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This interview was in VIP magazine during You're A Star
VIP mag: You have a lot of musical experience, Mickey?
Mickey Harte: I've been gigging in pubs and clubs around Donegal since I was 15 or 16, in and out of bands, and I even had my own band. Louis Walsh recognised me because I'd done something like this before with the band, Reel, and I'd been plotting my own way since then. A few years ago I went solo full-time. It's how I make my living. I have a band as well and we gig all over the country. I've also done some support gigs with Aslan, The 4 of Us and Jack L.
VIP mag: You've been trying to break America havn't you?
Mickey Harte: Well, I've been to Nashville a few times trying to promote my songs. I've got a new CD coming out with all my own songs, which is supposed to go on sale this January, but I'll wait and se what happens with You're A Star.
VIP mag: Why did you enter the show?
Mickey Harte: I heard about it on TV, but it was my mum who pushed me to go for it. I was the very last person in the Derry auditions and I didn't realise it had anything to do with the Eurovision.
VIP mag: Are you a fan of Eurovision?
Mickey Harte: I was a fan because it was such a big big deal when I was a kid. You wouldn't have missed it.
VIP mag: How have you enjoyed the experience so far?
Mickey Harte: Its been really exciting. They've been looking after us really well and the attention and response has been really positive. People at home have all been behind me.
VIP mag: You're the oldest of the finalists at 29...
Mickey Harte: I'm the oldest - I'm the daddy. This is my last chance, and if it doesn't work I'm going back to the farm! I'm writing all the time, I've always been a singer-songwriter, and now I'm taking it to another level, so I'm appreciative that I'm doing what I love.
VIP mag: Who do you think will win?
Mickey Harte: I think it will be a girl. It always seems to be won by girl singers!
VIP mag: Maybe its time for a guy then?
Mickey Harte: (laughs) I hope so! But whos going to win? I'm a big fan of Lisa Bresnan - she has something about her, something unique. I don't know if thats a good or bad thing for Eurovision though.
VIP mag: You have two kids. What do they think of daddy on the telly?
Mickey Harte: They're delighted - they're all for it! Kayleigh, my wee girl, she's really into Westlife and she's seen me with Kerry and Bryan Mc Fadden. And she was asking if I'd got their autographs, and when I said no, she was saying "Daddy, you're useless!"
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Heres an interview 2 lucky girls outta my school (Loreto Convent Letterkenny) got to do with Mickey in da flesh!!! Hope you enjoy it!!!
Mickey: So I hear you are going to interview me?
Students: We're going to try.
Mickey: Well go easy on me please!
Students: First of all congratulations, did you ever think you would surpass Simon, as he seemed to be the favourite at the start?
Mickey: At the start, to be honest I didn't think I would. Even from the start I knew he would be in the Final.
Students: Ever feel threatened by him?
Mickey: Ah naw, it was just the way the voting was going.
Students:How did you feel when you first got the most number of votes with your version of 'The Police' song. 'Every breath you take'?
Mickey: That was great because I'm a big fan of the Police and Sting as well, so it was really brilliant, I wasn't expecting it at all!
Students:What was it like when your actual Eurovision song came first?
Mickey: It was a great buzz. I thought I might be in with a chance then. It was funny because the song is one of them songs you really have to work hard at to get used to, but it was grand after a while, seemed to grow on everyone else too!
Students: Any rivalry between any of the contestants?
Mickey: Naw, there wasn't. Everyone got on really well with each other and was helping each other out. We wanted each other to do well.
Students: What about the judges? Louis Walsh?!!!
Mickey: Ahem, next question!!!
Students: Out of everyone who didn't win who would you have liked to win?
Mickey: Aaaaaaahhhh......God.....thats a hard one......ahhh....probably Lisa Bresnan, she was there on merit alone. Our families all got behind us and supported us; she had no campaign at all. She was there from the start and it was her talent hat shone through.
Students: Did you think the show was strongly influenced by the McFadden's?
Mickey: Aye, there certainly was a circle of 'Louis's gang', I don't know really, it was kinda a bit.......
Students: Did you ever feel the underdog?
Mickey: Aye, I kinda always was the underdog. But saying that Phil Coulter and Darren Smith were very supportive as well.
Students:You're not exactly the typical pop singer, did you ever feel out of place?
