Daniel O’Donnell – I Just Want To Dance With You

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Daniel O’Donnell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Daniel O’DonnellMBE

O'Donnell in concert in 2009
By CC BY-SA 3.0, Link .

O’Donnell in concert in 2009
Background information
Birth nameDaniel Francis Noel O’Donnell
Also known as“Wee Daniel”
Born12 December 1961 (age 62)
KincasslaghCounty Donegal, Ireland
GenresCountryeasy listeningfolk
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1980–present
Websitewww.danielodonnell.
org

Daniel Francis Noel O’DonnellMBE (born 12 December 1961) is an Irish singertelevision presenter and philanthropist. After rising to public attention in 1983, he has since become a household name in Ireland and Britain; he has also had considerable success in Australia. In 2012, he became the first artist to have a different album in the British charts every year for 25 consecutive years. This record has been extended and as of 2021, O’Donnell has had an album in the Official Albums Chart each year for the last 33 years.

Known for his close relationship with his fanbase, and his charismatic and engaging stage presence, O’Donnell’s music has been described as a mix of country and Irish folk, and he has sold over ten million records to date. He is widely considered a “cultural icon” in Ireland, and is often parodied in the media. Affectionately known as “Wee Daniel”, O’Donnell is a prominent ambassador for his home county of Donegal.

Early life

O’Donnell was born in and brought up in the village of Kincasslagh, in The Rosses district in the west of County Donegal, Ireland. He grew up as the youngest of a Roman Catholic family, with his parents, Julia (née McGonagle born 1919; died 18 May 2014) and Francis O’Donnell, and siblings John (the eldest), Margaret (Margo), Kathleen and James. He has described his upbringing as mostly happy, with the exception of the death of his father after a heart attack when O’Donnell was six years old.

During his school years, O’Donnell considered pursuing a career in banking. Despite this, a career in music was also always a possibility. As a youngster, O’Donnell performed in the local religious choir. In 1980, he went to Galway to pursue business studies, however, he never settled down and by Christmas he was in his sister Margo‘s band. Margo had already forged a successful career in Ireland.

  • Margo & Daniel O’Donnell – Don’t Cry Joni
Margo & Daniel O'Donnell – Don't Cry Joni [Audio Stream]

Career

Rise to fame

Not getting enough opportunities to perform solos with the band, in 1983 O’Donnell decided to record his own record. On 9 February 1983, he recorded his first single, Johnny McCauley‘s “My Donegal Shore”, with £1,200 of his own money, selling all the copies himself.

1. My Donegal Shore – Daniel O'Donnell

Later that year, he formed his own musical group, Country Fever. After the group disbanded, he formed The Grassroots. In 1985, the manager of the Ritz label, Mick Clerkin, saw him perform and introduced him to Sean Reilly, who remains his manager to this day.

Under the management of Reilly, O’Donnell started to sell concerts out in England on a regular basis. According to O’Donnell, by January 1992, he had hit rock bottom with exhaustion. After a three-month recovery break, he returned to the stage, this time at the Point TheatreDublin.

  • Daniel O’Donnell and Friends (Live at The Sands Centre, Carlisle, 1993) (Full Length Concert)
Daniel O'Donnell and Friends (Live at The Sands Centre, Carlisle, 1993) (Full Length Concert)
  • An Evening With Daniel O’Donnell – Live In Dundee Scotland
An Evening With Daniel O'Donnell – Live In Dundee Scotland

Success

By the mid-1990s, O’Donnell had become a household name across Ireland and Great Britain. He appeared on popular television shows in both countries and won various awards. Among the accolades, O’Donnell was named Donegal Person of the Year in 1989, which he still rates as the best award. He was given the Irish Entertainer of the Year award in 1989, 1992 and 1996. O’Donnell’s first chart hit single in the UK was in 1992 with “I Just Want to Dance With You” (later covered by George Strait). This also led to his first appearance on Top of the Pops.

George Strait – I Just Want to Dance with You

During his lengthy career, O’Donnell has made friends with his childhood idols, including Cliff Richard and Loretta Lynn.

Daniel O Donnell and Cliff Richard

 He also forged a close professional relationship with the Irish songstress Mary Duff, who regularly tours with O’Donnell.

O’Donnell had to cancel a series of concerts in Northern Ireland because of death threats from loyalist paramilitaries in 1994. The threat was made in a phone call to Daniel O’Donnell’s Viking House Hotel in Kincasslagh, County Donegal. The caller said O’Donnell would be killed if he went ahead with four sell-out concerts to be held in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, County Down.

