Pat Kearns

Pat Kearns a.k.a. Mark Antony

Patrick Francis Kearns, was born to a Christchurch Irish heritage family on February 21st, 1949 and died on November 22nd, 2024.  He began life in a house full of song, especially from his mother.  His 44 year singing career began at an early age, winning talent quests in 1963-64 and joining The Avengers in 1966 with Greg Mooney.  He changed to Funny Feeling in 1967 with Rob Carpenter, Wayne Allen, Dick Whatson and Dave Chapman and in 1969 he became lead singer with the The Viscounts.  Pat was later (1981) to join The Moviez.

Mark Antony

Mark Antony entertaining

Mark Antony

Mark Antony on stage

1979 - A solo evening at Heatherlea

Mark Antony

Mark Antony

Elvis Tribute Show

From 1969 through to 1983 Pat sang under the name of Mark Antony a name devised by the record company he was recording with at that point.  He released 4 singles for Houghton Hughes' Master label including Gee I'm Gonna Miss You and Angelica which gained a lot of radio air time.  Other songs included were, As Long As She Needs Me, Till You Try, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, It Keeps On Hurting, What A Party and Set Me Free.  1970 to 1987 saw many TV appearances including Moving, Popco, Ready to Roll, Happen Inn and That's Country.  He toured with The Little River Band, Charlie Pryde, The Hollies, The Seekers and provided backing for Freddy Fender, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Tillotson, George Hamilton IV and The Bellamy Brothers.  Career Highlights include, a lead role as Elvis in the 1987 touring production Are you Lonesome Tonight, 1998 performing Elvis Tribute Shows, 1999 album release Elvis.  Pat most recently performed as Big Daddy - a team with ace performer Peter Williams.

Mr Pianoman

Group picture including Richard Hore, Murray Wood, Pat Kearns and Barry Brinson

Mark Antony

... with Emmylou Harris

... with Charlie Pride

... with Peter Williams in Big Daddy

... a study of Pat Kearns from 1979 (photography by Kevin Hill)

The following article appeared in a local newspaper .....

Mark Antony was born Patrick Francis Kearns at Calvary Hospital, Christchurch, on February 21st, 1949 and his arrival was right in the middle of one of the greatest heatwaves New Zealand has ever experienced.  Temperatures soared to well over 100 degrees and he still hasn't cooled down.

Mark was educated at Ray Columbus' old school, Xavier College, where he spent two years studying a professional course.  On leaving, his school reference stated that ... he showed outstanding musical abilities.  True to the prediction, be later became one of youngest full-time musical teachers in New Zealand after experiencing several previous occupations.  Ho joined a group called The Funny Feeling as lead vocalist, and they became resident band at The 1480 Village in Christchurch.  The group disbanded some eight months later however, and Mark decided on a solo career.  Tours with The Clarrie Light Show and with Lou and Simon (he attracted rave press notices on both these shows) followed, plus numerous local radio spots.  Following Lou and Simon's suggestion, he recorded an audition tape of four songs including By The Time I Get To Phoenix and She Wears my Ring and submitted it to several record companies.

Suddenly it all began to happen.  Two recording companies were impressed enough to offer lucrative recording contracts simultaneously.  He finally decided to sign with MASTER records, a small but progressive Christchurch label operated by entrepreneur Houghton Hughes, and he changed his name to Mark Antony - after the Shakespearean character he had enjoyed from Julius Caesar - albeit with a modified spelling.  He also appeared on another Houghton Hughes label MAESTRO. Out now is his debut release As Long As She Needs Me from Oliver.  The record features a twenty-piece backing, including strings and vocal chorus - the biggest backing yet for a South Island recording.  Critics predicted this instantly as a giant of a disc.  Mark Antony prefers singing in the big ballad style but can adapt competently to up-tempo or even country numbers.  Mark comes from a musical family of four brothers and one sister, all of whom sing, but idolise their big brother and are his most ardent fans.

Mark is currently resident vocalist at the Town and About nightspot in Christchurch.  Probably the handsomest star on the New Zealand recording scene, Mark dates frequently but is much too occupied with his singing career to become serious with any one girl.

Singles released by Mark Antony on the MASTER Records Label ........

"As Long As She Needs Me"

"'Til You Try"

"Gee I'm Gonna Miss You"

"By The Time I Get To Phoenix"

"It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'"

"What A Party"

"Set Me Free"

"Angelica"

Country and Western Album (including performances by Mark Antony) released on the MAESTRO Records Label ........

"Twenty C&W Hits" - Cover A

"Twenty C&W Hits" - Label

"Twenty C&W Hits" - Cover B

Between 1980 and 1984 Television New Zealand's "That's Country" was airing on New Zealand TV, and Pat made regular appearances on this fantastically popular show.  1981 saw Pat singing with Moviez.  Moviez featured Mark Jayet, Peter Gillette, Kerry Church and Jim Kearns.  They released one single in 1981 called Walls of Paradise // Robert the Bruce.  1983 to 1984 saw Pat working as a support act with Little River Band, Charlie Pride, Billy Connolly, The Hollies and The Seekers.  Others associated artists include, Freddy Fender, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Tillotson, George Hamilton IV and The Bellamy Brothers.

"That's Country" with Ray Columbus

"That's Country"

"That's Country"

"That's Country" with Ray Columbus

Additional Pat Kearns (Mark Antony) and related groups information is available on the following individual pages

Lace   º    Funny Feeling   º    Viscounts   º    Moviez   º    Big Daddy