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Donnie
Born in Glasgow, Donnie hailed from a musical Island family from
Harris and The Isle of Skye. Donnie's Grandfather was a piper in the
Cameron Highlanders in WW1 and his father was accomplished in both
the pipes and the fiddle. His Uncle Archie Mackillop was an
accordionist with the Fergie Macdonald Band. It was no surprise
therefore that Donnie's first instrument was the pipes and as a
pupil of the great John Burgess, he competed as a youth.
After converting to drums Donnie played with various bands before
joining Duncan Macgillivary (Battlefield Band) and Ian Macbeath
(Black Donald Ceilidh Band) in "Ben Wyvis & The Last Resort".
Playing at home and abroad gave the opportunity to play with quality
musicians who include Phil Cunningham, Malcolm Jones & Duncan
Chisolm. At this time in the 80s, Donnie along with his father and
uncle also played in hogmanay broadcasts for radio Scotland, and
with Gaelic legend Callum Kennedy, as well as recording their Island
style of "Ceilidh Music". Donnie joined rhythmnreel
in 2007 and after the initial shock of playing with the "Bad Boys"
of Celtic Rock and playing at a 30,000 crowd festival in Holland,
Donnie soon realised he was playing with a group of musicians that
were as much friends as colleagues. Their mix of Celtic and rock
music was both a challenge and a pleasure to adjust to. The
different influences that the band members bring to the table are a
real challenge but a satisfying result is always achieve |
