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Damian McGinty

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Damian McGinty
Birth nameDamian Joseph McGinty
Born (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 32)
Derry, Northern Ireland
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
Years active2006–present
Formerly ofCeltic Thunder
Websitewww.damianmcginty.com

Damian Joseph McGinty (born 9 September 1992)[1] is an Irish singer and actor. McGinty has been performing for over a decade, and was a member of the group Celtic Thunder for thirteen years, starting when he was fourteen.[2] On 21 August 2011, McGinty won the Oxygen reality show The Glee Project, earning him a seven-episode guest-starring role on the hit Fox television show Glee which was later extended to 18 episodes.[3]

Early life

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McGinty was born into a Catholic family in Derry, Northern Ireland,[4] the son of Damian Joseph McGinty and Joanne McGinty. Damian has three siblings, James, Emmett and Gemma, and is an avid Manchester United fan. He attended Lumen Christi College located in Derry, Northern Ireland. He has been performing since winning his first singing competition when he was five years old.

In 2006, McGinty won another competition and the following year, he made a CD which was recorded for charity. It was then passed along to Celtic Thunder producer Sharon Browne and music director Phil Coulter, who invited McGinty to sing for their first show.

Career

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Celtic Thunder

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McGinty joined the newly formed Celtic Thunder in 2008 as a boy soprano at 14, and as he aged, developed a rich baritone, while still singing tenor and able to hit the high notes. During the four years he was a member, the group did four tours of the US and Canada, six PBS TV specials, performed at the White House and sold over a million recordings, with McGinty on nine of the concert CDs and DVDs. For three of his four years, Celtic Thunder was named Top World Album by Billboard magazine. In 2015, McGinty returned as the Special Guest in the "Very Best of Celtic Thunder Tour" and took George Donaldson's place as a full member of the group in the newest concert, "Legacy".[2]

The Glee Project

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In 2011, McGinty was selected as one of the top twelve finalists, out of 40,000 contenders, in a Myspace audition search,[5] to be on the Oxygen reality show, The Glee Project. The O visa arrived at the last moment,[6] allowing him to compete. He became very popular with viewers due to his humor, talent and hard work.[7] Although his friend Cameron Mitchell, who quit (possibly saving McGinty who was in the bottom three that episode), won the Bing Fan Favorite, they sang Michael Bublé's "Haven't Met You Yet" together for the Bing video.[3] McGinty's rendition of "Beyond the Sea" impressed the judges, who selected him as co-winner along with Samuel Larsen for a seven episode arc on the third season of the Fox series Glee.[8]

Glee

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In the third season of Glee, McGinty played Rory Flanagan, a foreign exchange student staying with Brittany S. Pierce's family and befriended by Finn Hudson.[9] In his premiere, the season's fourth episode "Pot o' Gold", McGinty performed two solos: Teddy Thompson's "Take Care of Yourself", which showcased his "beautiful range", and Kermit the Frog's "Bein' Green", his "simple, clear-voiced ode to being an outsider rang true and was hauntingly beautiful."[10][11] His initial seven episodes were extended to the end of the third season and he returned for the fourth season Christmas episode, for a total of 18. His "smooth and lovely" rendition of "Blue Christmas"[12] was featured on Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 2, as well as "Home" as a solo, as well as part of numerous group and duet songs. McGinty appeared in a humorous sketch about his Irish accent on a MTV "Glee-Cap".[13]

McGinty has almost half a million fans on X (formerly Twitter).[14]

Dancing with the Stars

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In December 2022, McGinty was announced as one of the contestants on the upcoming sixth series of the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars in 2023. He was partnered with Kylee Vincent. McGinty and Vincent reached the final, finishing as joint runners-up to Carl Mullan and Emily Barker.[citation needed]

