Another Day

FRANK O'HAGAN BIOGRAPHY John MacLean allmediascotland.com 08/04/09 FIRST we had Dr Hook and Doctor Feelgood, then Doctor and The Medics, now it's Dr Frank O'Hagan's turn to hit the music trail. Except that this Glaswegian's moniker is no gimmick or affectation - Frank got his title the hard way. He's officially a Doctor of Philosophy, and lectures in History and Education at the University of Glasgow. But in his spare time he also plays the Hammond organ, strums his guitar and sings brilliant folk, blues and rock. His gigs are eagerly awaited events, not least because he always manages to put together a band of brilliant musicians who have played with some of the biggest names in the business. And on his second album, Another Day, Frank's poignant, inspiring and foot-stomping tracks feature a selection of great players who have backed the likes of Van Morrison, the late, great John Martyn, Pentangle, Joan Armatrading - and even The Who. It's clear this dad-of-four from Cathcart, Glasgow, is held in high esteem by his peers. His musical career began in the 1960s with cult rockers The Beings but stalled after he declined to tour Europe because he was starting university. One of his former bandmates, bass player Dougie Thomson, went on to join the supergroup Supertramp. (Dougie, who now lives in Chicago, is a big fan of Frank's music and has been actively looking for Stateside acts to cover some of his songs). From the 1970s onwards, Frank forged an impressive academic and educational career - but he never gave up on his music. Four years ago he finally got together the courage, and the money, to put some of his compositions together on his first CD, A Long Way From Home. And his second release, Another Day, was recently chosen as Album of the Week by BBC Radio Scotland presenter Tom Morton. Songs from both albums were lapped up by a sell-out crowd at the Pearce Institute in Govan last December. And such was the reaction that Frank's 10-strong band were invited to headline a gig at the 02 Academy in the Gorbals on April 18, as part of The No Mean City Festival. Frank said: quot;It's been great to work with such brilliant musicians as Alan Thomson, Foss Paterson, Gary Foote and a whole lot more. quot;It's a dream to be able to put out records after so many years. But what I love most is to get on stage with these guys and hear them play my songs. quot;It is always a pleasure to work with musicians of the calibre of the late, great John Martyn's touring band. quot;They add an extra dimension to anyone's music. quot;I'm looking forward to playing such a prestigious venue as the 02 Academy, and I can guarantee anyone who comes along that they will have a great time.quot; The Govan and Glasgow SouthWest Press Another Day Album Launch Review John MacLean IT may have been open for more than 100 years but it's doubtful if in that time the Pearce Institute has ever seen a night quite like it. Thanks to Frank O'Hagan and his hugely talented band of musicians, the venerable old building was transformed into a rock venue for a one-off concert. And what a concert it was! The wide spaces of the McLeod Hall were packed to overflowing as 250 music fans crowded in to see the Cathcart-based singer and songwriter launch his new album, Another Day. The evening was presented by The Govan and Glasgow SouthWest Press, and it was fitting that it was kicked off by a local hero, Eddie Foley. The veteran violinist got toes tapping with his super-fast fiddling as he accompanied the irrepres