2000–present

In 2002, he was awarded an Honorary (because of his Irish citizenship) MBE for his services to the music industry. He has had twenty UK Top 40 albums as well as fifteen Top 40 singles and has sold 10 million records to date.

The Daniel O'Donnell Show (Live at the NEC, Killarney, 2001)
  • Daniel O’Donnell – Songs Of Faith (Live at The Helix, Dublin, 2003) (Full Length Concert)
Daniel O'Donnell – Songs Of Faith (Live at The Helix, Dublin, 2003) (Full Length Concert)

O’Donnell garnered considerable success in North America, when he starred in seven concert specials on public television stations (PBS) in the United States.

  • Daniel O’Donnell – Showtime, Live from Branson, Missouri
Daniel O'Donnell – Showtime, Live from Branson, Missouri (Full Length Concert)
  • Daniel O’Donnell. Stand Bedside Me live in concert in Detroit
https://youtu.be/MwSKInJObMU
  • Daniel O’Donnell – Live From Nashville Pt.1 (Live at The Ryman Auditorium)
Daniel O'Donnell – Live From Nashville Pt.1 (Live at The Ryman Auditorium) [Full Length Concert]
  • Daniel O’Donnell – Live From Nashville Pt. 2 (Live at Nashville, Tennessee)
Daniel O'Donnell – Live From Nashville Pt. 2 (Live at Nashville, Tennessee) [Full Length Concert]
  • Daniel O’Donnell – From The Heartland Maytag Studio, Iowa (Full Length Concert)
Daniel O'Donnell – From The Heartland (Live at The Maytag Studio, Iowa) (Full Length Concert)

He has charted 18 albums in the Top 20 of the U.S. Billboards World Music Album Chart and also has had several entries in the Independent Albums Chart too.

  • Daniel O’Donnell – Stand Beside Me The Macomb Center, Michigan) (Full Length Concert)
Daniel O'Donnell – Stand Beside Me (Live at The Macomb Center, Michigan) (Full Length Concert)

He was afforded an RTÉ Christmas Day special, Daniel at 50, in 2011 to mark his 50th birthday.

In 2015, O’Donnell became the first artist to have charted at least one new album in the UK charts for 28 consecutive years (1988–2015), when his latest album The Hank Williams Songbook entered the UK Artist Albums Chart at number 5.

  • Daniel O’Donnell – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Show
Daniel O'Donnell – The Rock 'n' Roll Show
  • Daniel O’Donnell – Hope And Praise (Live at the Tri-Lakes Centre, Missouri (Full Length Concert)
Daniel O'Donnell – Hope And Praise (Live at the Tri-Lakes Centre, Missouri (Full Length Concert)

A Daniel O’Donnell Visitors’ Centre was opened in Dungloe in May, 2012, which displays all his gold discs, awards and wedding suit.

In Autumn 2015, he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing. He was eliminated third; in week 4 of the series.

Meet Daniel O'Donnell

In October 2015, Daniel and his wife Majella starred in the first series of their TV programme Daniel and Majella’s B&B Road Trip. That series aired on UTV but moved to RTÉ in 2016.

Daniel O'Donnell on His B&B Roadtrip | Lorraine

The Daniel O’Donnell Show 1989, Episode 2

The Daniel O'Donnell Show 1989, Episode 2

The Daniel O’Donnell Show 1989, Episode 3

The Daniel O'Donnell Show 1989, Episode 3

The Daniel O’Donnell Show 1989, Episode 4

The Daniel O'Donnell Show 1989, Episode 4

The Daniel O’Donnell Show 1989, Episode 5

The Daniel O'Donnell Show 1989, Episode 5

The Daniel O’Donnell Show 1989, Episode 6

The Daniel O'Donnell Show 1989, Episode 6

The Daniel O’Donnell Show 1989, Episode 7

The Daniel O'Donnell Show 1989, Episode 7

The Daniel O’Donnell Show 1989, Episode 8

The Daniel O'Donnell Show 1989, Episode 8

Personal life

Kincasslagh Peninsula - Julia O'Donnell's home - geograph.org.uk - 1338600.jpg
By Joseph Mischyshyn, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link. Fans meeting O’Donnell at his annual ‘tea party’, at his mother’s residence in Kincasslagh, County Donegal

O’Donnell was married, aged 40, on 4 November 2002, to 41-year-old divorcée Majella McLennan from Thurles, whom he met on holiday in Tenerife three years previously. McLennan received an annulment of her previous marriage, by which she had two children (Siobhan and Michael). The couple live in Meenbanad, County Donegal, and spend time at their second home in Tenerife.

