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My question for Donnie... when he is up there on stage is there ever a moment when he wonders what's the next line or how does the next verse start???
When you are touring regularly the songs are simply there, just stored in sequence as you need them. Sometimes if you try and recall them out of sequence they just won’t come which is quite disconcerting! However by the time you reach the point they are there just ready. I suppose it is just the brain’s way of storing information. When you are doing shows in a less concentrated way I would simply have lyrics on hand as a prompt if required.
I should like to know if the plans you wrote about in your recent mail to me, to really come over to Germany perhaps next year again, have already evolved further?
As I have said previously I would love to come across to Germany to do a nice series of shows but unfortunately up until this point we have not secured a German promoter to take on a tour. We keep trying but of course it must be under the right conditions. Hopefully we will acheive this in 2010.
Donnie, have you ever thought about going to Germany for a holiday and if so, what would you like to see / visit?
I like the south of Germany very much and would enjoy a visit to Frieburgh, Heidleberg and that beautiful area at any time.
Do you have any plans to play in London or the South of England next year?
We are discussing the idea currently.
I noticed a distinct *American/Canadian* theme to your Heart of America CD. I know about your travels across the country and wondered if you have any plans to come back here, maybe do some more concerts, or visit some other areas? Just like Scotland, the USA has a huge variety in scenery in the different parts of the country, and what most did you enjoy about being in the USA?
I would love to come over to do some shows and would be open to offers. I have also promised myself a visit and a riding holiday to Montana one of these days.
Ever thought of doing a Christmas CD... that would be awesome!
Not as such but I have to confess that I was always intrigued at the prospect of having a great Christmas single. I think we did have an amazing song with Runrig, This Time of Year, produced by Calum Malcolm, but it just did not pick up the airplay required at that time to chart a single – it was a great end of year song and of course a great song in its own right.
I am still attached to what will happen to the Gaelic language and culture. Are there any news, as I know that you care about and try hard to keep the Gaelic alive.
The Gaelic language, like so many other minority languages around the world, will struggle to survive but it will all come down to the desire for people to use it. Government policy, Gaelic language acts, Gaelic medium education, music, the arts ,drama, literature will all play their part but ultimately languages survive because people use them, not as time pieces preserved in ice but as vibrant living languages and when they do survive it is often very much against the odds. When I was in Nepal I noted that the Sherpa people retained their own language at a level of about 100,000 speakers. That appears to be about the viable critical; mass required to stabilise the language base. Interest in Gaelic is growing, the number of learners is growing, the number of children at all levels of Gaelic medium is growing but Gaelic is still undoubtedly still on the ‘critical list’. The future of the language will be dependent on increasing that critical mass, creating a language of opportunity and redressing the negative impact of over 100 years of institutional discrimination and cultural vandalism.
The obvious question: Are there any plans for a new CD? Any new songs in store for us?
Always thinking of ideas for songs and have started on the road to some new material – the An Turas project has been an absorbing one and I feel so many people have yet to see that show – especially in Europe and in England so I would hope to be able to still perform that show to some new audiences and let it filter out of my thinking over time. It is important to write songs when you genuinely have something special that you want or need to say so in some ways it is a natural process.
And slightly less obvious: Fans often discuss their favourite songs. Which are your favourites and which do you enjoy most playing live? Why?
Difficult to say but Heart of America has been an important song for me as it in itself became part of a journey into the An Turas Project – but live performance is so much about interaction so I enjoy all of the songs for different reasons.
In addition, what do you think makes a song a good song, e.g. lyrics, melody, guitar riffs?
All these things can matter but for me it is usually about simplicity, accessibility and that you just really mean it.
Well, questions regarding touring Germany again have already been asked. Also regarding a new CD and new songs. Have you ever thought of doing a CD with sacred music and maybe doing a tour through churches?
Churches are of course amazing places to hear music but no I haven’t thought of performing in one. Of course for many people all music in essence has a sense of the sacred.
