Don Mescall

Last updated

Don Mescall
Born County Limerick, Ireland
Genres Acoustic / country / folk rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter, composer
Years active1994–present
Labels AGR Television Records
Website donmescall.com

Don Mescall is an Irish singer and songwriter from County Limerick. Mescall regularly tours in Ireland and the United Kingdom and plays some major festivals. [1] He splits his time between the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States.

Contents

Early career

Having played pubs and clubs around Ireland, Mescall landed the job of opening for Richie Havens at the Mean Fiddler in London. Mescall began his set with a new song, "Paradise". Havens liked the song so much that he recorded "Paradise" for his 2002 album "Wishing Well".

Songwriting

As a songwriter Don Mescall works alone and also collaborates with other artists/songwriters. In previous years he was based in Nashville. [2]

Mescall has had songs recorded by a wide range of artists including Rascal Flatts, Clay Aiken, Backstreet Boys, Ronan Keating, Boyzone, Jaydee Bixby, Ramin Karimloo, Aslan, Garou, Geri Halliwell, Neal McCoy, Sharon Corr, Daniel Boys, Cliff Richard, and Richie Havens.

Mescall's song, "Secret Smile" was included on the Rascal Flatts album Still Feels Good which debuted at the No.1 position [3] in the Billboard 200 album chart and the Billboard Country Chart. [4] Weeks later the Backstreet Boys entered the Billboard 200 album charts at No. 7 [5] with their album "Unbreakable" which featured Mescall's song, "Trouble Is". This meant Mescall had 2 songs featured on albums in the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart during the week of 17 November 2007. In more recent years Don has had six songs featured on Marina Kaye's "Fearless" Album which went triple platinum in France (2015). Mescall had a Number 1 Irish country single in 2016 with Nathan Carter's "Wanna dance" from the album "Staying up all night" on Decca records.

He had a number 1 single again with (Nathan Carter)'s 'Livin' the Dream', He also achieved Number 1 in Irish Country charts in 2018 with (Nathan Carter)'s single "This song is for you " Also in 2017 Mescall had a number 1 song with "Angels in Chains" (Geri Halliwell); the single reached number one in Argentina, Peru, and Spain .

In February 2017 Mescall received an Irish World Lifetime Achievement Award for songwriting and production. [6] He received the award for Songwriter of the Year at the Irish Post Country Music Awards 2017 on August 30, 2017. [7]

After having success writing for other artists, Mescall released his own album ‘Lighthouse Keeper’, in November 2018. It debuted at #1 on the Irish Independent Album charts in November 2018

On August 16, 2019 'Live Long Rock & Roll' was released. It was a tribute single for Henry McCollough, written by Don Mescall and McCollough, and performed by a super band, the McCollough Fusileers. It was released on Ballywonderland records. [8] The band featured Nick Mason on drums, Sir Paul McCartney on bass, [9] Albert Lee on electric guitar, Chris Stainton on Hammond and keyboards, Gary Brooker with lead vocals, Paul Brady and Paul Carrick with backing vocals, Fiachra Trench on strings, and the London Community Gospel Choir as backing vocals. The song was mixed by Steve Lipson and produced by Mescall. The single was featured on the Ballywonderland album by Henry McCollough. [10]

Eurosong 2011

Mescall took part in the Irish Eurovision Song competition on a Late Late Show Eurosong Special on Friday 11 February 2011. Having been 'mentored' by Ronan Hardiman the pair co-wrote their entry for the competition, "Talking with Jennifer". They placed third with a total score of 68 points.

"The Voice of Ireland" 2012

Mescall was invited to act as assistant coach [11] on the new Irish TV production of "The Voice of Ireland" which was filmed in Dublin in November 2011. He assisted his friend and co-writer Sharon Corr while appearing on the show which aired at the end of January 2012.

Personal life

Don Mescall is originally from the parish of Ahane/Lisnagry in County Limerick. He has eight sisters and two brothers. He has also been a vegetarian for more than 20 years. [12]

Discography

  1. Sunset of Gold – EP
  2. Lucky Star – EP (2004)
  3. Last Chance – EP (2004)
  4. Left in L.A. – single (2005)
  5. You Don't Love Me – EP (2005)
  6. Innocent Run – album (2006)
  7. Fuel for the Fire – EP (2007)
  8. Lighthouse Keeper – album (2018)

Songs written for other artists

Mescall's songs feature on the following albums, selling more than four million records worldwide:

