Platinium Celebrations For

MacDonald Bros

Oct 31 2007 Ayrshire Post

THE MacDonald Brothers will celebrate their first album going platinum – by taking a HOLIDAY.

Craig and Brian wrapped up their Scottish tour in Ayr at the weekend with the news that their debut release had achieved the coveted status.

And now the boys will take a well earned break after a solid year of work following their success on the X Factor.

Craig revealed: “It will be great to have a few days off and actually relax for a change because it feels like we haven’t stopped since last year.

“The first album going platinum is amazing news and tops off a great 12 months for us.

“We never imagined in our wildest dreams that it would go so well and we’re really thankful to the fans for proving there’s a life after the X Factor.”

The boys played two sell-out gigs at the Gaiety as their nationwide tour came to a close on home soil.

But it wasn’t without drama as Brian endured a last-minute hospital dash to make the first show on Friday.

He admitted: “It was pretty worrying at one stage. My nose had been bleeding all day so I was at the hospital less than an hour before show time trying to get it sorted.

“Then it started bleeding again a couple of songs into the gig, but thankfully it stopped and I was able to start enjoying myself!”

The lads will now take their short break before sitting down with management to discuss a new deal.

 www.ayrshirepost.net

Sir Elton John Gave Craig and Brian  The Song Runaway Do You Love Me - Which They Will Release As a Download Single And It Will Also Be On The Album " The World Outside"

Ayrshire Post August 8th 2007

THE MacDonald Brothers are set to star in their own movie.

Craig and Brian have filmed a 30 minute DVD to be released with their new album in October.

The film charts their journey from childhood musicians to the top of the Scottish charts, via a spell on the X Factor.

Brian revealed: “We had a lot of fun doing the DVD and our fans should really enjoy it.

“It was nice to look back on our rise to fame and revisit the places where it all began.”

The boys have just put the finishing touches to their album and are aiming to top the charts for the second time in six months.

They’re due to start their Scottish tour later this month and are currently rehearsing — in their BEDROOM.

Brian laughed: “The mirrors are out in the bedroom and the rehearsals are under way.

“We can’t wait for the tour to start and it’s going to be great travelling the country playing to crowds every night.”

A second night has been added at Ayr’s Gaiety Theatre on Saturday, October 27, after the first night sold out.

Edinburgh Evening News

23 July 2007
By JIM STANTON
BUSINESS EDITOR

A SMALL Edinburgh music label is aiming to transform itself into one of Scotland's leading independent music companies over the next three years, while tripling its turnover.
Music Kitchen hopes its success in landing X Factor stars The MacDonald Brothers will provide a platform to show its ambition to develop artists and transform itself into a major industry player.

The Music Kitchen was launched in 2003 by Gordon Campbell, who trained as an accountant at Heriot-Watt, and former Bay City Roller guitarist Stuart "Woody" Wood, who is the label's in-house producer.

Buoyed by the success of The MacDonald Brothers' self-titled debut album, which spent two weeks at number one in the Scottish charts, the company is now looking to the release of the brothers' second album, The World Outside, in October.

"We created pop history with the first album, as it was the first time that a debut album by a Scottish band on a Scottish independent label had gone straight into the Scottish charts at Number One," said Mr Campbell. "That shows what we're capable of."

Music Kitchen, which operates from a converted police station in the southside of Edinburgh, has a core staff of just six people.

"We're a small operation just now but I'd be looking to take on more staff soon to increase the development of some of the project ideas we have," said Mr Campbell.

As well as producing music on its own label, the company - which has produced around 60 CD titles to date - is also looking to secure commissions from other artists and companies.

"We produced a documentary CD called Rollercoaster, which is essentially Stuart's life story. "That's the kind of things we're also looking to do more of," said Mr Campbell.

The company, behind titles including the best-selling The Lone Piper, Pure Bagpipe Magic and The Scottish Chillout Album, is coy about detailing its financials at the moment, but Mr Campbell believes that if the firm's plans come off turnover could "treble" over the next two to three years.

"It's our aim to be the number one independent music company in Scotland within three years."

But it's not just whimsical musical dreams that is driving Music Kitchen's aims. Mr Campbell - who wrote Shakin' Stevens' 1980's hit "Because I Love You" - believes his business background will help keep the company's feet firmly on the ground.

Before launching Music Kitchen, Mr Campbell helped in the family drapers business before launching the UK's first academic music management course which he taught at West Lothian College between 1986 and '96.

"The music business is multi-media now; it's not just about recorded music, it's about projects with crossover appeal and music-related services such as merchandising, management and licensing.

"It's a high-risk business, but we're aware we need to be careful and selective," said Mr Campbell.

The Argyle Advertiser

 Seafood Festival Brings The Wow Factor

The sun shone, the stars appeared and people from far and wide gathered to support Tarbert Seafood Festival on Saturday and Sunday.

Despite numerous absent stalls and a wet start to Saturday morning, the skies cleared with hot sunny weather for the duration of the event.

‘This festival was an amazing success, we develop it each year, and each year we add something new and unique, more and more support is forthcoming and more work is put in’, said festival chairman Nick Mills, ‘Deville and Esther O’Connor provided fantastic music for the weekend, but for me it was a proud moment to be able to bring the wow factor to Tarbert and introduce the MacDonald Bros, they played superbly and spent an extra 45 minutes after playing to meet and greet their fans.’

‘Nick Nairn, who has supported the event for three years, is a real asset cooking with some of Scotland’s best produce, and finance permitting we will definitely be working hard to bring him back next year. Thanks must go to HIE Argyll and The Islands Enterprise, Scottish Coop, Tarbert Enterprise Company for grant assistance, Argyll and Bute Council for services and Tarbert Harbour Authority. We’d also like to thank everyone who participated, contributed and made a real effort. Wow, what a weekend!’

Scottish History Is Made

 Daily Record April 2007

Craig and Brian Join

The Music Kitchen Ltd