X Factor: Biography Of The MacDonald Brothers
Name: Craig MacDonald
Age: 20
From: Ayr, Scotland
Occupation: Singer
Name: Brian MacDonald
Age: 19
From: Ayr, Scotland
Occupation: Singer
The Story So Far…
* In their first audition they sang ‘Don’t Worry Baby’ and ‘As Long As You Love Me’. Louis said “I liked harmonies, pity you were unprepared�. Sharon said “you sing well together, you made the Beach Boys sound Scottish�. Simon said “first song was ok, sound better with retro songs. Potential but unprepared, but I’ll give you a second chance�.
* On their first day of Bootcamp they sang ‘Saw Her Standing There’ by The Beatles and ‘To Love Somebody’ by The Bee Gees. Louis said “Awful dancing… but I like their voices.�
* On the second day of Bootcamp they sang ‘Take Your Mamma’ by the Scissor Sisters.
* Their Judges House song was ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’ by The Everley Brothers.
History
* Craig and Brian live with their mum and dad and have a half brother from their dad’s previous relationship.
* The MacDonald Brothers have been seriously singing together for 3 years at weddings, clubs and occasionally doing backing vocals.
* Craig and Brian have been singing and playing the accordion and the fiddle together ever since they were children.
* The duo first realised that singing was their dream after performing at a school talent contest in a band called ‘Cobra’ which was a Queen tribute band.
* One of their biggest performances as The MacDonald Brothers was in front of Hugh Grant at the Ceilidh Dance.
What would winning The X Factor mean to you both?
Both brothers are overjoyed at their X Factor success and for both of them, it’s the next step to buying the car of their dreams, a Lotus. Brian says “It would mean everything we’ve worked for has paid off for us. This is the stepping stone to our dreams. It’s what we’ve always wanted to do.� Craig adds “Winning The X Factor would mean the world. It’s everything I’ve ever worked for.�
What are you most looking forward to about the Live Shows?
“I’m looking forward to getting down to London, getting my head down and starting to work towards our goal. It will actually be good to get away from our family for a while and live the dream�, says Brian. Craig is more practical. “I’ll miss my family, having my washing done, but apart from that I’m looking forward to it�, he says.
What do your friends and family think about your X Factor success?
Craig says “Our friends and family are absolutely amazed. They’ve got faith in us but we didn’t expect to go the distance. To get this far is amazing and their behind us all the way. We never thought that we’d actually get this far so it’s a total shock for them to be honest.�
Do you come from a musical family?
“Our Dad used to play in a band. He is one of our biggest influences, teaching us how to sing, how to perform and how to entertain people. He’s a good guitarist but our Mum isn’t musical at all.�
What was your worst job?
The boys, who both went to Prestwick Academy, outside Ayr, have had various jobs between them. Craig explains “I took a year out because Brian is a year behind me at school and so rather than go to university immediately, I worked at the Royal Bank of Scotland. The worst job I ever had was working in an ice cream shop in Ayr.� Brian has also had his share of jobs he’s not enjoyed. “I used to be an administrator which entailed me doing a 9 to 5 staring at a computer screen. There were no opportunities or anything.�
What are your musical influences?
The boys share similar musical influences. Craig says that it was Freddie Mercury who inspired them to pursue music. “We were in Majorca when I was about 15 and we heard a Queen tribute band and hearing that got me excited about singing. I’d never really done much before that but from then on I sat at a computer recording my voice and listening to it back, trying to improve it.�
Brian says that his influences include Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Metallica. Craig adds Elton John, George Michael, Muse and the Scissor Sisters. His favourite single is Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and Brian’s is ‘By The Way’ by The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. They’d both sing ‘We Are The Champions’ by Queen to wow the Judges.
Do you play any musical instruments?
