While Phil and I love what we do and I know all the guys love what they do, we all work in the Music and Show BUSINESS. It is business, it's what we do for a living and we have to be business like about our work.

I think this sentence sums it up and I'm glad you said it Sharon! While many of us are understandably attached to Damian, Paul, Keith, George, Ryan and Neil, the bottom line is Celtic Thunder is a business. I'm sure you enjoy reading about how much the lads have touched our lives but you as a music producer cannot make decisions based on emotion but rather on what is good business-wise and career-wise. As long as the 6 lads are not getting screwed over in some way, I really don't see there being a problem here.

Have a good weekend (what's left of it) and safe travels to Texas for all of you.

Hi Sharon, I know you’ve been getting a lot of flak from the fans about your decision to hold auditions for new members of Celtic Thunder. I want you to know that most of us realize that without you and Phil, we would never have gotten the opportunity to know George, Ryan, Paul, Keith, Neil, and Damian and they would not have had the success they have enjoyed so far with Celtic Thunder. I think most of us are grateful to you and Phil for the wonderful job you have done and for the unprecedented access that we have enjoyed with the guys. Having said that, I wanted to explain some things that perhaps you haven’t considered.
As an “original” fan, I’ve proudly supported the guys in everything that they have done. I have attended the shows; bought the CDs, DVDs and other merchandise; clicked my fingers off for “Lauren & I”; called the radio stations; written to Oprah and Ellen; written to the PBS stations; answered phones at PBS stations; went on two of Phil‘s cruises; attended both nights of the taping in Toronto; went to the parade in NYC; went to QVC; etc. etc. A LOT of CT’s fans have offered this level of support for the guys. I think that’s very unusual … yeah, most groups have “groupies” but not so many loyal fans that will go above and beyond to support them the way that Thunderheads support CT. And I, for one, have never supported a group at this level before in my life … but it has been my pleasure to do these things because I sensed from the beginning that these guys are different. They are not only amazingly talented but they are real people … down to earth, funny, friendly, nice guys who have shown that they care about their fans. They have allowed us to get to know them and to genuinely care about them as individuals. That’s due in part to you … you encouraged them to interact with us online and you were very smart to do so. When fans feel connected, they will offer more support. However, you have to understand that now we DO feel connected … and not to a group called “Celtic Thunder” but to George, Ryan, Paul, Keith, Neil, and Damian individually as the members of Celtic Thunder. And so a lot of us are upset because we feel that you’re treating the guys that we have come to care about as though they are interchangeable with any other handsome, talented guys. They’re not! And regardless of how quickly you may have to be ready for a world tour, or how profitable running concurrent tours might be, don’t you think the people of Europe, Asia and Africa will notice if they pay good money to see the guys on the DVD and they get five new guys instead? That doesn’t make sense to me … unless you plan on “mixing & matching” and including a few of the originals on the world tour while replacing them with a few of the new ones for the US/Canadian tour and thereby trying to appease everyone. I hope that’s not the plan because I don’t know about everyone else, but when I see Celtic Thunder in concert, I want to see George, Ryan, Paul, Keith, Neil, and Damian. They have worked so hard for you, Sharon. Don’t you think that every one of them deserves to take part in the world tour that they have been looking forward to for so long? Don’t you think that they have earned that? I don’t know of any fan that would object to not having a tour here in the US if the guys had the opportunity to tour other countries. We’d miss them, of course, but we’d be thrilled for them.
I understand that eventually one or more of the guys may want to leave to pursue solo projects, and when/if that happens, I’m sure a new member would be welcomed by the fans with open arms … but that would just be one new member at a time. That’s a little easier to take than five new members doing a tour that “our guys” have worked so hard for.
You’re a smart lady, Sharon. I realize that there may be a lot of things going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about (and that are none of our business). So, if you truly feel that this plan is for the best and makes financial sense, then obviously, do what you have to do. I think a lot of us are just asking that you consider all of the ramifications to this decision (not just financial) and praying that you’ll continue to do the right thing by George, Ryan, Paul, Keith, Neil and Damian, whatever that may be.
I hope you have a nice weekend and that everything works out well for everyone concerned.

My understanding is that the auditions are only for stand-ins when our CT lads cannot perform due to illness, other commitments, etc. The new schedule is strenuous!! I cannot imagine any one of them being able to perform every show, night after night and sometimes, two in a day.
Obviously, no one can replace George, Paul, Ryan, Keith, Damian or Neil. Just not gonna happen. But, I do not want them burned out, or unhappy and unable to pursue their own individual careers aside from CT. Too much of life will happen with them not present to experience it if they have to appear in every show.
I am sure that they will be given priority placement opportunity in the European and other tours. Germany, especially will respond so well to all these guys. But they cannot put their private lives on hold indefinitely. They don't need the pressure of feeling they have to perform, every show or tour every continent or country in order for the show to go on. Like The Ten Tenors, CT will just not be the same without the originals. I am assuming that now perhaps, they will be freed up to pursue individual gigs while in the US on tour? Or to enjoy more experiences that are denied them when they have to be "on" nearly every evening.
Am I correct in this?

Have a lovely weekend, Sharon!

I was deeply saddened when I learned about the open auditions you are conducting to find a Second Touring Company for the five talented young men who are, and always will be, the true Celtic Thunder. You not only insult their talent and uniqueness by saying they are replaceable and it is primarily the Celtic Thunder show that people come to see, but you think we Americans are so selfish that we are unwilling to wait our turn, along with the rest of the world, to see the lads in concert.

Your explanations fall short and do not ring true. I cannot help but think your motives are monetary and have little or nothing to do with the physical welfare or the solo careers of Paul, George, Ryan, Keith, and Damian.

Weekends are always fun! Have a great one Sharon!

Sharon: Other than washing up dishes and sweeping up floors, I wouldn't do another thing! Just sit around and RELAX so you won't be zonked before you get started this wk. Take care.

Sharon...Have a great one doing nada!!. I get to watch a tractor dig a line for a fence around our 1.11 acre property.....YAYAYAYAY....seriously, have a restful and fun weekend...the work will be there next week!!!

I agree - take advantage of this weekend to rest and relax, while you still can!