Daniel O'Donnell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel O'Donnell
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O'Donnell in concert in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Daniel Francis Noel O'Donnell |
| Also known as | "Wee Daniel" |
| Born | 12 December 1961 Kincasslagh, County Donegal, Ireland |
| Genres | Country, easy listening, folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Associated acts | Majella O'Donnell, Margo, Mary Duff |
Daniel O'Donnell is a famous Irish singer, TV presenter, and someone who helps charities. He was born on December 12, 1961. He became well-known in 1983 and is now a household name in Ireland and Britain. He has also been very successful in Australia.
Daniel O'Donnell holds an amazing record! He has had a new album in the British music charts every year for 36 years in a row. This makes him one of the most successful music artists ever. People love him for being friendly and engaging during his shows. His music is a mix of country and Irish folk styles. He has sold over ten million records. Many people in Ireland see him as a "cultural icon". He is often called "Wee Daniel" and is a proud ambassador for his home county, Donegal.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Daniel O'Donnell grew up in a small village called Kincasslagh in County Donegal, Ireland. He was the youngest of five children in a Roman Catholic family. His parents were Julia and Francis O'Donnell. Sadly, his father passed away from a heart attack when Daniel was only six years old.
When he was in school, Daniel thought about working in a bank. However, music was always a big part of his life. He sang in the local church choir when he was young. In 1980, he went to Galway to study business, but he didn't stay long. By Christmas that year, he had joined his sister Margo's band. Margo was already a successful singer in Ireland.
Daniel's Music Journey
Starting His Own Career
Daniel wanted more chances to sing on his own. So, in 1983, he decided to record his own song. On February 9, 1983, he recorded "My Donegal Shore" by Johnny McCauley. He used his own money, about £1,200, and sold all the copies himself. Later that year, he started his own music group called Country Fever. After that group, he formed another one called The Grassroots.
In 1985, a music manager named Mick Clerkin saw Daniel perform. He introduced Daniel to Sean Reilly, who is still Daniel's manager today. With Sean Reilly's help, Daniel started selling out concerts in England regularly. By 1992, Daniel felt very tired from all the work. He took a three-month break to rest. After his break, he returned to the stage in Dublin.
Becoming a Household Name
By the mid-1990s, Daniel O'Donnell was famous across Ireland and Great Britain. He appeared on popular TV shows and won many awards. In 1989, he was named Donegal Person of the Year, which he still considers his best award. He also won the Irish Entertainer of the Year award in 1989, 1992, and 1996.
His first song to become a hit in the UK was "I Just Want to Dance With You" in 1992. This song also led to his first appearance on the famous TV show Top of the Pops. Throughout his long career, Daniel has become friends with his childhood idols, like Cliff Richard and Loretta Lynn. He also often tours with the Irish singer Mary Duff.
Success in the 2000s and Beyond
In 2002, Daniel received an honorary MBE award. This was for his great contributions to music and charity. He has had twenty albums in the UK Top 40 charts. He also had fifteen songs in the Top 40 singles chart. He has sold over 10 million records worldwide.
Daniel also became very popular in North America. He starred in seven concert specials on public TV stations (PBS) in the United States. He has had 18 albums in the Top 20 of the U.S. Billboard's World Music Album Chart. In 2011, RTÉ, an Irish TV channel, had a special Christmas Day show called Daniel at 50 to celebrate his 50th birthday.
In 2015, Daniel O'Donnell made history again. He became the first artist to have at least one new album in the UK charts for 28 years in a row. His album The Hank Williams Songbook reached number 5 on the UK Artist Albums Chart. A special Daniel O'Donnell Visitors' Centre opened in Dungloe in May 2012. It shows off his gold records, awards, and even his wedding suit.
In Autumn 2015, Daniel appeared on the popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing. He was eliminated in week 4 of the series. In October 2015, Daniel and his wife Majella started their own TV show called Daniel and Majella's B&B Road Trip. It first aired on UTV and then moved to RTÉ in 2016.
Personal Life
Daniel O'Donnell married Majella McLennan on November 4, 2002, when he was 40 years old. Majella is from Thurles and they met on holiday in Tenerife three years before. Majella had two children from a previous marriage. Daniel and Majella live in Meenbanad, County Donegal, and also spend time at their second home in Tenerife.
Daniel can speak Irish fluently. He even hosted a show in Irish for the TV channel TG4. He usually doesn't talk much about politics. However, he supported a change to the Irish Constitution in 2015. He has also spoken up to help homeowners in Ireland whose houses were built with faulty materials like mica.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Daniel O'Donnell has been involved in many charity projects for a long time. He is especially known for his work in Romania. He has supported the Romanian Challenge Appeal, a charity that helps orphaned Romanian children. This charity helps them find new homes and get back on their feet. Daniel encouraged Irish families to welcome these young people into their homes for a while.
Public Image and Fan Connection
Daniel O'Donnell is perhaps best known for his kind, soft-spoken personality and clean image, even more than for his music. He has received a lot of media attention over the years. He is often made fun of in Irish and British comedy shows. This is because people sometimes think his audience is mostly older women. For example, he was parodied as "Eoin McLove" in the TV show Father Ted.
Daniel is famous for how close he is with his fans. He almost always meets and greets his fans after every concert. He used to host a huge tea party for his fans outside his home in Donegal every year. He has also said he would love to appear in the TV show Coronation Street.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Daniel O'Donnell has received many awards and honors throughout his career:
- 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
See also
In Spanish: Daniel O'Donnell para niños
- List of baritones in non-classical music
- Music of Ireland
- Country and Irish
