Celtic Thunder’s Keith Harkin delivered an unforgettable moment of raw emotion and genuine warmth during a special performance at the Trocadero Theater in Philadelphia on March 15, 2014.
Taking the stage alone with his guitar, Harkin opened up to the audience with a touching story about his late friend and fellow Celtic Thunder member, George Donaldson, before dedicating an acoustic rendition of the beloved ballad “Caledonia” in his honor.
Before the first note was even played, Harkin shared a candid and humorous memory that had the crowd laughing through their tears. Recalling a misstep during a past Celtic Thunder performance, he described George’s good-natured charm and self-deprecating humor.
“George was never a ballerina – he’s no Fred Astaire, there’s no hiding that,” Harkin joked. “We were on the Heritage tour, and one night, George was supposed to walk out seriously during a very intense song. But somehow, he ended up way off his mark. He walked to the front of the stage like a puppet, and Ryan [Kelly] and I just couldn’t keep it together. We laughed so hard, and George – he was so angry we were laughing, but it was just one of those moments you never forget.”
The memory, lighthearted and full of affection, painted a vivid picture of the camaraderie shared among the Celtic Thunder members and reminded the audience of Donaldson’s easygoing nature and infectious spirit.
But as the laughter faded, Harkin’s voice softened, and his tone turned deeply emotional.
“God bless him. Everybody misses him so much. I can’t believe he’s gone,” he said, nearly choking up. “This next song is for George.”
Watch his performance below.
He then launched into a soul-stirring performance of “Caledonia,” a Scottish classic that held special meaning for Donaldson. Despite admitting he never fully memorized the lyrics – “I’ve been singing for seven years, and I still don’t know the words” – Harkin poured every ounce of feeling into the song. His raw, acoustic version brought the room to a standstill, his voice carrying the weight of love, grief, and memory.
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The crowd, visibly moved, listened in near silence, hanging on every word as Harkin sang:
“Let me tell you that I love you, that I think about you all the time. Caledonia, you’re calling me, and now I’m going home.”
The tribute resonated not only with those in the theater that night but also with fans across the globe. In the YouTube comments of the performance, viewers expressed their admiration:
“This was beautiful. Keith honored George in the best way—through laughter, honesty, and a heartfelt song,” one fan wrote.
“His storytelling made me smile, then cry. You could feel the love he had for George in every word.”
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George Donaldson, affectionately known to fans as the “gentle giant” of Celtic Thunder, passed away in 2014 at the age of 46. A beloved figure both on and off the stage, his legacy continues through the music and memories shared by his bandmates.
Keith Harkin’s heartfelt tribute reminded everyone that behind the spotlight are friendships that run deep and that music, at its most powerful, carries the ability to celebrate, mourn, and remember all at once.
