Tommy makes a

return to the Forum   Catherine Doran   catherine.doran@derryjournal.com

Derry’s Millennium Forum is a regular gig for Sligo’s popular singer-songwriter Tommy Fleming, and he returns to the stage here this Saturday 16th February as part of his ‘Begin’ tour.

After an absence from the music scene following the  untimely deaths of both of his parents on the same day in March 2012, Tommy is back with an album and tour filled with cathartic and poignant

tracks. A return to his folk roots, the album is no doubt a tribute to his beloved parents. Speaking

to the ‘Journal’ last week he said, “This is a very new chapter in my life, and the album does feel very different.”

However, Tommy insists that the concert on Saturday will not neglect the hits from his past. “I always think it takes a year or so for an album to ‘bed’ down, so I’ll be doing about four tracks from it, but the majority of the setlist will concentrate on tried and tested songs that the audience will recognise.” Accompanying the tour and album, is Tommy’s first biography ‘Let Me Begin’,

charting his life from a young boy growing up in rural Ireland, through worldwide tours, meeting his wife and, of course, his musical highs (and lows).

His first Irish tour was alongside Derry’s own Phil Coulter, after a chance meeting at a charity gig in Westport introduced the pair. Tommy recalls that as a “highly influential figure in the Irish music industry” having Phil behind him was “the break I

had long been looking for.” From there he accompanied Phil on a six week tour of America, with a gig in New York’s Carnegie Hall a massive career highlight for the then young singer. And even now, Tommy still takes Phil’s counsel on a regular basis. “I was visiting Phil just last week and I would still ring him for advice. I would like to think that he’s proud of the fact he helped me get to where I am now.”

In the meantime, Tommy is looking forward to this weekend’s performance at the Millennium Forum. “I always love playing Derry. I remember playing in the Rialto just before it was closed and the audience in Derry has always been great supporters. I never take it for granted that the seats will be full, but Derry fans are very loyal.”

Tommy Fleming will play the Millennium Forum this Saturday 16th February, starting at 8pm. You can book tickets from the box office on (028) 71264455 or online at www. millenniumforum.co.uk

Welcome return for Tommy Fleming

With an almost full house at the Millennium Forum on Saturday 16th February, Tommy Fleming admitted that coming to Derry every year has become something of a ‘pilgrimage’.

It’s an annual stopover on his regular tours of Ireland and with a loyal crowd regularly buying tickets, it’s easy to see why.

This tour does launch a new album, ‘Begin’, but Tommy was quick to say that the show would not be all about the new material.

Instead, he played old favourites, from as far back as 1996, with ‘Contender’. ‘Hard Times’ and ‘Jubilee’ all getting an airing.

However, the show definitely had a more sedate vibe than previous outings, and this is reflected in his new album, which came to

fruition following the death of his parents on the same day last year.

Yet, despite a slower setlist, the title track from the album, as well as ‘The Welcome’ and ‘The Night Visiting Song’ were all played, and well received. Tommy, in recent times, plays with a full eight piece band, and the addition of a live orchestra,

including a talented four-piece string section, is fabulous. There’s a real sense of hearing live music, rather than a man on

stage with a backing track, and the atmosphere in the Forum reflected the powerful sound. Personally, I couldn’t fail to be

moved by the lyrics of ‘Christmas 1915’, a poignant track recalling soldiers calling a truce on the front line during Christmas – well worth a listen if you get a chance.

The standing ovation at the end of the performance tells its own tale - locally Tommy is a well liked and regarded singer who

continues to produce shows which inform, as well as entertain.

And for as long as he continues to do what he does best, his annual pilgrimage to Derry will be safe.

Catherine Doran

The Clarion Christmas Concert in the Knocknarea Arena Sligo on last Saturday evening was a complete SELL OUT. We would like to apologies to the large number of fans who failed to gain admission on ‘walk up’ as all tickets had been pre booked and collected. The concert was presented by Ocean FM radio station in Sligo in conjunction with the Clarion Hotel. From reports coming back all indications are that there will be another of these concerts in the area before too long.

What a surprise on the night when a gentleman in full view of the entire audience stood up and proposed to his girlfriend, going down on one knee and of course she said in a loud voice for all to hear ‘I will’  Many Congratulations to Paul and Andrea. What a rapturous reception they received from Tommy, the orchestra, the crew and entire audience. It was a lovely surprise on the night of this special concert…a date they will remember forever 8^th December 2012. We wish them well.

Press Release

Tommy Fleming album, DVD and autobiography due for release 16^th November 2012.