For Brian, singing came a close second to his guitar playing. “Guitar was the main thing I was into. But six months ago I started singing seriously with Craig because we started gigging a lot. I’m actually surprised to get this far to be honest just because I never thought my singing would be that strong.� Both boys play the accordion, the piano and the guitar. Craig also plays the violin, and both enjoy keeping fit in the gym. But both enjoy a good night out in the pub with their mates in nearby Prestwick.
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October 11th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
I’m back! Now so far I liked 2 To Go, Nicholas Dorsett, Phillip Magee and Shayne Ward but now I chose the duo themselves, The MacDonald Brothers! I hoped one of them will play piano during the live shows!
October 14th, 2006 at 10:05 pm
hi wooooohooo go the macdonald bros they went to the same school as me
October 15th, 2006 at 12:31 am
I’d do the both of them. They sound good too. ; )
October 15th, 2006 at 2:38 am
great band 2 gentlemen these guys are 2 of the best guys you could ever meet,they can take critisism,especially from peole they know,great vocals.best is yet to come,
thanks boys.hoody ayr…
October 15th, 2006 at 5:09 am
sharon osbornes kids could not lace the macdonalds boots these boys are gentlemen, not jumped up hash heads,sharon away and get some surgery;.
October 15th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
LOVED the gentle interpertration of 3 TIMES A LADY, The lads were singing to their Mum, you dont scream at your Mum, Watch out though Sharon always has to get her claws into Celts, recall THE CONWAYS last year.YOU sang it great lads and the more the show is watched that harmony and efffortless vocal must be noticed by the viewers, Sharons likely stone deaf anyway after Ozzys screaming and Simon just likes to know it all. LOUIS is a great guy and Boyzone and Westlife speak volumes for him.GOOD LUCK lads and if your Mum was happy then YOU truly did great. ROD, NEWCASTLE ON TYNE.
October 15th, 2006 at 9:24 pm
omg… how georgeous r the boys from scotland. I am totally backing them to win this years x factor, they are so sexy and have georgeous voices. Screw simon who sed they have no personality, they certainly have the x factor for me.
October 16th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
I’d like to add that Lois knows the score but he’s always up against the unprofessional and catty Sharon and Simon just deliberately sets out to humiliate and be srcastic anyway even to Sharon at times but he’s worse to Louis,however lads PLEASE try to avoid Sailing as your song this week, I feel it would be a safe choice on the surface but Sharon would tear it to bits,I hate the themed weeks,its NOT fair to the acts overall but I hope the lads get a GOOD SONG OF ROD STEWARTS TO DO, Good luck lads and I think you did great Saturday, SO did the public who kept you out the bottom 2. Rod,Newcastle.
October 16th, 2006 at 11:09 pm
ha ha, what a bunch of muppets… :O)
October 18th, 2006 at 1:22 am
Tell Louis you want something more upbeat for Saturday and please wear your own clothes! Hang on in there..
October 22nd, 2006 at 8:45 pm
These boys are two of the nicest fellas you could ever meet. They were brilliant at Sailing last night, simon is all out to humiliate them each week but look at his acts Ray was awful last night and I wasn’t impressed with nikittas choice of song or clothing. Lets hope the lads get a better song from Louis this week and show Simon what they’re really made of. Keep smiling lads and I for one will never stop voting for you. The MacDonald Brothers to win x factor, they can do it.
Mandy Mills, Ayr
October 23rd, 2006 at 1:29 pm
I second everything you say Mandy, SIMON underestimated how huge SAILING was for ROD STEWART, THE LADS did great, SIMON is simply unfair, his knowledge wrong and if he found so many songs so boring WHY? did he have a ROD STEWART week.Rod got 2 digs in subtely though, Actually Simon is destroying Ray, if Ray hadn’t a following from Brookside days he’d be out now with his performances of dire songs shoves at him from Simon.Leona was poor on ‘FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST’ could hardly sing the gentle bit at the beginning and Simon LOVED that,HE’S false thankfully as Louis said the public like the MacDonalds and as Simon has been proven wrong by the viewers the last 2 weeks justice is done.Simon is just TOO BIG for the show now he’s downright nasty and insulting and thats not nice or justified.Rod. Newcastle.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:03 pm
GOOD LUCK lads for Saturday 28th.What you will be singing I haven’t a clue but I hope you can put your own slant and harmony to it and do well.I think you two seem like 2 of the nicest people anyone could meet.SINCERELY GOOD LUCK.Rod.Newcastle.
