As one of Ireland’s favorite performers, Daniel O’Donnell has made an impression on Branson visitors season after season.
This November, O’Donnell will return to Branson at Andy Williams Moon River Theatre for a very limited time. At 2 p.m. throughout the month of November, O’Donnell will bring his easy listening music to audiences in a variety of styles including traditional Irish ballads, country favorites, and traditional gospel.
As usual, O’Donnell will team up with Mary Duff, Ireland’s top female vocalist, to produce a festive international show.
Early in his career, O’Donnell was turned down by a number of managers because many didn’t think his music was relevant to today’s audiences. His sister, Margaret, had made a name for herself in the entertainment world in Ireland, and O’Donnell decided to leave college to join Margaret in her band.
He started in the band with an electric guitar he had no idea how to play. One of the other band members tried to teach him, but O’Donnell didn’t want to play – he wanted to sing. He took a gamble in 1983 when he decided to produce his own record. O’Donnell sold every one of those records himself, and by 1985 he had caught the attention of Mick Clerkin, who wanted O’Donnell to produce an album for his record label. Clerkin set O’Donnell up with Sean Reilly, who has managed Daniel O’Donnell since the beginning of his career.
Now, O’Donnell’s career has blossomed, and is now a favorite with a number of age groups and audiences. That is certainly the case in Branson, where O’Donnell’s shows almost always sell out.
