Daniel O’Donnell has made UK chart history. Photo: Donna McBride
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
DANIEL O’Donnell has expressed his huge delight with making chart history this week.
His new album, Songs From The Movies & More, hit No 7 in the UK album charts this week. Daniel has now featured in the UK album charts for 25 consecutive years, since From The Heart reached No. 56 in 1988, reaching as high as No. 3 with his 2003 release, Daniel In Blue Jeans.
Speaking to the Donegal News from Branson, Missouri, where he is on his annual residency, the Kincasslagh man said he was delighted with the news.
“It does amaze me, you know, back when I started I didn’t have an idea how things would go, so looking back at it now, it is a great thrill.
Daniel said the success of his albums in the UK and Irish album charts over the past 25 years was a testament to his loyal fans who continue to support him ‘without fail’.
“And in turn I have always made sure that I was there for them and touring regularly, but their loyalty never cease to amaze me,” he said.
Daniel revealed that he got very little encouragement in their early days of his own career and people thought he would not make it.
“But I always encourage young singers out there to go for it when I meet them, and I tell them if you believe, work hard and always try to be yourself, hopefully it will all work out.”
Daniel’s latest release has led him to a brand new venture and, indeed, into uncharted territory for 2014 – mainland Europe.
“I’ve always loved the music from the movie The Sound Of Music and that’s why I recorded the song Edelweiss. My American promoter and his wife, who are Hungarian and German, couldn’t believe I knew the song and that’s what led us to talking about Austria.”
In May 2014 Daniel will be performing a very special show at the Konzerthaus in Vienna, when he will perform ‘My Favourite Things’ with special guests, the world-famous Vienna Choir Boys.
“I’ve been to Austria with Majella and we did the Sound Of Music tour in Salzburg and I’ve done a couple of shows here and there in mainland Europe, but I never toured there, just sticking to the English-speaking countries.
“Who knows what will come out of it, but we are certainly really looking forward to it and the promoter will be bringing tours from all over the world to Vienna.”
Daniel is doing his last stint at the Tri Lakes Center in Branson before moving to a very special theatre next season.
For his 2013 Branson residency, Daniel will be in Andy Williams’ famous Moon River Theatre and tickets are already selling.
Daniel said: “Our current theatre sadly went into liquidation and when theatres heard that we would be on the move, we got a lot of offers. But when we heard that we could move the show to the Andy’s theatre, it was such a great honour.”
The legendary crooner, who sadly passed away in September, had met Daniel on several occasions and gave him his blessing.
Daniel said: “Andy had been ill for some time and they were looking for acts to perform at his theatre. I had met him several times and we got on very well and his manager told me that Andy had heard I would be performing at his theatre and he said ‘Danny has my blessing’, which was very special.”
Daniel returns from Branson, Missouri on December and he and Majella will be looking forward to a well-earned break over the Christmas holidays and New Year at home.
Songs From The Movies & More, his new Christmas album and the new 2013 Calendar are available from the Daniel O’Donnell Visitor Centre, Main Street, Dungloe. His DVD, Daniel at 50, goes on general release on November 16.