Mickey: Aye, I did, I just did my own thing with it and hoped people would see it for what it was and give them a chance to hear something different. What I did wasn't really the pop thing, it was my own thing.
Students: What do you think of other reality T.V. shows?
Mickey: I love to hate them, its one of those things I wouldn't be a big fan but I'd watch them to pass the time.
Students: What are your true feelings of the Eurovision?
Mickey: I've always thought it was great, when we were growing up, when I was a kid there was always a big deal made about it. Its only in the last 3-4 years that its taken a creditability nosedive. This year it so many times.
Students: Do you think you will ever write with Molloy & Brannigan?
Mickey: Aye, probably. I would like to work together with them sometime.
Students: We know your interested in older groups and singers like Sting and Paul Brady but who do you admire most in the music industry today?
Mickey: Probably people like Coldplay, Queens of the Stoneage. Theres a lot of acoustic rock in Munday and Damien Rice and that. Its all coming back at the moment its great. I really like that sort of music.
Students: You never hid the fact hat you had a wife and children. Do you think Simon hid the fact that he had a girlfriend to get more votes?
Mickey: Ah.....I don't know! Its just the way it is you know, some things you just aren't able to hide. This is just the way my life is. I don't know if Simon had a hidden agenda or not, we all knew he had a girlfriend from the start.
Students: Would you ever sell your Granny or your Mammy for a 'Denny' sausage?
Mickey: (After much laughter!) Ah no. I?d need to get more than a 'Denny' sausage!!!
Students:Are you as laid back in real life as you are on stage?
Mickey: Aye!!!
Students: What were your fave subjects in school? Music?
Mickey: Well I didn't do music in school so probably P.E.
Students: Any words of advice for Leaving Certs trying hard to study?
Mickey: Study hard and be persistent in life. Doesn?t matter if you fail or pass, there's a life beyond exams.
Students: What do you recommend we watch on a Sunday night now?
Mickey: 'Heartbeat'......naw, every Sunday night at 8pm, I never miss it!!!
Students: What's your motto for life?
Mickey: (After much thought...)...........LIVE IT!
Students: And finally what do you want to say to the Loreto girls, all 1,013 of them who spent loads of credit texting in for you?!
Mickey: I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the Loreto girls, and hopefully we'll get to you soon....is that a promise?.....it is a promise but I don?t know when!
And there you have it, straight from the star's mouth! Keep your perfume, hairbrushes and breath fresheners at the ready; Loreto Letterkenny will soon (hopefully) experience Mickey Mania!!!
OH MY GOD.....Imagine Mickey comin 2 my school! He would get KILLED....1,013 girls chasin after him! I can't wait!!! PLEASE COME MICKEY....WE LOVE YOU!!!
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The following interview was in the Irish Times Magazine. Melanie Morris finds out what Mickey likes to eat....This interview is very good. Enjoy!!!
You are what you eat: Mickey Harte
What's your food philosophy?
I think I'm pretty healthy. I eat a lot of fruit and drink plenty of water each day and I like it. I can cook, and do my bit in the kitchen but Im pretty laid back. I dont follow recipes....I prefer going the trial-and-error route.
Where do you do your food shopping?
Well, my wife Louise works in Longs of Strabane, so thats the obvious choice.
And when was the last time you did the grocery run?
I think it was Christmas Eve.
Whats always on your list?
Lots of pasta and rice, chicken, water and tinned rice pudding for the kids.
Do you know how much a litre of milk is?
Er, I'd say between 99p and ?1.10 or ?1.25 (Actually its 70cent but not a bad guess)
List a few items in your fridge right now?
I haven't seen the inside of my at home for a good while, so I couldn't tell you. Im more au fait with what's in the fridge in the recording studio Im working out of in London.
Do you cook?
Yes. Louise and I share the duties, but to be honest shes done most of it lately.
Favourite comfort food?
Tomato soup.
Whats your favourite failsafe easy recipe?
Heinz spaghetti on toast. Best served at 3am!!!
What was your last meal?
Dinner last night in London. It was a ham and cheese pizza in Cizzie, a great restaurant near the recording studio.
Do you eat breakfast?
Yes, I go for fruit and water, and then maybe some brown bread of a croissant. If theres porridge I'll have that with chopped banana and if Im not making it I'll have bacon and scrambled eggs!!!
