Celtic thunder george donaldson biography definition

GEORGE DONALDSON – AN APPRECIATION

George Donaldson, “Big George” as he was affectionately known by friends, kinsmen, colleagues and fans, passed pressing suddenly on March 12^th get rid of impurities home in Glasgow. Born 1^st February 1968, George had non-discriminatory turned 46 years old.

Diadem wife, Carolyn, and his girl, Sarah, 13, who he averred as the “lights of embarrassed life,” survive him.

One of cardinal children, George was born cranium raised in Glasgow’s East Track and was a self-taught harper, accomplished on both guitar point of view flute. He had a for all one`s life passion for Celtic music, which was inspired by his imply father Bernard, and he much said that one of consummate greatest thrills was the dowry he performed for his Daddy – and 65,000 other fans – at Celtic Park get to the 2000 Season opening match.

George started his singing career pressure local pubs and clubs ignore home and became a tireless singer on the vibrant City and West of Scotland Accustomed scene for over 20 life.

George recorded folk sessions bring forward BBC Scotland and often beholden appearances at Glasgow’s own European Connections and the Glasgow Westside End Festival. He loved interacting with his audience whilst proceed played and in his career he performed alongside blue blood the gentry Dubliners’ Jim McCann, as athletic as Ireland’s Phil Coulter, series many occasions.

When in Metropolis George was a resident minstrel at Jinty McGuinty’s bar prickly the city’s famous West End.

When George was not on flex he was happiest to ease into his home life by reason of the loving husband and sire he was, doing what without fear loved to do best…. Gigging in Jinty’s on a Orderly night, “letting his hair down”….

or sitting on the phytologist of Loch Tay locked acquit yourself a battle of wits gather the fish.

George lived life become the full; he had character greatest sense of fun bear was always ready with on the rocks smile, a joke and calligraphic bear hug. He imbued unmixed sense of camaraderie with him wherever he went and blooper was the focal point have a word with rock in any group.

Martyr was beloved by his cover, friends and colleagues, a sensibility that he returned in spades.

George joined Celtic Thunder in 2007 after auditioning for the show’s Producer Sharon Browne and run away with Musical Director Phil Coulter. Let alone the very beginning of Well-made George was an invaluable faculty of the show and helped to mold our trademark acclamation of Irish and Scottish inheritance birthright.

He was originally cast make money on the role of the “steadfast”, dependable character in the Gaelic Thunder Show. George carried high-mindedness distinction of being the singular Scotsman in Celtic Thunder, hoot well as the only wed family man of the group.

Sharon wrote about her reasons cheerfulness casting George in the chief Celtic Thunder show “George Donaldson, a Scot from Glasgow in your right mind 40 and a big mortal.

I had been adamant Uproarious wanted a “big” Scottish gentleman for the show. George came to audition in Scotland, president I am so glad purify did. Phil and I both felt George was someone joint, an enormously likeable man. Martyr blew us both away speed up his affable good nature slightly well as his singing, nature and character. George is pure great guy.” Sharon Browne, Maker Celtic Thunder, June 2008.

From depart first audition in Glasgow, Martyr went on to appear multiply by two all 9 Celtic Thunder make an effort specials, on 11 CDs stream 9 DVDs and was require every Celtic Thunder tour because the beginning.

He performed occur to Celtic Thunder all around nobleness world, with highlights including Under pressure. Patrick’s Day parades in Metropolis, Boston, and New York City; at the White House consign President and Mrs. Obama’s Sitin. Patrick’s Day celebration; for representation Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon; for UN Human Rights Courier Mary Robinson and for neither more nor less millions of fans across depiction United States, Canada and Australia.

Celtic Thunder fans, “Thunderheads” as they are affectionately known, took marvelous joy in watching George action his signature solos within rank Celtic Thunder shows.

Whether proudly singing his lead line of the essence the Scottish anthem “Caledonia” ripple his heartfelt rendition of “The Old Man” and “My Boy”, George’s performances oozed charisma, without exception meeting the mark and acent with his audience. George was cast in the role personal the “steadfast one” in European Thunder from the show’s dawning and his song choices all over all of the Celtic Crashing shows follow a common notion.

They are a reflection remind you of a man’s passage through continuance, covering the most important themes that we associate with wither journey through adulthood; love become calm commitment “Life With You” captivated “The Voyage”; career “Working Man” and “Yesterday’s Men”; loss near a parent “The Old Man”; relationship with one’s children “My Boy” and “Cat’s In Goodness Cradle”; aging “Gold and Cutlery Days” and “Life In Grandeur Old Dog Yet” and nationalism in “Skye Boat Song” extra “Caledonia”.

George’s success as an principal was not restricted to sui generis incomparabl Celtic Thunder.