Unless I’m much mistaken you trained to be a teacher before you decided to become a full time musician. Now being a teacher myself, I’d like to know what were your reasons to choose this profession and what age group did you teach? Do you think you would have made a good teacher and enjoyed teaching? Why (not)?
Well I did in fact teach art and design for about 5 years and I enjoyed my time teaching very much. I hope that I was a good teacher, I certainly tried very hard to stimulate and inspire interest in my subject and had the pleasure of working with some very talented young people. Teaching is an incredibly creative job and so hugely important – we can all remember when we were inspired by someone to see the possibilities in our own lives and it is so important for teachers to realise the immensely important position they occupy. Good luck with your teaching career.
Gee, I made it in time to ask what is becoming my annual question: Donnie what's your recommended reading for us this year?
Reading is such a highly personal thing and sadly my reading this year has been at far less a level than I would have liked – mainly been reading factual material most recently a biography on the life of Robert Cunningham Graham – ‘Don Roberto’ – an utterly fascinating and unique Scot who was the subject of a recent radio programme which I presented for BBC.
Hi Donnie. I remember watching a programme a few years ago where you were being interviewed whilst walking on Skye. Do you still find time to go walking and where is your favourite place to walk apart from Skye?
Once again – not enough; last time I was in the Cuillins was almost a year ago but yes I got out up to the Storr a few times recently.
Out of all the old Runrig songs what ones would you like to sing and why? Where is your favourite venue for a concert and why?
There are so many Runrig songs that I enjoy singing – they are really important parts of my own life – and I revisit them about once a year and it is great to hear them again fresh – Tharais air nan Gleann, Road and the River, Dancing Floor, Flower of the West, Dream Fields with Màiri Brennan, Chi Min Geamhraidh with Karen Matheson, Ubhal as Aìrde, Precious Years, Every River – oh there are so many!
Donnie have you ever considered recording a Gospel album? I love the power you give to the song The Mighty Atlantic (and many others).
Hearts of Olden Glory is the closest I have come to gospel but no I have never thought of doing gospel songs specifically.
My question is... During your last concerts with Runrig, and you saw the first few rows were very emotional (I was one!) how did you manage to get through the rest of the show without getting emotional yourself?
It was a sense of just allowing the songs to carry me through that amazing shared experience – the emotion came through the performance and the songs.
Another question for Donnie: Apart from all the recommendations you can find in the ordinary travelling guides, what else might be worthwhile visiting in Edinburgh?
The Scottish Gallery in Dundas St and the Talbot Rice Centre in Edinburgh University.
Have you heard of the boy who lived on Skye who could see angels? Our friends in Arran told us about him. Did you know him?
No I have not heard of any such person – sorry.
I would like to ask: Do you go to the cinema, and if so, what type of films would you go to see?
I love the cinema; my favourite films are The Prime Miss Jean Brodie, Kes, Room with a View and epics like Gandhi and Ben Hur and a very beautiful French Film Angel. I love French films particularly, they are always so quirky, edgy, flawed and beautiful.
As Donnie's been on TV more than once, I would like to know if he has any more appearances planned in future, and if so what?
I have just finished the Radio series, ’In the Footsteps’ which I enjoyed very much and I will look at the possibility of being involved in other interesting programmes. I do love radio as a medium.
As you have performed before a Scotland football game before how long do you think it will take before Scotland qualify for the euros or the world cup finals?
Like all Scottish football fans I live in hope.
Just a wee question to ask you – will you be putting Glasgow Joe out as a single or on the next album ?
That is something that I have not yet decided
Hi Donnie will you be playing Rothes Halls in Fife again?
Yes hopefully next year
Just another wee quickie will you ever do a 1 off Runrig reunion (Fingers Crossed)
Who knows!
I have noticed that from time to time you mentioned horseback riding in Montana being one of your unfulfilled ambitions. Being a rider myself I would like to know what horses and horseback riding mean to you?
