Darren Holden

Holden reportedly took time out from The High Kings last summer to co-write and produce a new album for a former X-Factor contestant, which will be released in 2019.

The group took on a massive US tour from February 2019 thru April, selling out 30 of 32 concerts to an ecstatic reaction from their ever growing HK USA Army of fans. The tour began in Memphis TN, taking in Nashville, New York, Chicago amongst countless other cities across the States.

A full page interview with Holden was published in the "Munster Express" Newspaper on 29 May 2019.

They appeared on Virgin Media Televisions "Six O' Clock Show' on November 19th to an amazing reaction. Upcoming appearances include RTE Televisions 'The Today Show' and various Radio stations around Ireland.

The High Kings Irish Tour kicked off in Dec 2019 and took in all major cities and towns around the country until closing at the INEC Killarney in Febuary 2020. It was unanimously hailed as their highest attended and best tour musically to date by critics and fans alike. Paul O’ Brien proved to be the missing element from the previous 18 months as young and old praised the return to the classic HK sound. On December 8th the High Kings filmed a music video on the rugged coast of Donegal for their duet with Country music sensation Nathan Carter. Upon release after yet another Late Late Show appearance on RTE, ‘May the Road Rise’ leaped to Number 1. It was the bands second Number 1 single in a matter of weeks and it is now widely regarded as a standard Irish classic. More TV shows followed which further cemented their status at the Country’s Premier Ballad and Folk Band. In Mid Febuary they set out on their biggest ever coast to coast American Tour. 40 Dates in 8 weeks. A whole new generation of fans thronged Music halls across the USA and the band enjoyed unprecedented sales until the tour was stopped due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and they returned to Ireland after completing 20 concerts.

The High Kings show at Vicar St, Dublin was another huge success on 10 December, with a full house rising for numerous standing ovations on the night and a super charged crowd screaming for more by the shows end. Due to overwhelming demand, more dates have been added for this venue for 2018 and 2019. The tour rolled on through December to mostly sold-out audiences and continued through the end of January 2018. The band returned to Germany for a 3-week sold out theatre tour in February 2018 to glittering reviews and the largest crowds they had played to there. Some fans traveled from as far away as Brazil, Argentina, Russia and Hungary to catch the band in concert.

The High Kings toured the US and Canada in Sept/Oct of 2018 mostly to sold-out crowds.

The High Kings now annual Irish Christmas/New Year concert tour 2018/19 was the band's fastest selling tour to date after they appeared on various Television and Radio shows to promote the dates.

‘When Dreams come True’ Ireland #22 1998 Finland # 16

The group wrapped up their annual winter trek around Ireland on 28 January 2017, having played 26 dates to more than 20,000 fans, making them one of Irelands most popular musical forces.

The High Kings played to a sold out Drexel Hall in Kansas City on 8 March as part of their 2017 US tour. The Kansas City Star entertainment correspondent David Freese said that Darren Holden's vocal on "The Town I Loved so Well" was "nothing short of sensational". Standing ovations for Holden's version of this classic song continued across the USA throughout the tour, particularly in New York City on 12 March when the applause lasted more than 3 minutes according to The New York Times correspondent Jim Fuselli.

On 28 April 2017, Holden was once again front and centre on National Television, as he was invited to lead the panel on TV3's award-winning daytime show "The Elaine Show" hosted by Elaine Crowley. He was introduced to an estimated 300,000 viewers as "The High Kings leader". A tag which "The Evening Herald" suggested "has been gaining obvious momentum and apparition in recent years" whilst reviewing the episode.

On 24 May 2017, Holden was once again honoured by his home town of Mooncoin, in County Kilkenny, when he was invited to attend and present the "Student of the Year Awards" at his former secondary school "Collaiste cos Siuire". (High School) All of his former teachers and members of staff were present for the occasion alongside current principals and teaching staff. Many stories and memories were shared during a pre event lunch. Before the awards ceremony, Holden gave what was described as an inspirational speech to the students and received a stranding ovation afterwards. Also present on the day were Holden's parents, his sister, various journalists and photographers who covered the event for the media.

The band undertook the first leg their biggest US tour in August 2017, taking in New York City, Chicago,Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Waterloo, Kansas City and more and will return to the US for the second leg on 15 September. By the NYC date the band had become a 3 piece outfit after Furey departed 2 weeks into the tour. General reaction from the fans for the following shows with Holden, Dunphy and Clancy was unanimously positive with many commenting that the group was sounding 100% energised and charged.

Following the untimely death of Eamonn Campbell of legendary band The Dubliners on 18 October 2017, a heartfelt tribute from Holden was included in Irish and UK news bulletins, including BBC News, RTE News and Sky News, as well as The Irish Independent, The Sun and The Daily Mirror newspapers.

