FIANLLY FRIDAY: Hear the Thunder

Six years ago Scotsman George Donaldson cancelled a family trip to Australia to join a quintet of Celtic performers.
A self-taught musician and “bus builder” by trade, Donaldson admitted he never anticipated travelling to Australia or worldwide to sing in sold out venues with Celtic Thunder years later.
“I remember being introduced to other guys and thinking ’There’s no way I can sing with classically trained boys’,” Donaldson reminisced.
“But we sang and I thought ‘The vocals here are amazing’ and I’ve never enjoyed something so much.”
Donaldson recalled how producers Sharon Brown and Phil Coulter were seeking a Braveheart-like “six-foot-two guy from Scotland who could sing”.
“I tick most of the boxes,” Donaldson laughed, alluding to his bald head.
Donaldson believed the members’ wide age range – from early 20s to mid-40s – was the “perfect blend” that helped earn the group Billboard magazine’s Top World Album Artist recognition in 2009.
He dubbed Celtic Thunder’s other soloists and accompanying band as “family” despite having a wife and teenage daughter at home.
But being away from his real family reminded him to “put [his] head down and work hard” while on tour.
“People think it’s just about flying overseas and singing but it’s hard work and we want to perform well.”
Donaldson said the group’s previous Australian tour had “inspired” Celtic Thunder to revisit its back catalogue.
“On our last tour we’d released our material in the United States that hadn’t been released yet in Australia, so we couldn’t sing everything.
“But we sang some of our older songs that we believe had been taken out of our set list too quickly – songs we enjoyed.
“This time we’re digging out the greatest hits as well as a lot of our newer stuff from (albums) Voyage and Heritage.”
Celtic Thunder plays Geelong Arena on February 7.
The Independent is offering readers the chance to win double passes to the concert, with giveaway details at www.facebook.com/GeelongIndependent.