Father Ray Kelly Balances Priesthood and a New Album

By Timothy Yap Mar 20, 2015 03:49 AM EDT

Father Ray Kelly is not just your average priest. He has a brand new record that has just been released in the US now via Capitol Distribution. The priest came to the public's notice when in April last year, a video surfaced on YouTube of an unassuming Catholic priest singing the classic "Hallelujah" at a wedding ceremony.

Father Ray Kelly renders the song in near pitch-perfection, letting slip an impish grin at one point when the impressed audience's titters become audible. "I didn't mean to shock you," he says, taking the pulpit to thunderous applause. Now at nearly 40 million views, Father Ray's "Original Big surprise for Bride and Groom...Chris and Leah O'Kane" has led to a record deal for his debut album,Where I Belong. Already out in Ireland and Germany, the 12-track effort arrives in the U.K. next week and stateside on Mar. 9 via Universal imprint Manhattan Records.

A mix of originals, covers, Celtic songs and church hymns, Where I Belong was recorded in Father Ray's parochial home and at a studio in Vienna last year.

Now, he leads a quieter life, maintaining his voice with "lots of honey in my porridge" and practicing for his two Cavalier King Charles spaniels. That may change in the spring, when Father Ray is considering a U.S. tour behind his album. "It's St. Paddy's Day time as well, so it'll be very Irish over there," he says, adding that the plan is more for TV performances and talk show appearances than concerts.

"I'm fortunate that my bishop has supported everything that I do, and if I ever needed to go away he could get me a replacement," he says. "It's comforting to know that the people in my parish wouldn't be without a priest, or something like that."

Track Listing
01. Together Forever (The Wedding Song)
02. Hallelujah
03. Galway Bay
04. Everybody Hurts
05. How Marvelous
06. Where I Belong
07. Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears
08. Tears In Heaven
09. Amazing Grace
10. O Danny Boy
11. How Great Thou Art
12. Love Shine A Light