Ronan has write stuff to bring it home


Ronan has write stuff to bring it home

By Caroline Jack
28/ 7/2006

RONAN Keating is a dark horse, despite his pale Celtic colouring. Somehow, the ex-Boyzone pin-up, who has found his musical home on the play lists of Radio 2, has sold an incredible 21 million albums worldwide - and all before he is 30.

And with a UK tour and new album out, he looks set to continue his success with the new material on Bring You Home, written - appropriately - in his own studio at home in Ireland.

He says: "It's taken me a year to make which is the longest I have ever taken on an album. I have a studio at home and went there whenever I felt like writing a song. It was inspirational to work like that and I have written about 50 per cent of the songs on this album.

"I know people would expect me to say this but it is the best record I have ever made. The album is very rounded and I still enjoy listening to it."

The Elvis-inspired set for his new tour, which sees his name outlined in lights on a black backdrop, will arrive in Tatton Park on Sunday for a show which will see legions of his loyal fans picnicking in the Cheshire parkland.

Tatton's trademark fireworks, until now the reserve of its classical music concerts, will also feature while the fans sing along to Ronan's staple hits Life Is a Rollercoaster and When You Say Nothing At All, as well as some new songs from Bring You Home.

He says: "Performing to a live audience is always a great buzz but it promises to be even more so in the magical surroundings of Tatton Park.

"Singing my songs in these kind of locations is what it's all about. I've heard that Tatton Park is a stunning venue so I can't wait to get on stage and enjoy the craic."

Ronan has slipped quite comfortably into the easy listening category since he moved on from Boyzone seven years ago, and you could be forgiven for thinking that things had gone a bit quiet for him.

His 2003 album Turn It On failed to turn on anybody except the most die-hard fans, reaching a mediocre 21 in the album charts.

Having aimed for an older, more rugged sound, he has been pigeon-holed by some critics as a singer of a lightweight selection of easy listening love songs.

He now admits that trying to ditch his clean-cut image for a rock 'n' roll edge was a mistake.

He says: "I was too cocky. I thought I could write or record anything and it would work. I thought I was Jon Bon Jovi or Bono or something. I think we all do that when we stand in front of the mirror." The boy from an impoverished Dublin background first spread his creative wings by going solo in 1999 after having 16 top five singles, including six number ones, with Ireland's answer to Take That.

As well as co-managing Westlife with X Factor judge Louis Walsh, Ronan has released a total of five solo albums, including his Ten Years Of Hits album, which has sold 2.5 million copies worldwide since its release in 2004.

In the same year, he was presented with the Guinness World Record for the longest complete run of top 10 singles - 30 in total - beating the likes of Madonna and Elvis.

So although the former Rear Of The Year winner may have dropped off the pop radar, his middle-of-the-road sound seems to be reaping rewards - and that is where he seems most comfortable.

But he certainly was not comfortable at Glamour magazine's award ceremony last month, where he reportedly plied recovering alcoholic Naomi Campbell with drink.

He admits he kept offering the supermodel wine and champagne and was stunned when she declined.

He says: "I was just trying to be polite. Eventually my wife kicked me and said: `She's in the programme, you daft thing.'" Ronan's latest single Iris, is released on August 14.

RONAN Keating plays Tatton Park on Sunday. Tickets are £32.50 or £29.50 for concessions and are available from SeeTickets on 0870 899 3339 or Ticketmaster on 0870 4000 881 or by visiting www.tattonparkconcerts.com

To pre-order picnic hampers, picnic rucksacks for two or picnic furniture, visit www.thepicniccompany.co.uk or call 01565 722217. For corporate packages, including VIP parking, best seats, and champagne and fish and chips in the corporate marquee, contact Laura Kelly at TLC on 0161 876 6266 or e-mail laurak@tlc-ltd.co.uk


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