Michael McDonald (singer)

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Michael McDonald (singer) bigraphy, stories - singer-songwriter

Michael McDonald (singer) : biography

12 February 1952 –

Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952) is an American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone by Stephen Thomas Erlewine; www.allmusic.com. singing style. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan. He became a member of The Doobie Brothers from 1976 to 1982, a period which resulted in several hit songs for the band. He has won five Grammy Awards.

Awards

Grammys

Wins
  • 1979: Record of the Year for "What a Fool Believes" (The Doobie Brothers)
  • 1979: Song of the Year for "What a Fool Believes" (with Kenny Loggins)
  • 1979: Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus for "Minute by Minute" (The Doobie Brothers)
  • 1979: Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocals for "What a Fool Believes" (The Doobie Brothers)
  • 1984: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Yah Mo B There" (with James Ingram)
Nominations
  • 1979: Album of the Year for Minute By Minute (The Doobie Brothers)
  • 2007: Album of the Year (as featured artist) for These Days (Vince Gill)

2000–present

In 2000, McDonald, along with partners Chris Pelonis and actor Jeff Bridges, founded the independent recording label Ramp Records.. Retrieved 2008-08-16. In 2003, McDonald received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.. Retrieved 2008-08-16. McDonald recorded a duet with Ray Charles on Charles’ 2004 Genius Loves Company. In 2007, McDonald helped judge the 6th annual Independent Music Awards. The following year, in 2008, McDonald performed "America the Beautiful" at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

In 2009, McDonald, along with the West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir, released the song “Storm Before the Calm” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day. McDonald also contributed an alternate lead vocal track for "While You Wait for the Others", a single by the indie rock band Grizzly Bear, which released as a 7" single.

In December 2009, McDonald donated his performance to Keep the Beat in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he played to a maximum capacity crowd at the newly renovated Granada Theater. Harry Rabin, producer & head of Keep the Beat, an initiative of the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, produced the show, including two Video productions and worked with student chorale groups from Primary and secondary schools as well as a brass section so they could perform in the show with Michael and his band.

On hand for the performance were Dave Mason, Kenny Loggins, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, members of the band Venice and the event was hosted by Harry Rabin and emceed by Jay Thomas.

In 2009, Michael McDonald appeared on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock as one of the benefit singers in the season finale episode "Kidney Now!".

Singer Michael McDonald performed the national anthem before the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between the Boise State Broncos and TCU Horned Frogs at the University of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona.

Michael McDonald sang "Takin’ It to the Streets" on the final episode of American Idol, season nine, in 2010.

In 2010, Michael McDonald released ‘The Voice of Michael McDonald’, a compilation of The Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald hits, and duets with various artists. The album includes yet another re-recording of Arron Neville’s 1966 song ‘Tell It Like It Is’, done in the style of Michael McDonald.

Michael also sang the United States National Anthem at game one of the 2011 NBA Finals.

Recently Michael McDonald has contributed backing vocals for the synthpop band Holy Ghost! self-titled album on their song "Some Children."

In the summer of 2010, Michael McDonald began a tour with Donald Fagen and Boz Scaggs . They are performing together as one band billed as The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue. The show includes classic rock, soul/R&B songs by various artists and personal repertoire songs from all three headliners.