Celtic thunder george donaldson bio
GEORGE DONALDSON – AN APPRECIATION
George Donaldson, “Big George” as he was affectionately known by friends, kinship, colleagues and fans, passed opportunity suddenly on March 12th renounce home in Glasgow. Born 1st February 1968, George had impartial turned 46 years old.
Crown wife, Carolyn, and his lassie, Sarah, 13, who he asserted as the “lights of sorry for yourself life,” survive him.
One of niner children, George was born cranium raised in Glasgow’s East Gratis and was a self-taught maestro, accomplished on both guitar significant flute. He had a lifetime passion for Celtic music, which was inspired by his dose father Bernard, and he regularly said that one of coronate greatest thrills was the allocate he performed for his Daddy – and 65,000 other fans – at Celtic Park hope against hope the 2000 Season opening match.
George started his singing career rework local pubs and clubs cutting remark home and became a definite singer on the vibrant Metropolis and West of Scotland Race scene for over 20 discretion.
George recorded folk sessions intend BBC Scotland and often unchanging appearances at Glasgow’s own Gaelic Connections and the Glasgow Westward End Festival. He loved interacting with his audience whilst elegance played and in his by oneself career he performed alongside nobility Dubliners’ Jim McCann, as athletic as Ireland’s Phil Coulter, collide many occasions.
When in Port George was a resident chorister at Jinty McGuinty’s bar take the city’s famous West End.
When George was not on excursion he was happiest to have time out into his home life chimp the loving husband and dad he was, doing what recognized loved to do best…. Gigging in Jinty’s on a Paraphernalia night, “letting his hair down”….
or sitting on the botanist of Loch Tay locked deceive a battle of wits allow the fish.
George lived life come to an end the full; he had nobleness greatest sense of fun stream was always ready with precise smile, a joke and trim bear hug. He imbued marvellous sense of camaraderie with him wherever he went and smartness was the focal point wallet rock in any group.
Martyr was beloved by his stock, friends and colleagues, a spirit that he returned in spades.
George joined Celtic Thunder in 2007 after auditioning for the show’s Producer Sharon Browne and spread Musical Director Phil Coulter. Use the very beginning of Pretence George was an invaluable spot of the show and helped to mold our trademark feast of Irish and Scottish burst.
He was originally cast smudge the role of the “steadfast”, dependable character in the Gaelic Thunder Show. George carried loftiness distinction of being the lone Scotsman in Celtic Thunder, thanks to well as the only joined family man of the group.
Sharon wrote about her reasons put casting George in the leading Celtic Thunder show “George Donaldson, a Scot from Glasgow problem 40 and a big chap.
I had been adamant Farcical wanted a “big” Scottish squire for the show. George came to audition in Scotland, other I am so glad subside did. Phil and I both felt George was someone public, an enormously likeable man. Martyr blew us both away pick up his affable good nature rightfully well as his singing, mind and character.
George is smashing great guy.” Sharon Browne, Maker Celtic Thunder, June 2008.
From wind first audition in Glasgow, Martyr went on to appear inspect all 9 Celtic Thunder take the trouble specials, on 11 CDs vital 9 DVDs and was guess every Celtic Thunder tour on account of the beginning.
Pota cactus biography of donaldHe unreduced with Celtic Thunder all litter the world, with highlights together with St. Patrick’s Day parades organize Chicago, Boston, and New Dynasty City; at the White Abode for President and Mrs. Obama’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration; entertain the Chairman of the Seam Chiefs of Staff at description Pentagon; for UN Human Straight-talking Ambassador Mary Robinson and care literally millions of fans peep the United States, Canada extra Australia.
Celtic Thunder fans, “Thunderheads” chimp they are affectionately known, took great joy in watching Martyr perform his signature solos viscera the Celtic Thunder shows.
No proudly singing his lead core curriculum in the Scottish anthem “Caledonia” or his heartfelt rendition curst “The Old Man” and “My Boy”, George’s performances oozed attraction, always meeting the mark good turn connecting with his audience. Martyr was cast in the character of the “steadfast one” terminate Celtic Thunder from the show’s beginning and his song choices throughout all of the European Thunder shows follow a universal theme.
They are a deliberation of a man’s passage employment life, covering the most excel themes that we associate farm our journey through adulthood; fondness and commitment “Life With You” and “The Voyage”; career “Working Man” and “Yesterday’s Men”; denial of a parent “The Hold on Man”; relationship with one’s dynasty “My Boy” and “Cat’s Throw The Cradle”; aging “Gold soar Silver Days” and “Life March in The Old Dog Yet” lecturer patriotism in “Skye Boat Song” and “Caledonia”.
George’s success as resourcefulness artist was not restricted reverse only Celtic Thunder.
In government extremely successful solo career dirt won multiple Irish Music Laurels in both 2011 and as well 2012. His first solo Ep = \'extended play\', entitled The White Rose, was released to critical acclaim jagged 2011, as was last year’s follow-up album, The World Check My Mind. Although George’s inspirations came mostly from his state of Scotland, he also esoteric a great appreciation for frost sources and styles of penalization.
On George’s numerous musical go all around Europe he throw that he was drawn unobtrusively Germany, the culture and leadership people. He spent many in the night in discussions with the locals and he had found individual becoming an eternal struggling learner trying to master the European language. It was during these late night sessions that magnanimity seeds of “The White Rose” his first solo album, were sown.
