Don Mescall


Don Mescall is a singer and songwriter from Co. Limerick in Ireland.

Songwriting

As a songwriter, Don Mescall both works alone and collaborates with other artists/songwriters and in previous years, has based himself in Nashville, Tennessee.
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. In the coming weeks Backstreet Boys also entered the Billboard 200 album charts at No. 7 with their album "Unbreakable" which featured Mescall's song, "Trouble Is" meaning Mescall had 2 songs featured on albums in the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart the week of 17 November 2007. In more recent years Don has had six songs featured on Marina Kaye's "Fearless" Album which was a triple platinum in France. Don had a Number 1 Irish country single in 2016 with Nathan Carter's "Wanna dance" from the album "Staying up all night" one Decca records he also had a number 1 single again with 's 'Livin' the Dream', Don also achieved Number 1 in Irish Country charts in 2018 with 's single "This song is for you " Also in 2017 Don had a number 1 with "Angels in Chains" the single reached number one in Argentina Peru and Spain.
In February 2017 Don received an Irish World Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting and Production in London. He also received the award for Songwriter of the Year at the Irish Post Country Music Awards 2017 on August 30, 2017.
Following his success writing for other artists, Mescall released his own album ‘Lighthouse Keeper’, in November 2018, which went in at #1 in the Irish Independent Album charts. Nov 2018
August 16, 2019 saw the release of 'Live Long Rock & Roll', a tribute single for Henry McCollough, written by Mescall and McCollough, performed by the superband the McCollough Fusileers and released on Ballywonderland records. The band features Nick Mason on Drums, Sir Paul McCartney on Bass, Albert Lee on Electric Guitars, Chris Stainton on Hammond/Keys, Gary Brooker Lead Vocals, Paul Brady and Paul Carrick with Backing Vocals, Fiachra Trench on Strings, and the London Community Gospel Choir on Backing Vocals. The song was mixed by Steve Lipson and produced by Don Mescall. The single features on the Ballywonderland album by Henry McCollough.

Early career

Having played pubs and clubs around Ireland, Mescall landed the job of opening for Richie Havens at the Mean Fiddler in London. Mescall started his support slot with a new song called "Paradise". After Havens heard the track he subsequently recorded "Paradise" on his 2002 album ''"Wishing Well”’’.
Mescall regularly tours in Ireland and the United Kingdom, including playing some major festivals. Mescall currently splits his time between the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States.

Personal life

Don Mescall is originally from the parish of Ahane/Lisnagry in Co. Limerick. Don has eight sisters and two brothers. He has also been a vegetarian for the last 20+ years.

Discography

Recordings by Don Mescall

  1. Sunset of Gold – EP
  2. Lucky Star – EP
  3. Last Chance – EP
  4. Left in L.A. – single
  5. You Don't Love Me – EP
  6. Innocent Run – album
  7. Fuel for the Fire – EP
  8. Lighthouse Keeper - album

