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Singer lets songs do his talking

By ERNEST HOOPER
Published March 16, 2007

You could see him walking the streets of Tampa Bay a hundred times and never know he's one of Ireland's favorite singers.

You could see him toting luggage through Tampa International, or swinging a 5 iron at Avila, and never know he's had a string of hits on the Irish pop charts for more than 25 years and typically plays to sold-out venues in places like Dublin, Derry and Cork.

Heck, you probably have seen Red Hurley, and just didn't realize this unassuming visitor and part-time Clearwater resident possesses one of Ireland's most popular singing voices.

Even in Four Green Fields, Tampa's quintessential Irish pub, Hurley didn't turn a lot of heads as we lunched on Tuesday.

Of course, all of that may change after Saturday night. Hurley is lending a hand - and his voice - to WEDU-Ch. 3 to help the PBS station raise funds on St. Patrick's Day. The station airs a recent Hurley concert Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Hurley will be in the studio to encourage pledges and perhaps perform live.

"It's just really nice music, hopefully well-sung, with a really nice orchestra," said Hurley, who will perform a similar concert at the Largo Cultural Center on April 18.

There is no false humility in Hurley's "hopefully well-sung" comment. He came off as self-assured but grounded, which is somewhat surprising given that he's been named Ireland's top male singer three times.

Hurley started off as a drummer and a singer, and didn't always harbor dreams of a musical career. Fate had a different plan, however. He injured his shoulder and ankle in a car accident and couldn't play the drums for a bar band when he was 17. The bar owner told him to just come and sing.

Moving to the front of the stage gained him more attention and better gigs, but without the accident, maybe he would have been an architect.

"I said that to somebody one time and they said, 'You know it didn't matter what, you were always going to be a singer, Red.' "

You can tell his career is rooted in the joy of singing, not a desire for adoration. That's something he says is missing among some of today's aspiring musicians. Hurley says that will never be the case with him.

He has a similar passion for the Tampa Bay area. Hurley has shuttled from Ireland to Clearwater since 1999, and is particularly fond of TIA and area golf courses such as Avila and Old Memorial. He also likes the people, and it doesn't hurt that most of the time he goes unnoticed.

"It's nice to get away," said Hurley, who will present Mayor Pam Iorio with some authentic Irish shamrocks today.

Based on the blend of pop choices, ballads and spiritual renditions Hurley offers on his latest CD, I suspect fans who appreciate a smooth yet versatile voice won't be disappointed. And if Hurley is as genuine on stage as he is in person, his effort will undoubtedly be sincere.

That's all I'm saying.

Ernest Hooper can be reached at hooper@sptimes.com or 813 226-3406.

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To hear a sample of Hurley's latest hit, I Will Sing, go to redhurley.com.

[Last modified March 16, 2007, 00:53:57]