Donal Baylor
About
Donal has been described as an Australian fiddling icon. His knowledge, dedication and skills have kept him in demand for performing and recording with many of this country's most interesting musical stylists over the past 30 years.
After playing the guitar for several years, he became interested in bluegrass music and was soon captivated by the fiddle in the late 1970's. This led to playing in Melbourne's burgeoning acoustic music scene for several years until, in 1983 playing with his brothers (Andy and Peter) and steel guitarist Rick Dempster in Australia's first Western Swing band - The Dancehall Racketeers. The Dancehall Racketeers succeeded in bringing this music to a whole new audience through their recordings and literally thousands of live performances.
In 1985 and 1986, Donal won the National Fiddle contest held in Tamworth and in 1986, he joined Slim Dusty's band where he toured Australia for the next three years. He also did many recording sessions during this time and some, such as the theme to Ian McNamara's Australia All Over, can still be heard nationally on ABC radio.
In 1989 he joined the original Australian cast as the fiddler in the Broadway musical, Roger Miller's Big River - a show that became a huge hit. After that success, Donal joined the inimitable Mic Conway and his Whoopee Band, contributing to the group's unique sound that combined hot jazz with comedy, magic and juggling.
In 1990, Donal became the first Australian to qualify for the Grand Master Fiddler Contest - the most prestigious fiddling contest in America held annually in Nashville, Tennessee. While also in the US, he met and played with some of most revered fiddlers in bluegrass and western swing music. On returning to Australia, Donal was inspired and formed The Baylor Brothers with his brother Peter, returning to his love of western swing. Based in Sydney, they were soon in high demand for all types of engagements ranging from pubs to corporate and private functions, and were the sensation of many Tamworth festivals in the early 90's.
Since 2001, Donal has played fiddle with the Perth based, Bluegrass Parkway, who have played to rave reviews at all the major music festivals across Australia and have also made tours to New Zealand and the US. They are always a feature of the annual Harrietville Bluegrass Convention, where they enjoy a huge following. A highlight of their first US tour was when the governor of Kentucky made each band member an honorary Kentucky Colonel for their service to bluegrass music.
Also during this period, Donal rejoined his brothers to record and perform the music they have played all their life. This combination proved again to be a great success, as the brothers combined their vast knowledge and experience to present a unique acoustic show that won plaudits everywhere.
Donal's playing encompasses styles such as bluegrass, western swing, country, old time, cajun, blues and jazz. He has always been an active teacher and has conducted many workshops and master classes at major festivals and music camps. He also is an experienced flatpicker, to the surprise of many, and enjoys playing guitar whenever he can. He has, however, had a lot less success with the ukulele, which continues to confound him.