October 28th, 2006 at 11:54 am
I KNEW IT ! I KNEW IT !
Craig is an ice-cream salesboy ! They are ice-cream saleboys ! I KNEW IT !
Mine’s a 99 please, boys, with an extra flake…
October 29th, 2006 at 11:43 am
MacDonald’s to win!!!!!
I love them, Simon Cowel knows nothing!
Theu have beautiful voices and really deserve to win!
count on my vote 4 every show!
you can do it!
would like to see a bit of the piano in next performance, would be great! xx
October 29th, 2006 at 11:49 am
THE LADS DID GREAT, loved their performance of the song.SIMON had excess wax in his ears, he only hears LEONA for some reason.ROD. Newcastle
October 29th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
does anyone know where i can write to them? thanx xox
November 2nd, 2006 at 10:19 pm
write to them at x factor. FERNANDO can really work for the lads on Saturday,good song with good chorus, Sharon will want the sick bucket, SIMON will think it boring BUT THE PUBLIC WILL LOVE IT,just as they did SAILING. GOOD LUCK LADS.ROD, NEWCASTLE
November 5th, 2006 at 12:55 am
I guess Simons wound all you Scots up slagging off the Macdougall brothers but hey keep on voting for them, I’ve had a little bit at 100/1 on betfair so I don’t care if they win and end up being lame ducks afterwards like that other scottish lass that won pop idol
November 5th, 2006 at 2:17 pm
Here we go! MacDonald Brothers rule the show!!! Keep up the good work boys and dont let sour simon put you off! Sharons coming round to the idea that you actually have talent but simon will always be a prat so ignore him.
M A C D O N A L D B R O T H E R S 2 W I N ! !
November 5th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Well I fed their rabbit…. beat that!!!
Best of luck guys…..
xx
November 7th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
well done 4 gettin thru lads dont listen 2 simon hes just tryin to put u down lol us r doin great COME ON SCOTLAND!!!!!!
November 8th, 2006 at 11:38 am
SIMON is nothing more than a professional bully, WHO SHOULD know better, just proves the point that being massively successful and rich doesnt necessarily mean you are decent and have good manners and respect,HE HAS none of those except for the people he crawls to. The MacDonalds by just doing thei singing and not retaliating to his bullying and insults deserve a good behaviour medal, His shocking manners say everything about him and nothing about the lads whoe continue too do a hard thing each week knowing the playground bully is coming along at the end just as he did with DIONNE too, I knew they’d get through with FERNANDO, they at least sang in tune and SIMON I doubt really knew how massive that song was for ABBA.Good Luck FOR sATURDAY 11TH LADS.Rod,Newcastle
November 8th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
u really know what u r talkin about rod bell
ps-does any one know wat the theme is 4 saturday
November 10th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
LOVE SONGS, The MacDONALDS ARE SINGING ‘SHE’S THE ONE’.ROD,Newcastle
November 10th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
cheerz
November 12th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Right so far they sang…
Audition: As Long As You Love Me (Backstreet Boys) and Don’t Worry Baby (The Beach Boys)
Boot Camp (Day 1): I Saw Her Standing There (The Beatles) and To Love Somebody (The Bee Gees)
Boot Camp (Day 2): Take Your Mama (Scissor Sisters)
Judge’s Home Visit: Dream (The Everly Brothers)
Live Show 1: Three Times A Lady (The Commodores) SAFE in 9th Place
Live Show 2: Sailing (Rod Stewart) SAFE in 2nd Place
Live Show 3: Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons) SAFE in 6th Place
Live Show 4: Fernando (ABBA) SAFE in 4th Place
Live Show 5: She’s The One (Robbie Williams) SAFE in 5th Place
I think they would sing Suspicious Minds or (They Long To Be) Close To You
November 12th, 2006 at 10:02 am
THE LADS HAVE BEEN VOTED INTO THE TOP 5 OF THE ACSTS ON SAT. Even if they went out next week the 18th they will have come 6th out of 100,000 applicants.There is no reason they will go I just hope Louis gets a good song for them again.SIMON is simply a total disgrace and thoroughly nasty in his delivery of abuse,bullying and bad manners.ROD,Newcastle
November 12th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Gemma you are a font of knowledge! Why not pop over to the forum and share your views and opinions there as well.