Daniel O'Donnell's home in Meenbannad area - geograph.org.uk - 1162102.jpg
By Sue Mischyshyn, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link. O’Donnell’s home in Meenbanad, County Donegal

O’Donnell also has two step-grandchildren – a step-granddaughter, Olivia, and a step-grandson, Archie, who are his wife’s grandchildren.

Daniel is proficient in Irish and presented a show in that language for the broadcaster TG4.

Daniel O'Donnell | Daniel sa Bhaile | TG4

Philanthropy

O’Donnell has been involved in many charitable causes for many years, most notably in Romania. He has championed the Romanian Challenge Appeal, a charity that helps orphaned Romanian children re-establish themselves within society. He was involved in urging Irish families to home these young people in Ireland for a period.

  • Daniel O’Donnell – Shades of Green (Full Length Concert, Live at Waterfront Hall, Belfast)
Daniel O'Donnell – Shades of Green (Full Length Concert, Live at Waterfront Hall, Belfast)

Image

O’Donnell is arguably better known for his gentle, soft-spoken personality and clean-cut image, than for his music. Over the years he has attracted vast media attention and there have been many cultural references to the performer. O’Donnell is frequently satirised in Irish and British comedy because of a common supposition that his audience consists mainly of older women. He was parodied as celebrity singer “Eoin McLove” in the Father Ted episode “Night of the Nearly Dead“, as well as an episode of BBC sketch-show Chewin’ the Fat, as an Irish singer named “Donald O’Daniel”. The comedy show Bull Island and the radio sketch segment “Gift Grub” portrayed him in sketches frequently singing about his “mammy”. DJ Chris Moyles has parodied O’Donnell on numerous occasions.

  • An Evening With Daniel O’Donnell & Friends
An Evening With Daniel O'Donnell & Friends

O’Donnell is known for his close relationship with his fans and has a meet-and-greet session after almost every concert. He used to host a massive tea party for his fans outside his Donegal home every year. He has expressed a wish to appear in Coronation Street.

  • Daniel O’Donnell | Thoughts Of Home | A Musical Tour Of Ireland | Full Concert
Daniel O'Donnell | Thoughts Of Home | A Musical Tour Of Ireland | Full Concert

He appeared on Martin and Paul’s Surf ‘n’ Turf.

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
AUSNZUK
The Boy from DonegalReleased: 1984Label: Prism Leisure Corp. Plc (HLP4)
Two Sides of Daniel O’DonnellReleased: 1985Label: Ritz Records (RITZLP0031)
I Need YouReleased: 1986Label: Ritz Records (RITZLP0038)
Don’t Forget to RememberReleased: 1987Label: Ritz Records (RITZLP0043)
From the HeartReleased: October 1988Label: Telstar (STAR2327)56BPI: Gold
Thoughts of HomeReleased: October 1989Label: Telstar (STAR2372)43
The Last WaltzReleased: November 1990Label: Ritz (RITZCD0058)46
Follow Your DreamReleased: November 1992Label: Ritz (RITZBCD701)17BPI: Silver
Especially for YouReleased: October 1994Label: Ritz (RITZBCD703)14BPI: Gold
Christmas with DanielReleased: November 1994Label: Ritz (RITZBCD704)34BPI: Gold
Timeless
(with Mary Duff)
Released: March 1996Label: Ritz (RITZBCD707)13BPI: Silver
The Daniel O’Donnell Irish CollectionReleased: July 1996Label: Ritz (RITZCD0080)35BPI: Silver
Songs of InspirationReleased: October 1996Label: Ritz (RITZBCD709)11
I BelieveReleased: October 1997Label: Ritz (RITZBLC710)11BPI: Gold[38]
Love SongsReleased: October 1998Label: Ritz (RITZBLC715)369BPI: Gold
Faith and InspirationReleased: October 2000Label: Ritz (RZBCD717)4BPI: Gold
Live, Laugh, LoveReleased: November 2001Label: Rosette (ROSCD2002)27BPI: Gold[
Yesterday’s MemoriesReleased: October 2002Label: Rosette (ROSCD2020)19
Daniel in Blue JeansReleased: March 2003Label: DMG TV (DMGTV001)3BPI: Gold
At the End of the DayReleased: October 2003Label: Rosette (ROSCD2040)11BPI: Gold[
The Jukebox Years – 20 More Blue Jeans ClassicsReleased: March 2004Label: DMG TV (DMGTV005)363
Welcome to My WorldReleased: October 2004Label: Rosette (ROSCD2050)876
Teenage DreamsReleased: September 2005Label: Rosette (ROSCD2060)8710
Until the Next TimeReleased: October 2006Label: Rosette (ROSCD2080)483610
Together Again
(with Mary Duff)
Released: November 2007Label: Rosette (ROSCD2090)66196BPI: Gold
Country BoyReleased: October 2008Label: DMG TV (DMGTV035)646BPI: Gold
Peace in the ValleyReleased: October 2009Label: DMG TV (DMGTV036)188BPI: Gold
O’ Holy NightReleased: November 2010Label: DMG TV (DMGTV040)21
Moon Over IrelandReleased: March 2011Label: DMG TV (DMGTV042)109
Songs from the Movies and MoreReleased: October 2012Label: DMG TV (DMGTV048)60107BPI: Silver
A Picture of YouReleased: November 2013Label: DMG TV (DMGTV052)316BPI: Silver
The Hank Williams SongbookReleased: October 2015Label: DMG TV (DMGTV061)515BPI: Silver
I Have a Dream: Classic Songs from the SeventiesReleased: November 2016Label: DMG TV (DMGTV063)12BPI: Silver
Christmas with DanielReleased: November 2017Label: DMG TV (DMGTV067)19
Walkin’ in the MoonlightReleased: November 2018Label: DMG TV (DMGTV072)23
Halfway to ParadiseReleased: October 2019Label: DMG TV (DMGTV076)8
DanielReleased: 16 October 2020Label: DMG TV (DMGTV077)843
60Released: 15 October 2021Label: DMG TV4
I Wish You WellReleased: 4 November 2022Label: DMG TV16
  • Daniel O’Donnell – The Best Of Music And Memories (Full Length Video)
Daniel O'Donnell – The Best Of Music And Memories (Full Length Video)

