Biography

Nigel Connell was born into a musical family of two brothers and two sisters. He was the youngest of five and once he could walk, it meant he could talk and eventually sing, so into the family band he went and it was here where his skills as a Drummer and Singer developed. His first Live performance was at the age of 13 in the family band, he later joined the The Legendary Cotton Mill Boys and went on his first tour at the age of 15. Addicted to the stage, Nigel went on to play with Top Irish Acts like Matt Leavy, TR Dallas, Sean O Farrell and Marc Roberts. Playing Support to legendary Music luminaries such as Tammy Wynette, Don Williams, Ricky Skaggs, Johnny Cash, June Carter, Martina MC Bride, Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Steve Earle, Glen Campbell & John Denver. No stranger to performing on national Television, Nigel has performed his musical skills on a variety of Irelands finest:  Live at Three, Up for the Match, Kenny Live, Nationwide, The Late Late Show, Phil Coulter and The Bibi Baskin Show. Nigel has also performed on radio Nationwide such as RTE Radio 1, 2fm, Phantom FM and Dublin's Country to name but a handful.

By his 20’s Nigel was well accustomed to the Country Music Scene, but decided it was time for a change and began touring with Eurovision Winner Linda Martin. Upon hearing Nigel’s remarkable vocal talent, the now infamous music manager Louis Walsh encouraged Nigel to enter the Eurosong Contest in 1999, where he reached the Final in Ireland but sadly didn't reach the Eurovision. The experience was nonetheless enough incentive for Nigel to begin work on his own recordings and so began Nigel’s own singing and songwriting career. Nigel soon got the starring Role on Rebecca Storms ‘Streisand songbook’ and Performed alongside Rebecca in Dublin's Gaiety Theatre for Ten Shows. He then Toured Ireland from: The Cork Opera House to The National Concert Hall Dublin. Where he performed Live on the Phil Coulter RTE special in 2007. (Phil Coulter being a fan of Nigel’s remarkable voice said "Nigel sounds so much like Neil Diamond"

Nigel is also well known for his stunning harmony vocals on albums such as Liam Lawton's Triple Platinum EMI Album ‘Another World’ and Liam’s second album “TIME”. Nigel also toured Ireland, the UK & The US as a special guest on Liam's sell out shows. Nigel also recorded "Silence and the Sorrow" on Liam's DVD “Live in Kilkenny” with Acts like Brian Kennedy, Moya Brennan, Eimer Quinn and The Celtic Tenors. Nigel has performed in world renowned venues such as New York's Carnegie Hall and Chicago's Old St. Patrick's Church.

Resting off the road for a month here and there gave Nigel the time to work on his own Debut Album, where he recruited in the Multi Platinum Producer Mark Cahill (who worked on the Number 1 US billboard selling album with The Irish Tenors) whom he wrote his album with.

Featured on his debut is the track ‘Keela Mae’ written by Nigel and Dan Malone for The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation, which reached number 2 in the Download charts and number 24 in the Irish Official charts.

Being a highly sought after top session musician, Nigel recently joined World Class Irish Country Folk Singer Daniel O Donnell’s band as his Drummer and Backing vocalist. Where he will be touring North America, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania this year, but will also be stopping off in Ireland to perform his own selection of shows and launching his own Stunning Debut Album ‘NOTHING LEFT to SAY’. Prior to the albums release on April 16^th, National & Regional radio will receive an album sampler of 4 tracks taken from the record, which is a true testament of Nigel’s ability as a recording artist and performer.

The album is embellished by an evident Romantic & Classical feel to it throughout, yet wholly embraces Nigel’s vocal capability and sentiment as a performer, with Orchestral performances by The Irish Session Orchestra and the Mullingar Cathedral Choir. Epic in some proportions - it will certainly ease you in by its lush string arrangements and fine production. Each track has a different edge, with preludes that introduce you to a world of music that has no boundaries.