Musical brothers set to light up Lossie

The MacDonald Brothers will be bringing the X-Factor to town on Saturday, November 29, with their fans hoping the popular pair will be in good voice on the night.

Hundreds were left disappointed when the duo were forced to cancel a concert in the New Elgin Hall last month after doctors warned Craig (22) that he risked permanently damaging his voice if he didn't rest it.

Now he and brother Brian (21) will be aiming to make it up to their fans by entertaining the crowds as they appear at the switch-on of the town's festive lights.

The event, organised by the Lossiemouth Millennium Association, has brought a line-up of stars to the town over the years, including Hollywood actor Ewan McGregor, Kelvin Fletcher from 'Emmerdale' and Richard Fleishman from 'Coronation Street'. Last year, the town welcomed Michelle Antrobus, who made the final of the 'Grease is the Word' ITV series and who has relatives in Lossiemouth.

LMA chairman Maureen Garden is delighted the MacDonald Brothers will be coming to town.

"We know how popular they are, and everyone will be in for a great time," she said.

"It is always a really big event in the town."

The singers will be driven along the esplanade in an open-top bus, led by a pipe band, ready to switch on the lights at 5pm. The carnival of fun begins at 3pm with stalls, a funfair and live music.

The MacDonald Brothers were celebrating yesterday after coming to the end of their marathon 48 in-store gigs in seven days.

Craig and Brian actually performed two extra gigs in Cumbernauld and Motherwell to mark their world record attempt - before going home to recover with a takeaway and some beers.

The Ayrshire duo revealed they encountered a slight hitch in their bid to make the record books - after Craig lost his voice.

They now have to wait for the Guinness Book of Records to approve their bid.

Brian said: "If it comes off it will be a childhood dream."

HUNDREDS of old and young MacDonald Brothers fans were out in support during the boys recent world record attempt in Ayr and Girvan.

The famous brothers drove up and down Scotland in an attempt to do the highest number of instore signing’s in one week - in the world - with the biggest backing from their South Ayrshire home fans.

The attempt saw them appear at 40 shops and supermarkets across the country - including Ayr and Girvan - in just one week with a gruelling average of seven performances a day.

But the pop icons from Alloway pulled off some fantastic shows.

SINGING sensations the MacDonald Brothers dazzled the crowd at Irvine’s Asda on Sunday.

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The Ayrshire duo visited as part of their current world record attempt for the highest number of in-store album signings in one week.

Hundreds turned out to show their appreciation for the X Factor favourites as they signed copies of their new album “Young Celts”.

The first day of their record attempt saw them take in a number of Ayrshire towns and their attempt will see them visit around 60 stores across Scotland this week.

Check out this week's Irvine Times for the full story.

MACDONALD BROTHERS fans were so desperate to see the boys' world record signing bid that they started fighting for a prime spot.

A couple of girls traded blows as they tried to get closer to the boys.

A bemused Brian said: "We couldn't believe it but thankfully no one was hurt."

The Razz joined the duo - who hope to sing in 48 stores in seven days - at Silverburn in Glasgow yesterday.

Craig said: "So far our voices have held up but we do feel a bit tired."

The boys will end their journey at Oban on Saturday.

The MacDonald brothers stopped off in Largs on Sunday morning as part of their world record bid.

The duo have released their new album "Young Celts" and are hoping to appear in the Guinness Book of Records by attempting over 50 live performances and in-store CD signing sessions. They performed "500 Miles" and "Caledonia" on acoustic guitar in WH Smith in Largs.

For full story and pictures, see this week's Largs and Millport News.

 

To also see a snippet of this interview on video...go to our "interviews" page!!

The MacDonald Brothers are returning to Strathpeffer this month to play a two-hour gig bursting with a selection of songs for various musical tastes.

The duo will complete their summer tour of the Highlands and Islands at the Macphail Centre in Ullapool next month.

Brian (21) and Craig (22), who played at a charity concert in the Victorian spa village just over a year ago, are making a name for themselves after finishing in fourth place on the X-Factor show two years ago.

