Michael McDonald

“I love Hank Williams songs, but I love hearing Ray Charles sing them much more.”

“When I first heard Thundercat's stuff, I thought, 'Man, this is so original.' A lot of his ballads, to me, had such a beautiful harmonic, almost classically Hispanic, feel or, like, Brazilia...”

“I like to celebrate the holiday season - not so much in a religious way, per se, but in a unifying way.”

“I grew up with this idea that songwriters had a great job. My family was Irish Catholic, so if you became a priest or a songwriter, you were golden.”

“I think every ounce of pain in just living always ends up being the best thing that happened to me. It's always a growth period. I learn at the speed of pain.”

“I felt a real kinship with Steve Bruner. He's one of those guys that is so prolific that he has a hard time keeping up with himself. I'm the opposite and move at a glacial place.”

“We try to promote the Christmas season and remind people that it is a season of peace. That's what the season's real meaning is about. No matter what religion you are, there is that point in...”

“I didn't own a record player when I was younger. I just played every day after school and then started gigging around town. I heard bands and songs through friends of mine, but a lot of what...”

“I suppose I hit my lowest point in the early to mid-80s, which is when things really spun out of control for me.”

“I've never felt that I was doing anything more worthwhile musically than when I was with Steely Dan.”

“I love writing Christmas music. It's some of the easiest songs to write... You draw from your own memories - it's kind of a wellspring of inspiration, in a way. With other songs, you know, y...”