Irish entrant to the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, Brian Kennedy, has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Ulster.
He receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of his distinction as a popular artist. Brian had a special word of thanks to all the people who wished him well before his trip to the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens two months ago.
After the ceremony he said: "This is a really busy time for me. I'm at one of the most exciting points of my career…This is not just an honour for me but everyone who has supported me over the past decade and believed in my music".
From success to success
Singer and musician Brian Kennedy was born and brought up on the Falls Road in west Belfast and recorded his first album 'The Great War with Words' in 1990.He has toured with The Corrs, Tina Turner and Van Morrison, and contributed to Van Morrison’s 'Days Like This', 'No Prima Donna’, 'The Healing Game' and 'Back On Top' albums, as well as a version of 'Crazy Love' for the Hollywood film 'When A Man Loves A Woman’. Brian's solo shows have played to capacity crowds in Ireland, England, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and he has enjoyed chart success in Ireland with a number of his recordings. He was one of the singers asked to perform at the funeral service for George Best last December, and recently represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens.
The singer is preparing for a five-night run at Dublin's Olympia Theatre, starting on Monday 10th July, and took time out of rehearsals to receive his degree.