They are most well-known for covering songs such as Shang-A-Lang from the Bay City Rollers and 500 Miles by the Proclaimers.

Brian told the Ross-shire Journal, "The whole experience from the X-Factor to where we are now has been great, a lot of hard work, but this is what we've always wanted to do. And now we have no Simon Cowell sitting watching us at every show!"

But they do not just sing cover versions of pop songs.

The brothers are also keen musicians and will play a variety of instruments, as well as sing, and will showcase their Celtic side during the performance in Strathpeffer.

"Not having a backing band shows off our playing and really just shows people what we are all about," said Brian.

"We'll be doing covers so everybody's going to know the songs and there's going to be a lot of acoustic sets too.

We'll be jumping from instrument to instrument and really just providing a real mix of music to please everyone — from the young to the old."

The brothers have enjoyed tremendous success in the past two years, topping the Scottish album charts with two gold certificated albums reaching the number one and two spots consecutively.

In 2007 the duo enjoyed a sell-out Scottish tour and were given an unreleased song written by Sir Elton John to include on their second album, and they have just finished touring throughout the UK with Westlife.

Brian said, "We were touring two months ago with Westlife on their UK tour. The guys are great and very supportive and it was a great experience to tour with a band like Westlife.

"We really enjoyed it, everybody is down to earth and you get on with everyone.

"The main thing we learned from them is that you should just try to enjoy yourself with whatever you do.

"We love touring and playing in front of crowds, so we are really looking forward to the Strathpeffer gig."

Craig and Brian were brought up playing the fiddle and accordion, which will feature in this month's concert along with the guys playing other instruments such as the piano and acoustic guitars.

Once the summer tour has ended, they will head overseas to Australia for the first time.

Brian said, "We have our fingers crossed that everything will go well over there and we've never been to Australia before, so it's going to be an experience and we can't wait."

The pair will be performing at Strathpeffer Pavilion on Thursday, July 24 and will complete their summer tour at the Macphail Centre in Ullapool on August 14. For further details please log on to www.themacdonaldbros.com

Scottish superstar duo the MacDonald Brothers are looking forward to the first gig of their Highlands and Islands tour this summer which is kicking off in Brodick Hall on 22nd of July. The brothers shot to national fame after their performance in the X-Factor in 2006 and have been touring and serenading the nation with their pop-rock classics ever since.

 

 

‘We’re all set to come over and start the tour. Arran’s a great wee place,’ Craig MacDonald told the Arran Voice earlier this week. Craig and his brother Brian were last over on the island three years ago enjoying a bit of country fun at Glen Rosa campsite. ‘We've never played on the island before but coming from Ayrshire we just can't wait to get over and experience it. It’s a great island to get away from everything,’ said Craig.

Whether they will be able to ‘get away’ from screaming crowds this time remains to be seen, however. Since their appearance on X-Factor, their reputation now precedes them. The notoriously hard-to-please Simon Cowell slammed the MacDonald Brothers when he judged the Scottish double-act during the X-Factor finals, apologising to the audience for their representation of Scotland. But the MacDonald Brothers' happy-go-lucky approach has won them a lot of fans, and they continue to gig with the same passion that brought them success as wedding singers in Ayr.

The duo have been singing and playing the accordion and the fiddle together ever since they were children and now they are in the thick of a number of major tours – the band is off to Australia in August.

Canal festival is huge hit

DESPITE the rain pouring down for the first ever Clydebank Canal Festival excited revellers did not let the weather dampen their spirits.

Families flocked to the canal side to catch a glimpse of TV talent show duo, The MacDonald Brothers, who were headlining the day’s events.

And with a rousing finale — a rendition of the Scottish national anthem, Flower of Scotland — the Bankie audience forgot about the lashing rain to give the boys a great send off.

After wowing the crowd with a mixture of singalong classics, such as Shang-a-lang, the singing brothers, Craig and Brian, then took time out of their busy schedule to sign autographs for their adoring fans.

