BIO

Damian Howard is the lead singer, songwriter and founding member of the original Celtic/ Australian band The Ploughboys.

As the principal songwriter for The Ploughboys Damian's songs have received airplay on the ABC throughout Australia and have been featured on a number of ABC compilation CDs. The Ploughboys have released three independent CDs of original material Field of Opportunity, Tell me another One and Different Stages which features a collection of songs recorded live at various performances over the past three years.

The Ploughboys have toured extensively throughout Australia and overseas and have developed a strong following at many of the major music festivals.

In October 2005 Damian was invited to perform the Irish National Anthem Amhrán na bhFiann with fellow Ploughboy's singer Allan O'Connell.

In 2001 The Ploughboys were asked to perform their songs as part of the pre-match entertainment for the International Rules series held at the MCG. They were also asked to perform a well-known Irish/ Australian song. Their choice was Damian's interpretation of the popular version of the classic The Wild Colonial Boy. Following this performance, and subsequent ABC national airplay, the band has been inundated with requests to perform all over the country and culminated in performances for the Kelly gang's 124th and 125th Commemorative Dinner of the siege at Glenrowan and the 125th Celebration of the Jerilderie letter in 2003.

In 2002 The Ploughboys were invited to perform at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and were warmly received winning the Battle of the Bands award in 2003 and again in 2004. They have recently performed throughout Queensland at the Wintermoon Festival, near Mackay, and the famous Gympie Muster.

In a departure from the Celtic Folk Rock sound of The Ploughboys Damian has written and begun recording a collection of new songs that will be featured on his debut solo CD to be released in March 2006.

Damian's new material draws from the wells of Folk, Country and Rock but embraces the new sounds of contemporary Acoustic Rock.

“...In a fair and just world the outstanding song Mercy ...should be rated as one of the songs of the year” (David Connoley, Geelong Advertiser)

Damian has also released a single on an ABC compilation album Highwire with his brother and sister, Marcia and Shane Howard, former members of the legendary 80s band Goanna. The song Love will always Lead You Home, was written by the three siblings, and is the featured track off the Hirewire CD and is receiving regular airplay on the ABC nationally.

As a supporting Musician with Shane Howard Damian has been a featured artist on many of Shane's recent solo CDs including "River", "Time will Tell", "Clan" and "Another Country" as well as performances supporting artists such as Bob Dylan, Hothouse Flowers, Mary Black and John Farnham and live appearances at many of Australia's premier music festivals including Woodford, Queenscliff and Port Fairy.

Damian has also co-written a song St. Kilda again with his brother Shane Howard which has been recorded by Irish singer Mary Black on her forthcoming CD Full Tide. Damian also provides the backing vocals on Land of Love, the first track on Full Tide.