HUGODUNCANONHOW DANIEL HAS STAYED ON TOP FOR 30 YEARS
It’s either a feast or a famine, isn’t it? There are some things you yearn for in life and they appear to elude you for years and then, suddenly, everything falls into place. This thought is prompted by the phenomenal interest in country music in the city of Belfast, an area which has not hitherto been known as a stronghold of this particular form of entertainment.
Now, it would seem that people are spoiled for choice. Scarcely had the curtain come down on the hugely successful Farmers’ Bash earlier this month than the publicity machine surrounding The Three Amigos concert at the Waterfront Hall on Saturday, January 5, swung smoothly into action.
Throw in Michael English’s show at the Ulster Hall last week and Daniel O’Donnell’s forthcoming concert, and it can be clearly seen that Belfast is rapidly becoming the hub of country music — and right at the highest level too.
I am aware that artists such as Shania Twain and others have performed in the city of late, but homegrown talent now appears to be the order of the day — or, rather, night.
Daniel O’Donnell commences a monthlong residency in Branson in the US next week, and on his return he will be the big attraction in the Waterfront on December 18.
There is no doubting Daniel’s magnetic appeal — he is worshipped by his many followers and I feel certain that they will flock to the Waterfront Hall in their droves.
Daniel will be my special guest on the Country Legends programme this Sunday at 6.30pm on Radio Ulster. And I can confirm that he will have some interesting stories to tell.
Indeed, I have some tales to tell about him from the days when his Viking Hotel in Kincasslagh was the place to be.
I well remember standing in the foyer one evening when Daniel’s sister, Kathleen, was on reception duty and two ladies came in seeking food and accommodation but were gen- tly informed that the restaurant and rooms were booked out.
“Well, is it all right if we stand here and breathe in the air of Daniel’s place? We have travelled over 200 miles to get here,” said one.
On another occasion, Daniel and I were in conversation when a couple came down the stairs and approached the desk to complain about what they felt was very loud music and singing that was taking place in the lounge. They were clearly angry, but when they looked round and saw Daniel, their mood changed completely.
“Would you like to come into the lounge and hear a wee song? Sure, I’m going to sing myself,” said Daniel.
I watched them go in — and couldn’t believe it when they joined in the chorus of My Donegal, a song that Daniel made famous.
It’s just over 30 years since Daniel formed his own band under the capable baton of wellknown Dublin manager Sean Reilly.
He has come a long way since then and, given his current status, he could be around for some time yet.
It was Joe Finnegan of Shannonside Radio fame who launched The Three Amigos — Jimmy Buckley, Patrick Feeney and Robert Mizzell — a few years ago, and they have gone from strength to strength since.
Indeed, they have mushroomed to such an extent that the singers are intent on doing a major show in Ulster during their forthcoming Irish tour, and that will be in the Waterfront Hall.
“The guys felt they wanted to challenge themselves and perform at what is a superb venue with a huge capacity,” Finnegan tells me. “We are more than pleased with ticket sales to date and, obviously, we hope to create a big impact.”
Of course, Buckley, Mizzell and Feeney are regular performers with their own bands on the country dancing circuit, but The Three Amigos show helps to underline their individual versatility and talent.