Eldest brother Craig, 21, told the Post: “The festival itself was great and there were a lot of people there to start with.

“With the weather the way it was unfortunately the numbers started to dwindle, but by the time we got on stage there were plenty of people there.

“We really enjoyed the day and the crowd was absolutely great.

“In the future if the weather was better then it will be an absolutely amazing festival, but we just had to try to get the crowd up for it because they were standing soaking wet.

“This was the first gig that we have done in Clydebank and it is a huge priority for us to make sure we perform for our Scots fans as much as possible.

“Despite the rain people seemed to forget about it and were singing and dancing.

“Flower of Scotland went down a storm because, despite us doing a new arrangement on it, everyone knows the words and it was a great song to finish on.”

The MacDonald Brothers are now off to perform at the Levengrove Gala Day, in Dumbarton, on Saturday before embarking on a tour of the Highlands.

But the boys ensured us they will be home soon and are already looking forward to performing in Clydebank again.

West Dunbartonshire Provost Denis Agnew hailed the success of the first ever canal festival and backed it to get bigger and better year on year.

He said: “It was a great day despite the weather with all the staff doing tremendously well.

“To have the high profile MacDonald Brothers in Clydebank was brilliant and I would like to see them come back again.

“They seemed to enjoy the crowd and interacting with the Clydebank people.”

Mac brothers bring X appeal to gala!!

POP duo the MacDonald Brothers are preparing to set Levengrove Park ablaze this Saturday at the park’s annual gala day.

The singing siblings will add that Xtra special ingredient to the eagerly-anticipated event and send excitement through the Dumbarton crowd.

The musical duo, who reached the final stages of X-factor despite heavy criticism from notorious judge Simon Cowell, will headline the Levengrove Park event on July 12.

Older sibling Craig MacDonald, who has recently returned from his summer holiday, told the Reporter, that he is relishing performing in front of the Dumbarton crowd.

MacDonald Brothers Craig and Brian with members of Zippos Circus

Craig, 21, said: “We love doing these types of shows. We are very excited to be playing in Dumbarton again, as it has been a while.

“Performing in Scotland, our home, is always very special. The crowds are always brilliant.

“Dumbarton is a great area and the response from the crowds is always overwhelming.

“I’d say to everyone, even if it’s not great weather, just come along and have a great time.”

Craig hinted to the Reporter that some of their new material, as well as their classic hits such as Shang a Lang and 500 miles, may be performed for the Dumbarton audience.

The Gala has been organised by West Dunbartonshire Council, and will feature plenty of entertainment including hosts Your Radio who kick-off proceedings at 11am.

Zippo Circus, a traditional Big Top family circus with clowns, acrobats and stunts, is to provide lots of laughter with spills and thrills.

The gala day runs at Levengrove Park from 11am until 5pm.

Macdonald Bros to play Strontian

ONE of Scotland's most recognised bands of today and former X-Factor contenders, the MacDonald Brothers are to play at the Sunart Centre in Strontian on Friday, August 1.

Since leaving the X-Factor the brothers have signed with an independent Scottish record label that have helped raise them to become one of Scotland's most well-known bands.

The "Macs" have enjoyed tremendous success in the past two years with them topping the Scottish album charts with two gold-certificated albums, reaching the number one and two spots consecutively.

Last year, the band enjoyed a sell-out Scottish tour and were given an unreleased song written by Sir Elton John to include on their second album.

The MacDonald Brothers have just finished touring with Westlife on their UK wide tour and are now embarking on the first leg of their 2008 Scottish summer tour before heading off to Australia where they have another overseas deal.

Tickets at £12 and £9 are now available online at www.thebooth.co.uk for the Sunart Centre concert which will begin at 7.30pm.

What the Macs said:

 X-Factor singer Craig, there with Brother Brian, said "It was a good day and everyone was there for the roght reasons.

"It is good to have something like that to take your mind off what is happening. It was really a great day."