http://forum.unrealitytv.co.uk
November 14th, 2006 at 9:42 am
Actually GEMMA on some of those weeks they may well have been first in the voting too as its not done in any particular order,just to make everyone stew a little longer.Of the safe acts we NEVER know who was actually voted 1st or in the last safe spot by the viewers,so although THE MacDONALDS appeared to come 5th on SATURDAY in reality they could have been in ANY position from 1st to 5th.THE LADS DOD SUPERBLY THOUGH and SIMONS face was a picture.ROD,NEWCASTLE.
November 15th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
OMG DID U SEE SIMONS FACE WHEN DA BRO,S GOT THRU!
HA I JUST LOVE IT!
IMAGINE THEY WON AND SIMON HAD 2 PAY FOR THEIR CONTRACT
LOL! OH AND SO WAT IF SIMONS 20% SCOTTISH OR WATEVER,HE,S NOT WELCOME IN SCOTLAND! LOL!
November 16th, 2006 at 12:45 am
the macdonald brothers are coming out now they definately have the x factor with there good looks and voices i will be waiting for there christmas number one
November 17th, 2006 at 11:51 am
GOOD LUCK lads with ‘LOVE IS ALL AROUND’ but its a song SIMON hammers usually. I’d have preferred BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER for them as I love this song and can only see LEONA doing her hard labour and high pitched strain on some notes when again its a song that needs gentle building and sensitivity which she is ear frm mastering yet, LOVE IS ALL AROUND is a gret song DONE the original TROGGS way though.GOOD LUCK lads and remember SIMONS nastiness and bullying says EVERYTHING about him and nothing about you, YOU are dignified, polite, decent and respectful throughout, a credit to your PARENTS and yoyr NATION,SCOTLAND.ROD,Newcastle
November 18th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
macdonald bros are the best
(”,)
MacDonaldTo Win!!!!
love you both
November 19th, 2006 at 1:07 am
cant belive da bro,z got thru again!
they r doin really well and scotlands backin them all the way!
gud luk 4 nxt week guys
ps-simons a prat 4rm me and my cousin rachael!
November 19th, 2006 at 4:16 am
the macdonald’s were fantastic tonight. that’s two
weeks running i’ve had them as the best act on the
night. i hope they get the christmas number 1. as
they definitely have the feel good factor
November 19th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
AMIDST ALL THE mixed styles, screeching, yelling etc on songs that dont need it The public often fall after that into an act that comes on and genuinely sings, harmonises and RESPECTS the song they are doing, THAT IS WHAT THE MacDONALD Brothers do week after week, ITS the fact the overall public LOVE REAL SINGERS and CRAIG and BRIAN are that,THE ONLY PERSON NOW FAILING TO ‘GET’ THAT AND WHO IS CONTINUALLY BEING TOTALLY DISRESPECTFUL IS SIMON COWELL, Many years ago in a EUROVISION song contest acts were bouncing all over the stage, IT WAS said DANA from Ireland had no chance, SHE sat ther sang a twee song and wiped the floor with all others.WELL DONE LADS YOU ”SANG” GREAT,I BET YOUR MUM and DAD ”ARE” VERY PROUD OF YOU.ROD,NEWCASTLE.
