| Don Mescall | |
| Birth Place: | County Limerick, Ireland |
| Genre: | Acoustic / country / folk rock |
| Occupation: | Musician, singer-songwriter, composer |
| Years Active: | 1994–present |
| Label: | AGR Television Records |
| Associated Acts: | Rascal Flatts, Backstreet Boys, Ronan Keating, Lulu, Richie Havens, Frances Black, Neal McCoy, Boyzone, Clay Aiken, Garou, Geri Halliwell, Cliff Richard, Daniel Boys, Sharon Corr. |
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.
Having played in 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".
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]
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.
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.
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]
Mescall's songs feature on the following albums, selling more than four million records worldwide:
| Artist | Album | Song | Release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk To Me (single) | Two Strong Hearts | 1994 | ||
| Road to Glory (single) | Road to Glory | 1995 | ||
| Eleanor Shanley | Road to Glory | 1995 | ||
| The Smile on Your Face | You're Still The Only One | 1996 | ||
| Natalie Withers | Simple Perfect | Sunset of Gold | 2002 | |
| Wishing Well | Paradise | 23 April 2002 | ||
| Magdalen Laundry (single) | Magdalen Laundry | 2003 | ||
| How High The Moon | Magdalen Laundry, 24 Hours, Rachrai Island, Lucky Star | 2003 | ||
| Time To Fall | 7 March 2004 | |||
| Maryla Rodowicz | Beautiful Regret | 2005 | ||
| All Over Again | 23 August 2005 | |||
| Michael Foret | Forte | Cold Out | 1 January 2006 | |
| All Over The World (single) | All Over The World | 2006 | ||
| Homebird | All Over The World | 2006 | ||
| All Over Again (single) | 29 May 2006 | |||
| All Over Again (Feat. Kate Rusby) | 29 May 2006 | |||
| All Over Again (Portuguese Release) | May 2006 | |||
| All Over Again (Italian release) | May 2006 | |||
| Especial Kelly | All Over Again (duet with Ronan Keating) | 21 December 2006 | ||
| Hummingbird | Tougher Than Love | Grace of God | 2007 | |
| Fearless | All Over Again (duet with Ronan Keating) | 20 April 2007 | ||
| Secret Smile | 25 September 2007 | |||
| Trouble Is | 24 October 2007 | |||
| The Essential Frances Black | 24 Hours, Magdelen Laundry, Rachrai Island | 2008 | ||
| Fields of Glory (single) | Fields of Glory | 2008 | ||
| The High Kings | Fields of Glory | 2008 | ||
| You Don't Say No | 2008 | |||
| Break The Silence | No Fire | 2008 | ||
| Heaven's Table (single) | Heaven's Table | 2008 | ||
| Heaven's Table, What's The Time in NYC, Beautiful Regret | 6 May 2008 | |||
| Grace of God | 6 May 2008 | |||
| Fields of Glory Special Edition GAA Football Final (Irish Independent) | Fields of Glory | 21 September 2008 | ||
| Reckless | 2009 | |||
| Portrait | Nothing But Blue | 17 April 2009 | ||
| Take Me With You | Sunset of Gold, Shona Mara, Take Me With You, Melody of Life, Erin Beo, Road to Glory | 21 April 2009 | ||
| 14 Love Songs for the 14th | Secret Smile | 9 February 2010 | ||
| Too Late For Hallelujah | 8 March 2010 | |||
| Easy To Love | Closer Than You Think | 25 May 2010 | ||
| Anne Brennan | Young Love | You're Still The Only One | 1 May 2011 | |
| Devil in the Wind | I'm Givin In | 9 September 2011 | ||
| Jane McNamee | How Do I Tell Them | You're Still the Only One | 20 September 2011 | |
| The Hype | 27 September 2011 | |||
| The Three Amigos | Radio Pictures | Radio Paints, Your Dress, Bandeleros, Champagne | 30 November 2011 | |
| Aslan | Nudie Books and Frenchies | April 2012 | ||