MacDonald Brothers in charity bid

 

SINGING siblings The MacDonald Brothers have helped caring T-Mobile staff raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

The X Factor stars joined workers at the office in Main Street, Greenock, for a day of fun, frolics and fundraising for Cash for Kids.

Craig and Brian helped workers celebrate as they generated a whopping £500 for the charity.

And T-Mobile are now hoping the Charity Aid Foundation will match this to take it to £1,000.

Customer services worker Moira Bradley said: “The guys were absolutely fantastic. They helped us have a great laugh and raised hundreds of pounds.

“Shang-A-Lang was a huge hit with the crowd. They went round the office and spoke to staff and were fine with getting their pictures taken. It was a great day.”

The caring brothers turned out to help the Tele celebrate its 150th birthday last August at our Big Day Out at Customhouse Quay — and fans at the office were delighted to see the guys again.

Moira and her team invited the brothers and the Score Angels along to help their Cash for Kids efforts on Tuesday 13 May.

Workers raffled off a £1,000 voucher for Porcelanosa in Braehead and collected hundreds of donations.

Moira, 38, from Greenock, who has raised £41,000 for charity in four years, said: “I’ve always raised money for Cash for Kids and this year has been extra special.”

THE GREAT BIG SCOTTISH SONGBOOK

EMI Presents...The Great Big Scottish Songbook features more than 100 tracks of EMI-supported Scottish music over the eras, from Music Hall to KT Tunstall.

Released today, it's the brainchild of Scots record producer and college lecturer Gordon Campbell, co-owner of Edinburgh company The Music Kitchen, who have had recent success with The MacDonald Brothers.

The album features acts such as Gerry Rafferty, The Blue Nile, The Proclaimers, Midge Ure, Simple Minds, Marillion, The Corries and The MacDonald Brothers, alongside legends Jimmy Shand, Jimmy Logan, and Will Fyfe.

Gordon said: "There has never been such an album of such diversity and depth on Scottish music. I had a meeting with EMI last January to suggest the idea and they loved it.

"In reflecting EMI's support for Scottish music, it shows the remarkable and varied journey Scottish music has taken."

  

*Pictures thanks to karen jamieson*

YOU know you're getting past it when the Macdonald Brothers outdrink you.

But that is exactly what has happened on Westlife's latest tour.

The Ayrshire brothers are two of the nicest people in showbiz but they don't exactly have a big reputation for partying.

But Craig and Brian, who played Glasgow with the Irish heart-throbs last night, have been showing the Westlife boys how it's done.

Craig said: "We are a bit more up for a drink than Westlife. After each show we've been kicking about with the crew and are quite keen to stay up late. Westlife, on the other hand, have gone back to the hotel after pretty much every gig.

"Shane takes his family with him wherever he goes and his newly pregnant wife has been by his side at every moment of the tour, as well as his wee daughter.

"They are a lovely family and Shane's wife told us she was expecting a baby.

"Nicky's partner has also been with him, although Kian and Mark haven't brought their partners yet.

"I suppose we are them eight years ago." The Macs, who recently released their third album, With Love For Mother's Day, claim they are still happy being single. Brian said: "It's the best time in our lives and we are loving it."

The guys are thrilled to have secured a deal with a label in Asia and Australia.

Craig said: "Our manager Gordon Campbell and his business partner Stuart 'Woody' Wood have done a deal with a company called Big Jo-Ke, Destra and Sony BMG over there and we will have a full tour lined up later in the year."

Brian and Craig have been only too happy to take some guidance from Wood, who experienced life Down Under with the Bay City Rollers. Brian said: "The Rollers were massive in China and Hong Kong and Stuart has been through a lot and is able to tell us things about the place. I'm not sure whether we'll be singing Shanghai-a-lang but we'll do our best."

hehehehehe

MacDonald Brothers Are Split Up

The Razz can reveal the MacDonald Brothers have finally decided to go their separate ways.

But fans shouldnt panic, Brian & Craig arent giving up singing as a duo, they just arent going to live together anymore.  Elder brother Craig, 21, has decided to move out of their parent's home.

