Liam Byrne (ordinary man)

Energetic, Witty, Passionate & Emotional…

...These are just a few words that spring to mind when either seeing Liam Byrne perform live or from listening to one of his albums.

Liam comes from County Wexford in the south east of the Republic of Ireland. He first took up the guitar aged 12 but packed it in after 3 weeks only to take it up once again when he was 18, never again to put it down!  His mastery of the harmonica and bodhran were soon to follow.  Shortly after this Liam played his first gig and received 15 pounds plus SANDWICHES for his troubles!  Liam recalls “I only knew about 15 songs so I had to sing them all slowly and some of them twice just to  fill the gig”!

Liam has been honing his live stage skills since the mid 90’s and before the turn of the century kept his performances to local vibrant Wexford music scene.  His gigs then were a reflection of the music that inspired Liam to play and sing in the first place and songs from the like’s of Springsteen or U2 could be heard along side famous old Irish ballads from Luke Kelly or Paddy Reilly .

In 1999, Liam recorded and launched his first studio album entitled “On this Road”.  The album contained 12 original songs, penned by Liam, recorded and released independently.  The album received substantial air play on local radio stations.!

In 2001 Liam took on the persona of one of Irelands greatest ever solo performers, and began to tour a show entitled “No Ordinary Man - A Tribute To Christy Moore”.   Liam’s uncanny resemblance to the Kildare troubadour and his love for Christy’s vast repertoire of songs made the show an instant success nationwide.  The following year, he brought his show across the Atlantic Ocean to the USA playing in venues in New York, Boston and Chicago.  The tour was a great success and on the foot of this Liam has returned twice since.!

In 2003, Liam recorded and launched his second studio album entitled “Golden Boats“.  This album is a collection of 14 songs, 8 self penned and 4 covers.  “Golden Boats” portrays both sides of Liam’s singing and writing styles from the hilarious “Roy Keane’s Dog” to the emotionally charged “The Forgotten”.  (Liam was commissioned to write a song for the Irish charity A.P.A. {Aids Partnership with Africa} and “The Forgotten” was the song that emerged).!

In 2006, while continuing his Christy Moore tribute show nationwide, Liam decided to branch into the Wedding and Corporate market.  As with all of Liam’s performances the emphasis is on pleasing his audience through music and laughter.  Taking requests from the audience makes each show individual with no set play lists.  The audience is brought on a musical journey which ranges from the earthy Planxty sound and  the swing of Frank Sinatra to the foot stomping beat of Johnny Cash. (to name but a few!).  But without doubt it’s Liam’s own brand of wit and comedy songs that really leave the people in stitches of laughter. Over the years Liam has become a consummate performer and every time he takes to the stage he practically invites the audience up with him ensuring that everyone leaves with a beaming grin on their face.

In August 2008 Liam undertook his first tour of Australia playing to sold out venues in each city he visited. The tour was expanded for a return visit in 2009, selling out venues such as Rosie O'Gradys in Perth and The Gaelic Theatre in Sydney and at the moment it seems that the ''run down under'' is about to become an annual event. So inspired was he by his last trip to Sydney that he penned 2 songs entitled ''County Bondi'' & ''the Sydney Waltz''

He is one of  only a few acts that can  successfully manage to marry original songs to classic covers in his live set.

Liam continues to write and perform and in early 2009 recorded his 3rd  studio album entitled “No Ordinary Man”, and enjoyed a radio hit in Ireland with his song “The Ballad Of Miriam O’Callaghan”