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This Limerick Life - Derek Moloney
Derek has been singing since he was a kid and in the past couple of years has gone down the classical route, something he says will require a lifelong dedication. You can see him perform his first solo concert in Limerick since the release of his album Lilac Wine this Friday in St Mary's Cathedral
I live in Adare now. I've been there now for the past few months. Originally, I grew up in Garryowen. I had a very happy childhood there and went to school in St John's CBS which was quite nearby. It was very music and sports orientated and that would be where I found my love for singing. i had a great time there.
I'm away from home a lot. This summer in particular, I've spent a lot of time going over and back to America, doing a lot of performances there and making a living from it. Thankfully, they love the Irish over there, and all the better if you can do something well. It's been an absolutely fantastic experience. We've gone from coast to coast so I've seen all parts of the country.
When I do get back to Limerick in between touring, I don't see huge changes, it's still home. One thing I am noticing though, is that is becoming such a great place to be. Slowly, the city has developed and become such a fantastic place.
There are so many positive things at the moment, between sports and all the big concerts that are in Thomond Park. The City is absolutely shining now. When I am back, the pint of Guinness is always there for me, and as a big sport fan I go and watch games with my old friends.
I've been singing since I was kid. Things changed when my voice broke and when I was 16, I became a tenor. As I got older then, I knew singing was what I wanted to do professionally. Classical music is more of a recent venture and is an ongoing process. I feel I'll be coming into my own in the next 10 years. Classical music is a lifelong dedication and a very hard slog and you need a lot of luck to make a good living.
Singing is a great business if you're willing to work hard. A lot of engagements in this business will be corporate gigs and I've spent the last year or two doing opera. I'm still training in opera singing but I'm happiest in recording. There's no better feeling in the world for me than searching for "that track".
I was very lucky to be associated with "Stand up and Fight". I had released a CD of Irish rugby anthems and it all just happened organically. It's always a great feeling when I hear it being played at Thomond Park and especially when it was in Cardiff for the Heineken Cup final. I'm fierce proud of it.
I'm recording and releasing as much as I can, really. I just released an album two weeks ago and will be performing in St Mary's Cathedral this Friday., singing many famous sport anthems like Stand up and Fight and You'll Never Walk Alone. The album was a long process, very stop start. There are some classical songs on it, but most of the tracks will appeal to mainstream music fans. It's been my labour of love.
Interview: Neil Treacy
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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Light rain
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