"I have finally bought my own house", he revealed.  "So Brian and I will be separated for the first time in 21 years".  "I move in, in less than 2 weeks and I can't wait!".  But Craig admitted he would only be living around the corner.  "The house is only two streets away from my mum and dads in Alloway in Ayrshire" he said.

"I can still walk there in less than 5 minutes, which is handy if I need to take my washing home.  But I'm not leaving without the Playstation". "I had to view over 20 houses before I found the right one, it is pretty much ready for me to move into but I have a few plans, it has four bedrooms so I want to knock one wall down to make one giant bedroom.  I'm sure there will be a spare room for Brian to use occasionally".

Brian, 21, said "I think not living together will be a good thing, but I am sure I will be over all the time".  "I think Craig is planning to put a gym in the garage, so as long as he doesnt charge me membership, I will definitley use it, but I have no plans of my own to leave home. We are too busy and I have to admit I do like my home comforts". 

The Razz caught up with the boys backstage at the Radio Clyde D2 Cash for Kids lunch yesterday, The brother's who made their name on the last series of X Factor, have just finished a UK tour and are about to start the follow up album to The World Outside. Craig said "We both lost a lot of weight as the food on the road was terrible".

"Right now it is about finding songs for the album. There are about 40 we are looking at and a few ballads we are interested in, so we will have to wait and see".

 

Big Mac Lunch Reveals Leona's Scottish Shame

By Tam Cowan

TREATING famous X Factor contestants to lunch is usually a risky business.

Did it with Michelle McManus a couple of years ago and I nearly got sacked after filing my expenses form.

But that wasn't the worst of it. Have you any idea just how tough it was to book a table at Greggs?

Better luck last week, though, when I hooked up with The MacDonald Brothers, Scotland's most famous double act since Michelle, at a tapas bar in Ayr after we'd helped to switch on the town's Christmas lights.

For a start, they kicked off with a cracking wee story about last year's winner, the lovely Leona.

The 2007 X Factor winner is currently riding high at the top of the singles and album charts but, according to Craig and Brian, it seems she's bottom of the class when it comes to geography.

Before coming to Glasgow last year for an X Factor concert at the SECC, the dizzy diva apparently asked the Ayrshire lads: "Is there a different currency in Scotland or do they use pounds and pence?"

Doh.

Talking of The X-Factor, I asked The MacDonald Brothers to sum up last year's judges in one word and here's their verdict.

Louis Walsh - legend. Sharon Osbourne - anonymous. Simon Cowell - smug.

They actually added another word after "smug" but the boys are too squeaky clean to permit me to use it in a family newspaper.

And what's their advice to this year's contestants as the show hits the semi-final stage?

"It's all to play for," said Brian, "so I just hope they really give it everything they've got and try to enjoy their performance."

"And remember," added Brian, "everything from this point can change their lives."

Too right. This time last year, The MacDonald Brothers could only have dreamed about having lunch with Tam Cowan.

Craig and Brian remain the one and only reality show contestants to receive a £1 phone vote from yours truly (I obviously asked for a refund last week considering they got humped long before the final) and it's great to see two Scottish lads doing so well.

The boys created a little bit of pop history when they became the first Scottish act to go straight into the Scottish charts at No.1 with their debut album, which eventually went platinum.

And their latest CD, The World Outside, has already gone gold and is outselling Amy Winehouse and Eric Clapton. Plus, it features a song that was specially written for them by none other than Sir Elton John.

Bet Amy and Eric regret they never recorded a cover version of Shang-A-Lang, eh?

The seaside town of Ayr has produced its fair share of teenybop pin-up idols - Sydney Devine and Glen Michael to name but two - and The MacDonald Brothers admit they've received loads of attention over the past 12 months.

They've both been sent knickers through the post (nope, before you ask, they didn't come from Louis Walsh) and, at a tattoo parlour in Ayr, one female fan recently got a MacDonald Brothers tattoo on her... well, let's just say it was her arm.

