Finbarr’s Sinatra Sunday shows attracting worldwide audience

Finbarr’s Sinatra Sunday shows attracting worldwide audience

6 May 2020

A NEWCASTLE singer has been receiving a steady stream of followers on social media with his lockdown party request shows on Sunday evenings. 

Finbarr Keaveney, who has been a resident singer at popular venues in the seaside town for over ten years, has had to become more creative in his bid to bring cheer to the people of Newcastle and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since Villa Vinci restaurant and the Burrendale Hotel were forced to close due to the public health emergency, the 53 year-old has been taking to Facebook to entertain his fans.

Finbarr, who also sings in local churches at weddings and funerals, has embraced the challenge of how to remain busy during the lockdown with his Sinatra Sunday shows.

He can now boast a global following since he began hosting what has now evolved to become an hour-long family show over the past four weeks. 

“It’s becoming a real family effort. I was joined last Sunday evening by our daughters, Cara (16) and Katy (21), who sung the Elaine Page and Barbara Dickson duet, I Know Him So Well, also made popular by the musical Chess. 

“We had requests come in from local people whose families have settled in different parts of the world such as Minnesota, Indiana and Enniskillen, and are able to tune in thanks to the advances in modern technology.”

Finbarr says it puts a smile back on his face to be able to lift people’s spirits at a time like this. 

“I really look forward to our Sunday night slots during the lockdown. It makes me happy to be able to make people’s Sunday evenings now. And we have plenty of call outs to local frontline workers. It’s our way of showing them how much we appreciate what they do for us.

“We have around 400 to 500 views each week from people who love to hear those old classics from the Great American Song Book collection which includes artists like Frank Sinatra.

“They were songs my father used to listen to and I’ve taken his lead. I received some wonderful messages of gratitude in the comments feed each week and sure it’s this that keeps me going.

Finbarr, met his wife, Deirdre, at Downpatrick bus station when they were still at school. They have been married now for 29 years.

Their son, Caolan, is also a talented singer and recently made a video which he made for the Eurovirus Song Contest 2020.

Don’t Believe Me, Just Wash is a particularly funny spin-off of Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk and has attracted almost 10,000 views on Facebook. It has also raised over £1,750 for Mencap. 

Finbarr is proud of Caolan’s efforts. “Sure isn’t it all just a bit of craic in light of the dark clouds that surround us,” he remarked.