Country Star Nathan Carter Reveals How Idol Daniel O’Donnell Helped Him Break Into America
Rising country star Nathan Carter has credited Irish legend Daniel O’Donnell with helping him take a major step in his career — breaking into the American market.
Carter, who was born in Liverpool and has become one of Ireland’s most successful modern country singers, kicked off his first U.S. tour this past weekend. The milestone has been months in the making, with Carter not only preparing new material but also airing a PBS special filmed in Dublin last Christmas to help introduce himself to American audiences.
In his Sunday World column, the 34-year-old singer revealed that O’Donnell, currently on his own world tour, has played a key role in helping spread the word about his shows stateside.
“My friend Daniel O’Donnell has very kindly been helping me to spread the word on his own current tour in that part of the world,” Carter wrote. “We are going to be travelling around the US and Canada for three weeks in September, playing places like Detroit, Iowa City, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Boston.”
O’Donnell, one of the most enduring and best-loved performers in Irish music, even went the extra mile by asking Carter to record a short promotional video. That clip is now being played during intermissions at O’Donnell’s concerts, reaching packed houses across America.
“That has been a great help in spreading the word over there,” Carter explained, “so needless to say I appreciate everything Daniel is doing for me on that front.”
For Carter, the chance to establish himself in the United States is both a professional challenge and a lifelong dream. “In order to keep on growing and developing it’s important to work in new territories, and obviously America is the big one where every artist dreams of making an impact,” he said.
Carter already has an international track record, having toured extensively across England, Scotland, and Australia. Now, he hopes to build a lasting fan base in North America. “If I can build a fan base in America and start touring there on a regular basis, it would be the icing on the cake,” he added.
O’Donnell’s support reflects not only their friendship but also his long-standing reputation for nurturing younger artists. For Carter, being introduced to American audiences by one of Ireland’s most beloved voices offers an invaluable boost as he sets out to win over a new continent.
With a growing profile, international tours, and the backing of a mentor like Daniel O’Donnell, Nathan Carter’s American debut may mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter — one that could establish him as a true global force in country music.