LEE LANDS STAR BILLING IN VEGAS
Lee lands star billing in Vegas
BY NIGHEL MCDONAGH
The phenomenal rise to stardom of Castlederg singing sensation Lee Mulhern is set to accelerate beyond his wildest dreams as the teenager has been invited to perform alongside a host of American legends at a special New Year's Eve concert in Las Vegas.
Lee will join the likes of Billy Joel, Barbara Streisland and Neil Diamond in front of an expected 5,000 strong audience at the show which is organised by American Health company, Nutrition for Life.
The event represents a remarkable achievement for the youngster who, despite being only 13-years old, has already performed with a number of local and international stars including the Drifters, Daniel O'Donnell and Dominic Kirwan.
Word of his unique talent is spreading like wildfire and Lee is even rumoured to be attracting interest from Sony Records.
However, he is now concentrating on his touching debut single, 'Let There be Peace', which Lee is dedicating to children affected by the terrorist attacks in America last September and will be released in Ireland and Britain in late January.
The song was written by his mum Veronica in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb and all proceeds will go towards a disaster fund established to help those affected by the terrorist atrocities.
Two years ago Lee's poignant performance of the song at the World Championships for Performing Arts in America touched the hearts of the judges to the extent that he was awarded a Gold medal.
Additionally, the schoolboy singer received one Silver and two Bronze medals for his interpretation of tracks by Elvis Presley, Charlie Landsborough and Garth Brookes.
Fairytale stuff indeed and a performance at Las Vegas would certainly rate highly amongst the career highlights of the most successful of artists. But modest Lee seems to take it all in his youthful stride and says that he is looking forward most of all to playing the amusements at the entertainment capital of the world.
"Singing in Las Vegas is going to be brilliant because it's such a big city and it's got loads of amusements. I love America and I always enjoy going over there and it is somewhere I would like to do well," says Lee.
Lee was invited to Las Vegas on the strength of his performance at a Nutrition for Life convention in Letterkenny recently where he played with Motown legends the Drifters.
The event will precipitate what looks set to be a very important and busy year for the youngster, including trips to London, New York, Las Vegas and the Cannes Midem world music event the release of his single and work on an album.
With so much happening in his life it is remarkable how the 13-year old Drumragh Integrated College pupil keeps his feet on the ground while balancing his musical ambitions with his education.
"I know that school is important and although I do a lot of travelling I hardly miss a day because of it. I want to be a singer and performer and that takes hard work, like lots of rehearsals which I sometimes get fed up with.
"But I love getting out there and singing in front of an audience with all the bright lights and being applauded. I like the whole lifestyle, such as travelling to brilliant places and meeting different people and it's what I want to do," he says.
It's probably inevitable that a young Irish male singer making a name for himself on the music circuit will face comparisons with the likes of Daniel O'Donnell but Lee is at pains to point out that his music is much more pop-orientated and he doesn't want to be pigeon holed in such a way.
"I wouldn't mind enjoying the success that Daniel O'Donnell has but the music I like to sing is a lot different than his. I would like to see myself performing the kind of music that Robbie Williams does because he gets a lot of respect and is a very good entertainer," says Lee.
Acting and television presenting are further avenues that Lee aspires to pursue and he recently made the final auditions for an episode of the BBC's 'Give My Head Peace' but the producers were looking for a strong Belfast accent.
However, Lee has already proved that he is a natural in front of the camera with appearances on Kenny Live, Hugo and Friends and TVS's Ireland AM not to mention acting onstage at the Hazel Wand drama school in Omagh.
In an age where pop wannabes are guaranteed instant fame within tacky manufactured bands for the benefit of television ratings, it is extremely refreshing to see a young natural talent like Lee creating a name for himself through his own gifts and hard work.
He may be happiest playing his Playstation and following Liverpool FC, but what Lee really desires is a recording contract and the chance to make a name for himself.
"I love playing football but that's what everybody does. Not everyone has the chance to get up and sing in front of thousands of people and release their own single and I want to make the most of the opportunities that I have," he says.