BEGIN

2012 is a year Tommy Fleming describes as the toughest
year of his and his family’s life! On the 30^th March 2012 Tommy suffered a huge blow with the loss of both his parents when they unexpectedly passed away
within hours of each other.
In the months that followed Tommy took a long break from his career
and evaluated his life, his music and what steps he now needed to take. During this emotionally upsetting time Tommy started to write and the results were a surprise to Tommy himself when he realises he could recalled a lot more about his life and career that he though, his writing took a life of its own and now for the first time he is due to release a photographic autobiography LET ME BEGIN which includes a unique collection of classic, rear and unseen photographs.

This is Tommy's first time to release a book based on his life with never
before told stories from his childhood, his family life, schooldays, his first ever time stepping onto a stage, starting his first band, Phil Coulter influence joining De Dannan together with his trials and tribulations throughout his musical career and his life.

Book available from Eason’s nationwide or buy from www.tommyfleming.com

Tommy also returned to his musical roots during his time off and put together a collection of emotional heart wrenching songs to make up his new album of 15 brand new tracks inspired by the influences he received throughout his career from his parents and the feeling of helplessness when that part of his world changes forever. Tommy’s Album ‘BEGIN’ which he describes as the most “cathartic work he has ever done and a fitting and personal
tribute to his beloved Mother and Father”.
This is Tommy’s first original studio album in 6 years showcasing 15 brand new
recordings including the talents of 4 Irish writers. BEGIN is a return to his more folk traditional roots in music.

Tommy’s music has helped many people deal with emotional upset in their lives and his unique inspiring emotional voice has the ability to help people heal, this time he admits that recording and working on this album had helped him come to terms and gave him the strength to BEGIN again.

After penning his stories and feeling and recording songs that helped deal with the huge adjustment in his life a story emerged - “BEHIND THE VOICE” this is a documentary chronicling Tommy’s life in music from childhood to today. The documentary includes rare interviews from Tommy’s Musical Director and Producer, David Hayes, also Tina Mitchell-Fleming Tommy’s wife and Cathy Fleming, Tommy’s sister. It also includes renowned composer and pianist Phil Coulter and interviews from people who influenced his choices from a young age.
The DVD includes unique acoustic performance of some of Tommy’s best loved songs
in beautiful settings, a nostalgic look over Tommy’s life as boy growing up in rural County Sligo to the world stage but the person behind the voice is still the same.

Check out this you tube line for a look and listen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCfxm5X9pIU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

For further information please contact TF Productions 003539636443 or 00353872448520

Tommy taking part in the 24 hour cycle at the Auld Shebeen Ballina in aid of Aware, 8 hours to go when Tommy did his part.

Photo courtesy of Henry Wills 

Tommy on Breakfast BBC 1 last Wednesday 15^th February

If you didn’t see it now is your chance to catch Tommy’s interview …….

http://youtu.be/N_l8tWRubIs

OR

http://www.youtube.com/embed/N_l8tWRubIs"

Press Release – 21st October 2011

Tommy Fleming releases new album - The Platinum Collection – celebrating his Twenty Year Career

Tommy Fleming is celebrating his twenty year anniversary in the music industry and is doing it in style! The singer released a 3 CD, 40 Track album – entitled “The Platinum Collection” – on Friday, 21^st October 2011.

The album consists of 3 CD’s each with their own, unique style – Disc 1 is “The Irish Collection”, Disc 2 is “The Contemporary Collection” and Disc 3 is “The Duet’s Collection”.

This album truly is an essential buy for all of Tommy’s fans. The album contains songs spanning Tommy’s twenty year career including Tommy’s very first studio recording – Loving Hannah – which was recorded back in 1991. The album also contains some previously unreleased tracks – a real treat for music lovers.

For further information on Tommy log on to www.tommyfleming.com or email flemingtommy@eircom.net.

 31st January 2011

On Thursday, 27^th January 2011 Tommy Fleming was presented on-stage in the National Concert Hall, Dublin with a Platinum Disc for his latest album – Going Back. The Platinum Disc was presented to Tommy by Peter Kenny (Managing Director of Indi Entertainment) and Sinead O’Connor (RTE Merchandising and Licensing Manager).

This is a great achievement by Tommy as the album was only released at the end of October 2010. And to add to this, the album is now well on it’s way to becoming Double-Platinum and even Multi-Platinum.

“2010 has been a wonderful year for me” said the singer, “and this is just the icing on the cake. To be able to create an album like this in the first place is a dream come true, but to receive this award on top of that is just phenomenal – it means the fans love the album as much as I do!”