Will you need anything to fit into your Eurovision YSL suit?
Nah, I dont think so. I swim a lot and thankfully, most of the hotels we've been staying in have pools. That?s the way I keep fit.
Has your eating routine gone crazy in recent times?
Its not too bad actually. We try and schedule regular eating time and sit down together, and we do our best to go to proper restaurants and not eat junk.
Favourite snack food?
Popcorn. Actually, the best combination is a handful of popcorn, a square of dairy milk and a mouthful of coke...altogether!!!
Is there anything you won?t let your children eat?
Possibly the things I just mentioned!!! Too much junk makes them crazy so we try to cut back on that stuff.
Is there anything you couldn?t eat?
I love cooked tomato anything but I cant stand the taste of the actual raw tomato. And I hate olives!
What will be on your Eurovision backstage rider?
Nothing too excessive - fruit, water and honey, I think!
Your biggest culinary secret?
Sometimes I pass off ready-made meals as home-made! I'll take them out of the containers and add a few extra bits!!!
And so, Mickey, if you are what you eat, then you are...?
Er, with all the pasta I consume, I think I must be Italian!!!
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These are interviews I taped off Highland Radio on the 24th May - Eurovision Day! Shaun Doherty as broadcasting live from Riga. Hope you enjoy these interviews!
The first one is with Louise, Mickeys wife.........
Shaun: Were gonna have a chat to Louise now, Did you have an early night Louise?
Louise: I did yeah.
Shaun: Have you seen the guy?
Louise: I have, I seen him last night.
Shaun: What do you think? Cool as a cat?
Louise: Yep. Cool as a cucumber, not a bother on him.
Shaun: A bit like yourself?
Louise: Emmmmm, dunno. I might be nervous on the night. Im grand now.
Shaun: How have you been preparing for all this?
Louise: Shopping, shopping and more shopping! (Laughs)
Shaun: And spending?
Louise: Yeah, spending all Mickeys hard earned money! (Laughs)
Shaun: And will you be more nervous than him tonight?
Louise: Think so, probably. We all will I think.
Shaun: Well how do you think he keeps so cool? I saw him this morning he was sittin there and standin there watchin all the other countries. You know he could just fall over hes that relaxed.
Louise: Emmmmm. I dont know, hes got a good manager, Shea, keeps him in order and hes very like his Dad. His Dad was like that, always cool, calm and collected.
Shaun: Have you found it hard, all the attention?
Louise: Sometimes. It gets a bit much at times you know. Its hard to get used to but its fun!
Shaun: Being stopped everyday are you?
Louise: Naw not that much. Mickey gets stopped everyday, not me!
Shaun: So whos come over with you? Your own family and your personal family too?
Louise: They have. My mum, my 2 sisters, my brother and the boyfriends and a few cousins are here as well.
Shaun: Excellant stuff. Well listen, have a great night tonight.
Louise: Thank you very much.
Shaun: We will look out for you
Louise: Yeah and say thank you to everybody in Donegal that voted for Mickey Joe durin Your A Star and got him here. We really appreciate it.
Shaun: OK. And enjoy yourself with Kayleigh and Kyle. Bye now.
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The next interview is with Shea Mc Nelis, Mickeys Manager....
Shaun: Well heres the man Louise was givin the credit to, this is the manager, Shea Mc Nelis. Proud day for you Shea?
Shea: Well its great, completely different thing for me the Eurovision and a great day for Mickey.
Shaun: How long have you had the association with him?
Shea: Eh, about 2 years now. I met him in Nashville and its going really well since then.
Shaun: Have you always known the potential he had?
Shea: Well hes just a complete star. Hes got the X-Factor and hopefully hes gonna pull it off tonight.
Shaun: Well apparantely hes got all the camera angles right and hes looking good?
Shea: Well the Your A Star has helped him with the camera. He knows how to work with cameras really well now. Hes got the glad eye, always smiling and winking to the cameras as he goes along. That will definitely benefit him tonight.
Shaun: And how do you think hes been preparing himself. Do you think he just doesnt get worried about it?
Shea: Well Micks been around a long time. Hes had a lot of kicks in his days and his stride. It doesnt really matter whats in front of him. Every gig is a gig, doesnt matter if there are millions of people in front of him. He just seems to play the gig, you know.
