As one of the three members of The Irish Tenors, Kearns has been singing around the globe since 1998 when the group formed. The international singer will lend his talents to the USO and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund on Thursday for a charity concert at the New Zealand Embassy. How did you become involved with this charity event?
We performed at the event last year, and it was a great success, and we’ve managed to get a date again. With the support of the ONE Campaign and the New Zealand embassy we can make that happen, and benefit the USO and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
What will you be performing?
Our program will be mixed, I suppose, uplifting and inspirational. I am in the middle of learning a New Zealand song in the native tongue: “Pokarekare Ana,” it’s a beautiful tune. We’ll have some Italian songs and we’ll have some Irish songs, but the whole thing will be fun and uplifting. No doubt “God Bless America” will feature in the program.
Do you have a favorite D.C. venue to perform at?
Over the last ten years I’ve had the good fortune of performing numerous times at Wolf Trap, which is a spectacular venue… I’ve played Constitution Hall, which is another wonderful indoor venue, at Christmas time, and I’ve played the Kennedy Center. You’re blessed with good venues to perform in. The arts are high on the list in Washington, and people come out for it.
Is it important to you to help out with charities?
It’s a good thing, if I can fit them into the schedule when I’m working in the area and help them out in some way. I’ve always been involved in charity events, whether it’s in Ireland, my home country, or in the United States or Canada or overseas. I feel like it’s good if we can make it work to give a little back.”
— Ben Giles
