American Idol Profile: Who is Season 10 Finalist Paul McDonald?

Paul McDonald was selected as a top 11 finalist for Season 10 of "American Idol," the popular Fox Television musical contest and reality TV show, in 2011. As such, McDonald is listed for the 2011 "Idols Live" nationwide tour.

Standing tall and lean onstage with his scruffy blond beard, clad in his creatively embroidered and rhinestone-embedded rock star suits, McDonald quickly became a formidable force on "Idol" Season 10. Many fans were shocked to discover the "Idol" finalist had shelled out $4,500 for a flamboyant white floral suit, inspired by the designs of Nudie Cohn.

Bringing a unique voice to "Idol"

Singer-songwriter McDonald tried out for "Idol" in Nashville, singing Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" and Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti." The 26-year-old's appealingly raspy audition was not aired on the show, but The Grand Magnolias lead singer earned the famous golden ticket to Hollywood.

McDonald says he dreams of performing with The Rolling Stones. Having already performed at such venues as Austin's Antones, the Georgia Theater and New Orleans' Tipitina's, he confesses he would love to sing at the Hollywood Bowl, Nashville's Ryman, Los Angeles' Troubadour or even Madison Square Garden someday.

His favorite recording artists include Ryan Adams, Norah Jones, Gram Parsons, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. With no formal vocal training, McDonald points to a variety of artists and styles as his musical inspirations.

McDonald plays the banjo, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano and other instruments. Ever since Gibson Guitars presented all Top 11 finalists with custom guitars, he has found a new place to pluck.

His bright smile, reflecting his upbeat nature and love of performing, is perhaps due to calcium derived from his passion for macaroni and cheese, skim milk and strawberry Pop Tarts. A couple of years in orthodontic braces as a child probably didn't hurt, either.

Former dental student turned megawatt stage smile

Born August 29, 1984, in Huntsville, Alabama, William Paul McDonald is a true Southern boy. He grew up listening to a mix of country, folk, gospel, rap and R&B music. Graduating from Huntsville High School in 2002, McDonald enrolled at Auburn University, intending to study Biomedical Sciences and prepare for a career in pediatric dentistry.

By 2005, however, McDonald had formed the Hightide Blues, a Southern rock band later renamed as The Grand Magnolias. He dropped out of college in 2006, needing just two more classes for his degree, and moved to Nashville to record albums.

McDonald's band has toured with Sara Bareilles, The Zac Brown Band, JJ Grey, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Three Days Grace, T-Pain and other acts.

In the early weeks of "Idol," McDonald sang Stewart's "Maggie May," Ryan Adams' "Come Pick Me Up," Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" and The Miracles' "Tracks of My Tears."

Clearly, this boy has musical chops, but he also knows how to care for his teeth.


source:Linda Ann Nickerson, Yahoo! Contributor Network

American Idol's Paul McDonald Visit LIVE with Regis and Kelly

Paul McDonald kicked off his New York City media tour by visiting Live with Regis and Kelly where he sang an acoustic version of Smokey Robinson's “Tracks of My Tears” and answered questions about dating Twilight star Nikki Reed. Robert Pattinson, Nikki's Twilight co-star, was a guest on the show as well.

Miss seeing Paul McDonald on American Idol? Can't wait until summer to see him on the American Idols LIVE! Tour? Then get Paul's two pre-American Idol albums by his bands The Grand Magnolias and Hightide Blues

American Idol's Paul McDonald Soars to New Heights with "Rocket Man" on Top 11 Revived

Paul McDonald, American Idol Season 10's 'Man with the Bright White Smile' performs "Rocket Man." Idol contestants take on classics by the legendary Sir Elton John in this week's 'Top 11 Revived' Show.

"My band (Hightide Blues) covered this song years ago," said Paul, adding, "and it was a disaster." Hmmm...I'm torn on this one. First, the tweaky suit. We've seen it already on Idol, and in old videos of his band. Paul, you have stylists and designers throwing free clothes at you now! My advice: Take advantage!!! I liked Paul's arrangement and the quiet, intimate vocals, but that ending just freaked me out. The whisper was creepy. Randy Jackson said, "We just got some quiet comfort from Paul. There were a couple of things that were a little pitchy, but when you get into that tender zone, that quiet, that soft voice it's very infectious. But you’re holding back."

