As the golden sun dipped over Sunset Beach, California, Keith Harkin of Celtic Thunder delivered a performance that was as much a personal memoir as it was a musical showcase.
At the Songwriters at Sunset event on April 5, 2016, Harkin opened up about a pivotal moment in his life: moving from Ireland to Los Angeles at just 24 years old and taking a bold, unconventional step by buying a nearly 70-year-old boat. “It was a big step,” he admitted. “I’d never owned a big boat before, and it was a lot of work. But it was amazing what that boat brought into my life — the people, the friendships, the experiences. That was the right move for me.”
After sharing his story, Harkin turned to the intimate performance of “I Remember It All”, dedicating it to his friends Tom and Janet for her birthday. The song’s lyrics, filled with recollections of laughter, footsteps, and quiet moments of connection, were sung with an authenticity that drew the audience in immediately.
“Love is never perfect… sometimes we forget,” he sang, but every note reminded listeners that memories, big and small, shape the way we live. Fans on social media echoed the emotional resonance: one commented, “Oh my heart, still so beautiful in your voice, your guitar skills… your lyrics beyond imagination. Bless you, Keith.” Another shared, “I could listen to him all night — he is a beautiful son, father, and musician.”
The performance wasn’t just about nostalgia — it was about human connection. Harkin’s storytelling, combined with his delicate guitar work and emotive vocals, painted vivid pictures of life on the boat, meeting lifelong friends, and embracing new beginnings far from home.
As he sang, the crowd could feel the joy, humor, and sometimes the bittersweet nature of the memories he carried. “Never been married… never had kids… but I remember it all,” one fan reflected, resonating with the song’s universal theme of cherishing relationships and moments that define a life.
With the waves of Sunset Beach as a backdrop, Harkin transformed the evening into an intimate journey, a reflection on friendship, love, and the choices that lead us to where we are. Through “I Remember It All”, audiences were reminded that music is more than entertainment — it is a vessel for memory, emotion, and storytelling that lingers long after the final note fades.
