Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM NOVEMBER 7-13, 2018 UCW 17 Michael McDonald's 'Season of Peace, Holiday & Hits' opens 83rd season of Community Concerts by LESLIE PYO COVER STORY With a career that spans more than 45 years, five-time Gram- my-winner Michael McDonald is prolific. e appeal of the Mis- souri-born musician's distinctive vocal style and honest delivery has proven to be ageless, both in terms of longev- ity and the collaborators he draws – from Are- tha Franklin to Grizzly Bear. Tuesday, Nov. 27, Community Concerts kicks of its 83rd season by bringing McDonald on his "Season of Peace, Holiday & Hits" tour to the Crown eatre. is feel-good concert features McDonald's rendition of beloved Christmas classics, new Christmas songs and hits from McDonald's career. McDonald started his professional journey by singing lead and backing vocals for Steely Dan's touring band in the early- to mid-1970s. In 1975, he joined e Doobie Brothers, changing the iconic American rockers' flavor with his inter- est in soul. He served as singer, keyboardist and songwriter on the Top 40 singles "Takin' It To e Streets," "It Keeps You Runnin'," "Minute By Min- ute" and "What A Fool Believes." In 1982, after e Doobie Brothers' initial disso- lution, McDonald released his first solo studio al- bum, "If at's What It Takes." is album featured one of his best-known hits, "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)." He went on to release seven more solo albums between 1985-2008, and he delighted fans across the world by releasing another, "Wide Open," last year. In the midst of all of this, McDonald collab- orated on writing and/or singing with various artists and groups. A small sample of these collaborators includes Carly Simon, Toto, Kenny Loggins, Ray Charles, Van Halen, James Ingram, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Vince Gill, Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin. More recently, McDonald recorded a B-side of indie rocker group Grizzly Bear's hit "While You Wait for the Others" and sang on undercat's single "Show You the Way." With "Season of Peace, Holiday & Hits," fans will enjoy standout songs from McDonald's illustrious career and get into the holiday spirit with beau- tiful renditions of songs like "White Christmas/ Winter Wonderland" (feat. Jonny Lang), "Oh Holy Night," "Christmas on the Bayou" and "Children Go Where I Send ee" (feat. Twinkie Clark). "You're in for one of the best holiday and hits shows ever," said Michael Fleishman, attractions director for Community Concerts. "And more stars are on the way!" Community Concerts, the entity responsible for bringing McDonald to Fayetteville, is the city's oldest arts organiza- tion. e volunteer-run nonprofit was founded in 1935 with the mission of enriching Fayetteville one concert at a time. Each season, Com- munity Concerts brings an array of world-class entertainment to Fay- etteville at an afforda- ble price. Community Concerts also created the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame to recognize those who have brought musical distinction to this community, and it awards college music scholarships to promising local high school stu- dents. Finally, it organizes local music showcases to build community and support artists' exposure, and it provides free concerts to local groups such as the Vision Resource Center, Fayetteville Urban Ministry and e Sunshine Center. Community Concerts' 83rd season, which Mc- Donald opens with his performance at the Crown, is themed "Rock and More!" "Last year, we had a season that was more heavy on the Broadway-esque shows," Fleishman said. "is season, we wanted to go back to really heavy on a music and concert emphasis. is season, maybe more than every other, is hit after hit. You will know just about every song on the stage this season. "is is a singalong, have fun season." Following McDonald is ree Dog Night on Feb. 22; Choir of Man on Feb. 27; e O'Jays on March 15; and America on April 4. "All of these shows have A+ fan reviews," Fleish- man said. He noted that there is one show this season that does carry the Broadway feel – Choir of Man on Feb. 27. "We were selected among a few other markets to be part of the inaugural North American tour for this show, and it's become a worldwide singing and dancing sensation," he said. e set is a work- ing bar that gets danced and jumped all over, and audience members are even invited to participate, he added. "Don't let the name fool you; it has nothing to do with a choir." To purchase tickets to see McDonald Nov. 27, or to learn more about Community Concerts and the rest of its season, visit community-concerts.com, go to the Crown Box Office, or call Fleishman at 910-323-1991. LESLIE PYO, Assistant Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@upand- comingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. McDonald (front row, far right) joined e Doobie Brothers in 1975. L to R: McDonald, wife Amy Holland, David Pack and James Ingram. Michael McDonald's career spans more than 45 years and includes five Grammy Awards. McDonald (right) performs a soundcheck with Ray Charles (left). L to R: McDonald, Patti LaBelle and Frankie Valli.