Bernie Chiaravalle - guitars, vocals
Bernie's musical roots began in his hometown of San Rafael, CA in Marin County. He's been playing with Michael since 1988 after a move to Los Angeles in 1984. He's co-written several songs with Michael that appear on Blue Obsession and In The Spirit. He also has 3 solo CDs and is currently living in Nashville writing and producing with Jon Vezner, Amy Holland, Jon Goodwin and more.
He has recorded and/or performed with Larry Carlton, David Pack, Ambrosia, Don Henley, Tommy Sims, Vince Gill, Kenny Loggins, Patrick Simmons, The Doobie Brothers, Henry Kapono, Christopher Cross and many more.
In 2008 he co-wrote produced an album for Amy Holland McDonald for Chonin Records. And in 2010 he released "The World Around me", his latest solo CD.
Drea' Rhenee - vocals
Drea Rhenee' is a native of Indiana and has been singing since she was a child. After singing in a production with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, she moved to Atlanta to pursue a career in music.
There she started singing for local bands and working with various producers on demo and album projects. She has performed with Aaliyah, Donnie, Laurnea, Sleepy's Theme, Jean Carne, Ollie Woodson, Richard Smallwood, Candi Staton, Debra Killings and Mariah Carey.
Drea was asked by her pastor, Dr. Cynthia Hale, to serve as a praise and worship leader at the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Lithonia, GA. "I thought I was well on my way to pursuing my dreams, and how correct I was!" Through patience, obedience to God and much hard work in 2002, Drea was invited to sing background at an Atlanta concert with Michael McDonald. She happily accepted the offer that later led to a call from Michael to join him to sing background on the 2004 Rock & Soul Revue Tour.
Drea is honored that God saw fit to not only bless her with the gift of song, but to also give her the opportunity to share His light and His Love to the masses. Currently Drea Rhenee' is working on her debut project, so watch out…the best is yet to come!
Lanice Morrison - bass, vocals
Lanice started playing bass at 14 in the small town of Boaz, Alabama. His journey started with a popular southeast regional band called WARM in the 70's who had a short tenure with Capricorn Records in Macon, Georgia. WARM opened and shared billing with just about every major act of the time.
Lanice moved to Atlanta and continued playing in all original bands, one of which, Hillbilly Romeos, had a song which Lanice sang used in the movie Nobody's Baby.
In 1998, Lanice and his family moved to Leiper's Fork, Tennessee. It was through their children and church that Lanice and Mike became friends and had several occasions to play together for local events and fund raisers. Lanice joined Mike for a portion of the Motown 1 tour and several TV appearances. Lanice has also recorded on various projects around Nashville, most recently on a project that Mike is currently working on with Chris Eddy, son of Duane Eddy.
Pat Coil - keyboards
Born in Jefferson City, Missouri, Pat is a pianist, composer, producer, arranger, programmer, as well as a highly respected studio musician. If you watch television, listen to the radio, or go to the movies, you have heard Pat and some form of his music.
Pat has toured Japan, South America, Europe and the U.S. with such artists as Michael McDonald, Carmen McCrae, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Woody Herman and many others. Pat has recorded with many artists including Natalie Cole, Trisha Yearwood, Ernie Watts, Carmen McCrae, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Travis Tritt, Peter Cetera, Woody Herman, Scott Henderson and Michael McDonald. His talent spans the musical spectrum of pop, jazz, R&B, gospel, country……
Living now in Nashville with his wife and children, Pat continues his career composing, recording, performing, producing and arranging. He has composed, produced and performed on hundreds of underscores heard on a variety of media all over the world. Pat also teaches jazz piano, combos, and improvisation at Middle Tennessee State University, and is a member of the jazz faculty.
Pat has recorded six solo jazz albums of his own, the third one being a collaboration with Lyle Mays. "True North" and his new album "Birdhouse" are available at patcoil.com and cdbaby.com.
Vince Denham - sax, keyboards
This is Vince's 25th year with Michael McDonald. He has toured and recorded with Don Ellis (Soring), Jesus Christ Super Star, Loggins & Messina (Native Sun, Finale), Kenny Loggins (Celebrate Me Home, Night Watch, Alive, Keep the Fire), Robben Ford (Talk To Your Daughter), Elton John (Living In the Past), John Tesh (A Romantic Christmas, Sax By the Fire, The Games), Les McCann (Listen Up) and Vince Denham (Desire).
He has a new CD out voted #4 Smooth Jazz release of 1999 with his band, Above the Clouds. He has also played on numerous movie and television soundtracks.
Yvette "Baby Girl" Preyer - drums, vocals
Yvette "Baby Girl" Preyer studied music with an emphasis on vocal performance at Philander Smith College and instrumental performance on percussion at the University of Arkansas.
This pocket drummer has played the blues with Rufus Thomas, jazz with Miles Jaye, rock with John Kilzer and Sam Moore, funk with the BarKays, r & b with Issac Hayes, Wendy Moten, Melba Moore, Glenn Jones and seventies with Mavis Staples.
"Baby Girls" recording credits include "Luther Allison Live", Issac Hayes "Fragile", "Beavis and Butthead Do America", "The BarKays Greatist Hits" Edwin McCain's "Edwin McCain" and Michael McDonald's "Blue Obsession". Besides touring with Michael, her road credits have been Issac Hayes, Axelle Red, Miles Jaye and Luther Allison.