| Constant Angel, Eyes of a Child, Broken Home, Show me Light | 9 April 2012 | |||
| Chila Lynn | Real Woman | Sparkle | 24 April 2012 | |
| Voice | Broken Crown | 5 June 2012 | ||
| The One You Love Tonight | Sept 2012 | |||
| Richie Hayes | What About Me | Free World, Walk You Home | 8 November 2012 | |
| Aslan & Don Mescall | In Aid of Pieta House | Catch Your Fall | April 2013 | |
| Send Out a Message (To the World) (single) | Send Out a Message (To the World) | 29 April 2013 | ||
| Life As We Know It | With My Eyes Open | June 2013 | ||
| We Could Be Lovers, Edge of Nowhere, Full Circle, You Say, The Runaround, The Same Sun, Christmas Night | Oct 2013 | |||
| BZ20 | Rise, Heaven Is, The Hour Before Christmas | 25 November 2013 | ||
| Richie Hayes | What About Me | Free World, Walk You Home | 8 November 2012 | |
| Indigo Shores | There She Goes, Disappeared | 12 May 2014 | ||
| Marina Kaye | Homeless EP | Live Before I Die, Price I've Had to Pay | 16 June 2014 | |
| Guilia | Radio Junky (single) | Radio Junky | 17 August 2014 | |
| Aslan | Bullets & Diamonds | 13 October 2014 | ||
| Lisa McHugh | A Life That's Good | Hey I'm a Woman | 24 October 2014 | |
| The Ghosts Of Christmas Past-EP | The Ghosts Of Christmas Past | 14 November 2014 | ||
| The Hour Before Christmas (single) | The Hour Before Christmas | 24 November 2014 | ||
| Fearless | Live Before I Die, Price I've Had to Pay | 18 May 2015 | ||
| The Three Amigos | On the Road Again - The Essential Collection | Radio Paints, Your Dress Looks Its Best, Bandeleros, Champagne | 20 November 2015 | |
| Stayin Up All Night | Wanna Dance | 29 April 2016 | ||
| Livin' the Dream (single) | Livin' the Dream | 2017 | ||
| Gone girls (single) | Livin' the Dream | June 2017 | ||
| this song is for you (single) | feb 2018 | |||
| Angels in Chains (single) | Angels in Chains | 19 June 2017 | ||
| Rise Up (Album) | There's One | August 2018 | ||
| 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 Love | 5 June 2020 | ||
| Sunday Drive(Album) | Sunday Drive (single) | july 2020 | ||
| The fool and the scorpion (Album) | the heart is a lonely hunter, A Thousand Lives | 6 June 2021 | ||
| 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 imagine | Oct 2021 |
| CD Title | Song title | Performing artist | Release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Irish | Road To Glory | 1995 | ||
| Celtic Heartbeat | Road To Glory | 1995 | ||
| Only One Degree of Separation | Sunset of Gold, Paradise | Don Mescall | 2000 | |
| A Woman's Heart: A Decade On | 24 Hours | 11 November 2002 | ||
| A Woman's Heart: Trilogy | 24 Hours | 2 February 2004 | ||
| The Dome Vol. 40 | All Over Again | 1 December 2006 | ||
| All Over Again | 24 July 2006 | |||
| Chartbuster Karaoke: Rascal Flatts Vol. 2 | Secret Smile | 1 April 2008 | ||
| Hot Hits Country Karaoke 8 July | Secret Smile | 1 July 2008 | ||
| The Voice Within – Songs of Hope | Voice of Hope, A Not Too Ordinary Day, Grace of God | Peter Corry, Simon Casey | 21 July 2008 | |
| Precious Moments | You're Still The Only One |
| DVD Title | Song title | Performing artist | Release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise | Tuition Video | 10 December 2002 | ||
| Alien Tracker | You Don't Love Me, Left in L.A. | Don Mescall | 14 October 2003 | |
| Irish Unplugged | Rachrai Island | 24 January 2005 | ||
| The High Kings – Live in Dublin | Fields of Glory | 26 February 2008 | ||
| The Voice Within – Songs of Hope | Voice of Hope, A Not Too Ordinary Day, Grace of God | Peter Corry, Simon Casey | 21 July 2008 |