Darren Holden returns to Washington as the “Movin’ Out” Piano Man three years after setting forth in the U.S. national tour of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical by Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp.
“This show has been a great introduction for me to this country and for Americans not familiar with me,” says Ireland’s favorite rock and roll artist. “Right now we’re in Detroit for the second time and people have been coming up to me on the street and welcoming me home. I can hardly wait to get to Washington because I liked it the first time we played there and look forward to returning.
“This time around I have a beautiful family with me, my wife and an 18-month-old boy who adapts well to being on the road. After three years, I’m still love every minute of the show. It’s very invigorating to perform with dancers, actors and a band that put out for all they’re worth every time. Each night when the curtain goes up, I’m still amazed that I’m part of it.
“Billy Joel’s music is classic rock and roll and I love playing it on the piano. My favorites change from time to time, but I especially like ‘Shameless’ because it comes when Tony and Brenda are finally reunited and declare their undying love. It’s an honor to have been given this vocal number to sing at the end of the show.”
Holden’s holiday gift for his fans is the newly released album he wrote and recorded on the road with music director Bryan Steele and guitarists Denny Blake and Tommy Byrnes. Aptly entitled “Roadworks,” its twelve songs reflect the humor and pathos of life set to irresistible rhythms drawn from their mutual idols Billy Joel and Elton John.
Along with the tongue-in cheek “Bad Tattoo” and “It’s All About Ally,” both written with Blake, the album contains the poignant “Through Hell and High Water,” inspired by Hurricane Katrina.
“It affected me so personally that I wanted to do something to help the people of New Orleans,” Holden says. “Every time the song is downloaded from my Web site, the profit goes toward Habitat for Humanity.”
During the tour, Syracuse native Bryan Steele, a jazz saxophonist and the show’s music director, produced, mixed and mastered the songs through the magic of his portable studio and computer.
“I love doing something different every day, whether directing, composing, producing, or recording,” Steele says. “Writing music comes naturally to me. I’ve been doing it since 13, but now I approach song writing through the imagery in lyrics. It’s important to write poetry that’s clever and also marketable. Some of the songs being written today lack those qualities.”
When the “Movin’ Out” tour ends, Holden and Steele anticipate writing more songs together, producing more albums, and pursuing their individual interests with zeal. Now that Holden is recognized wherever he goes, even in Tokyo, where he and the show’s stars needed security to keep the avid fans at bay, he would love to make solo concert appearances around this country.
“The fans can hurry up the process if they write in to my Web site, www.darrenholden.com,” he says. “I love working and being on stage in front of people. One of my dreams is to do a PBS special featuring both original stuff and standards. Ireland will always be my home, but now that I have a New York base and a place in Florida, I’d like to continue working inthe U.S because I love it here.”
IF YOU GO
“Movin’ Out,” the Billy Joel & Twyla Tharp musical, features Darren Holden as the Piano Man
» Running: Dec. 5 through 23
» Venue: National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave.
» Tix: $41.25 to $86.25 at Telecharge.com, www.nationaltheatre.com or 800-447-7400
