Kevin Doherty (musician) facts for kids

Kevin Doherty is an Irish songwriter, musician, and singer. He has been part of many bands since the late 1980s. Today, he performs on his own as a solo artist and is also a member of the band Four Men and a Dog.

Kevin Doherty's Early Life

Kevin Doherty was born in the late 1960s. He grew up in a lovely seaside town called Buncrana in County Donegal, which is in the north of Ireland. When he was a child, he often heard his mother singing country songs and Irish ballads. His father would sing opera and classic 'crooning' songs.

When Kevin was about six years old, he started learning to play the tin whistle. His teacher was Dinny McLaughlin, a famous teacher of traditional Irish music and dance. In the same class was Ciaran Tourish, who later joined the well-known Irish traditional music group Altan.

From Golf to Guitar

As a teenager, Kevin played a lot of golf because his father was a golf professional. Kevin quickly became one of the best young golf players in the country. But when he was about fifteen or sixteen, something special happened. He heard the music of Bob Dylan at a friend's house. This changed everything for Kevin, and he decided to go back to music. He was so amazed by what he heard that he bought a guitar. Soon, his notepads were full of his very first songs. A talented local guitarist named Michael Gallinagh helped him learn the guitar.

Kevin Doherty's Music Career

Kevin soon started playing music regularly in Buncrana. These music sessions were popular and attracted many talented musicians. People who loved music would travel to hear Kevin play again with Ciaran Tourish and Dinny McLaughlin. Other musicians like Paul Rodden, Michael Gallinagh, Laurence Doherty, and visiting artists like Cathal Hayden also joined in. Many of these musicians would become important in Kevin's career later on. Kevin also traveled around, playing music on the streets (busking) in places like Dublin, Galway, and London.

The Pyros Band

Before Kevin joined, there was a band in Buncrana called The Pyrotechnicos. In the mid to late 1980s, they reformed with a shorter name, 'The Pyros'. Kevin and Ciaran Tourish, who were younger and very talented, joined the band. The Pyros played a fast, electric version of bluegrass, folk, and country music.

The band members were Paul Rodden on five-string banjo, Laurence Doherty on percussion, Michael Gallinagh on guitar, Kevin Doherty on mandolin and guitar, John Cutliffe on bass, and Ciaran Tourish on fiddle. They played many bluegrass and country songs very quickly and skillfully. Audiences loved it and would dance wildly. A famous part of their show was when Laurence played percussion on builder's hard hats while the other band members wore them!

The Gooseberries Band

After The Pyrotechnicos, Kevin quickly started a new band called The Gooseberries. Laurence Doherty was again the drummer. Other members included Percy Robinson on pedal-steel, dobro, and guitars, Sean McCarron on saxophone, and Michael O'Boyce on bass. Sometimes, Ciaran Tourish or Martin McGinley played fiddle with them.

A big difference from The Pyros was that The Gooseberries mainly played Kevin's own original songs. They also played songs by artists like Hank Williams and Dwight Yoakam. The band was very popular live and traveled further around Ireland than The Pyros had. They also appeared on radio and television. The Gooseberries were amazing musicians. Like The Pyros, they were known for getting the crowd excited, but they could also play Kevin's more serious songs beautifully.

Solo Work and Four Men and a Dog

In the early 1990s, The Gooseberries also went their separate ways. Soon after, Kevin was asked to open for Tanita Tikaram on a tour in the UK. He did this successfully as a solo artist.

A short time later, another group called Four Men and a Dog called him. Mick (Black Dog) Daly, their original singer and guitar player, had left the band. Kevin was asked to take his place. They are still together today, even though they took a break for a few years around the year 2000.

Four Men and a Dog is known as one of the 'super groups' of traditional Irish and folk music. Each member is considered one of the most talented musicians in the world. The band currently includes Cathal Hayden on fiddle and banjo, Gerry O'Connor on banjo and fiddle, Gino Lupari on bodhran, percussion, and vocals, Donal Murphy on accordion, and Kevin Doherty on vocals and guitar. Other musicians like Conor Keane and Brian McGrath have also played with them. Sometimes, Arty McGlynn on guitar and Mairtin O'Connor on accordion also join them.

Kevin Doherty with Four Men and a Dog

Four Men and a Dog has released six albums so far. They have played at many of the world's biggest festivals and music venues. Their performances and albums show amazing examples of Irish traditional music. They also mix in country, folk, blues, and Americana styles, including original songs written by Kevin Doherty.

Two of their albums were recorded at the studio of Levon Helm from The Band in Woodstock, New York. The Band, Kevin, and Four Men and a Dog became friends after meeting at some European festivals. The Band was one of Kevin Doherty's musical heroes. Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Garth Hudson from The Band even played on the two Four Men and a Dog albums recorded in Woodstock.

Solo Albums and Collaborations

During the time when Four Men and a Dog took a break, Kevin Doherty recorded two solo albums: Strange Weather and Sweet Water. He also released a special limited edition EP called Morocco. The album Strange Weather was also recorded in Woodstock and featured members of The Band.

His album Sweet Water featured other famous musicians. James Delaney is a master keyboard player who has performed with artists like Van Morrison and Paul Brady. Henry McCullough is a true guitar legend in rock and folk music. He was famously a member of Paul McCartney's Wings and Joe Cocker's Grease band. James and Henry now often work with Kevin as he continues his solo career and plays with Four Men and a Dog.

The Band recorded Kevin's song 'Hawker’s’ as 'Don't Wait' on their album, Jubilation. Other artists like Mary Black, Brendan Quinn, Adrian Dunbar, The Crowmatix, and Andrew Murray have also recorded his songs. Kevin has also appeared on other artists' albums as a guest guitarist or singer.

When he is not touring, Kevin mainly lives in Dublin, Ireland. He often visits his hometown of Buncrana.

Recent Music Projects

Kevin Doherty and Ciaran Tourish (who was a member of Altan from 1990) have formed a duo. They recorded a new album called Hotel Fiesta. This album was launched during three shows in Ireland in July 2019.