With all this frantic female adulation, Craig and Brian are obviously keen to keep themselves in good shape and, at the end of our excellent lunch, they refused to eat the wee, foil-wrapped chocolate mints which arrived with the bill.

Well, when you've had one gold disc...

 

 

*Picture thanks to Nicole Hainey*

 

 

 

THE SURREAL sight of Lord Provost John Letford dancing on stage with pop stars the MacDonald Brothers and Santa Claus announced the arrival of Christmas in Dundee yesterday.

A record-breaking crowd flocked to Dundee City Square to see the festive lights switched on.

Organisers estimate the crowd swelled to 18,000 at its peak as some of Scotland’s finest musical talent helped the city kick-start the holiday season.

Police praised the good-natured gathering and said the event had passed off without incident.

Revellers of all ages were treated to a variety of entertainment, including former X-Factor contestants the MacDonald Brothers and two of Dundee’s favourite bands The Law and Page 6.

Santa started the fun-filled extravaganza by driving his sleigh to High Street accompanied by his dancing elves.

Meanwhile, Dundee Junior Showtime and Claypotts Castle Primary School kept up the Christmas cheer by singing carols at both the Overgate and the Wellgate centres.

Splash the Clown, Duncan the Dragon and Princess entertained young and old, while face painters, balloon modellers, a stilt walker, magician and glow-stick seller also wandered about providing amusement.

Headliners the MacDonald Brothers then took to the stage to an enormous ovation and played a selection of songs from their first two albums.

Santa and Lord Provost John Letford then joined the brothers on stage for the switch-on.

The crowd cheered Mr Letford as he delivered a Christmas message praising Dundee residents.

Lighting the evening sky, Dundee’s illuminations were turned on simultaneously with a spectacular rooftop pyrotechnic display.

Mr Letford said, “It is always an enjoyable event but this one was absolutely magnificent. The programme was well put together and the MacDonald brothers were just the icing on the cake—they were brilliant.

City centre manager Lorna McKenzie said she believed this year’s event was “the biggest and best ever.”

She added, “We had a massive crowd that really seemed to enjoy the day.

“Everyone was on their feet singing and dancing and the pyrotechnics were fantastic—everything went really well.

“It is a great event for the Dundee public. It helps people to get into the Christmas spirit. I think it is nice that families can come down and do some shopping and then enjoy some entertainment.”

*Pictures thanks to Nicole Hainey*

*Picture thanks to Nicole Hainey*

Westlife Star Backs MacDonald Brothers

Exclusive Westlife star sings Brothers' praises

WESTLIFE star Mark Feehily has given Scots duo The MacDonald Brothers the thumbs up and insists they'll have a great career.

Westlife manager Louis Walsh mentored The X Factor wannabes who were ripped to shreds by Westlife's label svengali and the show's creator Simon Cowell.

But Mark admits the band are fans of the lads who will be performing with Westlife at ASDA's Be Live! event, at Aberdeen's Exhibition and Conference Centre Mark, 27, said: "The MacDonald Brothers know we like them.

"We are associated with Simon but he is not the be all and end all. He helps make our records but just because Simon slags them off doesn't mean we agree with him.

"We have toured with the MacDonald Brothers before and we have nothing but love for them. They are great.

"I haven't spoken to them for a while but they definitely have a future in the entertainment business."

Both acts will perform at the ASDA Be Live! event, along with Glasgow boyband Pacific Avenue.

ASDA AYR ALBUM SIGNING!!

