Don Mescall is an Irish singer and songwriter from County Limerick. He splits his time between the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States.
Early career 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 "Wishing Well" album.
Songwriting As a songwriter, Don Mescall works alone and also collaborates with other artists/songwriters. In previous years, he was based in Nashville.
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 in the Billboard 200 album chart and the Billboard Country Chart. Weeks later, the Backstreet Boys entered the Billboard 200 album charts at No. 7 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 recent years, Don has featured six songs 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.
Again, he had a number 1 single 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. He received the Songwriter of the Year award at the Irish Post Country Music Awards 2017 on 30 August 2017.
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 16 August 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. The band featured Nick Mason on drums, Sir Paul McCartney on bass, 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.
Eurosong 2011 Mescall participated 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.
"The Voice of Ireland" 2012 Mescall was invited to act as an assistant coach 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.
Personal life 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.
Discography Sunset of Gold – EP Lucky Star – EP (2004) Last Chance – EP (2004) Left in L.A. – single (2005) You Don't Love Me – EP (2005) Innocent Run – album (2006) Fuel for the Fire – EP (2007) Lighthouse Keeper – album (2018)
Songs written for other artists Mescall's songs feature on the following albums, selling more than four million records worldwide: Artist Album Song Release date Frances Black Talk To Me (single) Two Strong Hearts 1994 Eleanor Shanley Road to Glory (single) Road to Glory 1995 Eleanor Shanley Eleanor Shanley Road to Glory 1995 Frances Black The Smile on Your Face You're Still The Only One 1996 Natalie Withers Simple Perfect Sunset of Gold 2002 Richie Havens Wishing Well Paradise 23 April 2002 Frances Black Magdalen Laundry (single) Magdalen Laundry 2003 Frances Black How High The Moon Magdalen Laundry, 24 Hours, Rachrai Island, Lucky Star 2003 Lulu Back on Track Time To Fall 7 March 2004 Maryla Rodowicz Maryla Rodowicz Beautiful Regret 2005 Neal McCoy That's Life All Over Again 23 August 2005 Michael Foret Forte Cold Out 1 January 2006 Brian Kennedy All Over The World (single) All Over The World 2006 Brian Kennedy Homebird All Over The World 2006 Ronan Keating All Over Again (single) All Over Again duet with Kate Rusby 29 May 2006 Ronan Keating Bring You Home All Over Again (Feat. Kate Rusby) 29 May 2006 Ronan Keating & Rita Guerra All Over Again (Portuguese Release) All Over Again May 2006 Ronan Keating & Rita Comisi All Over Again (Italian release) All Over Again May 2006 Kelly Chen Especial Kelly All Over Again (duet with Ronan Keating) 21 December 2006 Hummingbird Tougher Than Love Grace of God 2007 Floortje Smit Fearless All Over Again (duet with Ronan Keating) 20 April 2007 Rascal Flatts Still Feels Good Secret Smile 25 September 2007 Backstreet Boys Unbreakable Trouble Is 24 October 2007 Frances Black The Essential Frances Black 24 Hours, Magdelen Laundry, Rachrai Island 2008 The High Kings Fields of Glory (single) Fields of Glory 2008 The High Kings The High Kings Fields of Glory 2008 Eva Avila Give Me the Music You Don't Say No 2008 Jon Peter Lewis Break The Silence No Fire 2008 Garou Heaven's Table (single) Heaven's Table 2008 Garou Piece of My Soul Heaven's Table, What's The Time in NYC, Beautiful Regret 6 May 2008 Clay Aiken On My Way Here Grace of God 6 May 2008 The High Kings Fields of Glory Special Edition GAA Football Final (Irish Independent) Fields of Glory 21 