Live albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
AUSNZUK
A Date with Daniel LiveReleased: October 1993Label: Ritz (RITZBCD702)21
Stand Beside Me – Live in ConcertReleased: November 2014Label: DMG TV (DMGTV059)3121
Hope and PraiseReleased: May 2015Label: Brockwell, Rosette, Sony Music Australia82
Back Home AgainReleased: March 2017Label: DMG TV (DMGTV064)72414
  • Daniel O’Donnell – At Home In Ireland, Live at Letterkenny (Full Length)
Daniel O'Donnell – At Home In Ireland, Live at Letterkenny (Full Length)

Charting compilation albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
AUSNZUK
FavouritesReleased: April 1990Label: Ritz (RITZCD0052)61BPI: Silver
The Very Best of Daniel O’DonnellReleased: November 1991Label: Ritz (RITZBLD700)34
The Classic CollectionReleased: November 1995Label: Ritz (RITZBCD705)34
Greatest HitsReleased: September 1999Label: Ritz (RZBCD716)972310BPI: Gold
The Very Best of Daniel O’DonnellReleased: 2002Label: Ritz (RITZBLC700)6
MemoriesReleased: March 2004Label: CRIMSON (CRIMBX44)94
The Rock ‘n’ Roll CollectionReleased: March 2005Label: DMG TV (DMGTV015)86
From Daniel with LoveReleased: January 2006Label: DMG TV (DMGTV027)325BPI: Gold
Early MemoriesReleased: 2006Label: CRIMSON (MCDLX033)94
The Essential Daniel O’DonnellReleased: March 2010Label: Big Joke/ Sony9
The Ultimate CollectionReleased: October 2011Label: DMG TV (DMGTV045)117BPI: Gold
The Best of Music and MemoriesReleased: February 2016Label: DMG TV (DMGTV062)15
The Gold CollectionReleased: March 2019Label: Crimson (CRIMCD622)23
  • Daniel O’Donnell – Just For You (Full Length Video)
Daniel O'Donnell – Just For You (Full Length Video)
  • Daniel O’Donnell – The Classic Concert, The University Concert Hall, Limerick (Full Length)
Daniel O'Donnell – The Classic Concert (Live At The University Concert Hall, Limerick) (Full Length)
  • Christmas With Daniel O’Donnell
Christmas With Daniel O'Donnell

Extended plays

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
AUSUK
The Love SongsReleased: May 1997Label: Ritz (RITZCD306)9627
  • New Years Eve With Daniel ODonnell Live From Millstreet
New Years Eve With Daniel ODonnell Live From Millstreet

