Tim is a former United States Army veteran who graduated with honors from the Armed Forces School of Music and later returned to teach piano and MIDI. While in the Army, he studied with and was mentored by legendary artists and teachers including Dan Haerle, Frank Mantooth, Curtis Fuller, Clyde Kerr, Todd Coolman, Dave Mancini, Byron Berline, and others. He performed with many local and international acts, including the Virginia Symphony, the Harry James Big Band, the Jae Sinnett Trio, etc. Tim had the distinct opportunity to perform with The Three Tenors and to perform and record with Count Basie Big Band leader Douglas Miller. Tim also performed in two New York Broadway musicals: Aida and The Producers.
After leaving the Army honorably as a Staff Sergeant, Tim moved to Nashville, TN, to further his music career. He has performed with many local bands, worked as a producer and session recording artist, and begun a focused effort as a singer-songwriter and pianist. Tim is currently touring the world with his Country, Bluegrass and Jazz bands and literally “Bringing his music to the people”. Tim also toured extensively as sideman with legendary rock guitarist Rick Derringer, Blake Shelton, Hank Williams Jr, Olivia Newton-John, Pam Tillis, Mark Chesnutt, Doug Stone, Johnny Hiland, Cory Morrow, Byron Berline, The Shotgun Red Show, Josh Gracin, Buddy Jewell and Steve Holy. Additionally, Tim has had the honor of performing with guitar studio legend and artist Larry Carlton and active keyboardist in the Lil’ Walter House Band. Tim also appears on the big screen in 4 seasons of the ABC series Nashville as keyboardist for Luke Wheeler, the movies Every Other Holiday as a choir pianist, and Patsy and Loretta Forever as Pianist for Loretta Lynn. Tim’s original songs also appear in Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and several movies, including A Perfect Fit, starring Adrian Grenier.
Tim has 13 albums, including 6 Country albums: Lucky You, May I Live In Your World, Tim’s Dems, Livin’ Breathin’ Havin’ Fun, Life Worth Livin’, 10 and 4; Jazz albums: Ivory Christmas, Russell Scarborough Presents Tim McDonald, Tim McDonald, Tim McDonald II; and 3 Bluegrass albums: Kentucky Wonder, Highland County featuring Vince Gill and TB (Tim and Byron). Tim has also recently recorded Reggae at Tuff Gong Studio, recording on Bob Marley’s personal Yamaha Grand Piano; songs at Sun Records on Jerry Lee Lewis’ recording piano; and at Muscle Shoals Fame Studio on the Yamaha grand. Tim produces many up-and-coming talents of all musical genres and is a Nashville session artist on Yamaha Pianos. Tim’s music is available on this website as well as iTunes, CDBaby, and Spotify.