings in March 2012. They performed at the official St Patrick’s Day Reception, also attended by the Irish Prime minister Enda Kenny. The group also performed with Young Voices on their 2011/2012 UK Arena tour, where Darren enjoyed the chance to get back to his rockier side during the Queen Medley. The Young Voices tour also included a special charity performance to the Royal Albert Hall.

Performing with the High Kings keeps Darren very busy, but he is constantly looking for opportunities to develop his solo career. He would love to make a return to musical theatre if the opportunity arises and very much misses the buzz of performing for a large audience on the big stage. Whenever he gets the chance, he also continues with his song writing collaborating with a number of song writers keen to work with him and is keen to perform his own music, both in Ireland and overseas in Europe and America.

Darren Holden STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
National Tour, 2004
Lead Vocals

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Lead Vocals [Replacement]

Lead Vocals (Understudy) [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 2000
Riverdance Singers

Riverdance Singer


Darren Holden News


Gaelic Storm and The High Kings Come to Town Hall in March 2024

Gaelic Storm and The High Kings will perform at Town Hall in New York City on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 7:30PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 6 at 10 AM. Learn more about the upcoming concert here!

KAUFMAN CENTER PRESENTS Spring 2023 Shows Announced

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts has announced the Kauffman Center Presents spring 2023 line-up. These events promise to deliver extraordinary and diverse experiences featuring internationally recognized artists and performers for Kansas City audiences. High-res photos with IDs can be found here.

The High Kings Come to The Ridgefield Playhouse, July 30

Irish Eyes will be smiling when The High Kings perform Traditional Irish Music at The Ridgefield Playhouse on July 30.

Irish Folk Superstars, The High Kings, Bring a Night of Traditional Irish Tunes to The Ridgefield Playhouse, July 30

Direct from Dublin, Irish Folk Superstars The High Kings are making their debut at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, July 20, 2022 at 8pm!

Maxine Linehan Releases New Single 'Evergreen'

Maxine Linehan has released a new single, “Evergreen,” off her acclaimed holiday album, This Time of Year. Inspired by the evergreen trees populating the backyard garden of her Vermont home, Maxine Linehan’s newest single is a tribute to love’s ability to endure even in the darkest of times — like an evergreen surviving the harshest of winters.

THE HIGH KINGS Return To The Lincoln

The true heirs of Ireland's folk heritage, The High Kings are internationally acclaimed singers and instrumentalists with a unique brand of high-octane balladry and folk that has won them numerous accolades. Their 10th anniversary album, Decade: Best of The High Kings (2017), received rave reviews and record sales figures with the band again topping the Irish album charts and returning to the Billboard world music charts. With the departure of original member Martin Furey and the arrival of young gun George Murphy, The Decade World Tour promises a joyous trip down memory lane performed in a contemporary style and arrangement which still remains true to the original.

THE HIGH KINGS Return To The Lincoln

The true heirs of Ireland's folk heritage, The High Kings are internationally acclaimed singers and instrumentalists with a unique brand of high-octane balladry and folk that has won them numerous accolades. Their 10th anniversary album, Decade: Best of The High Kings (2017), received rave reviews and record sales figures with the band again topping the Irish album charts and returning to the Billboard world music charts. With the departure of original member Martin Furey and the arrival of young gun George Murphy, The Decade World Tour promises a joyous trip down memory lane performed in a contemporary style and arrangement which still remains true to the original.

March Shows Announced At City Winery Chicago

Check out the exciting lineup of artists coming to City Winery Chicago next month!

Irish Folk Music Legends The High Kings Play The Lincoln

The true heirs of Ireland's folk heritage, The High Kings are internationally acclaimed singers and instrumentalists with a unique brand of high-octane balladry and folk that has won them numerous accolades. Touring in support of their 10th anniversary album, Decade: The Best of The High Kings (November 2017), their live shows are the stuff of legend around the world and have been enjoyed by millions.

English Beat, Heather McDonald, Case And More Come to City Winery Chicago

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces influential British band The English Beat, comic Heather McDonald, singer/songwriter Case ( Touch Me, Tease Me ) and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, December 21 at noon at citywinery.com/chicago.

Rachelle Ferrell, Rickie Lee Jones and More Coming Up This August at City Winery Chicago

The following acts are performing at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, throughout the month of August. Featured performances include three shows with Rachelle Ferrell on August 4-5, Roomful of Blues' on their 50th anniversary tour on August 17, Grammy award-winner Rickie Lee Jones on August 20, Welsh alt-rock group The Alarm on August 28 and more. Scroll down for details!

Rachelle Ferrell, Rickie Lee Jones and More Coming Up This August at City Winery Chicago

The following acts are performing at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, throughout the month of August. Featured performances include three shows with Rachelle Ferrell on August 4-5, Roomful of Blues' on their 50th anniversary tour on August 17, Grammy award-winner Rickie Lee Jones on August 20, Welsh alt-rock group The Alarm on August 28 and more. Scroll down for details!

Joan Osborne, Isaac Mizrahi and More On Sale at City Winery Chicago

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces Joan Osborne with a program of Bob Dylan songs, Ireland's Folk Band of the Year The High Kings, Isaac Mizrahi brings his show "Does This Song Make Me Look Fat?" to City Winery and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, May 25 at noon at citywinery.com/chicago.

Irish Folk Group The High Kings Bring New Tour to Warrington

The High Kings, the true heirs of Ireland's folk heritage, are the most exciting Irish folk group to come along in years, and they're heading to Warrington on 8 June.

BWW Review: The High Kings Keep the Tradition Alive in Glen Ellyn

The High Kings made their inaugural visit to College of DuPage as part of their tour to celebrate and promote their fourth studio album Grace & Glory. The band consists of four Irish men who perform folk music: some original compositions, some traditional songs that many Irish bands have covered over the years. Many songs during the performance were from the new album, which includes Irish standards like “Follow Me Up to Carlow” but also surprises like American folk song “Goodnight Irene” and even a charming arrangement of Thin Lizzy's “The Boys are Back in Town”.

Los Lonely Boys, Kris Kristofferson and More Coming Up This March at City Winery Chicago

The following acts are performing at City Winery Chicago (1200 W. Randolph St) throughout the month of March.

Los Lonely Boys, Kris Kristofferson and More Coming Up This March at City Winery Chicago

The following acts are performing at City Winery Chicago (1200 W. Randolph St) throughout the month of March.

Irish Folk Group The High Kings Go On Tour With Warrington Date

The High Kings, the true heirs of Ireland's folk heritage, are the most exciting Irish folk group to come along in years, and they're heading to Warrington on 8 June.

Los Lonely Boy, Tom Paxton and More on Sale at City Winery Chicago

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces Grammy Award winning Los Lonely Boys, folk icon Tom Paxton, left-handed guitar player Doyle Bramhall II, one of the oldest jazz repertory orchestras in the country, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and more.

BWW's 2013 Valentine's Day Spectacular! 750+ Stars Tell Us 'What is the Most Romantic Broadway Love Song Ever?'

From Kristin Chenoweth to Deborah Cox to Idina Menzel to Barbra Streisand to Michael Crawford to the Ladies of THE VIEW to Adam Pascal, Patti LuPone, Raul Esparza, Alan Menken, Lea Salonga, Bernadette Peters, Laura Osnes, Victoria Clark, GLEE and Everything in Between - It's the BroadwayWorld.com 2013 Valentine's Day Special - It's the Biggest Ever!

Darren Holden FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Darren Holden has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

Darren Holden has not appeared in the West End.

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