Performances

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Let the River Run

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McGinty and Máiréad Carlin sang the Derry City of Culture anthem "Let the River Run" at the BBC TV Gala Concert Sons and Daughters.[15] Carly Simon, who felt their rendition of her song was "absolutely stunningly wonderful," released it as a single by her Iris Records and McGinty's Walled City Records company in 2014.[16] She also performed her song with them during the multi-star Oceana Partners Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, California.[17]

TV specials

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Between 2008 and 2011, prior to his time on Glee, McGinty was in five PBS specials as a member of Celtic Thunder: The Show, It’s Entertainment, Christmas, Heritage and Storm. In 2013, McGinty appeared in two PBS specials. He joined former Celtic Thunder member Paul Byrom on his This Is the Moment show, and later they did a short tour.[18] The other special The Power of Music with Ethan Bortnick was also a 2014 US tour.[2]

Public performances

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McGinty gave a "stunning performance" of the national anthem before the Kansas City Royals vs. Cincinnati Reds baseball game on 19 May 2015.[19] He also has done all sized venues as a solo artist and is currently performing shows.[20][21]

Recordings

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His first EP ("Run," "This Is Your Song", "With or Without You", "Yellow" and "That's What Friends Are For") was released in December 2012 and at one point was No. 3 on the iTunes chart for US, and No. 1 in Ireland, Mexico and Peru.[2] Various reviewers made note of his "smooth crooner voice", "rich tones" and his "golden pipes."[10][22] Recently, he has been writing songs for his first album.[23]

Charities

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McGinty has lent his support to various charities including Concern Worldwide in a public service video on the need to get the children back to school in Haiti following the earthquake,[24] The Trevor Project,[25] Kids Beating Cancer,[26] Oceana,[17] and local charities.

Those Were The Days - The Tour

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The band performed a US tour between 14 October and 21 November 21, 2021.[27][permanent dead link]

Cultural Ambassador

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McGinty served as "Cultural Champion" for Derry, Northern Ireland, when the city was named the UK City of Culture 2013.[28]

Walled City Records & Audio Booth

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McGinty and his childhood friend Oran O’Carroll co-own the music companies Walled City Records and Audio Booth recording company.[29]

Personal life

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McGinty announced his engagement to Anna Claire Sneed, on 3 June 2018, via Instagram post.[30] The pair had been dating since April 2014.[31] On 1 June 2019, McGinty and Sneed got married in Memphis, Tennessee.[32]

Filmography

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Television
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Celtic Thunder: The Show Himself PBS Special; filmed August 2007, released 18 March 2008
2010 Celtic Thunder: It's Entertainment Himself PBS Special; filmed 1–2 October 2009, released 9 February 2010
2010 Celtic Thunder: Christmas Himself PBS Special; filmed 17 September 2010, released 12 October 2010
2011 Celtic Thunder: Heritage Himself PBS Special; filmed 17 September 2010, released 22 February 2011
2011 Celtic Thunder: Storm Himself PBS Special; filmed 1–2 October 2009, released 20 September 2011
2011-2012 The Glee Project Himself Winner; Special Appearance on Season 2 (11 episodes)
2011–2012 Glee Rory Flanagan Recurring role (18 episodes: 17 in Season 3, 1 in Season 4)
2023 Dancing with the Stars Himself Contestant (series 6)
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Santa Fake Pat Keeley (Lead Role) Pre-production (23 November 2018)

Discography

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Albums

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  • 2016: This Christmas Time
  • 2019: Young Forever
  • 2022: Moments

EPs

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  • 2012: Damian McGinty EP
  • 2018: No More Time EP

Singles

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  • 2012: "Run"
  • 2014: "Let the River Run"
  • 2016: "How Deep is Your Love"
  • 2017: "Photograph"
  • 2018: "Geronimo"
  • 2019: "Home Sweet Home"
  • 2019: "Saltwater"
  • 2021: "City of Angels"
  • 2022: "Like Moments Do"
  • 2022: "Nobody Ever Grows Up"

Appearances

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Celtic Thunder concerts DVD/CD

