On a quiet evening that quickly turned emotional, Keith Harkin paid tribute to his late Celtic Thunder brother, George Donaldson, in the way only he could — through song, story, and soul.
Performing one of George’s favorite ballads, Harkin’s voice trembled with love and loss, filling the room with that familiar warmth that defined their years onstage together. But it wasn’t just the music that hit home — it was the memory he shared just before the final note.
As he stepped into the soft light, Keith took a breath and simply said:
“He’d laugh at me doing this now, but I know he’d be humming along from above.”
He spoke lovingly of a tour stop where George, ever the gentle giant, accidentally broke a chair backstage — then tried to fix it using duct tape and a prayer.
“He looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘Don’t tell Sharon.’”
The whole room laughed through the tears. It was so George.
When Keith sang, it wasn’t just about notes and melody — it was about memory.
You could hear the friendship in every line. You could feel George in the silence between verses. For longtime fans of Celtic Thunder, it was more than nostalgia — it was a moment of reconnection.
It’s been years since we lost George Donaldson, but thanks to moments like these — his spirit sings on. Through Keith’s voice and their shared memories, he remains part of every chorus, every tour, every heart.
“You’re still with us, big man,” Keith said softly.
And somehow, in that moment, it felt true.