I grew up greatly influenced by my grandfather who worked with horses all his life and I started riding when I was very young – I love going out on horseback and I find it just the best way to see the countryside and of course there is little to beat the thrill of galloping along a beautiful stretch of land. I just love horses, always have done.
I also would like to hear your opinion about the plans to expand Portree harbour for large cruise liners and yachts?
There is a great deal could be done to develop the pier area of the village and of course it all comes down to a matter of scale and being sympathetic to the landscape and the fabric of the village and in particular the original Telford design – in principle I would favour a sensitive well considered re-development.
My sister, Porthos, is currently studying at the UHI (Orkney College). I understand that it has recently achieved full university status. How do you think this recognition will impact upon the young people of the Highlands and Islands? And what impact will it have if it makes this part of Scotland accessible to more international students?
UHI has not yet been awarded University Title but has been given Degree Awarding Powers which is a major step along the way to full title. We are all hopeful that this will be granted through the Privy Council in 2010/11. It is perhaps the most significant development in the history of the Highlands and Islands and can have a major impact on the socio-cultural and economic development of the Highlands
Two more questions to Donnie: Do you know any German singers or bands?
Die Toten Hosen? With whom I played at many festival gigs – I loved their name’, in translation ‘The Dead Trousers’.
How long will you proceed with the An Turas tour and do you already have any idea what will come afterwards?
Not sure – just when it feels right.
Donnie, if you met the Dalai Lama, what would you like to discuss with him?
The situation in Tibet, and his philosophy
Would it be possible to produce a live record on DVD of one of your concerts in Scotland, and to release this in Germany? It would be a kind act of friendship for all the fans patiently waiting here… ?
I will try to appear in person.
Did you have a “dream job”, as little boys often have (such as locomotive driver, fireman, etc.), or was it already in early times you intended to put out certain messages into the world, as you finally (and fortunately!) did as artist and singer/song writer?
From my earliest age my passion was really for the visual arts and that remains with me today and I think of myself very much as a 'painter', music is my life-long travelling companion or the 'habit of a lifetime' instilled into my early life through the influence of my mother who was a singer.
How does the Munro family celebrate Christmas?
We love Christmas, it has always been a very special time in our lives and we deeply value that wonderful feeling of just being together. It is something which I have particularly enjoyed since having my own children as it really is such a magical time for children. In my own childhood whilst we celebrated Christmas it was really New Year that had the greater sense of celebration-a very old Scottish thing of course.
You are involved with the Tobar an Dualchais/Kist O Riches and the Faclair na Gàidhlig projects. What stage are these projects in at the moment and what is the next step? What is your role regarding these projects? Are there any new projects in the pipeline that you might get involved with and that you can tell us about?
I have been Chairman of the Tobar an Dualchais (Kist o Riches) project almost since its inception and was part of the original steering group which saw the successful bid to HLF. This is an amazing project now employing about 35 people throughout Scotland, with its management base at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and will eventually digitise, conserve and make available on-line about 12,000 hours of sound archive material in Scottish Gaelic and Scots from the archives of The School of Scottish Studies, the National Trust's Canna Collection and the BBC. This has been a collaborative project which will create an immensely rich and now accessible resource for learning, research and pleasure on a world-wide scale. The project has also resulted in the establishment of a digitisation centre in South Uist now working commercially and employing about 5 staff in an area of fragile economic activity. The first phase of the project is due to come to an end in late 2010 but it is widely recognised that there is a great deal of work yet to be done in this important field and it is further hoped that Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches will have a major role to play in the development of a National Scottish Sound Archive.I am currently involved in developing collaborative initiatives between SMO and the RSAMD in Glasgow and in particular looking at extending our partnership into the new areas of drama, dance, film, etc all very exciting developments. Furthermore I am involved with the development of plans for the new village at Kilbeg and new initiatives within SMO including the planning for an international music conference of Gaelic and Scots Song taking place at SMO in June 2010.
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