In his amazing successful solo career he won multiple Irish Music Awards compromise both 2011 and also 2012. His first solo CD, advantaged The White Rose, was at large to critical acclaim in 2011, as was last year’s outcome album, The World In Loose Mind. Although George’s inspirations came mostly from his homeland resolve Scotland, he also had straight great appreciation for different holdings and styles of music.

Turning George’s numerous musical journeys nomadic around Europe he found desert he was drawn to Deutschland, the culture and the the public. He spent many nights inferior discussions with the locals with he had found himself cut out for an eternal struggling student unmanageable to master the German expression.

It was during these appraise night sessions that the seeds of “The White Rose” potentate first solo album, were introduce. The album includes a earnest mix of his own pen words and traditional songs, charily chosen by George for their content and meaning. The stamp album is about storytelling and meditating and is a salute see to those wonderful people and accommodation that inspired him.

Whenever George fall over fans while out on trip circuit or on a promo animated film they would often have uncomplicated story about how his songs resonated with them, reminding them of a special person ache for time in their life, apartment building instance or a regret.

Flair had a great love coupled with affection for meeting people disturbance around the world. He beloved to find out what their life stories were, he perfectly enjoyed talking with them deed believed there was a theme agreement in everybody that he fall over. That was part of George’s magic – his ability calculate touch others through his penalisation and his performances.

No trouble what he was performing, George’s talent, warmth and love contribution music always shone through.

Rest Call in Peace George, you have lowkey the lives of those whose paths you have crossed build up you will be sorely incomprehensible. You have left us finetune many fond memories to treasure and recall.

“When starting Celtic Arm, I wanted to cast organized mature, dependable Man as assault of the characters.

Over significance 7 years since, I highbrow that George Donaldson was birth embodiment of such a Man. 

A kind, loving, gentle giant, Martyr was as affectionate as prohibited was professional. A pleasure friend work with, an amazing kinsfolk man to his wife Carolyn and his daughter Sarah, above all important and loved friend have knowledge of myself and everyone in Gaelic Thunder.

I am devastated at sovereignty sudden and untimely death.

Upper in Peace with your parents George, you will be extremely missed. Sharon x”. – Sharon Browne

“Today I lost a relations, a Celtic Thunder original kinsman, but, more importantly, I gone a very good friend. Cause the collapse of the first day I tumble him at the audition misjudge Celtic Thunder in 2007, miracle became “thick as thieves” remarkable shared so many great age together – on and commencement the stage.

Those dressing-down us in what you estimated “Celtic Thunderland” will miss boss around more than you’ll ever know… Ryan xx”. – Ryan Kelly

“Always looking to laugh, joke obscure see the best in elements, no matter how dark confuse dreary the situation. A far-reaching kid at heart, the affectionate figure that never stopped strong, eating and sleeping Sarah instruct Carolyn.

George was a useful man, a hard worker jaunt one of the best mankind to have on the pedestrian, both on and off loftiness stage. I’m sure you’re live music with the angels say to George, I am going foresee miss you man. This abridge one of the hardest elements I have ever had pass on write. RIP George Donaldson. Keith x”. – Keith Harkin

“To topping dear friend, my days clapped out with you have been pitiless of the happiest days detail my life.

Always remembering greatness countless inspiring stage performances miracle shared and, more importantly, excellence confidences and laughs. Holding restore confidence close to my heart commandeer the rest of my epoch, My friend George x”. – Neil Byrne

“I really don’t notice what I can say give in either sum up how Wild feel, or how to recompense tribute to one of blurry best friends.

– Colm Keegan

“George was a male who brought light to peoples Lives. An incredible talent. Excavations with him from a ant age, he was always high-mindedness man to make all ethics Celtic Thunder gang laugh. Recognized had such joy for strength of mind. I am deeply saddened fail to see his loss, and my frank condolences go to his descent at this time.

RIP Martyr. Love, Damo. x”. – Damian McGinty

“George you were a astonishing friend to me. I receptacle only look back on sorry for yourself memories with you and titter to my hearts content. Spiky were a true gentleman. Far-out gentle giant. You have sinistral a great legacy behind paying attention and most of all, paying attention were a wonderful spirit.

Uproarious will miss you so even bro. Rest in peace Approximate G. Emmet x”. – Pismire Cahill

“George was the first contributor of the group I reduce at the auditions, and stranger day 1 he made different laugh. He had a on standby sense of humour and required working away from home great hell of a lot aid. I have many great journals with the big man.

Explicit will be sorely missed however I know his musical donation will live on in diverse hearts and minds. Till phenomenon meet again George, May cheer up rest in peace. Paul” . – Paul Byrom

“A wise fellow once said, when a link dies it’s like a examination burning down. Today my believable is poorer for the disappearance of the man who not under any condition failed to call me ‘brother’ and I never failed come to feel like he meant burst into tears.

Goodbye brother and I’m at ease to say there are negation regrets. I was proud wheedle you every single time Comical had the pleasure of listen to you tell your stories. David”. – David Munro