Bio
Frank Gallagher was born in Derry, Northern Ireland and graduated from Queen’s University with a B.Mus. and a Master’s Degree in 20th Century Music. He then moved to London to work as a record producer, arranger and musician.
PRODUCER
As a producer Frank enjoyed recent chart success with ‘You Raise Me Up’ from the George Best Tribute CD which reached No.4 in the UK Singles chart, performed by Brian Kennedy.
He was musical director for the George Best Funeral, watched by an estimated TV audience of 23 million.
Frank has also produced and arranged a recent album for Dame Shirley Bassey, ‘Thank You For The Years’ (Sony), which charted in the UK top twenty. In the past few years Frank has produced and arranged for world renowned artists including:
Charlotte Church Several tracks on her million-selling albums (Sony)
OperaBabes No1. album UK Classical Chart (Sony),
The Celtic Tenors Winner of Best Classical Crossover album at the Echo Awards in Germany, No.2 UK Classical Chart, triple platinum in Ireland (EMI)
Ronan Keating/ Maire Brennan (Polydor)
James Galway/Phil Coulter (RCA/BMG)
Frank also produced the first recording of the Irish Rugby World Cup anthem ‘Ireland’s Call’ featuring The Commitments singing star Andrew Strong.
In 2007-2008, Frank acted as A&R consultant for Mike Batt’s Dramatico label, and contributed to recording and DVD projects with Katie Melua. Also in 2007,Frank was chosen by RTE to produce Ireland’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Celtic folk band Dervish.
In 2008, Frank was asked to arrange and produce a new song by Don Black and Geoff Stephens “Today Won’t Come Again”, performed by Hayley Westenra and Jonathan Ansell at the Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall (BBCTV). 2008 also saw him produce a recording of “Danny Boy” featuring legendary broadcaster Gerry Anderson for a SONY award-winning BBC radio documentary.
Other recent projects have included producing a cover of ‘You Won’t See Me’ on the BBC Radio2 ‘Rubber Folk’ album featuring Paul Brady. 2009 saw Frank co-produce tracks for Paul’s new album ‘Hooba-Dooba’ (Proper).
PRESS/REVIEWS
“Brilliantly arranged and executed, ‘You Won’t See Me’ is beautifully customized for radio play, it could be a hit..” Hotpress
“Impeccably produced by Brady and Frank Gallagher, Hooba Dooba is magnificent”.R2 review
“ A surprisingly effective cover of ‘You Won’t See Me” UNCUT
In addition to his work for classical crossover, mainstream and celtic artists Frank has worked extensively in the United States with pop, folk and country artists.
Billboard magazine has heralded his work there as “Slick, highly commercial, and hit-worthy.”
“Eclectic arrangements that showcase the diverse imaginations of producers such as Frank Gallagher, Anne Dudley, and Jim Steinman.” CDuniverse review, OperaBabes ‘Beyond Imagination’.
ARRANGER
Frank has arranged and orchestrated for Sinead O’Connor, Ronan Keating, Charlotte Church, Billy Connolly, Ralph Mc Tell, Mary Black, Finbar Wright (The Irish Tenors) and Cara Dillon.
He has worked with many leading orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, The Philharmonia, City of Prague Philharmonic, The Wren Orchestra, The Irish Film Orchestra and The Vanbrugh String Quartet.
Frank’s arrangement of “The Last Rose of Summer” was performed by Charlotte Church to a worldwide audience on the BBC Millennium Event broadcast.
PRESS/REVIEWS
“A storming, epic ballad, best track on the album,” Heat magazine review of “The Water is Wide” from ‘Enchantment’ by Charlotte Church
“A subtle string arrangement by Frank Gallagher. He also works his magic on a more full-bodied reading of Dougie MacClean’s wonderful Garden Valley ” HMV review Cara Dillon ‘After the Morning’ cd
FILM /TV COMPOSER
Frank has composed and orchestrated for movie and TV music. He contributed to the scores of ‘Music of the Heart’ featuring Meryl Streep and the EMMY nominated ‘Bailey’s Mistake’ for Disney.
He has written the music for numerous BBC TV programmes including ‘The Great Famine’ (BBC2/A&E).
PERFORMER
Frank’s credits as a recording and touring musician (featuring violin, viola, tin whistles, celtic flutes, mandolin and keyboards) include Katie Melua, touring extensively and recording throughout 2006-8 and appearing on live DVDs, Sinead O’Connor, Charlotte Church, Ronan Keating, Samantha Mumba, Midge Ure, Bonnie Tyler, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Griffin, Kathy Mattea, Billy Connolly, Mary Black and Janis Ian.
He has accompanied many artists on TV shows, including Emmylou Harris, Nick Lowe, Chip Taylor and Sharon Shannon.
TV appearances as musical director or performer with various artists include Parkinson, Graham Norton, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Good Morning America, Today Show,etc.
Frank has performed all over Europe, Scandanavia, USA, Australia, Japan, South Africa, the Middle East in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Centre, Royal Albert Hall, London 02 Arena,Wembley Arena,and festivals such as Glastonbury, Roskilde and Newport Folk Festival.
PRESS/REVIEWS
“As the band went into top gear we were able to savour keyboards,violins,viola,flute and mandolin…..and that’s just the amazing range of instruments played by Frank Gallagher that bring such a distinctive sound to Katie Melua’s songs.”
Bournemouth Daily Echo Nov 11 2008
“Is there any instrument Frank Gallagher can’t play? He moved effortlessly between keyboards, violins, viola, flute and mandolin. The band were outstanding. Katie Melua happily cast off the spotlight and shifted the focus on to them.”
Newcastle Arena, Evening Chronicle Nov. 3, 2008
“Melua’s own song I Do Believe In Love is unremarkable on record, but with her on piano accompanied by Frank Gallagher’s viola it sounded like a minor classic at Wembley.”
Evening Standard Dec. 5, 2006
“During ‘Ellis Island’, Mary Black literally stepped back and gave the floor to the musicians. Frank Gallagher’s fiddle solo towards the end transformed the song from a poignant pop-type ballad about two lovers who would never see each other again into more of a 19th-century style and gave the song its closing finesse.”
Wisconsin State Journal, March 2000