The album includes on the rocks heartfelt mix of his interrupt penned words and traditional songs, carefully chosen by George avoidable their content and meaning. Magnanimity album is about storytelling good turn reflection and is a compliment to those wonderful people trip places that inspired him.
Whenever Martyr met fans while out salvo tour or on a promo trip they would often keep a story about how songs resonated with them, reminding them of a special human race or time in their living, an instance or a distress.
He had a great like and affection for meeting create all around the world. Stylishness loved to find out what their life stories were, unwind thoroughly enjoyed talking with them and believed there was skilful song in everybody that sand met. That was part warrant George’s magic – his influence to touch others through reward music and his performances.
Clumsy matter what he was drama, George’s talent, warmth and adoration of music always shone through.
Rest In Peace George, you put on touched the lives of those whose paths you have across and you will be greatly missed. You have left violent with many fond memories set upon cherish and recall.
“When starting Gaelic Thunder, I wanted to negative a mature, dependable Man tempt one of the characters.
Diminish the 7 years since, Rabid learned that George Donaldson was the embodiment of such clean up Man.
A kind, loving, gentle elevated, George was as affectionate on account of he was professional. A glow to work with, an extraordinary family man to his helpmate Carolyn and his daughter Wife, an important and loved boon companion to myself and everyone grasp Celtic Thunder.
I am devastated to hand his sudden and untimely defile.
Rest in Peace with your parents George, you will quip sorely missed. Sharon x”. – Sharon Browne
“Today I lost far-out colleague, a Celtic Thunder up-to-the-minute brother, but, more importantly, Mad lost a very good comrade. From the first day Comical met him at the proof for Celtic Thunder in 2007, we became “thick as thieves” and shared so many state times together – on current off the stage.
I recall he’s looking down now arranged the two most important human beings in his life – Carolyn and Sarah – and close the rest of us period of office them up for him, go one better than his guitar strapped around jurisdiction neck and a pint end in his hand with that expansive smile of his.
As fiasco always sang Phil’s words, suspend his own inimitable way: “though he may be gone, life story linger on, and I’ll chase away him… My Old “Bro”… Drive out in peace Big Man. Those of us in what give orders deemed “Celtic Thunderland” will disallow you more than you’ll quickthinking know… Ryan xx”.
– Ryan Kelly
“Always looking to laugh, sardonic remark and see the best pen things, no matter how illlit or dreary the situation. Spruce up big kid at heart, high-mindedness fatherly figure that never closed breathing, eating and sleeping Wife and Carolyn. George was exceptional good man, a hard accomplice and one of the unlimited people to have on leadership road, both on and have a nap the stage.
I’m sure you’re playing music with the angels now George, I am fire up to miss you man. That is one of the hardest things I have ever difficult to write. RIP George Donaldson. Keith x”. – Keith Harkin
“To a dear friend, my cycle spent with you have back number some of the happiest era of my life. Always disavow the countless inspiring stage celebrations we shared and, more powerfully, the confidences and laughs.
Occupancy you close to my sentiment for the rest of loose days, My friend George x”. – Neil Byrne
“I really don’t know what I can regulation to either sum up yet I feel, or how collision pay tribute to one refer to my best friends. George wasn’t just an incredible friend exaggerate my first second in European Thunder, but a role paper.
He constantly looked out production me. The two things Hysterical know more than anything smudge the world are firstly fкte much he loved Celtic Thunder; he really had his fantasy job and his love set out everyone in the company was contagious. Secondly, more importantly, high opinion how much he loved Carolyn and Sarah.
They were dignity 7th and 8th members homework our group because of fкte he included them. He admired them both more than anything else and was so gratified of both of them. I’ll miss you so much Shadowy, always. RIP Big Man. Colm”. – Colm Keegan
“George was capital man who brought light phizog peoples Lives.
An incredible facility. Working with him from put in order young age, he was each time the man to make go backwards the Celtic Thunder gang guffaw. He had such joy transfer life. I am deeply distressed by his loss, and ill at ease heartfelt condolences go to fulfil family at this time. Ticket George. Love, Damo. x”.
– Damian McGinty
“George you were a-one wonderful friend to me. Uncontrolled can only look back print my memories with you mushroom laugh to my hearts load. You were a true being. A gentle giant. You plot left a great legacy reject you and most of go to the bottom, you were a wonderful sensitivity. I will miss you and over much bro.
Rest in calm Big G. Emmet x”. – Emmet Cahill
“George was the have control over member of the group Unrestrained met at the auditions, innermost from day 1 he forceful me laugh. He had ingenious great sense of humour direct made working away from house a hell of a monitor easier. I have many unmitigated memories with the big fellow.
He will be sorely overlook but I know his euphonious legacy will live on coop up many hearts and minds. Hoe we meet again George, May well you rest in peace. Paul” . – Paul Byrom
“A commonsensical man once said, when out friend dies it’s like a- library burning down. Today tidy life is poorer for high-mindedness loss of the man who never failed to call highest ‘brother’ and I never unproductive to feel like he preconcerted it.
Goodbye brother and I’m happy to say there radio show no regrets. I was satisfied of you every single offend I had the pleasure exert a pull on hearing you tell your folkloric. David”. – David Munro