“winter is a season of recovery and preparation” Paul Theroux
Hi everyone
A very warm and seasonal hello to one and all! I hope this finds you and yours well?
SUILVEN Wester Ross
As the year unwinds, finally, to a festive halt, it feels like a good time for me to take stock of what’s gone before and what might be possible in the coming year. Whatever the mountain, I feel that if I do my best to climb it then I cannot do any better and most importantly that I haven’t failed, only that I tried. Trying to enjoy our journey in life is a lesson I began a few years ago and one that I am getting better at. We are always in such a mad rush to get on to the next moment that we don’t even take a backward glance at what we have achieved, however small, the people we met, those who touched us or the people that we have touched. “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” Amelia Earhart
2019 has been an absolute whirlwind. It’s been an incredibly busy twelve months for me, with various appearances and events through the year. We just seemed to have whizzed through this year, right from the God’s Home Movie 25th anniversary and remastered album and tour. The culmination of which ended with a very special big Celtic Connections show in January at The Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow. It was the ultimate Gods Home Movie gig, with special guests on stage as well as the ultimate guest, Angela McAlinden, in the audience. What a wonderful night, it left me with an amazing sense of achievement.
So many great things in the year - being part of The Scottish Women's Footie anthem with Lynnie Carson was such fun and she also joined me on my Tolbooth gig too. I finally got to play at the Ceilidh Place Ullapool Wester Ross - one of the most beautiful places in the world. Another memorable gig was Gemma and Dan joining me for Burns Hame Toun at Ayr Town hall with Karen Matheson and Carol Laula - it was an absolute cracker of a gig, all of us joining Karen’s set for a finale with Ae Fond Kiss.
Hame toun Ayr
We performed at the new Pride Milton Keynes Fest and we were so well looked after. A brilliant day was had by all - Charlene and team did an amazing job. We were joined on drums this gig by smashing drummer Lesley McLaren
Lesley, Dan, H, The Vivienne, Lorny and Gemma - Pride MK
I have extended my ‘flying solo’ shows, these are quite literally me on my own. I took my ‘chat' to a whole new level in these shows - after all having spent a good 40 years in this industry I have many stories to tell! Bring on the book! Performing in this format means reaching parts of the country that I don’t usually get the opportunity to play and I love it! More to come early next year see below.
Working with Nordoff Robbins as an ambassador continues to be incredibly rewarding for me (and hopefully for this amazing Music Therapy charity). Through the charity, my connection with New Struan School (and Scottish Autism) is as strong as ever. I have just attended the Annual Nordoff Robbins Music Awards at the Old Fruitmarket. I sat beside an award winning mum, Laura, whose son has just got a place at the school. She spoke about her experiences and some of their journey. Their story is inspiring and uplifting, perfectly encapsulating the life changing work and the difference that music therapists like Janet McLachlan from Nordoff Robbins do.
Specsavers Nordoff Robbins Scottish Music Awards
I joined Janet and some of the children from Robin House and CHAS at Intu Braehead in Glasgow this month to sing a few carols. Nothing like a rousing rendition of Frosty the snowman to bring in festive cheer and definitely brighten the cheeks :) !
On the charity front, I spent a little time earlier this year with Judy Murray and her team and the work her charity does is incredible, check it out. https://judymurrayfoundation.com “everyone for tennis, tennis for all”
I’ve also been invited to various awards events over this year. I was in London for The European Diversity Awards and also the new Rainbow awards. It gives me the chance to catch up with people that I don’t usually get the chance to see. The 'Rainbows' gave me the opportunity to mosey around with a few really big celebs at Tussauds - albeit Wax ones!
'Rainbow Awards"
Mike McKenzie & Kat Healy
I was a judge on the inaugural BBC Scotland singer songwriter award - Mike McKenzie, the winner, joined us at the Queens Hall for the same sky #30 show. He opened for us and then joined the splendid Kat Healy on BVs.
