Celtic Woman invades Show Me Center with traditional Irish music blended with modern influences

Celtic Woman's latest record may be titled "Lullaby," but the the Irish supergroup's concert isn't likely to put anyone to sleep.

"Celtic Woman: Songs From The Heart" will take the stage Monday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

The Irish musicians, who have toured all over the world, are making their third trip through the U.S. After finishing up in the U.S. in early summer, Celtic Woman will travel to Germany and Austria to perform.

Celtic Woman began in 2004 under the direction of David Downes. Downes had previously directed Riverdance and wanted to create a group that would embrace traditional Irish vocal sounds with a modern influence.

The lineup of Chloe Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Mairead Nesbitt and Lisa Lambe bring a talented and elite background to the group that shows in both recorded and live performances.

Agnew became a founding member of Celtic Woman at 14 and has not looked back since.

"I first met David when I was 7 years old," she said. "It kind of all started by accident. Shortly after the events of 9/11, I saw an appeal on television to children all over the world to donate their pocket money.

"It was 'set up a lemonade stand, or knit scarves, or do whatever it is that you do best,' and I knew the best thing that I could do was sing," she said. "I very cheekily rang David and asked him if he could bring me into his studio and record a song for charity."

The single, "This Holy Christmas Night," raised nearly $33,000.

Agnew recorded her first album at the age of 12, with another following at 14. Soon after, she was singing with Celtic Woman.

Agnew said having this 10-year working relationship and friendship with Downes has helped hone her talents.

"He has continually chosen music for me that not only challenges you as a performer," she said, "but that you can also enjoy singing. It's been amazing."

Kelly, another original member, has a background in theater but is known best for her solo work in Celtic Woman.

Nesbitt sings with Celtic woman, but her fiddling -- she's a master of both traditional and classical violin -- adds excitement and energy to each Celtic Woman performance.

Lambe, the newest member of the group, has roots in musical theater.

Though the tour is in support of the "Songs from the Heart" album, "Lullaby" is Celtic Woman's most recent record. "Lullaby" not only topped the world music charts, but became the first Celtic Woman album to top the children's music charts as well.

Agnew was excited the album was so well-received by parents and children.

"One of the girls, Lisa Kelly ... has three young children that are 8, 6 and 3, and they just thought that we were the coolest people alive," she said. "To be on the same chart as Big Time Rush and Hannah Montana, you know, we were very, very cool people."

"Lullaby" came about mainly because of fan requests, Agnew said.

"We had people over the years who'd come to us and said they found the music so soothing and as healing music, and music that's nice to listen to at the end of a long, busy day," she said. "Mothers said they find some of the songs are quite lullabyesque and help to put their little ones to sleep."

Agnew said the group would love to do something with one of the children's networks.

"We've done one or two children's newsletters and interviews and the like, but it would be fantastic; we'd love to do something like that," she said. "The more people know about the 'Lullaby' album, maybe that will come out."

Tickets for Celtic Woman's show in Cape Girardeau are $33.50 and $61.50, and are available at the Show Me Center ticket office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 651-5000 and at www.showmecenter.biz.

More information on the group is available at www.celticwoman.com.