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
IRL
[39]
AUS
[35]
UK
[37]
“Two’s Company” (with Margo)19883
Margo & Daniel O'Donnell – Two's Company [Audio Stream]
“Far From Home”19891Thoughts Of Home
Far Far from Home
“Last Waltz of the Evening”19907Love Songs
Last Waltz of the Evening
“Marianne”199122The Last Waltz
Marianne Sung By Daniel O'Donnell
“Letters from the Postman’s Bag”19919
Letter From the Postman's Bag
“The Three Bells”19911971Love Songs
The Three Bells
“I Just Want To Dance with you”1992220Follow Your Dream
I Just Want to Dance with You
“The Love in Your Eyes”1992220Follow Your Dream
The Love in Your Eyes
“What Ever Happened to Old Fashioned Love”1991521Especially for You
Whatever Happened to Old Fashioned Love
“Singing the Blues”1991521Especially for You
Singing the Blues
“The Gift”199446Christmas With Daniel
The Gift by Daniel O'Donnell
“Secret Love” (with Mary Duff)19952028Love Songs
Secret Love
“Timeless” (with Mary Duff)199632Timeless
Timeless
“Footsteps”19962825The Classic Collection
Footsteps – Daniel O'Donnel – with lyrics
“Give a Little Love”199858217Love Songs
Give A Little Love Daniel O'Donnell
“The Magic Is There”199816Love Songs
The Magic Is There
“The Way Dreams Are”199825Love Songs
The way dreams are / Daniel O'Donnell
“Uno Mas”199925Greatest Hits
UNO MAS -O'DONNELL.wmv
“A Christmas Kiss”199920
Daniel O' Donnell – A Christmas Kiss
“Light a Candle”200023Faith & Inspiration
Light A Candle Daniel O'Donnell
Morning Has Broken200032Faith & Inspiration
Morning Has Broken
You Raise Me Up200322At the End of the Day
You Raise Me Up
“Crush On You”20065721Until the Next Time
Crush On You

Awards and honours

  • 1988 – RTÉ Guide Favourite Country Artist of the Year
  • 1989 – RTÉ Guide Favourite Country Artist of the Year
  • 1989 – Donegal Person of the Year
  • 1989 – IRMA Entertainer of the Year
  • 1990 – RTÉ Guide Favourite Country Artist of the Year
  • 1991 – RTÉ Guide Favourite Country Artist of the Year
  • 1991 – British Country Music Awards International Artist of the Year
  • 1991 – CMRU Most Popular British Vocalist
  • 1991 – IRMA Entertainer of the Year
  • 1992 – IRMA Entertainer of the Year
  • 1992 – RTÉ Guide Favourite Country Artist of the Year
  • 1992 – British Country Music Awards International Artist of the Year
  • 1992 – CMRU Most Popular British Vocalist
  • 1995 – British Country Music Awards International Artist of the Year
  • 1997 – British Country Music Awards Ambassador Award for Outstanding Services to Country Music
  • 2000 – This Is Your Life Tribute
  • 2002 – Awarded an Honorary MBE for services to the music industry and charity
  • 2004 – Lifetime Achievement Award from The Irish Post
  • 2011 – Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sunday World
  • Daniel O’Donnell – Can You Feel the Love? (Live at the NEC, Killarney, Ireland) [Full Concert]
Daniel O'Donnell – Can You Feel the Love? (Live at the NEC, Killarney, Ireland) [Full Concert]
  • Daniel O’Donnell – Live at The Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, Scotland (Full Length Concert)
Daniel O'Donnell – Live at The Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, Scotland (Full Length Concert)
  • An Evening With Daniel O’Donnell – Live at the Whitehall Theatre (Full Length)
An Evening With Daniel O'Donnell – Live at the Whitehall Theatre (Full Length)
  • Daniel O’Donnell – The Gospel Show (Filmed live at The Point, Dublin 1996) [Full Length Concert]
Daniel O'Donnell – The Gospel Show (Filmed live at The Point, Dublin 1996) [Full Length Concert]
  • Daniel O’Donnell – Back Home Again [Live In Dublin] (Full Length Video)
Daniel O'Donnell – Back Home Again [Live In Dublin] (Full Length Video)
  • Daniel O’Donnell – Live In Concert, Ulster Hall, Belfast (Full Length Concert)
Daniel O'Donnell – Just For You (Full Length Video)
  • The Best Of Daniel O’Donnell On Film
The Best Of Daniel O'Donnell On Film (Full Length Video)
  • Daniel O’Donnell 2024
DANIEL O'DONNELL 2024

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