If he isn't performing around the world at exotic locations then the saxophonist loves nothing more than taking to the stage in Hartlepool with his big band.
RICHARD MENNEAR caught up with the dedicated musician.
"I WOULD be lost without music", reflected Mick Donnelly as he took stock during a rare quiet moment in his hectic schedule.
The Hartlepool dad spends three hours a day honing his skills to ensure that he stays on top form and it is that dedication which has allowed him to perform across the world.
Sting, Madness, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Sammy Davis Junior and Stevie Wonder are just some of the big names he has played alongside.
The dad of three has also featured on a number of television programmes including Top of the Pops, The Tube and the Royal Variety Performance.
It all seemed a million miles away for teenage Mick whose love affair with music started when he was a pupil at the former Henry Smith School.
The 49-year-old, who now lives at Hartlepool Marina, said: "I used to play the recorder but my teacher George Robinson suggested I try out woodwind instruments.
"I couldn't get a note out of the flute but I managed to get a 'honk' from the saxophone, and that was that, I never looked back.
"Russ Nicholson, an ex-professional musician, became my mentor and he really encouraged me."
He left school at the age of 16 but secured an apprenticeship as an industrial plumber at ICI.
At the same time he was playing semi-professionally at clubs around the region and he was on his way back from a gig at the Ayresome Quoit Club, in Middlesbrough, when his life changed forever.
"My parents broke the news that a cruise liner firm had been in contact offering me a nine-month contract to play on a Caribbean cruise.
"I handed my notice in and never looked back."
After the cruise Mick came back to Hartlepool before moving to London were he joined soul band, Hollywood UK. They later split after nine months but Mick was offered the chance to become a session musician at Cafe de Paris, in Leicester Square, London.
"That was my big break, I was doing six shows a week at the club and it was a fantastic experience. My appearance there led to Ian Dury asking me to appear alongside him on The Tube, which was live television and great exposure."
British rock band Spear of Destiny then came calling and the saxophonist was a member for five years, in which time they released three hit albums and toured Asia, America and Europe.
Mick, who also plays the flute and clarinet and dabbles on the drums, headed back to Hartlepool to start a family in 1988.
The dad-of-three has been a session musician ever since.
Despite playing alongside some of the world's best musicians Mick says he doesn't get nervous; only for the youngsters that he teaches.
Mick, who is now bandmaster at Barnard Castle School, said: "I would be lost without music; it comes only second to my children.
"My bosses at the school are very good with me and they let me perform at various gigs and shows when the opportunity arises.
"Parents always ask me if their child is good enough to be professional and I always say it is only them that can answer that; do they get a knot in their stomach when they play?
"It is like being in love; you just know when you get the bug. If you want something bad enough then you need to work hard and make sacrifices."
Mick, who plays more than 100 gigs a year, said: "There aren't any particular artists that I want to play with at the moment; I am just pleased with the opportunities that are coming my way."
They include performing at a Variety Club of Great Britain tribute Bee Gees show, in Manchester, last July, alongside Ronan Keating and the legends themselves.
Last year he also jetted more than 3,000 miles to perform at the seven-star Burj Al Arab, Dubai, as part of the New Year's Eve celebrations.
He took to the stage alongside singer Peter Grant and his eight-piece band for the celebrations at one of the world's plushest hotels.
The opportunity came after organisers were impressed with his performance at a concert held at the first Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix, last November.
At the pre-race party, Mick and the other musicians performed on the same bill as international stars Beyonce, Aerosmith and Jamiroquai.
Next up is a three-week tour at the end of March performing alongside a band as part of comic Joe Pasquale's tour.
Before that he is focusing on performing alongside the 20-piece band Musicians Unlimited, every Sunday at The Studio, in Tower Street.
He added: "We have built up a really loyal following and I really enjoy performing alongside the other guys at The Studio, it is great fun."
The new season runs until Easter and doors open at noon with Musicians Unlimited taking to the stage between 1pm and 3pm. Tickets cost £2.
