Versatility is the key component of this talented musician, who hails from the Motor City. A self-taught musician, bassist and singer/songwriter, Rob McDonald, began his musical career at an early age.Growing up in a musical household, McDonald learned to play drums at the age of six. Because his three older brothers each played drums, it seemed the logical choice; however, as McDonald’s talent grew, he found it harder and harder to find a full set of drums readily available. Because his brothers were always using the drums for local club gigs McDonald decided it was time to try a new instrument, a guitar.Emulating the style of legendary guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, McDonald learned to play the guitar left-handed and upside down. (not knowing Jimi’s right-handed guitar was actually strung left-handed) This proved to be a difficult method for playing open cords, and that was when, at the age of 13, he picked up a bass.Proving to be a talented musician, McDonald performed with his high school’s concert and jazz bands, and upon graduation from Cooley High, moved to Los Angeles with a Detroit based band called Paradise. Local gigs and an international tour in Japan soon followed.Honing his skills while working local clubs and in national touring productions of “Your Arms Are Too Short to Box with God†starring Jennifer Holiday, and “The Wiz†starring Grace Jones, Peabo Bryson, Tony Terry, Cece Peniston, and Howard Hewitt, McDonald began to attract the attention of other national artists including, Brenda Russell, Pattii Austin, Jeffery Osbourne, Chaka Khan, Marion Meadows, and Jeff Lorber.A two-year touring engagement with Johnny “Guitar†Watson, performance opportunities with Billy Preston, legendary music icon, Tom Jones, a Tonight Show appearance with Toni Braxton, and European engagements with The Funk Bros, George Clinton and the Al McKay All-stars are among career highlights.Currently, McDonald is in his third year of touring with Grammy award-winning guitarist, Norman Brown, whose 2008 Summer Storm tour is set to include guests artists, Chante Moore, Paul Taylor, and Alex Bugnon.McDonald, counts among his early influences such greats as Larry Graham, Sly Stone, Johnny “Guitar’ Watson, Bootsy Collins, Stanley Clark, Louis Johnson, EW&F, Louis Satterfield, is a compilation of versatility, resulting from over 30 years in the music industry. layout powered by HOT FreeLayouts.com / MyHotComments
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norman brown
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