Many people have heard of the Irish entertainer called Daniel O’Donnell. For over two decades now he has been touring the world bringing his music to his devoted fans, but it works both ways, Daniel is a rare entertainer in that he too has a devotion to his fans. There are not many entertainers that know the names of most of their fans which is what Daniel does, he also keeps in touch with them and offers kind words during hard times. He once was interested in being a teacher and it would seem his good memory would have been well suited to that profession and he would never have had any trouble remembering his students names! but in a way Daniel’s profession of entertainer is not so dissimilar from that of teacher, as a teacher you must put on a show that will engage your audience or class and hopefully enrich their experiences and most Daniel fans would agree he does just that and continues to do so.
Daniel came from humble beginnings in his home of Donegal, Ireland to performing in his sister Margot’s band and finding success internationally and of more recent times performing concerts each year in Branson Missouri. Its a long way for the young man who grew up in a house without running water and with an outside toilet, and who cut turf amongst other jobs, to the man today who commands a legion of fans worldwide. Quite simply in Ireland he is a legend. But his early days of the importance of church and community and caring for others have left their indelible print. Perhaps that is why he works so hard at keeping in touch with his fans and treating them more as valued friends.
Daniel’s career continues to go from strength to strength with many twists and turns in his career, most recently he took part in performing on a cruise ship. Like in all good stories, the seas were stormy and Daniel jokes that coping with the turbulence helped him create new dance steps he never considered in his repertoire!
Another project dear to Daniel’s heart is his renewal of interest in the Irish language and he intends to return to a school of Irish culture and language in July to brush up his language skills. All children in Ireland learn Irish up to a certain period of time. Daniel’s interest in learning the language is twofold. He wants to be proficient in the language of his ancestors and also wants to contribute more to Irish television without needing help.
This year Daniel will have a little time off from constant touring. After the Australian tour he will not tour again until August when he will do some shows in Ireland and England until Branson in September.
In the interim Daniel will have the chance to work on another project, recording a new album of songs from musicals, including his favourite ‘The Sound of Music’, also ‘Calamity Jane’ and perhaps ‘The King and I’. It will be a change for Daniel who is always keen to expand his repertoire. Some fans would also like him to record some songs from the swing era emulating greats like frank Sinatra. It seems it is something well within Daniel’s reach.
This chosen absence, however slight, from performing prompts me to ask Daniel about a not so welcome absence from singing many years ago. This absence was an enforced one when he suffered with voice problems. This was one of the worst times of Daniels life but it was also a watershed where he had to make the decision to not perform any more at the dances (dances are a popular event in Ireland and many young singers cut their teeth on performing at these occasions to get them their start in the business), where smoking was permitted and make a commitment to concert performances, a decision he is glad he made as it led to his present career.
Daniel is a believer in things happening for a reason. Its not a difficult thing for an Irish person, as most have open minds having grown up in a place where strong Christian faith lives in harmony for the most part alongside a belief in some of the superstitions of the ancient Celtic world. It’s the belief in the Celtic supernatural that sees contractors doing all they can to avoid trespass on what is deemed to be a fairy fort and finding a way to go around it and so appease the fairy folk.
There are other superstitions too, one pertinent to Daniel that revolves around the seventh son of a seventh son. Daniel’s father was a seventh son. The belief is that this seventh son of a seventh son has a healing power, the belief probably stems from the religious connotation of the number 7 and it’s good vibes as well as the belief that a man’s seventh son would be born when the father was more mature and that child would inherit this more developed intelligence. Another famous seventh son of a seventh son in the entertainment industry was Perry Como. Many of Daniel’s fans would attest he has perhaps inherited some of these healing abilities where by his compassion to his fans during their difficult times is healing in itself and of course there is the healing and soothing power of his songs.
Indeed faith is a very important part of Daniel’s life. Coming from Ireland the family focus was the church, and so it was when Daniel was growing up, all important events were tied up with church celebrations, such as baptism, first communion etc. and so it is today that the church is still vital to Daniel’s life. He tries to attend church every week although he adds he does not push his personal faith on anyone.
Faith has helped him through very difficult times like his problems with his voice and he says in a delightful phrase, when there is difficulty he will be ‘stormin heaven’ with prayers.
It was Daniel’s initiative to bring his show to Tasmania this year after many years absence.
You can see Daniel in concert in Hobart at the Wrest Point Casino on Tuesday, March 13 and in Launceston at Albert Hall on March 14.
Paula Xiberras