ArtistAlbumSongRelease date
Frances Black Talk To Me (single)Two Strong Hearts1994
Eleanor Shanley Road to Glory (single)Road to Glory1995
Eleanor Shanley Eleanor ShanleyRoad to Glory1995
Frances Black The Smile on Your FaceYou're Still The Only One1996
Natalie WithersSimple PerfectSunset of Gold2002
Richie Havens Wishing WellParadise23 April 2002
Frances Black Magdalen Laundry (single)Magdalen Laundry2003
Frances Black How High The MoonMagdalen Laundry, 24 Hours, Rachrai Island, Lucky Star2003
Lulu Back on Track Time To Fall7 March 2004
Maryla Rodowicz Maryla RodowiczBeautiful Regret2005
Neal McCoy That's Life All Over Again23 August 2005
Michael ForetForteCold Out1 January 2006
Brian Kennedy All Over The World (single)All Over The World2006
Brian Kennedy HomebirdAll Over The World2006
Ronan Keating All Over Again (single) All Over Again duet with Kate Rusby 29 May 2006
Ronan Keating Bring You Home All Over Again (Feat. Kate Rusby)29 May 2006
Ronan Keating & Rita Guerra All Over Again (Portuguese Release) All Over Again May 2006
Ronan Keating & Rita Comisi All Over Again (Italian release) All Over Again May 2006
Kelly Chen Especial KellyAll Over Again (duet with Ronan Keating)21 December 2006
HummingbirdTougher Than LoveGrace of God2007
Floortje Smit Fearless All Over Again (duet with Ronan Keating)20 April 2007
Rascal Flatts Still Feels Good Secret Smile25 September 2007
Backstreet Boys Unbreakable Trouble Is24 October 2007
Frances Black The Essential Frances Black24 Hours, Magdelen Laundry, Rachrai Island2008
The High Kings Fields of Glory (single)Fields of Glory2008
The High Kings The High KingsFields of Glory2008
Eva Avila Give Me the Music You Don't Say No2008
Jon Peter Lewis Break The SilenceNo Fire2008
Garou Heaven's Table (single)Heaven's Table2008
Garou Piece of My Soul Heaven's Table, What's The Time in NYC, Beautiful Regret6 May 2008
Clay Aiken On My Way Here Grace of God6 May 2008
The High Kings Fields of Glory Special Edition GAA Football Final (Irish Independent)Fields of Glory21 September 2008
Theo Tams Give It All Away Reckless2009
Cathy Maguire PortraitNothing But Blue17 April 2009
Lynn Hilary Take Me With YouSunset of Gold, Shona Mara, Take Me With You, Melody of Life, Erin Beo, Road to Glory21 April 2009
Rascal Flatts 14 Love Songs for the 14thSecret Smile9 February 2010
Boyzone Brother Too Late For Hallelujah8 March 2010
Jaydee Bixby Easy To LoveCloser Than You Think25 May 2010
Anne BrennanYoung LoveYou're Still The Only One1 May 2011
Luke Dickens Devil in the WindI'm Givin In9 September 2011
Jane McNameeHow Do I Tell ThemYou're Still the Only One20 September 2011
The New Cities Kill the Lights The Hype27 September 2011
The Three AmigosRadio PicturesRadio Paints, Your Dress, Bandeleros, Champagne30 November 2011
AslanNudie Books and Frenchies Too Late For Hallelujah April 2012
Ramin Karimloo Ramin Constant Angel, Eyes of a Child, Broken Home, Show me Light9 April 2012
Chila LynnReal WomanSparkle24 April 2012
Brian Kennedy VoiceBroken Crown5 June 2012
Ronan Keating Fires The One You Love TonightSept 2012
Richie HayesWhat About MeFree World, Walk You Home8 November 2012
Aslan & Don MescallIn Aid of Pieta HouseCatch Your FallApril 2013
Kirsty Bertarelli ft Ronan Keating Send Out a Message (To the World) (single)Send Out a Message (To the World)29 April 2013
Lonestar Life As We Know ItWith My Eyes OpenJune 2013
Sharon Corr The Same Sun We Could Be Lovers, Edge of Nowhere, Full Circle, You Say, The Runaround, The Same Sun, Christmas NightOct 2013
Boyzone BZ20Rise, Heaven Is, The Hour Before Christmas25 November 2013
Richie HayesWhat About MeFree World, Walk You Home8 November 2012
Kirsty Bertarelli Indigo ShoresThere She Goes, Disappeared12 May 2014
Marina KayeHomeless EPLive Before I Die, Price I've Had to Pay16 June 2014
GuiliaRadio Junky (single)Radio Junky17 August 2014
AslanBullets & Diamonds Too Late For Hallelujah 13 October 2014
Lisa McHughA Life That's GoodHey I'm a Woman24 October 2014
Kirsty Bertarelli The Ghosts Of Christmas Past-EPThe Ghosts Of Christmas Past14 November 2014
MacKenzie Porter The Hour Before Christmas (single)The Hour Before Christmas24 November 2014
Marina Kaye FearlessLive Before I Die, Price I've Had to Pay18 May 2015
The Three AmigosOn the Road Again - The Essential CollectionRadio Paints, Your Dress Looks Its Best, Bandeleros, Champagne20 November 2015
Nathan Carter Stayin Up All NightWanna Dance29 April 2016
Nathan Carter Livin' the Dream (single)Livin' the Dream2017
Nathan Carter Gone girls (single)Livin' the DreamJune 2017
Nathan Carter this song is for you (single)feb 2018
Geri Halliwell Angels in Chains (single)Angels in Chains19 June 2017
Cliff Richard Rise Up (Album)There's OneAugust 2018
Laurie LeBlanc when its right its right (Album)when its right its right (single) the bigger the better ( single) gone girls ( single) Ive Never Known (single) the belle of the ball, I'm in Love5 June 2020
Brett Eldredge Sunday Drive(Album )Sunday Drive (single)july 2020
Sharon Corr The fool and the scorpion (Album )the heart is a lonely hunter, A Thousand Lives 6 June 2021
Christy Dignam The Man who stayed alive (Album)High (single) What if tonight is all we have ( single) Lucky Star, Hazy Sunshine, Shame the Devil, song for Kathryn, I feel alive, I can't imagineOct 2021

