Written by O. Hernandez and C. Williams
FHR Radio World Entertainment Network
22 October, 2016
One of the missions of FHR Radio is helping to bring the voice of independent artists into homes around the world. Unlike FM and AM stations that are usually controlled by boundaries and limited by the range of their radio antennas, FHR uses the advent of the internet to reach people in all four corners of the world. That gives us the ability to bring you artists from far away lands that otherwise you wouldn't be able to hear in the USA.
One of those artists that we are helping to promote here in the USA is a 16 year old country singer who has won the hearts of the Irish nation with his unique country voice along with a personality to match. Keelan Arbuckle hails from Burnfoot County Donegal on the Irish peninsula of Inishowen, a small village with a population under 400 and earlier this year he was named the FHR Radio International Rising Star Award recipient.
Keelan had a keen interest in music from a very young age, as he would sit and watch his grandfather play the accordion and sing. When he was 9 he asked for a guitar, went to lessons and started playing and singing in his school choir and concerts. He won one of the top prizes at "Pop Goes Primary," and this was followed up by winning the under 15 at "The Clonmary Talent Competition" when he was only 12.
Lasy year, Keelan who is now studying at Crana College in Buncrana, was one of the four prize winners at "The Roaring Meg Busking Festival" and also played "The Clipper Festival" in Derry. His "Dream Came True" when he was invited to sing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN where his idols had performed.
Fast forward to October 2016, he now has two CD albums, a dvd, several awards which include his most recent acholade being named Young Entertainer of the Year at the 2016 Hot Country TV Show Awards, and has his very on TV show titled Keelan's Country which quickly raced to the Top 10. He has accomplished more in a short amount of time than most teenagers in his age group. But as Keelan puts it, none of this could have been accomplished without the support that he has received from his parents, sister, family circle including his grandparents and of course his manager Steve Bloor.
The playground of teen acts is littered with flash-in-the-pan stars that burst into the music scene for a second and then were gone. But then there are those who start young, master their talent, and break down musical barriers, like Ireland's Keelan Arbuckle. At just 16 years old, Keelan is a remarkable talent; he's eager and so poised to be something more than just be an overnight success. Keelan's new single "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes," is a well constructed and beautifully done remake of the 1980's classic by George Jones. Keelan's voice is classic, meaningful, and although he is young he seems to have learned to master his voice in a manner that allows each song to have a personal tone to it, almost drawing the listener in to feel what he is feeling as he sings each song. "High Cotton," might be one of the best visuals from the young artist, even in its simplicity it's bold, ambitious, and relying almost entirely on Arbuckle's voice and guitar. "Alabama," would be proud of Arbuckle's rich vocal range, flawless production, and perfectly timed reinforced minor chords that paint a clear picture of "home," in the most modest manner.
So what can we conclude? That he is a teenage artist who will mature, he will delve in heartache, he will experience life, and through it all a couple of things will reighn true country radio could cure most of its ails through two simple steps: adding more songs by Keelan Arbuckle into heavy rotation, and adding Keelan Arbuckle himself into heavy rotation.
For more information on Keelan Arbuckle, go to: CLICK HERE
Managed by award winning producer: Steve Bloor
Keelan's Music can be obtained at: www.sharpemusic.com or on Itunes