*Picture thanks to Nicole Hainey*

Craig (left) and Brian meet their fans at Asda Kirkcaldy, accompanied by events co-ordinator Jean Ritchie and PC Anna Friel.   X-Factor stars The MacDonald Brothers were a runaway success with fans at Kirkcaldy’s Asda store today, after a sold-old performance at the Rothes Hall, in Glenrothes, yesterday. Before signing copies of their new album The World Outside, Craig and Brian played a live set of songs to an enthusiastic crowd, including new single, Runaway (Do You Love Me), written by Elton John. The never-before-released demo was sent to the brothers by Elton after they requested a song from him. Guitarist Brian said, “Elton sent us the track, which he thought would suit us; it was just his voice and the piano and it was amazing.” Craig said,“Last night at the Rothes Halls went really well. It was a packed house with a mainly female audience. But we get all age groups from wee girls to 70-year-old women, and it’s great meeting the fans you haven’t met before.” Emma McEwan (8), from Glenrothes, enthused, “We went to see them last night, and today and I got a kiss from Craig.” A spokesperson for Asda commented, “We had around 300 fans here, all having  a marvellous time.”

 

Teresa and the Lads :)

We sang Shang-a-Lang and the lights went bang!

MAC'S SHOW KO'D BY PAKORA FRYER!!

Exclusive by Graeme Donohue

The MacDonald Brothers told how a gig was blacked out as they started to sing Shang A Lang - When a PAKORA fryer knocked out the venue's power.

X factor stars Craig and Brian and 500 fans were left in the dark for 25 minutes when a fuse blew at the Stornoway gig.

The Macs had only just started belting out Bay City Rollers favourite Shan-a-Lang to the packed Back Community Centre when the snack bars deep fat fryer caused a power surge.

Weird

Craig, 21 laughed yesterday "The pakora managed what Simon Cowell never could - it shut us up".

Brian 20, added "All you could smell was a weird combination of pakora and melted fuses.  Craig and I love our indian grub but we could have done without the interruption as the crowd started booing".

"But once the power was back up again we soon curried favour"

Craig also admitted he got trapped in a portaloo at the venue for 25 minutes after it was surrounded by screaming fans.

He said "I was stuck there until someone directed them into the venue and I was able to escape"

 

MacDonald brothers charm Yorkhill

THE MacDonald Brothers kept their promise to Yorkhill’s youngsters last week when they arrived at the hospital for a surprise visit.

Faces lit up all around, as Craig and Brian took time out from their tour of Scotland to spend a morning on the wards.
And it wasn’t just the young patients who were excited. A few star-struck doctors popped out to grab autographs too . . . “for a friend”, of course.

Delighted

Whoever they were signing for, The X Factor duo were delighted to back our Sick Children’s Appeal. Brian said, “We’ve done a few charity things but meeting the kids is such good fun, we get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

“I think we make their day, but they make ours too. Last time we visited one wee girl just stood there open-mouthed. She was so shocked she couldn’t speak.”
Craig agreed, “There’s nothing more worthwhile. It can often be hard to visit a hospital ward, but the kids here really pick you up. If you’re feeling down it’s incredible, the kids are so positive.

“There’s no better cause. It’s not fair that these kids haven’t had the right start in life. By supporting The Sunday Post’s campaign you can give them that chance.”

The brothers visited Yorkhill with their fellow finalists during the X Factor tour in March. At the time they met 11-year-old Alex McGregor (left), who has been a patient at Yorkhill for several months.
He was keen to know how Ray and the brothers’ other X Factor pals had been getting on since their visit.
The next fan they met was 13-year-old Channan Sangha (right), who is being treated for chronic asthma. Channan has only ever watched the brothers on TV and reckons they’re quite different in the flesh.
“I bet you think we look taller on the telly,” Craig joked. The pair grinned when Channan suggested they look even better in real life.
Tiny Abigail Locher (left) was also in line for a photo, though at just 18 months old, perhaps it was shy mum Lauren who really wanted to meet the MacDonalds. Abigail has been at the hospital since birth with bowel disorder Hirschsprung’s disease. Louise is at her daughter’s side from morning to evening.
In the room next door is 13-year-old Shannon Sweeney (right) who suffers from cystic fibrosis. She’s in and out of Yorkhill all the time, and keeps her Xbox 360 console by her bedside for entertainment. 
Shannon couldn’t resist challenging Brian on NBA Basketball. “I’ll be rubbish,” he admitted. “We’ve been too busy touring to play computer games.”