Jennifer Lopez interrupted to say, "I wonder if you're holding back in a way? There’s a little bit more to your voice than you even know. And I think you haven't gone there." Steven Tyler, with his usual dry wit asked, "So have you been watering that suit? Cuz there's a lot more flowers on it this time. I love your voice. You always do a little something. When you start singing, hitting every note, that's the day I'm not gonna like you anymore. I like the character where you sometimes hit a note and sometimes you don’t. That's my cupa tea." So Steven Tyler like off-key singers. Who knew?

Getting to Know American Idol's Paul McDonald

American Idol Season 10's singer-songwriter Paul McDonald is 26 and comes from Huntsville, Alabama, and currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, where he auditioned. Paul received his 'Golden Ticket' to compete in Hollywood by singing an original song, "American Dreams".

Paul ~ with his huge, bright white smile ~ is stealing hearts across America! Not only is his smile infectious, his sexy crooning reminds many of a young Rod Stewart. With his colorful taste in clothing and wild dance moves, Paul is one of the most unique and charismatic of the Season 10 Idol contestants.

Steven Tyler has always liked Paul's individual style, saying, “You define a cool dude in a loose mood. Your swagger up there is way cool. You’re very distinctive. And I like that!" Steven also said, "I love the character and the rasp in your voice. I love that character in you.” Jennifer Lopez raved, “You have real character in the way you move too. Your smile lights up the whole place. You bring joy to the world. You're the most well-rounded, seasoned performer.” And Randy Jackson said, “One of the things I love about you…you were so unique and different. I’m glad that Idol can embrace this kind of singer…quirky and different.”

Paul McDonald's favorite quote comes from Bob Dylan: "A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night and in between he does what he wants to do." Paul's musical influences are all over the place! They include Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel and Rap!


BIOGRAPHY
American Idol's Paul McDonald (born William Paul McDonald) was born on August 29th 1984. Since 2005, Paul has been the lead singer of the band Hightide Blues, which was renamed The Grand Magnolias in 2010.

Hightide Blues

In the spring of 2005, Paul McDonald and fellow student Jonathan Pears began writing songs together, forming the band Hightide Blues. Adding two other members, Phillip Gayle and Scott Rollins, they began touring small clubs around the state of Alabama. In 2006, McDonald put his education on hold to pursue a full-time career in music. After releasing a limited edition self-titled EP (Hightide Blues) in 2007, the band released a self-produced album, Love Come Easy in 2008. This album was recorded in an old boarding school turned recording studio called the House of David in Nashville, Tennessee. Hightide Blues saw some radio play from the songs "Dreamin' Alone" and "Let It Roll". Also included was a song called "Dancing with the Angels (Meg's Song)". Paul McDonald wrote this song the night before the funeral of a very close friend to the band, Meg Ingram, who passed away from cancer at the age of 21. The band performs annually at the Meg Ingram Memorial Scholarship benefit concert in Huntsville, Alabama.

Hightide Blues has also had success on the Internet, winning multiple awards on OurStage.com, including over fifteen Top 10 placements, as well as reaching #2 on Best of Pop for 2011. From 2007-2010, the band continued touring around the country, performing with musicians such as the Zac Brown Band, Sarah Barellis, and JJ Grey and Mofro. Hightide Blues also played festivals such as the Bonnaroo Music Festival, the Florida Music Festival, the Hangout Festival, and the Lynyrd Skynrd Simple Man Cruise. Between 2007-2010, Hightide Blues averaged around 150-200 shows per year.

The Grand Magnolias

In August 2010, Paul McDonald and his band members moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and launched a campaign to let their fans choose a new name for the band. The group's first album under its new name, entitled The Grand Magnolias, was released in 2011. The songs were written by McDonald and band member Jonathan Pears and produced by Dan Hannon and Ken Coomer. The album has seen a boost in sales since Paul McDonald's appearance on American Idol, and it reached #16 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and had sold 4,000 copies by March 23, 2011.