Michael McDonald

Grammy winner Michael McDonald has been a road warrior since his success with Motown and Motown Two. Three years later, the silver-haired crooner is back in the studio revisiting significant songs from various stages in his life for a forthcoming CD, due in February on Motown Records. McDonald has been active co-writing new songs, and at least one ("Getting Over Me") will appear on his upcoming album. He also recently sang "You Belong To Me" as a duet with Chaka Khan on her new CD. A Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan veteran, McDonald cherishes singing as a way to connect with his inner being. "I look to songs that had greater meaning in my life," he said. "Ray Charles' 'You Don't Know Me' reminds me of a great time in my life. My dad was a huge fan of Ray Charles. It reminds me of a summer day when that song would come on the radio in my dad's old Ford Fairlane. He'd crank up the song and sing along, and I was just filled up with Ray Charles around me in this car." Expect to hear some of the sentimental oldies mixed in with new tunes at McDonald's Valley appearance.