Donnie Munro
Donnie Munro was born on the 2nd August 1953 at Uig on the Isle of Skye. He was brought up with his parents in Portree as well as spending time on his grandparents croft. During his days at primary school he came into contact with a wee boy called Calum Macdonald. Although it was not known at the time, their paths would cross later in life in a major way.
Donnie Munro went to the Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, before moving on to the Moray House in Edinburgh where he attended a post-graduate teaching course. Donnie would return home to the Isle of Skye on his holidays and it was on one such occasion that he went along to see a local band called Run-Rig. The band included his old pal from primary school Calum Macdonald. Their friendship grew and about a year after this meeting Calum and his brother Rory asked Donnie if he would like to become the singer for Run-Rig. That was the start of a long and successful career with the band for Donnie. He taught art at Inverness Academy, Leith Academy and Tynecastle High School (Edinburgh) before Runrig became a full-time occupation in the early 1980s.
In 1982 Runrig as they were now known turned professional. Donnie and the band became one of Scotland's most popular acts. During the height of their success Runrig albums would outsell all other artists in Scotland - yes they were in Scotland bigger than anyone else.
During his life Donnie had always been a supporter of the Labour Party in Scotland, and after the untimely death of Labour Party Leader John Smith, he made up his mind to stand for the UK Parliament.
Donnie has presented many radio shows over the years including a spell at "Scot FM" as well as in more recent years spells at the BBC's Radio Scotland. During 1995 speculation was rife about Donnie leaving Runrig to pursue his political career, but it took until May 1997 for any official word. His last album with Runrig was the Mara album. So in 1997 with the UK general Election looming, Donnie made one of the hardest decisions of his life and left Runrig to stand for the Parliamentary seat of Ross, Skye and Inverness West. But the fans were not prepared to let Donnie slip quietly away and the highlight of his final year with the Band was to be what ended up as 3 concerts at Stirling Castle. Anyone who was either there or has watched the video will know that for everyone it was to be a very emotional few concerts.
Unfortunately the Parliamentary seat Donnie pursued went in the end to the former Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy, but not without Donnie running him very close to the end.
Luckily for all us fans, in 1999 Donnie couldn't keep away from the recording studio and with help from Chris Harley, they recorded what turned out to be his first solo album "On the West Side" which was released in 2000. Donnie got a band together and they went off and played live again to the fans long starved of that unique voice Donnie has.
Donnie released a single to backup the Scottish Rugby teams World Cup hopes in 2003 which was entitled "Down Under". During 2005 we saw Donnie go on a mini tour of Scotland playing at a number of venues around Scotland in May through to July. Donnie also made a number of personal appearances during 2005.
In 2006 we also saw the release of the Donnie Munro and Friends DVD in April. This was again another television show Donnie had recorded back in 2000 and has become a must for every Donnie Munro fan. We all now eagerly await the release of the next studio album from Donnie Munro which is due to be called Heart of America and should be in the shops July 2006. Several concerts have been planned for 2006 to launch the new CD.
Of course Donnie also continues with his extremely busy position as Development Director for the gaelic-language college Sabhal Mor Ostaig on Skye.
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