Shaun: And it isnt like a football match where the best team wins the Eurovision so you have to be realistic and realise the voting can go all kinds of ways. He knows that more than anyone else?
Shea: Em yeah. I think the Eurovision has turned very political in the last years especially with the Baltic countries. They all seem to vote for themselves but weve been adopted by some countries. Hes the favourite in England and Iceland love him as well. So hopefully we get the vote and good news for Mickey Harte.
Shaun: Thanks Shea.
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This is with Mickey Joe Harte himself......ENJOY!!!
Shaun: Id say it wouldnt be harder to get the pope than this man today, Mickey good to see ya.
Mickey: Yes Shaun, hows things.
Shaun: Well were just off the Mickey express from Derry and the atmosphere is brilliant and everybody is lookin forward to the night. Well we thought we wouldnt get a chance of gettin you but here we come into this eatin area and there you are sittin.
Mickey: Well there you go, you have to eat as well believe it or not. (he laughs)
Shaun: Theres a guy from the Irish Independent writing very good things about you over there and hes got you tipped and he said the confidence in the Irish camp is really growing. Your performance so far has been brilliant.
Mickey: Ah you know I think its the whole package has been great. Its just the interest from the home and the country itself and the people at home have given us a lot of confidence and the whole Your A Star thing it was a kinda intensive training package for us as well. The girls have been fantastic, they?ve really got their act together and when the two of us meet theres a genuine sort of friendship, a bond there that has been created over the months of Your A Star and stuff like that. Weve been through a lot together and that shows were there for each other which is great. Yeah the confidence is good, weve a good right to be confident with Phil Coulter and the team as well and a great effort has gone into the entry this year so you never know.
Shaun: Mickey could anything have prepared you for this. I know you went through the whole Your A Star and all the hype and all the attention youve received so far. Did anything prepare you for the actual event, the Eurovision?
Mickey: Emm...I think the fact that we have a good history of winners you know I was lucky enough to meet a few of the winners in the last few weeks and Im a friend of Paul Harringtons for a year or two and just those kind of people. I met Mark Roberts a few weeks ago at a function. Just those kind of people telling ya what to expect to happen and what way to deal with the media, what its like and ya know the different aspects of it. You know its been really helpful the fact that we have a lot of winners in the country and a lot of people attached to winning Eurovision. So we have a lot of experience so their there with open arms giving us loads of help and advice you know what I mean.
Shaun: Well Ive been looking at some of your posters of your album and the Joes gone missing. Wheres the Joe gone?!
Mickey: Ahhh (laughs) Its in Donegal!!! (laughs) Emmm...Ill always be Mickey Joe at home, its fine. The way the competition went people got to know me as Mickey Joe and thats fine. But its just for other territories and countries that were breaking in to. We initially a few years ago decided that well leave it as Mickey Harte to make it easier. Sometimes it can create the wrong impression Mickey Joe Harte. People are gonna be thinking its some country act or something from the hills, you know what I mean and the music I play isnt really like that. So its just to try not create the wrong image cos you need things on your side and if theres something like that in the way making it difficult its better to just stick with Mickey Harte, for now anyway.
Shaun: So have you seen your family at all?
Mickey: Well Im gonna hook up with them sometime this evening, Obviously we cant meet everyone tonight, were gonna do that tomorrow night. Were gonna have an early night, take it easy. Hopefully Ill get to see me kids and Louise, my brother, sister my mum and people like that.
Shaun: Ive absolutely no doubt the biggest cheer in that hall is gonna be for you. Youre definitely gonna hear us!
Mickey: Aye, Ive no doubt that were gonna hear the Irish (laughs) and theyre really hopeful and thats what we need tonight so hopefully theyll give us loads. Yeah!
Shaun: Thats all Mickey
Mickey: Thanks Shaun, cheers!
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HUGE THANX TO GILL FROM WWW.FREEWEBS.COM/MICHAELLEONARD FOR EMAILIN ME THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEWS!
This one is from TVNow after mickey won
So Mickey how do you feel having won?
A bit shell-shocked actually, but also tierd, relieved and of course
delighted! It'll probably take a while to sink in. The whole process
has been a bit of a rolarcoaster, it's been intensive.
Are you glad it's all over?
I'm sorry it's all over, but its also great to come out the other end.
Did you know after Saturday night's performance that you had the cat in
the bag?