The brilliant Roxana Halls is nearly finished my portrait. What an honour! I cannot want to see it. As soon as its off the easel and she's ready ready to reveal I’ll share that with you. https://roxanahalls.com/home.html
I am back at the helm of the good ship Hesperus, or rather, sitting in for the legendary Iain Anderson at BBC Radio Scotland! The dates I am for ‘on board’ are Sun12th / Mon 13th Jan and Sun 2nd Feb/ Mon 3rd Feb - all shows are presented live from 23:00. Always a pleasure to explore the archives as well as seek out new music from various genres. It’s a first class show and I am delighted to be asked back. If there’s anything you’d like us to play, please do send a message around one of the dates?iainanderson@bbc.co.uk
Delighted to be performing for the ‘Coming back out ball’ for NTS June 13th. The idea for this originated in Australia. Some people who are LGBT find it difficult to socialise in later years and some find things so difficult they end up going 'back in'. Throughout this year and into the next, LGBT elders have been socialising and dancing at 'Coming back out ball' events throughout Scotland. The culmination of all of this is the grand ball at The Old Fruitmarket. in Glasgow. Karen Dunbar is hosting, myself and full band with guests are performing amongst other performances. There are only a few tickets left for the event.
http://www.nationaltheatreofscotland.com/production/the-coming-back-out-ball/
No sooner was the God’s Home movie work complete we were headlong into the preparation for the Same Sky album’s 30th anniversary. I think the songs from The Same Sky are as fresh today as they were all those years ago, if anything, I understand them better. Also, I think it’s just as much your album as mine, as from the moment Angela and I created those songs and sent them into the ether, although they were our ‘babies’, they just didn’t belong to us any more!
The first anniversary show at The Queens Hall, Edinburgh, was such a success. My plan is to spend the next 12 months celebrating this album. It was my birthday that night, 22nd Nov and the best gift ever. The room was full and as well as playing the album in order I think we covered as many other Horse songs, keeping any ardent Horse music lover happy. With a host of brilliant string arrangements for songs like Careful, ( Audrey Riley) Forgiven ( Paul Leonard Morgan ) we had some incredible string players that night - Katie Rush, Nicola Boag and Elspeth Mackay. Elspeth, herself, worked on a few arrangements for me. The memories came flooding back.
Katie, Nicola, Samson, Elspeth, Gemma, H, Mike, Lorny, Dan, Kat
Zisys events http://www.zisysavmn.co.uk filmed and recorded the night for us and a DVD is now going into production for release in the new year. I would love you to send any stories you may have connected with the songs from the same sky - funny or sad. Doesn't need to be long. These can be just clips from your mobile phone and with your permission I'll put some on the DVD. Send these to info@randan.org as soon as you can. If you want to see and hear how just how good the show was for yourself you can order your copy in advance. This is ‘presale’ from the store in the website. All funds from this will help with the production and manufacturing costs. We anticipate it being available in about 9 - 10 weeks time, late February early March. https://www.horsemcdonald.com/dvds/the-same-sky-30th-anniversary-live-show-from-queens-hall Amongst other things, you will also find a few special Same Sky tee shirts in the store too.
Live DVD, Same Sky #30 Anniversary Show, Queen's Hall , Edinburgh
In addition to this, and as a way of re-introducing The Same Sky to the world, I am re recording, (what some might consider to be), the ultimate song from the album - Careful. As on the original version, it will feature strings and voice. I am putting it out as a single again. I hope we will hear it back on the radio en masse once more. I am also getting underway with new material throughout the year.
Careful
Coming up soon and throughout the year will be more flying solo shows. Cove Burgh Hall is the first one available of these shows coveburghhall.co.uk Trades Club and Lyth Arts nr Wick are also in March and on sale from 6th Jan. Sat 17th October will see me in St Andrews at the Byre Theatre as part of their Voices season. Tickets on sale soon.All shows and events will be in website in the diary pages horsemcdonald.com
Next full Same Sky #30 Show is at the fabulous Dundee Rep 19th March, tickets for this are already selling well so make sure you book soon. https://www.dundeerep.co.uk/event/horse
The Same Sky #30 full band tour is in Nov inc Glasgow and various other cities UK wide. Last but not least our final show for the year will be at the Queens Hall Edinburgh December 5th - plan A for this gig is a completely new show.
As ever, this is the basic plan for next year and you can see its already shaping up to be busy. I hope you can either get to a gig if not watch the DVD. So grateful to the band Samson, Gemma, Lorny and Dan for being the best to work with and a great team. Thanks To Andy Jackson, Danny Anderson and Team, Karen Bryce and team and the wonderful Kris Kesiak photographer. https://kriskesiak.com Everyone works so hard. Fabulous and talented people.
Final Bows, Queens Hall ( Kris Kesiak image)
And to you reading this, its an absolute delight that you still follow or support me and my work in some way - most grateful and blessed!
Thank you
All the best for now and Merry Christmas!
Much Love!
Horse
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