The Kilkennys on stage with Sharon Shannon

The Kilkennys have been picked to open for renowned Irish musician Sharon Shannon in Kyteler’s Inn, St Kieran Street, Kilkenny, on April 20. The band are gearing up to put on a powerful performance for what is expected to be a sell out concert. It is a unique opportunity to see one of the country's finest traditional Irish instrumentalists, Sharon Shannon, in the intimate surroundings of Kyteler’s Inn, a venue long associated with traditional music. And who better to kick the night off than Ireland’s finest balladeers, The Kilkennys. Sharon Shannon, an accordionist who has achieved legendary status throughout the world and has made the much-maligned accordion ‘cool’ in her home country. Renowned for her collaborations, not just in Irish traditional music, but through all musical genres, Hip-Hop, Cajun, Country, Classical and Rap. Sharon has recorded and toured with a who’s who of the Irish and Global Music Industry, including Bono, Adam Clayton, Sinead O’Connor, Jackson Browne, John Prine ,Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler, The RTE Concert Orchestra, The Chieftains, The Waterboys, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy, Alison Krauss and Shane MacGowan – a list that is testament to Sharon’s versatility as well as talent. She has entertained US President Bill Clinton and Irish Presidents Robinson and MacAleese and more recently The Sultan of Brunei in Australia. Sharon records and produces her albums at her own studios ‘Poets Corner’ outside Galway in Ireland; and she owns her own record label – The Daisy Label. The genre-defying star has had multi-platinum album sales and has had several number one albums, singles and DVDs in her home country. A prolific composer, Sharon is currently writing an album of traditional tunes for full Concert Orchestra arrangement. She is also working on a new album with guest singers to be released in 2009 – and has just completed working on Neil Jordan film with Colin Farrell. Sharon’s album ‘The Galway Girl’ has gone 4 times Platinum in Ireland and the title track has won the Meteor Award for most downloaded song for the last two years. This year’s Meteor Awards honoured Sharon as the youngest ever winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Kilkennys are looking forward to the show as they are huge fans and the music of Sharon has been a huge influence on the bands sound. This show is a must see and organisers advise that fans get their tickets fast to avoid dissappointment.