September 2008 Theo Tams Give It All Away Reckless 2009 Cathy Maguire Portrait Nothing But Blue 17 April 2009 Lynn Hilary Take Me With You Sunset of Gold, Shona Mara, Take Me With You, Melody of Life, Erin Beo, Road to Glory 21 April 2009 Rascal Flatts 14 Love Songs for the 14th Secret Smile 9 February 2010 Boyzone Brother Too Late For Hallelujah 8 March 2010 Jaydee Bixby Easy To Love Closer Than You Think 25 May 2010 Anne Brennan Young Love You're Still The Only One 1 May 2011 Luke Dickens 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 New Cities Kill the Lights The Hype 27 September 2011 The Three Amigos Radio Pictures Radio Paints, Your Dress, Bandeleros, Champagne 30 November 2011 Aslan Nudie Books and Frenchies Too Late For Hallelujah April 2012 Ramin Karimloo Ramin Constant Angel, Eyes of a Child, Broken Home, Show me Light 9 April 2012 Chila Lynn Real Woman Sparkle 24 April 2012 Brian Kennedy Voice Broken Crown 5 June 2012 Ronan Keating Fires 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 Kirsty Bertarelli ft Ronan Keating Send Out a Message (To the World) (single) Send Out a Message (To the World) 29 April 2013 Lonestar Life As We Know It With My Eyes Open June 2013 Sharon Corr The Same Sun We Could Be Lovers, Edge of Nowhere, Full Circle, You Say, The Runaround, The Same Sun, Christmas Night Oct 2013 Boyzone BZ20 Rise, Heaven Is, The Hour Before Christmas 25 November 2013 Richie Hayes What About Me Free World, Walk You Home 8 November 2012 Kirsty Bertarelli 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 Giulia Radio Junky (single) Radio Junky 17 August 2014 Aslan Bullets & Diamonds Too Late For Hallelujah 13 October 2014 Lisa McHugh A Life That's Good Hey I'm a Woman 24 October 2014 Kirsty Bertarelli The Ghosts of Christmas Past-EP The Ghosts of Christmas Past 14 November 2014 MacKenzie Porter The Hour Before Christmas (single) The Hour Before Christmas 24 November 2014 Marina Kaye 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 Nathan Carter Stayin Up All Night Wanna Dance 29 April 2016 Nathan Carter Livin' the Dream (single) Livin' the Dream 2017Nathan Carter Gone girls (single) Livin' the Dream June 2017Nathan Carter this song is for you (single) feb 2018 Geri Halliwell Angels in Chains (single) Angels in Chains 19 June 2017 Cliff Richard Rise Up (Album) There's One August 2018 Laurie LeBlanc 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 Brett Eldredge Sunday Drive(Album ) Sunday Drive (single) July 2020 Sharon Corr The fool and the scorpion (Album ) the heart is a lonely hunter, A Thousand Lives 6 June 2021 Christy Dignam 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
Compilations, soundtracks and DVDs CD Title Song title Performing artist Release date Absolute Irish Road To Glory Eleanor Shanley 1995 Celtic Heartbeat Road To Glory Eleanor Shanley 1995 Only One Degree of Separation Sunset of Gold, Paradise Don Mescall 2000 A Woman's Heart: A Decade On 24 Hours Frances Black 11 November 2002 A Woman's Heart: Trilogy 24 Hours Frances Black 2 February 2004 The Dome Vol. 40 All Over Again Ronan Keating &Kate Rusby 1 December 2006 Now 64 All Over Again Ronan Keating & Kate Rusby 24 July 2006 Chartbuster Karaoke: Rascal Flatts Vol. 2 Secret Smile Rascal Flatts 1 April 2008 Hot Hits Country Karaoke 8 July Secret Smile Rascal Flatts 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 Frances Black
DVD title Song title Performing artist Release date The Guitar Style of Richie Havens 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 Frances Black 24 January 2005 The High Kings – Live in Dublin Fields of Glory The High Kings 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
References
External links Official website AGR Television Records – record label of Don Mescall (multi-lingual) In profile: Eurosong: Don Mescall Introducing Sharon's Assistant Coach Don Mescall Top songwriter Mescall forges his own path