THIS IS ONLY A FAN SIGHT FOR DONNIE MUNRO
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Donnie Joined Runrig in 1974 and the band became full-time professionals in 1982. His reputation as an eloquent and intelligent frontman grew with Runrig's success. 1991 was to be one of Donnie's most exciting years. He was elected Rector of Edinburgh University where he was much respected and he took his role seriously. It was the year of the big concert at Loch Lomond and "The Big Wheel" was very successful in the album charts, entering at No.4. Runrig seemed to be everywhere as did Donnie's picture in the papers. He became involved with charity work such as "Solas", an AIDS charity, and he later helped launch "Zero Tolerance" in 1994.
Donnie has been a Labour Party supporter all his life. It was at the funeral of the Labour Party leader John Smith that Donnie made up his mind to stand for the UK Parliament, although it was not announced officially that he was to leave Runrig until May 1997. Meanwhile, he presented his own radio show in Scotland on "Scot FM"; he was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Edinburgh University. Speculation about his future with Runrig grew, and he recorded his final album, "Mara", with Runrig in 1995. 1996 saw media interest in Donnie growing as it was rumoured (rightly) that he would stand for the "seat" of Ross, Skye and Inverness West, a Scottish Parliamentary Constituency.
1997 was the year of the General Election in the UK and Donnie's last year with Runrig. Donnie announced his desire to stand for the proposed Scottish Parliament and the band members made it clear that any return to Runrig was impossible. He said that it had been a hard decision for him to make as he had loved his time with the band and his relationship with the fans was always important.
No true artist can "walk away" from a lifetime of making music, and early in 1999 Donnie contacted Chris Harley, who by that time had installed a new recording studio on the Isle of Skye. Chris produced most of the "Runrig" albums and he and Donnie worked well together in the studio. The plan was formed to record a Donnie Munro solo album (something Donnie had always wanted to do) and to tentatively form a touring band. The album, "On The West Side", was recorded during the Spring & Summer of 1999.
The success of his live performances in 2000 and their enormous atmosphere convinced Donnie and the band to record two shows. They recorded at the 22./23. September 2000 in Portree and Ayr in Scotland.
In 2002 He recorded Gaelic Heart a powerful CD celebrating the traditional songs from his home on Skye and the song remebered from childhood.
Look out for Donnie Munro's New album "Heart of America", it won an award for Best Album of the Year at the Scottish Trad Music Awards 2007...This profile was edited with Thomas' myspace editor™ V2.5
