Aaron McDonnell
https://www.aaronmcdonnell.com/
Aaron McDonnell
Singer • Songwriter • Guitarist
Born and raised in Oregon’s rural Willamette Valley, Aaron McDonnell bought his first guitar — a knock-off Telecaster — at just 15 years old. He quickly mastered everything from Garth Brooks to Nirvana, but it was the classic voices of George Jones, Johnny Cash, and Conway Twitty echoing from his grandmothers’ kitchens that captured his imagination as a songwriter.
This heritage lives on in Aaron’s earnest, heartfelt lyrics and his strong, clear baritone, a sound that bridges generations of country music.
From Bands to Solo Artist
After moving to Seattle in 2004, Aaron formed the pop-country band Gin Betty!, recording two albums and quickly gaining a loyal following in top venues. When personal turmoil unraveled the group, he launched The Grandtours (named after George Jones’ classic “The Grand Tour”) in 2009. Darker in tone but still rooted in country tradition, the band earned praise and recorded two records before dissolving in 2011.
It was during this time that Aaron met his future wife Dani Michalak, who sang backup in The Grandtours. Soon after, he embarked on a new project, Aaron McDonnell & The Gospel Plow, releasing a well-received EP in 2013 that drew praise from Seattle’s country scene veterans.
Going All In
In 2013, Aaron left his corporate job of 13 years to pursue music full-time. Since then, he has released:
- Follow (2014)
- Battle Bend (2015)
- Get Gone (2016)
- Lucky Me (2017)
- Austin Signal: Single Mic Sessions (2018)
- Too Many Days Like Saturday Night (2022)
- You Drive Back (2023)
- Midnight Pool Mix (2024)
Each project showcases his growth — musically, lyrically, and stylistically — pushing the boundaries of what country music can be. His songs have received regional radio play in the US and extensive airtime in Ireland and the UK, fueled by his 2019 acoustic tour overseas.
Collaborations & Influences
Aaron has worked with renowned producers and engineers including:
- Tom Pfaffle (Nirvana, Black Crowes, Heart)
- Steve Aguilar (Dave Matthews Band, The Head & The Heart)
- Phillip Peterson (The Posies, Portugal. The Man)
- Bob Hoffnar (Norah Jones, Ryan Adams)
- John Evans (Billy Joe Shaver, Hayes Carll)
- Jonas Wilson (The Black Angels, Ghost Wolves)
The Heart of the Music
With true purpose, Aaron’s songs explore the timeless themes of love, heartache, failure, and hope. His music is at once familiar and fresh: a genuine homage to country’s golden past and a bold step toward its future.
Upcoming Concerts at Dosey Doe
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Past Concerts
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