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  • Celtic Thunder (2008)
  • Act Two (2008)
  • Take Me Home (2009)
  • It's Entertainment! (2010)
  • Christmas (2010)
  • Heritage (2011)
  • Storm (2011)[2]
  • The Very Best of Celtic Thunder (2015)
  • Legacy, Vol. 1 (2016)
  • Legacy, Vol. 2 (2016)
  • Inspirational (2017)
  • X (2018)

Glee Cast

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Main article: Glee discography

References

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  1. ^ McGinty, Damian. "Damian McGinty (Official)". Facebook. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Celtic Thunder: Damian McGinty". Celtic Thunder. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  3. ^ a b Elliott, Stuart (22 August 2011). "Bing Considers Low-Rated 'Glee Project' a Success". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  4. ^ Urban, Cori (26 March 2019). "Irish singer, songwriter, actor Damian McGinty brings message of trust in God to St. Monica-St. Michael School". Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Derry Teen Damian McGinty Wins Role on 'Glee'". Irish Television and Film Network. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  6. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (22 August 2011). "'The Glee Project': Winners Share Their Hopes for 'Glee' (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Filled with GLEE". The Irish Echo. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  8. ^ Stack, Tim (22 August 2011). "'Glee Project' winners relive last night's shocking twist!". EW. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  9. ^ Keck, William (25 September 2011). "Keck's Exclusives: First Look at Glee's Lucky Charmer". TV Guide. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  10. ^ a b Reiter, Amy (4 January 2012). "'Glee' recap: All that glitters in 'Pot o' Gold'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  11. ^ West, Abby (2 November 2011). "Glee recap: Big Trouble in Little Lima". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  12. ^ West, Abby (14 December 2011). "'Glee' recap: Getting into the Spirit". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  13. ^ Cantiello, Jim (22 November 2011). "MTV 'Glee'-Cap: Newbie Rory Brings 'Pot o' Gold'". MTV. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  14. ^ "Damian McGinty on Twitter".
  15. ^ "McGinty and Carlin represent Derry". Irish Music Daily. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  16. ^ "Carly Simon Official Website - News". Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Let the River Run: Derry duo's City of Culture Anthem goes global". Derry Daily. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Irish Duo, Paul Byrom and Damian McGinty, dazzles us with Sinatra". Kansas City Live. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  19. ^ "Damian McGinty Knocks It Out of the Park with Stunning Performance of National Anthem". Huffington Post. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  20. ^ "Damian McGinty set for solo US tour". Irish Music Daily. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  21. ^ "Damian McGinty talks life after "Glee"". Irish Central. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  22. ^ Futterman, Erica (2 November 2011). "'Glee' Recap: 'Glee Project' Winner Debuts in a Flatline Episode". RollingStone. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  23. ^ Lawler, Crista (19 March 2015). "He's not just the guy from 'Glee'". Duluth News Tribune. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  24. ^ "Damian McGinty talks about his future and 'bromance' on Ryan Murphy's 'Glee' – VIDEO". Irish Central. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  25. ^ "Watch! Damian McGinty Is a Glee Guy With a Cause". Wetpaint. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  26. ^ "'Glee' Star Damian McGinty Promotes Kids Beating Cancer". Socialite life. 14 August 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  27. ^ "Damian McGinty Official Website - Tours".
  28. ^ "Damian's Glee over 2013". Derry Journal. 17 February 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  29. ^ "Walled City Records update". Ravenmount- Celtic Corner. 4 February 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  30. ^ "Damian McGinty on Instagram: "Honestly, I feel so blessed that I met someone that I love more everyday. Let's do this life together @ac1233 ❤️"". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  31. ^ "Damian McGinty on Instagram: "Hey @ac1233 We've 'officially' been dating 4 years today but it's longer to me because we went on weekly dates the 8 months previous and I…"". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  32. ^ @damianmcginty (1 June 2019). "Hey guys. Getting married today. Pretty excited. See you on the other side" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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