Compilations, soundtracks and DVDs

CD TitleSong titlePerforming artistRelease date
Absolute IrishRoad To Glory Eleanor Shanley 1995
Celtic HeartbeatRoad To Glory Eleanor Shanley 1995
Only One Degree of SeparationSunset of Gold, ParadiseDon Mescall2000
A Woman's Heart: A Decade On24 Hours Frances Black 11 November 2002
A Woman's Heart: Trilogy24 Hours Frances Black 2 February 2004
The Dome Vol. 40 All Over Again Ronan Keating &Kate Rusby 1 December 2006
Now 64 All Over Again Ronan Keating & Kate Rusby 24 July 2006
Chartbuster Karaoke: Rascal Flatts Vol. 2Secret Smile Rascal Flatts 1 April 2008
Hot Hits Country Karaoke 8 JulySecret Smile Rascal Flatts 1 July 2008
The Voice Within – Songs of HopeVoice of Hope, A Not Too Ordinary Day, Grace of God Peter Corry, Simon Casey21 July 2008
Precious MomentsYou're Still The Only One Frances Black
DVD TitleSong titlePerforming artistRelease date
The Guitar Style of Richie Havens ParadiseTuition Video10 December 2002
Alien TrackerYou Don't Love Me, Left in L.A.Don Mescall14 October 2003
Irish UnpluggedRachrai Island Frances Black 24 January 2005
The High Kings – Live in DublinFields of Glory The High Kings 26 February 2008
The Voice Within – Songs of HopeVoice of Hope, A Not Too Ordinary Day, Grace of God Peter Corry, Simon Casey21 July 2008

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References

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  2. "Don Mescall signs on dotted line for Nashville label | Music | News". Hot Press. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  3. "Billboard 200 : Oct 13, 2007 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. 13 October 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  4. "Top Country Albums : Oct 13, 2007 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. 13 October 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  5. "Billboard 200 : Nov 17, 2007 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  6. "Don Mescall to play Monroe's". Galway Advertiser.
  7. Post, Irish. "Foster and Allen honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at The Irish Post Country Music Awards 2017". The Irish Post.
  8. "WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Paul McCartney, Nick Mason and more team up for Henry McCullough tribute song 'Live Long Rock 'n' Roll' co written and produced by internationally acclaimed Irish songwriter Don Mescall". Hotpress.
  9. "Lyric Last Letter Game | Fab Forum". The Beatles Bible. 5 April 2008.
  10. https://www.beatlesnow.com/1608-ballywonderland.html.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. "The Voice of Ireland - RT? Ten". RTÉ.ie . Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  12. "Songwriter for Ronan Keating – Backstreet Boys – Rascal Flatts plus more". Don Mescall. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.