On 22 May, Darren was once again invited back home to his former school 'Collaiste Cois Siuire' in Mooncoin, to present the 'Student of the Year' awards, as he had done previously in 2017. This time he shared the duties with the highly inspirational woman Vicky Phelan, who had also attended the school as a student. Vicky Phelan has become an icon of Irish culture, due to her ongoing incredible fight to bring justice for all the women given mistaken cervical cancer diagnosis'. Apparently on route to the event, Holden composed a song called "Brave" in his car and sang it for the first time an hour later, as a dedication to Mrs Phelan. According to reports, many attendees were visibly moved by the gesture and by the song itself. Holden was said to be moved by the unveiling of a framed portrait of him that is now on permanent display at the school.

The band hope to return to the studio in early 2016 to begin work on a brand new studio album.

February 2016 saw the band back in the studio to record their 4th studio album entitled "Grace & Glory". A decidedly back to basics effort, however with much sought after producers Chris O' Brien (Aslan, The Stunning, Something Happens) and Graham Murphy (Westlife) at the helm. The album's opener, with Holden on lead vocals, "Hand me Down my Bible" was a road tested winner, written by Phil Coulter, complete with a brand new 3rd verse given to the band especially at Holden's request. Schooldays Over, another Holden vocal is next, creating a 'Wham-Bam' effect and setting up the listener for what was to come. Schooldays had been recorded apparently, at the insistence of a friend of Holden's who convinced him it would be a hit. After performing the song on the mammoth RTE 100 year Rising celebration called "CENTENARY" and also yet another appearance on RTE'S "The late Late Show" the song immediately entered the Top 10 on various iTunes charts around Europe and the US and became an immediate radio hit. Released on 13 May, with songs such as 'Grace' 'Nancy Spain' 'Spancil Hill' and a foot to the floor version of 'Kelly from Killane', the album was a surefire hit across the board.

On 1 July, Darren filmed an exclusive video to launch himself as the first Irish artist to play an acoustic guitar built especially for him by Donegal-based company "Emerald Guitars". The company reached out to Darren and presented him with the instrument before a High Kings show in Donegal. He is now an official ambassador for Emerald. The video went live on 5 July 2016.

The High Kings performed the Irish national Anthem on 31 August 2016 for The Kansas City Royals v New York Yankees baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas Missouri.

In October the band were presented with a Number 1 selling Irish album award for 2016 from IMRO (Irish Music Rights Association) for "Grace & Glory" in recognition of extraordinary sales and airplay.

In 2015, The High Kings have completed sold-out tours of Ireland, UK, and a major US coast to coast trek which resulted in a Spring 2016 tour being pencilled in to an already overflowing diary.

Due to the successful performance of the album around the globe, the band recorded a live album and concert DVD titled "Four Friends Live". The show was recorded in Derry, and after Holden's performance of "The Town I Loved so Well", the entire audience rose in unison and gave a standing ovation for more than two minutes. The album has reportedly sold in excess of 100,000 copies since its release in November 2014.

The Four Friends Live Irish Tour from November 2014 through February 2015 was the group's fastest selling tour to date, with extra dates added to meet the demand.

The Munster Express, Kilkenny People and Irish Times carried coverage of the event. He has now been invited back to both his former schools in Mooncoin since 2014.

The album "Friends for Life" was released in 2013, and the opening track was a Holden original called "Oh Maggie", which became the most radio played and downloaded song from the album in Ireland, The UK and particularly Germany. The album reached number 5 in the Irish Top 40, Number 3 on Billboard Magazines World music chart. It was the first HK album to include the band's own songs, which many considered a daring move for their chosen genre. However, "Oh Maggie", "Irelands Shore" and "All Around the world" became stalwarts of the band's live show. The FFL tour lasted 2 years, taking the group to The UK, US, Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Sweden and another sold out Irish tour. In this time the media campaign for the group skyrocketed as they clocked up an immense amount of TV appearances around the world, including a major slot on "The Regis and Kelli Show" in New York. The show was broadcast coast to coast and the album's sales went through the roof.

The High Kings have continuously been on the road touring "Memory Lane" in the last 12 months, taking in concerts in countries such as Ireland, UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway and the USA. they are currently working on a brand new album, due for release in late 2012.

On 11 July 2012, The Daily Star newspaper reported that Darren Holden is currently on an intense vocal course to combat a vocal fold nodule, that, if not addressed properly could have a drastic effect on his singing voice.

On 9 October Holden was one of seven Irish celebrities to spend a week in Tanzania while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. Other big names on the climb were TV presenters Sile Seoige and Kathryn Thomas, radio personalities Ruth Scott and Jenny Buckley and comedians Karl Spain and Alan Shortt. Holden completed the climb in 5 days and commented that "it was the most physically and mentally challenging week of his life". An RTÉ television documentary on the event was recorded for broadcast in 2011.