BY NIGHEL MCDONAGH
The phenomenal rise to stardom of Castlederg singing sensation Lee Mulhern is set to accelerate beyond his wildest dreams as the teenager has been invited to perform alongside a host of American legends at a special New Year's Eve concert in Las Vegas.
Lee will join the likes of Billy Joel, Barbara Streisland and Neil Diamond in front of an expected 5,000 strong audience at the show which is organised by American Health company, Nutrition for Life.
The event represents a remarkable achievement for the youngster who, despite being only 13-years old, has already performed with a number of local and international stars including the Drifters, Daniel O'Donnell and Dominic Kirwan.
Word of his unique talent is spreading like wildfire and Lee is even rumoured to be attracting interest from Sony Records.
However, he is now concentrating on his touching debut single, 'Let There be Peace', which Lee is dedicating to children affected by the terrorist attacks in America last September and will be released in Ireland and Britain in late January.
The song was written by his mum Veronica in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb and all proceeds will go towards a disaster fund established to help those affected by the terrorist atrocities.
Two years ago Lee's poignant performance of the song at the World Championships for Performing Arts in America touched the hearts of the judges to the extent that he was awarded a Gold medal.
Additionally, the schoolboy singer received one Silver and two Bronze medals for his interpretation of tracks by Elvis Presley, Charlie Landsborough and Garth Brookes.
Fairytale stuff indeed and a performance at Las Vegas would certainly rate highly amongst the career highlights of the most successful of artists. But modest Lee seems to take it all in his youthful stride and says that he is looking forward most of all to playing the amusements at the entertainment capital of the world.
"Singing in Las Vegas is going to be brilliant because it's such a big city and it's got loads of amusements. I love America and I always enjoy going over there and it is somewhere I would like to do well," says Lee.
Lee was invited to Las Vegas on the strength of his performance at a Nutrition for Life convention in Letterkenny recently where he played with Motown legends the Drifters.
The event will precipitate what looks set to be a very important and busy year for the youngster, including trips to London, New York, Las Vegas and the Cannes Midem world music event the release of his single and work on an album.
With so much happening in his life it is remarkable how the 13-year old Drumragh Integrated College pupil keeps his feet on the ground while balancing his musical ambitions with his education.
"I know that school is important and although I do a lot of travelling I hardly miss a day because of it. I want to be a singer and performer and that takes hard work, like lots of rehearsals which I sometimes get fed up with.
"But I love getting out there and singing in front of an audience with all the bright lights and being applauded. I like the whole lifestyle, such as travelling to brilliant places and meeting different people and it's what I want to do," he says.
It's probably inevitable that a young Irish male singer making a name for himself on the music circuit will face comparisons with the likes of Daniel O'Donnell but Lee is at pains to point out that his music is much more pop-orientated and he doesn't want to be pigeon holed in such a way.
"I wouldn't mind enjoying the success that Daniel O'Donnell has but the music I like to sing is a lot different than his. I would like to see myself performing the kind of music that Robbie Williams does because he gets a lot of respect and is a very good entertainer," says Lee.
Acting and television presenting are further avenues that Lee aspires to pursue and he recently made the final auditions for an episode of the BBC's 'Give My Head Peace' but the producers were looking for a strong Belfast accent.
However, Lee has already proved that he is a natural in front of the camera with appearances on Kenny Live, Hugo and Friends and TVS's Ireland AM not to mention acting onstage at the Hazel Wand drama school in Omagh.
In an age where pop wannabes are guaranteed instant fame within tacky manufactured bands for the benefit of television ratings, it is extremely refreshing to see a young natural talent like Lee creating a name for himself through his own gifts and hard work.
He may be happiest playing his Playstation and following Liverpool FC, but what Lee really desires is a recording contract and the chance to make a name for himself.
"I love playing football but that's what everybody does. Not everyone has the chance to get up and sing in front of thousands of people and release their own single and I want to make the most of the opportunities that I have," he says.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0867
Published Date: 06-Dec-01
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