Hispanopedia Wiki
Articulo de referencia

Ray Kelly (singer)

Raymond Kelly , S.P.S. (born 25 April 1953), known as "The Singing Priest," is an Irish Catholic priest known for his interpretation of popular songs. He is a member of Saint Pa...

Hispanopedia WikiContenido en espanolLectura gratuita

Raymond Kelly, S.P.S. (born 25 April 1953), known as "The Singing Priest," is an Irish Catholic priest known for his interpretation of popular songs. He is a member of Saint Patrick's Society for the Foreign Missions.

Apart from his parish activities, he became famous for a YouTubeviral video of him singing at a wedding at which he officiated, for his appearance as a contestant on Britain's Got Talent, and for his appearance as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. He has a very large family and has sung at many of his relatives' and in-laws' weddings.

In May 2023 it was announced that he would be leaving his role as parish priest of St. Brigid's & St. Mary's parish at Oldcastle, County Meath, Ireland to become Associate Pastor in Kilcormac, Rahan and Eglish parishes in County Offaly, Ireland.[1]

Early life and priesthood

Kelly was born on 25 April 1953 in Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath, and began singing when he was young. In 1989 he was ordained as a priest and began his vocation.

Music career

Kelly became famous in 2014 after a video of him singing Leonard Cohen's song "Hallelujah" while officiating at a couple's wedding became a YouTube sensation. The words were modified to suit the occasion by 10-year-old bridesmaid Lucy Pitts O'Connor. By early 2024, it had received more than 90 million hits.[2]

In December 2014 Universal Music released a 10-track album Where I Belong of Kelly singing Celtic-inspired arrangements.[3] The album was recorded during summer 2014 in a studio created for the purpose in Kelly's house, so that the recording schedule would not interfere with his duties as a priest. In December 2015 Kelly was a guest on the BBC Radio 4 programme Midweek.[4]

Television appearances

In 2018 Kelly auditioned for the 12th series of Britain's Got Talent, singing "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.[5][6] He made it to the live shows but he was eliminated in semifinal 5. He came fourth in the public voting.

En 2020, participó en la cuarta temporada de la edición irlandesa de Dancing with the Stars . Él y su pareja profesional, Kylee Vincent , fueron eliminados el 8 de marzo de 2020. [ 7 ]

Discografía

Álbumes

  • Donde pertenezco (2014)
  • Una bendición navideña irlandesa (2015)

Libros

  • Kelly, Ray (2022). Aleluya: Memorias de un sacerdote cantante . Columba Books. ISBN 9781782183686.

Referencias

  1. ↑ "El padre Ray dejará su cargo como párroco de Oldcastle" . anglocelt.ie. 6 de julio de 2023. Consultado el 19 de marzo de 2024 .
  2. ↑ invitationlovejesus (7 de abril de 2014). "Gran sorpresa original para los novios... Boda de Chris y Leah, 5 de abril de 2014" . Recuperado el 29 de mayo de 2018 a través de YouTube.
  3. ↑ The Huffington Post
  4. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 - Entre semana" . Bbc.co.uk. 9 de diciembre de 2015. Consultado el 9 de diciembre de 2015 .
  5. ↑ "El sacerdote de BGT ya ha tenido un contrato discográfico y DOS álbumes" . 23 de abril de 2018. Consultado el 29 de mayo de 2018 .
  6. ↑ Britain's Got Talent (21 de abril de 2018). "El padre Ray Kelly nos lleva a la iglesia con una INCREÍBLE versión de 'Everybody Hurts' - Audiciones - BGT 2018" . Consultado el 29 de mayo de 2018 a través de YouTube.
  7. ↑ O'Loughlin, Mikie (8 de marzo de 2020). "El padre Ray Kelly eliminado de Dancing with the Stars tras semanas en el último puesto" . RSVP . Consultado el 8 de marzo de 2020 .
  • Sitio web oficial
  • Vídeo original de Kelly en YouTube