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The Connecticut Post  - December 1, 2000 

Celtic Tenors Sings at Fairfield Univ.

     Entertainment

One third of the Irish Tenors, John McDermott, will croon favorite melodies of the Old Sod Saturday at Fairfield University.

The concert is a benefit for the University's Father John Conlisk Irish Scholarship Fund.

McDermott, who has risen from an unknown to become a million-selling solo artist, is a third of the dynamic public television and touring phenomenon, the Irish Tenors, and a leading champion of veterans' causes in the United States.

In three years in the United States, McDermott has emerged as one of the leading solo artists in Celtic and Irish music.  Last year, he was awarded a recording and distribution contract by EMI.  Remembrance, a tribute to American veterans, is his first original major label release in the United States.  

McDermott's performance highlights include dates with major Canadian and America symphony orchestras, appearances in Saint Patrick's Day parades in New York City and Chicago, a performance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and a performance at Normandy's Juno Beach as part of the 50th Anniversary D-Day Ceremonies.

McDermott credits his father Peter, for his singing career.  "It was sort of an education as you go," he said of his singing.  "I know the tunes I liked and I can remember my dad's passion for everything from the ancient airs of Scotland and Ireland to Johnny Mathis.  Although dad didn't elaborate much, I have all his references a s a starting point for my own research and my repertoire."

The Father John Conlisk Irish Scholarship Fund benefits Irish graduate students who would like the opportunity to study in the United States.  The recipients take advantage of Fairfield University's graduate programs in business, education and nursing.