Paul McDonald: From Hollywood to High Sierra

What happens when the spotlight takes you away from the music that made you want to step onstage in the first place?

Backstage at High Sierra Music Festival, Paul McDonald joins Tami and Dennis for a candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation about finding his way back. From an unexpected American Idol audition to the whirlwind of Hollywood, Paul reflects on the experiences that shaped him—and the sense of belonging he’s found with his band, the Mourning Doves.

He shares the personal story behind “Dark Side” and So Long to the Dark Side, how losing his mother brought him back to the records he grew up with, and why kindness matters as much as talent when choosing the people beside him on the road. Along the way: songwriting with Andy Frasco and friends, jamming with Lebo, and some unforgettable American Idol backstage encounters.

A conversation about letting go, finding your people, and getting back to the music.

Only in the Green Room — Where Artists Remain Human.

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