Fall/Winter 2011
Watch Now: 30 Rock Webisode Tries to Find a New Super Bowl Performer—Donald Glover Included!
Who needs Madonna when you have Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino aka "Troy from Community"), Ryan Adams and Michael McDonald at your beck and call?!
Click here to watch the video!
New Chonin Records website
Be sure to check out the new Chonin Records website that was just launched. It is a work in progress so please check back often! Go to www.choninrecords.com.
Michael wanted to let you all know about a couple of great books out there by his friends.
The first one is "IN CONCERT: KSHE and 40+ YEARS OF ROCK IN ST. LOUIS" written by John Neiman. Ben Fong Torres of Rolling Stone wrote about the book, "A monster of a book, loaded with photos, concert memories, station history... it's a measure of the passion there can be for a radio station".
Check it out here.
The second book is by Mike's friend, author Lisa Patton. The book is called "YANKEE DOODLE DIXIE", the sequel to her best seller "Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor' Easter". Renowned authour Fannie Flagg says, "Southern to the core… funny to the bone. In Lisa Patton's new novel she proves that we can go home again, and in many cases we should."
Visit Lisa's website here and get the book.
What is it that courses through the brain and beats in the hearts of those men and women who, in the face of humanity's darkest and most despicable nature, charge forward with the single minded intent of being of service to innocent victims caught in the crossfire.
On this 10th anniversary of 9/11 let's ponder the question. Can we ever be grateful enough to these individuals and their families?
In their names and in the name of innocent victims everywhere on this solemn day, let's remember to pray for peace.
Michael McDonald
Michael receives honorary doctorate at Berklee College of Music
More than 900 graduates from 58 countries—the largest graduating class to date—received degrees today at Berklee's 2011 commencement, held at the Agganis Arena at Boston University. Berklee president Roger H. Brown presented honorary doctor of music degrees to soul and gospel singer Mavis Staples; rock, pop, and r&b vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Michael McDonald; renowned Cuban musicians Chucho Valdés and his father, Bebo Valdés; and jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Kenny Garrett. Garrett delivered the commencement address to the graduating class and an estimated crowd of more than 4,000 guests.
After accepting his honorary doctorate, McDonald said, "To be among this graduating class, to see these kids, and to perform last night with such brilliant young musicians who have such finesse beyond their years is one of the most inspirational moments of my entire career. I want to thank Berklee for inspiring me in a way that I think will last me the rest of my life."
PHOTO BY PHIL FARNSWORTH
A day late and dollar short as usual, I'd still like to share my thoughts on the memory of one the greatest American citizens to ever stand up and be counted.
Dr. Kings life was an inspiration and gift to all Americans regardless of race, gender, religion or persuasion. His commitment to truth and community service was an example and call to conscience for all Americans.
The election of Barrack Obama, our first African American president is, as historic events go, of course something I'm only too sure Dr. King would celebrate along with all who truly believe in this country's constitution, greater mission and better destiny.
However, the fact that this President's political career was built on community service from it's beginning all the way to the White House is what I believe Dr. Martin Luther King would be most proud of. That more than just the color of his skin the measure of the man himself is what brings us ever closer to realizing "The Dream". A dream for all Americans.
M. McDonald
Get a Michael McDonald Ringtone now from Folgers!
Mike Porcaro Releases "Brotherly Love"
This long-awaited solo project by Toto's Mike Porcaro includes fresh new performances of Toto classics along with other favorites such as "Lowdown", "Human Nature" and "Straight No Chaser" performed by Mike and his dad, Joe Porcaro. The album was originally recorded live in Koblenz, Germany in March 2002 as Tribute Concert to his brother and world-renowned drummer, Jeff Porcaro.
Click here for info.
Michael McDonald Prepping Two Albums
Michael McDonald, who has spent the last decade covering soul music classics and Christmas songs, is working on two albums -- one with the guitarist Robben Ford and the other with his son Dylan.
Rather than go through a traditional label, McDonald intends to make tracks available through social media and then decide what tack to take.
"We'll see if it captures the public's imagination," he says of the tracks recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville with Ford, a longtime friend.
"Robben and I started impulsively," McDonald told Billboard.com. "It's a very eclectic collection of songs. Our energies are focused on writing songs -- not necessarily blues and nothing specific (genre-wise). We think it's good but we don't know if it's cohesive enough in a conceptual sense to make an album of it or to release track by track. I'm kind of confused about what to do with it."
McDonald says he tends to "overthink" while making records, cutting tracks while he is rewriting lyrics. Ford, on the other hand, prefers to "knock things out" without laboring over them. "It's a little bit of a hurdle," McDonald says, "and maybe it makes him a bit frustrated at times."
Ford's last album was 2009's "Soul on Ten," his fourth release on the Concord label.
McDonald's project with his son Dylan McDonald includes a collections of covers -- songs by Bob Marley, the Beach Boys, Radiohead and Stealer's Wheel -- a couple of Dylan's songs and an original penned by Michael McDonald. He expects to finish mixing the tracks by the end of the year and will post them online as well.
The McDonald family project is a bit of a reunion for them as Dylan shied from even discussing music with his father during his teen years. McDonald says they reconnected musically by listening to music they both liked -- Neil Young, for example -- after years of dad attempting to play educator.
Ultimately, McDonald says he realized, "music needs to be a spiritual experience of his own."
Dylan McDonald & The Avians
I don't often refer, or promote musical, cinematic or literary projects...(other than my own... Lol) to my friends who log on at this website. However when I'm really and truly moved by something I will use our humble platform to do just that.
In this case, a new musical project by a group called "The Avians" featuring leadsinger and chief composer Dylan McDonald.
Inspite of a long history not appreciating his father's musical advice very much, (those conversations almost never end well), Dylan and his band mates along with producer Richard Downs have made a formidable rock record.
Well all I can say is that the music is quite impressive in my opinion. The bands performances of the songs, the compositions most written by Dylan McDonald, except for a very cool ballad written by Daniel Demonico, are all worth a listen. The album is presently available on Itunes, Rhapsody and Napster. Soon to be available on Amazon .com
Also being somewhat privy to the as yet unreleased material I can truly say that there's a lot more where that came from. In fact watching the evolution of this group of young musicians as I have, from the sidelines for a few years now, I think I can say the best may be yet to come
Sincerely
Mike McD
Click here to purchase Dylan McDonald and the Avians on iTunes.
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Michael McDonald.com is thrilled to announce the release of the new album by Amy Holland!
THE JOURNEY TO MIRACLE RIVER AVAILABLE NOW AT CD BABY! -- CLICK HERE
Visit Amy's Website for more details.
"The World Around Me" - (Artist: Bernie Chiaravalle) - Purchase
"The one thing that I think anyone, who follows the artistic career of any recording artist, looks for, generally speaking, is growth and a deepening sense that the artist is revealing something of their own experience. Something of value to the listener. In this sense "The World Around Me", the latest CD by Bernie Chiaravalle, is his best yet. Songs like, "The World Has Let You Down" and "What I Knew Before"give you the feeling that the CD is a deepening conversation track by track. What Bernie brings to this latest effort, both musically and lyrically, is unique, original and best of all a great listening experience." Michael McDonald
Dylan McDonald and The Avians