Jim Carton (vocals)

Jimmy Carton was born and raised in Drogheda, Ireland.  He began his career in music first as a boy-soprano, and then as Lead Soloist in St. Peter’s Church choir.

It was during these early years spent in the choir environment that he came to appreciate the beauty and power of music.  He came to Canada in 1967 as a young man, after having already established his career in Ireland as a successful ‘show band’ lead singer with such well-known bands as “The Checkmates” and “The Diamonds”.

Jimmy has been entertaining extensively in Canada and the U.S. since his arrival here over 30 years ago, performing in such varied venues as Irish festivals in both Canada and the U.S.A, to Massey Hall in Toronto, with sell-out stops in pubs, private clubs and the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Since Jimmy’s early days music has always remained a keystone in his life, and he returns regularly to perform with choirs or as a soloist in churches and cathedrals throughout North America. Over the years in Canada he has recorded 8 albums and one music video.

In concert Jimmy is supported by Albert O’Sullivan on keyboards and Kevin Kennerney on guitar.  Both these men are accomplished musicians in their own right and compliment Jimmy’s unmistakable voice with their talents.

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Kevin Kennerney (guitar)

Kevin owns a musical instrument shop called “Strings Attached Music Shop” and lives in Streetsville, Ontario with his wife Helen and sons Christian, Neill and Kevin Jr.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Kevin began his musical career at the age of 13 when he started playing guitar. At the age of 14 he started his first band, The Rising Sons, where Kevin sang and played rhythm guitar. From that early start Kevin has continued to play in a variety of bands in both Ireland and Canada, including The Monaco Showband, Tomorrows People, The Palms, and the Shannon Band. He has toured extensively around Canada and Ireland with many returned visits to the furthest reaches of Canada’s East Coast in Newfoundland and Labrador. Kevin’s versatile talents, both vocally and with his guitar playing serve to bring a perfect balance to the Jimmy Carton band.

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Albert O’Sullivan (Keybards)

Albert O’Sullivan was born in Tralee, Co. Kerry where, at the tender age of 5 yrs, he first took up the accordion. He added to his studies with the violin at age 6, continuing on winning the prestigious Rose of Tralee award for traditional accordion 3 years running.

Moving to Dublin with his family at the age of 13, Albert continued his musical studies moving to guitar after which he began his musical career with a series of bands. One of the most notable bands that Albert performed with at that time was Lola and the Gypsies, with whom he came to Canada for a 6 week tour. In 1972 Albert emigrated to Canada, continuing his musical career with bands such as Johnny Johnson and the Shamrocks, Brown and O’Brien, Ray Elliot (formerly of the Van Morrison band) and the Shannon Showband.

Today Albert is a multi-talented musician, switching easily between keyboards, guitar and accordion, as well as having a fine singing voice.

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David Matheson (guitar)

Born in Toronto, his home today, Matheson’s career has seen him acting in film and television from the age of 12. He’s a founding member of Moxy Früvous.

Since 1990, the band has made seven albums, with sales of over a half million, and amassed an ardent fan base throughout Canada and the U.S. during eight years of extensive touring in North America and Europe.

With Moxy Früvous, he’s frequently appeared on radio shows including numerous CBC productions, NPR’s Anthem, All Things Considered, The Mountain Stage and WXPN’s World Café.

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Derek Harrington (guitar, producer)

Dublin born Derek Harrington began his musical career in 1968 when he formed the Celtic band “Na Sultoiri” in Dublin with his brother, Robert, Sean Og McKenna and Geraldine Whelan (from the band Oisin). The band went on to perform in New York in 1969 and played at the Old Sheiling, one of Manhattan’s most famous Irish pubs.

Derek came to Canada in 1970 where he formed a folk band called “North West Shovel Company” which played extensively all across Canada and eventually became the resident band at the popular “Nag’s Head” on York Street in Toronto.

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Derek Byrne (piano & keyboard)

Derek was born in Dublin, Ireland and began his musical career at the age of seven, studying classical piano at the Royal Irish academy of Music. Upon completion of his studies at the college he graduated to pursue a musical career that would encompass a wide range of experiences.

While playing with Irish groups and Showbands during the exciting musical era of the 70’s and 80’s he also spent time teaching piano at his home in Dublin. Derek’s career has seen him travel extensively with Irish Showbands, touring Canada and numerous American Air Force Bases in North America and Greenland. He emigrated to Canada with his wife and four sons in 1986, and very quickly integrated into the musical scene in his new country.

To date he has played engagements with most of the noted Irish entertainers in Canada, names such as Frankie Benson, The Shannon Showband, Sean Fagan, etc. He is regularly booked as an accompanist and supports many of the visiting Irish acts that play the Canadian Circuit, names such as Sonny Knowles, Al Banim, Brendan Grace, Hal Roach and many more.

Derek lives in Kitchener with his wife Geraldine and family and is an active member of the local Irish community. He feels proud to have been involved in the production of Jimmy’s new album and to have had the opportunity to introduce and revive such wonderful music to listening audiences.