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.