The documentary was shown on RTÉ 1 television on 18 July 2011 and ratings showed that in excess of 500,000 viewers tuned in.

The High Kings brand new album "Memory Lane" was released on 12 February 2010 and rocketed to number 5 in the Irish album charts immediately, following another appearance on The Late Late Show, and further appearances on RTÉ 1 and TV3. Their 3rd National tour began on 21 February with most of the twenty-four dates selling out in minutes.

Holden performed solo in March 2009 with The Kilkenny Gospel Choir, at St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny. He was most recently seen endorsing Optilase Laser Eye Clinic in a TV advertisement for MTV, Sky TV, Channel 4, E4 and TV3. In August 2009, the Sunday World and Daily Mirror newspaper's reported that "Slash" was headhunting Holden to replace Scott Weiland as the new "Velvet Revolver" lead vocalist. Sources close to the LA based group confirmed that Holden had been in talks and material had been recorded.

Holden recently joined his former Boyzone pals, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham on a charity mountain trek in Peru, to raise funds for Autism Action Ireland and, in October 2009, was back in the recording studio putting the finishing touches on the new High Kings album, which was slated for a 2010 release. Other deals would secure the use of his compositions by the games Rockband game and the newly issued Wii Fit Family Fun.

Their debut CD was released on EMI in February 2008 and hit No. 2 on the Billboard world music charts, as well as hitting the top spot on various Amazon Music Charts. It reached No. 7 in their native Ireland and has since been certified platinum. There have been three sold-out tours of the US and Ireland.

In June 2007, Holden was invited to become a member of The High Kings, a new Irish ballad group featuring Brian Dunphy, Finbarr Clancy and Martin Fury.

In August 2006 he released a new CD called Roadworks, much of which he wrote himself. It was produced by Bryan Steele and Tommy Byrnes (Billy Joel,Stray Cats) The album was distributed by Columbia in Japan where after a huge TV/RADIO promotional campaign it sold in excess of 30,000 copies. The album sold a further 20,000 copies in the USA where it was a featured release at Best Buy and Target.

While in New York City, New York Holden teamed with country music producer Don Dinicola and recorded an album of contemporary/traditional country tunes. Recording took place in New York as well as at OmniSound in Nashville. Featured musicians included members of the Dixie Chicks band. US country radio embraced the album, and by the end of 2003, three of the tracks had featured heavily on the airplay charts including "Blood and Smoke" which was released by Universal Records, with Miles Copeland's "ARK 21" label releasing "Wherever You Are" (a number 17 hit) and "Ecstatic Electricity". Rodney Crowell once referred to Holden as an Irish Bryan White and invited him to Nashville. He co-wrote the song "Wendy's World" with Crowell.

Holden left Riverdance in June 2003 and moved directly back to Broadway as the lead piano man in the Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp rock musical "Movin' Out". He was hand-picked for the job by Joel. He performed the role on Broadway for six months before originating the lead role for the US National Tour, which ran from January 2004 to January 2007. He appeared on hundreds of early morning TV and radio shows during this period including NBC, FOX, ABC and CBS. The show also performed in Toronto and Japan.

He joined the new Irish dance/musical Rhythm of the Dance as lead vocalist in 1999 and spent 10 months performing in Scandinavia, Germany, Hungary, Belgium and Yugoslavia. He joined the Broadway production of Riverdance in February 2000 as a featured vocalist. The show ran for 18 months and included promo slots on NBC's Today Show and CBS' Early Show.

On 24 August, Crashed records rereleased "Lady" by Darren Holden, marking the 20th Anniversary of its initial release in 1997. It was dedicated to the memory of Princess Diana. Originally a Top 20 single, the reaction from fans to the Holden penned tribute and video sent it to Number 3 on iTunes. The first solo chart placing for Holden since becoming a High King.

On 16 October, Holden attended the funeral of Boyzone friend Stephen Gately, along with members of Westlife, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jason Donovan, David Furnish, and various other figures from the entertainment world. Holden toured extensively with the Dublin group during 1995–97.

Born in the County Kilkenny town of Mooncoin, Darren Holden toured Europe, Russia and Asia extensively from 1994 to 1999, including support slots with such top performers as Paul Young, Belinda Carlisle, Bonnie Tyler, and Uriah Heep.

Darren Holden (born 4 July 1972) is an Irish singer-songwriter who has performed on Broadway as part of Riverdance and Movin' Out and in the national tours for both shows. His debut album, Suddenly, released in Ireland and Europe in 1998, contained three Top 30 hit singles. He currently sings as part of the Irish folk group, The High Kings, along with Finbarr Clancy and Brian Dunphy.