A prominent part in the soundtrack to our times, Michael McDonald, as an artist and songwriter, has been awarded an impressive five Grammys. However, by maintaining a low-key profile, the contrast of Michael McDonald as a person and as a musician is astounding. Though comfortable onstage, he has never been a flashy entertainer, nor has he been distracted by passing trends. Instead, McDonald has triumphed through music alone, with a remarkable voice and a body of well-crafted songs. Few have made such an impact with so much substance and so little hoopla. Born in St. Louis on February 12, 1952, singing was central to his life from the beginning. McDonald's father, a bus driver and gifted amateur tenor who, while in the Marine Corps during WWII, once performed with Bob Crosby and the Bobcats and often sang for friends in local haunts around St. Louis. At four years old, he first sang in public, warbling "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" for his dad and a roomful of delighted friends. His first instrument was the banjo, but he traded it in for a guitar in order to join his first band. When McDonald next attempted piano, one could say he found his musical “voice.” His comfort level increasedand, unexpectedly, he felt inspired to start writing songs. Having solid chords within easy reach on the keyboardhelped define McDonald's harmony-rich style as a composer.