November 19th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
i think that you are ace. and i really hope that you win x- factor this year.
sophie xx
November 23rd, 2006 at 11:18 am
THE LADS CAN WIN, ONE THING IS FOR CERTAIN, the votes each week have NEVER had the lads in the last 2, now those votes just need to not let them be last as the judges no longer say who goes out. THEY CAN WIN, GOOD LUCK, CRAIG and BRIAN and I loved the way CRAIG gently put his point across last week, while clearly supporting his BROTHER too, what great decent lads these are, A REAL CREDIT TO THEIR PARENTS TOO.ITS good to see THEM DOING SO WELL. ROD,Newcastle
November 24th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
Does anyone like good music? If so vote the McDonald brothers on saturday. Leona and Ben seem to be straining their guts out at every song,whereas the McDonald brothers are enjoying every moment.
November 24th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
OH WELL SAID JULIE, Wish Id thought of saying that, LEONA and BEN do look like they are in agony even on the simplest songs, NOTHING needs that over dramatics. As I said the MacDONALD Brothers SING their way through every week, THEY actually remind us of what good appropriate singing and performance SHOULD be in music. ROD, Newcastle.
November 24th, 2006 at 2:44 pm
COME ON MCDONZ LOL BEST OF LUK 4 SAT LADZ!
November 25th, 2006 at 10:46 pm
yyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa love u guyz gd luk 4 the final loved 500 miles gd old scottish song well done even simon the prat said u were gd xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
November 27th, 2006 at 3:16 am
just to say gd luck next week guys i thought u were absolutley great this week when u sang 500 miles i think brian is stunnin…… hope uz r in the final
loadz a luv j xxx
November 27th, 2006 at 11:19 am
HEY CRAIG AND BRIAN, YOU DID FANTASTIC, and how fitting as SIMON said he’d hate himself,for a moment there he joined the rest of us in our feelings towards him,a rare uniting moment. REALLY I loved that song 500 miles, My BROTHER,MOTHER, and SISTER IN LAW were touring Scotland when that was in the charts,sadly he died 2 years ago but he always turned the car radio up when that came on, he loved it, brought a lot of great memories back for me AND THATS THE REAL MEANING OF MUSIC,GOOD LUCK LADS. YOUR MUM and DAD must be massively proud of your professionalism and behaviour,2 better role models would be hard to find these days.ROD,Newcastle
November 28th, 2006 at 9:49 pm
I know these guys and they really are the most genuine guys you could meet, they are both very gifted musicians. Really lovely polite lads they would make any parents proud, and they not only look fantastic they can sing, love them both
November 28th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Good luck for this Saturday Craig and Brian , Keep smiling love you loads xx
December 1st, 2006 at 7:05 pm
gd luk 4 sat ladz ha cant wait
December 1st, 2006 at 7:07 pm
CANT WAITTTTTTT LOL:)
December 1st, 2006 at 7:07 pm
December 2nd, 2006 at 10:44 pm
nooo cant belive it aw well rays gt 2 win now! well done 4 gettin so far lads em uve both made scotland proud and the best of luck 4 the future xxxxxxxxxx
December 2nd, 2006 at 10:45 pm
December 4th, 2006 at 11:44 pm
Have a look at our recent interview with Craig from the MacDonald Brothers.
http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/adServer/adclick.php?bannerid=28&zoneid=2&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unrealitytv.co.uk%2Fx-factor%2Fx-factor-interview-with-the-macdonald-brothers%2F
We will be speaking to him again later in the week so if you have any questions you would like us to ask just drop us a line.
January 17th, 2007 at 11:27 am
when or wer can I get an album They are fantastic
February 20th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
I would like to take back the previous remark I made….I still think they sound good, but as they are so young I would have to refrain from ‘doing them’. Even I have my standards. What are they up to now? Would still love to hear them again.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
hi i was at choices for life on 14th of june 2007 i just like to say yous were great i love yous
from louise