This past spring, PBS television introduced five Irish vocalists who hope to show that Celtic music is more than just folk songs.

Celtic Thunder: The Show showcased the vocal talents of Keith Harkin, George Donaldson, Ryan Kelly, Damian McGinty and Paul Byrom on material performed as soloists or as an ensemble.

According to Kelly, “This is more than just your run-of-the mill Celtic music show where they go out and sing Irish songs. And that’s one aspect of this show that definitely appealed to me. And with the lighting and different effects, it’s more akin to a rock show.”

The eclectic collection of songs featured in the concert range from traditional Irish folk songs like “Mountains of Mourne” and “Come by the Hills”; contemporary hits, including “Brothers in Arms” and “Desperado”; and originals written by the show’s musical director Phil Coulter.

Kelly, 28, has been singing Irish music since he was 7 years old. When it came time to audition for Celtic Thunder, Kelly chose a song from classic rock opera he had performed many times.

“I had just finished a production of Jesus Christ Superstar a week before I auditioned for Celtic Thunder,” Kelly recalls. “I really enjoyed playing the role of Judas Iscariot, and I sang ‘Heaven on Their Minds’ when I auditioned for Celtic Thunder.”

A DVD of the PBS concert is available, as well as two CDs, Celtic Thunder and Act Two.

Kelly admits that “There are people who probably see some of the [contemporary] songs on the track list of the Act Two CD and think ‘that won’t work.’ But then they listen to the CD and find out that it does work!”

Whether it’s traditional Irish song or modern day material, Kelly says that “every song I sing means something to me, just like it is for the others in the show. And we’ll be as passionate about the music we perform on day 48 of the tour as we were on day one.”