EXCLUSIVE: Celtic Thunder star Paul Byrom REVEALS the ‘harrow’ reality of life after boy band fame, performing for OBAMA and why he will NEVER stop singing despite pandemic ‘catastrophe’

Irish tenor opens up about his dramatic career from child prodigy to Grammy-nominated solo star in a deeply personal chat with The Jim Masters Show

Highlights:

• Paul Byrom, one of Ireland’s finest crossover tenors and an original member of Celtic Thunder, reveals how he went from singing for President Barack Obama to battling through the ‘catastrophic’ 2020 pandemic

• The Dublin-born singer, who started his career at just 14 years old, opens up about his heartbreaking decision to leave the hit group at the height of their fame in 2010

• Byrom shares never-before-heard details about performing for world leaders, his deep connection to the Boston Celtics, and why his latest album was his most ambitious yet

• The ‘Swanky Tenor’ also reveals the unbelievable story behind his PBS TV special and the emotional meaning of his hit song ‘Thinking of Home’

It’s not every day that a Dublin-born tenor sits down to spill the tea on a life that reads like a Hollywood script.

But Paul Byrom—the man they call ‘The Swanky Tenor’—has done exactly that in an EXCLUSIVE and RAW interview on The Jim Masters Show LIVE.

From performing for Emperor Akihito of Japan and President Barack Obama to being an original heartthrob in the global phenomenon Celtic Thunder, Paul has lived a life most can only dream of .

But fame, he reveals, came at a cost.

The ‘Harrowing’ Decision to Walk Away at the Peak

At the height of Celtic Thunder mania—with six NUMBER ONE World Billboard Chart albums and sold-out arenas across North America and Australia—Paul dropped a bombshell in 2010: he was leaving .

‘It was not an easy decision,’ Paul hints during the MUSICALLY INSPIRED episode.

Fans were DEVASTATED. The group, created by producer Sharon Browne and musical director Phil Coulter (who later became Paul’s father-in-law), was a money-printing machine .

But Paul had a BLAZING desire to stand alone.

‘You have to follow your heart,’ he says, reflecting on the GUT-WRENCHING choice to trade the security of the group for the terrifying freedom of a solo career.

A Grammy Nod and a $60,000 Gamble

And gamble he did. His first post-Celtic Thunder album, This is the Moment, didn’t just do well—it debuted at No. 1 on the World Billboard Charts and was even SHORTLISTED FOR A GRAMMY NOMINATION .

But Paul isn’t just about the glitz. In a move that showed his GRIT, he launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund his own PBS Television Special, raising nearly $60,000 from devoted fans .

‘This is the Moment Live’ aired across the United States, Canada, and even Australia, proving that Paul’s connection to his audience was more than just transactional.

From ‘Fair City’ to The White House and The Hardwood

The 53-year-old tenor’s versatility is STAGGERING.

He made his acting debut in Ireland’s longest-running soap, FAIR CITY, proving he was more than just a pretty voice .

But perhaps his most GLAMOROUS moments have come while wearing a suit for the world’s elite.

‘Performing for President Obama was a highlight,’ he shares. ‘But singing for the Emperor of Japan is something you just don’t forget’ .

And for the sports fans out there, Paul is a SECRET WEAPON. He is the official anthem singer for the Boston Celtics, has rocked the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and even belted out ‘Ireland’s Call’ for the Rugby World Cup in 2011 .

The Pandemic ‘Catastrophe’ That Couldn’t Silence Him

When the world shut down in 2020, Paul admitted it was a ‘catastrophic year’ for the arts .

While others hid under the covers, Paul rented a 65-PIECE ORCHESTRA.

The result? What I Did for Love. The album didn’t just drop; it debuted in the top ten IMRO charts and hit No. 1 on iTunes .

‘I have no intention of stopping,’ he declares. ‘I plan to do this for the next 25 years.’

What’s Next for ‘The Swanky Tenor’?

With his latest acoustic project, By Contrast, already making waves and a sold-out show in Las Vegas under his belt for St. Patrick’s Day 2026, Paul Byrom is showing no signs of slowing down.

‘This is a musically inspired episode you cannot miss,’ says host Jim Masters.

What do you think? Are you a fan of Paul Byrom’s solo work or do you miss the Celtic Thunder days? Let us know in the comments below.