I would'nt say that but I felt I had a good chance alright. I was happy
with my performance and thought that I might have won, but then you can
never tell what way the votes will go, so I didn't want to get my hopes up.
Do you think you're a worthy winner?
Any of the last four people really deserved to be there. There were
alot of winners in this contest!
Were you sorry for Simon?
I did feel genuinely bad. Simon has a far better voice than me, we're
just differant types of packages. We do differant types of music and appeal
to differant audiences. Simon is just the nicest fella - he's an amazing
guy. I think he was delighted for me that I'd won, and I would of been for him
had he won. We've all become very close-knit over the past while, so it was
hard.
If you weren't up against Simon in the final, who else would you like
to have been up against?
I was delighted to be up against someone of Simon's calibre. If I
hadn't won, I couldn't of wished for anybody better tan Simon to!
You weren't even going to audition - wasn't it your mum who pushed you
into going for You're A Star?
Aye, she was on at me to go for it, but I had other plans at the time.
Myself and the boys in the band had finished our EP and we had plans to
do gigs, so I wasn't going to bother auditioning!
Bet you're glad she pushed you now?
Of course I am, I'm delighted!
Are all your family here tonight to support you?
My dad's at home at the moment, he's in hospital. But this has all been
amazing for him as well - he's worked hard on getting me here too. I
can't thank my family enough. Especially my mum and dad, they've always been
behind me and supported me in my choices.
Do you think your life will dramatically change now?
Gosh, I don't know! My life has already changed so much since I started
doing the show, I can't imagine what'll happen next. I hope I don't
change though, just my circumstances. I really want to get back to gigging
again because I love it. What'll hopefully change is that when we're gigging, more
people will come to see us now!
Apart from the live gigs, have you any plans to record? Have you been
approached by any record companies?
Aye, but nothings been signed. Negotiations are taking place and there
are several deals on the table, but....(smiles)
That's great! After over ten years of gigging, did you see this as your
last chance to break the big-time?
I did give it my all. After being around for so long I could recognise
it for the opportunity that it was, so I tried to get a good grasp on it
and get the fans behind me. I really did try and make the most of it.
Would you like to be famous?
I'd like to be successful in what I do, and I've been working towards
this all my life, plotting this course, so I'm delighted to hav gotten this far.
So what do you think of your chances for the Eurovision?
I think we have a good chance. The song is ideal for the purpose of the
contest. You only get one chance to prove yourself, so you need
something instant. The song is one that grabs the audience instantly, so if I can
get the crowd behind me and get a bit of a buzz going, hands clapping etc,
I think the song will stick in people's minds and we'll have a great chance.
Are you excited about it?
I haven't really thought about it to be honest. I've just been thinking
it's my son Kyle's Holy Communion on the Saturdayn before the Eurovision,
and I have to go to that!
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THIS INTERVIEW IS EITHER FROM THE IRISH STAR OR MIRROR, I THINK ITS THE
MIRROR!
Worst feature:
My ears
Best feature:
My feet
What age were you when you had your first kiss:
11
Favourite holiday destination:
Haven't been there yet
What would you do with the money from winning You're A Star:
Buy myself a house with a swimming pool and recording studio in it
What star would you most like to snog:
Billy Connolly
When was the last time you had sex:
A week ago
What star irritates you the most?
George Bush
What car do you drive:
Citroen C3 but I want Citroen C8
Favourite food:
kebabs
Favourite drink:
Guinness
Favourite film:
Willie Wonka and the chocolate factory
Most embarrassing moment:
My bum falling out of my pants in the swimming pool
First childhood memory:
At my granny's house she died when I was three but I can vaguely
remember it
Most famous phone number you have:
Bryan McFadden
Who is your hero:
Billy Connolly and my dad
What's the most romantic thig you've done:
proposed
Biggest fear:
dying
Biggest ambition:
to have an amazing album
Naughtiest thing you've ever done:
got expelled from school
First pet's name:
Never had a pet
First record you ever bought:
Human League's dont you want me
Why should you win You're A Star?
because I love music
Worst item of clothig that you have ever worn:
dungarees that I bought in America
Best joke:
Know what I can't understand? chinese writing
First crush:
Tara Wilcox
Who's telephone number would you kost like to have:
Bono's
How were you punished by your parents as a child?
They just used to scold me. No stick or anything.
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