Cheeky

Shannon giggled as cheeky Craig couldn’t resist another joke at his younger brother’s expense. “You’d better score — because you’re too short to play basketball in real life.”
Team colours were proudly on show when Craig and Brain met 13-year-old Ryan Anderson, lying in bed in his Celtic strip.
Ryan said he wasn’t too bothered that the pair are Kilmarnock fans, and asked if they would sign an autograph for his mum. “How does she spell her name?” Brian asked.
“P, H, Y, L, L, I, S”, an excited female voice piped-up from across the ward.
After a fantastic morning, the brothers left smiling faces on kids and mums alike. Craig and Brian jumped back in the car to continue their tour. With second album The World Outside out next month it’s a busy time for them.
Yorkhill fundraiser Louise Miles is delighted they found time to support the appeal. She said, “They said they’d come back and kept their promise. It brightens the children’s day, but it’s more than that, the excitement keeps everyone going for months. We’re still talking about the last time they were here, and now they’re back again.
“It makes a huge difference.”

Brother's are a hit with Elt!

Music legend Elton John as shown that he thinks the MacDonald Brothers have the X Factor - by offering them a song to record.

The Ayrshire duo, who clashed with judge Simon Cowell, on the TV show, will release Runaway at the end of the month.

Brian MacDonald said - "Its a privilage for us to have this support from the worlds best songwrites". 

Posted by Tracy - Mic Mac Crew 11/08/07

Coming soon... it’s MacDonalds the movie!

 

THE MacDonald Brothers are set to star in their own movie. Craig and Brian have filmed a 30 minute DVD to be released with their new album in October. The film charts their journey from childhood musicians to the top of the Scottish charts, via a spell on the X Factor. Brian revealed: “We had a lot of fun doing the DVD and our fans should really enjoy it. “It was nice to look back on our rise to fame and revisit the places where it all began.” The boys have just put the finishing touches to their album and are aiming to top the charts for the second time in six months. They’re due to start their Scottish tour later this month and are currently rehearsing — in their BEDROOM. Brian laughed: “The mirrors are out in the bedroom and the rehearsals are under way. “We can’t wait for the tour to start and it’s going to be great travelling the country playing to crowds every night.” A second night has been added at Ayr’s Gaiety Theatre on Saturday, October 27, after the first night sold out. And fans will have the chance to quiz the brothers on stage during their intimate gigs. Brian admitted: “We’re ready for some tough questions!”

Posted by Tracy -Mic Mic Crew

 

S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y NIGHT!

Image posted y Carrie - Mic Mac Crew 27/07/007

Fans of pop duo get vocal

FANS of X-Factor stars the MacDonald Brothers have been given the chance to sing backing vocals on their new album.

Around 40 people queued outside the brothers' recording studio in Causewayside after hearing about the chance through a fan website.

They were recorded yesterday, chanting to the song Saturday Night, from the album The World Outside, due for release on October 15.

Craig Macdonald said: "We'd recorded the main vocals but the sound wasn't full enough. We thought it would be great if we got some fans to join in. They will all get their names on the album."

 

X-FACTOR stars the MacDonald Brothers yesterday gave starstruck fans the chance to appear on their next hit single - as backing singers.

Brothers Craig, 21, and Brian, 20, are putting the finishing touches to their second album, The World Outside, which is due for release on October 15.

Fans were asked via the brothers' website to turn up at their recording studio to sing a backing track for their new single - a cover of the Bay City Rollers' Saturday Night, which was never released in the UK.

And more than 30 lucky fans crammed into the Music Kitchen recording studio in Edinburgh yesterday for the session.

All of the fans who sang on the backing track will be credited in the CD, which is to include a 30- minute documentary DVD showcasing the boys' rise to stardom.

 

Stirling Observer

Sun Newspaper

Right girls!! please form an orderly que! 

Sun Newspaper

Articles posted by Carrie - Mic Mac Crew on 11/08/2007