    Songwriting For Other Artists

Mescall's songs feature on the following albums, selling more than four million records worldwide:
ArtistAlbumSongRelease Date
Frances BlackTalk To Me Two Strong Hearts1994
Eleanor ShanleyRoad to Glory Road to Glory1995
Eleanor ShanleyEleanor ShanleyRoad to Glory1995
Frances BlackThe Smile on Your FaceYou're Still The Only One1996
Natalie WithersSimple PerfectSunset of Gold2002
Richie HavensWishing WellParadise23 April 2002
Frances BlackMagdalen Laundry Magdalen Laundry2003
Frances BlackHow High The MoonMagdalen Laundry, 24 Hours, Rachrai Island, Lucky Star2003
LuluBack on TrackTime To Fall7 March 2004
Maryla RodowiczMaryla RodowiczBeautiful Regret2005
Neal McCoyThat's LifeAll Over Again23 August 2005
Michael ForetForteCold Out1 January 2006
Brian KennedyAll Over The World All Over The World2006
Brian KennedyHomebirdAll Over The World2006
Ronan KeatingAll Over Again All Over Again duet with Kate Rusby29 May 2006
Ronan KeatingBring You HomeAll Over Again 29 May 2006
Ronan Keating & Rita GuerraAll Over Again All Over AgainMay 2006
Ronan Keating & Rita ComisiAll Over Again All Over AgainMay 2006
Kelly ChenEspecial KellyAll Over Again 21 December 2006
HummingbirdTougher Than LoveGrace of God2007
Floortje SmitFearlessAll Over Again 20 April 2007
Rascal FlattsStill Feels GoodSecret Smile25 September 2007
Backstreet BoysUnbreakableTrouble Is24 October 2007
Frances BlackThe Essential Frances Black24 Hours, Magdelen Laundry, Rachrai Island2008
The High KingsFields of Glory Fields of Glory2008
The High KingsThe High KingsFields of Glory2008
Eva AvilaGive Me the MusicYou Don't Say No2008
Jon Peter LewisBreak The SilenceNo Fire2008
GarouHeaven's Table Heaven's Table2008
GarouPiece of My SoulHeaven's Table, What's The Time in NYC, Beautiful Regret6 May 2008
Clay AikenOn My Way HereGrace of God6 May 2008
The High KingsFields of Glory Special Edition GAA Football Final Fields of Glory21 September 2008
Theo TamsGive It All AwayReckless2009
Cathy MaguirePortraitNothing But Blue17 April 2009
Lynn HilaryTake Me With YouSunset of Gold, Shona Mara, Take Me With You, Melody of Life, Erin Beo, Road to Glory21 April 2009
Rascal Flatts14 Love Songs for the 14thSecret Smile9 February 2010
BoyzoneBrotherToo Late For Hallelujah8 March 2010
Jaydee BixbyEasy To LoveCloser Than You Think25 May 2010
Anne BrennanYoung LoveYou're Still The Only One1 May 2011
Luke DickensDevil in the WindI'm Givin In9 September 2011
Jane McNameeHow Do I Tell ThemYou're Still the Only One20 September 2011
The New CitiesKill the LightsThe Hype27 September 2011
The Three AmigosRadio PicturesRadio Paints, Your Dress, Bandeleros, Champagne30 November 2011
AslanNudie Books and FrenchiesToo Late For HallelujahApril 2012
Ramin KarimlooRaminConstant Angel, Eyes of a Child, Broken Home, Show me Light9 April 2012
Chila LynnReal WomanSparkle24 April 2012
Brian KennedyVoiceBroken Crown5 June 2012
Ronan KeatingFiresThe One You Love TonightSept 2012
Richie HayesWhat About MeFree World, Walk You Home8 November 2012
Aslan & Don MescallIn Aid of Pieta HouseCatch Your FallApril 2013
Kirsty Bertarelli ft Ronan KeatingSend Out a Message Send Out a Message 29 April 2013
LonestarLife As We Know ItWith My Eyes OpenJune 2013
Sharon CorrThe Same SunWe Could Be Lovers, Edge of Nowhere, Full Circle, You Say, The Runaround, The Same Sun, Christmas NightOct 2013
BoyzoneBZ20Rise, Heaven Is, The Hour Before Christmas25 November 2013
Richie HayesWhat About MeFree World, Walk You Home8 November 2012
Kirsty BertarelliIndigo ShoresThere She Goes, Disappeared12 May 2014
Marina KayeHomeless EPLive Before I Die, Price I've Had to Pay16 June 2014
GuiliaRadio Junky Radio Junky17 August 2014
AslanBullets & DiamondsToo Late For Hallelujah13 October 2014
Lisa McHughA Life That's GoodHey I'm a Woman24 October 2014
Kirsty BertarelliThe Ghosts Of Christmas Past-EPThe Ghosts Of Christmas Past14 November 2014
MacKenzie PorterThe Hour Before Christmas The Hour Before Christmas24 November 2014
Marina KayeFearlessLive Before I Die, Price I've Had to Pay18 May 2015
The Three AmigosOn the Road Again - The Essential CollectionRadio Paints, Your Dress Looks Its Best, Bandeleros, Champagne20 November 2015
Nathan CarterStayin Up All NightWanna Dance29 April 2016
Nathan CarterLivin' the Dream Livin' the Dream16 June 2017
Geri HalliwellAngels in Chains Angels in Chains19 June 2017

Compilations, soundtracks and DVDs

DVD TitleSong TitlePerforming ArtistRelease Date
The Guitar Style of Richie HavensParadiseTuition Video10 December 2002
Alien TrackerYou Don't Love Me, Left in L.A.Don Mescall14 October 2003
Irish UnpluggedRachrai IslandFrances Black24 January 2005
The High Kings – Live in DublinFields of GloryThe High Kings26 February 2008
The Voice Within – Songs of HopeVoice of Hope, A Not Too Ordinary Day, Grace of GodPeter Corry, Simon Casey21 July 2008

Eurosong 2011

Don 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 "Talking with Jennifer". Their entry came in third place with a total score of 68 points.

"The Voice of Ireland" 2012

Don was invited to act as assistant coach on the new Irish TV production of "The Voice of Ireland" which was filmed in Dublin in November 2011. Don is assisting his friend and co-writer Sharon Corr on the show, which went to air at the end of January 2012.