REMEMBERING GEORGE DONALDSON'S LEGACY
Very recently, on February 1st, we all had occasion to stop, and raise a glass to George on what would have been his 49th birthday. It will be 3 years, this March 12th since George left us, and not a day goes by that we don’t stop and think of our dear friend, George.
Such an ebullient, affable and all round great guy, George left us all way too soon. He was a great father and husband, a great friend and comrade and of course a talented musician and balladeer.
George was with Celtic Thunder since that very first show at the Helix in 2007 and throughout the 9 subsequent concert specials, DVDs and CDs. He helped Celtic Thunder create their unique identity and establish the legions of followers and fans we have today. In addition to all our St Patrick’s Day memories of George, he was also with us through 10 tours in the US, Canada, Australia and our first Celtic Thunder Cruise. It’s impossible to think of our Celtic Thunder family and not think of George Donaldson.
But his success as an artist was not restricted to Celtic Thunder. In his extremely successful solo career he won numerous Irish Music Awards (2011 and also 2012). His first solo CD, entitled The White Rose, was released to critical acclaim in 2011, as was its follow-up album, The World In My Mind. George’s musical inspirations came mostly from his homeland of Scotland, however he also had a great appreciation for different sources and styles of music. He also had a great love and affection for meeting people and loved to find out about their life stories. George always said that everyone has a song in them.
When George was not on tour he was happiest to relax into his home life as the loving husband and father he was, doing what he loved to do best…. Gigging in Jinty’s on a Sunday night, “letting his hair down”…. or sitting on the banks of Loch Tay locked in a battle of wits with the fish.
George lived life to the full; he had the greatest sense of fun and was always ready with a smile, a joke and a bear hug. He imbued a sense of camaraderie and he was the focal point of any group. George was beloved by his family, friends and colleagues, a sentiment that he returned in spades.
George, you have enriched the lives of those whose paths you have crossed. You are sorely missed and often talked about. You have left us with so many fond memories and special moments, we thank you for being in our lives. Your legacy will always be remembered in our hearts and minds.
To mark this occasion, the Celtic Thunder Online Store would like to offer a FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD to all the Celtic Thunder Fans, one of the most popular track and from Celtic Thunder's very first album 'The Show'. Just click HERE to download from the Celtic Thunder Online Store.