Kevin McDonald is one of those musicians who seems to be everywhere at once. The talented guitarist and vocalist is a member of the acoustic trio Tres Lads, but he also performs with Jim Donovan and the Sun King Warriors, and Mike Stout and the Human Union.
In his so-called spare time, McDonald is one of the go-to studio guitarists at Red Medicine Recording Studio in Swissvale, owned by his brother Sean McDonald.
If that's not enough, McDonald is co-owner of Main Street Music and Sound in Irwin. His credits include stints in the bands Grapevine, Raquel and Dr. No, and, briefly, he was the tour manager for John Mayer. Yes, that John Mayer.
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life:
Probably Joaquin Phoenix; I keep getting “You look like a young Johnny Cash,” so ...
Childhood hero:
My brother, Sean. He was a great athlete and killer drummer and was always playing gigs and getting to do cool stuff! And he had a great 8-track collection.
The piece of memorabilia from my childhood I wish I still had:
Not sure if this qualifies as memorabilia, but I'd say my first guitar. I sold it or traded it before I was mature enough to appreciate the significance of “my first guitar” and the fact that my folks bought it for me.
The superpower I wish I had in real life:
Flying/teleportation. I can be a little challenged in the punctuality department.
Favorite app:
Wunderlist. Keeps me organized, which is no small feat!
Favorite season:
Fall
Favorite ethnic food:
Thai
Pick one: “Veep,” “House of Cards” or “Scandal”:
I have never seen any of those, but I have heard great things about “House of Cards.”
Show I have to binge watch:
“Fargo”
I spend the most time on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other:
My favorite cable channel:
Probably WQED (PBS) or CNN
The dessert that matches my personality:
Probably a good old chocolate bar. Nothing fancy, consistent, doesn't like the heat.
My favorite TV or movie villain:
Jaws! Menacing ... and never said a word. Scared the crap out of me as a kid!
The Disney character most like me:
Sleepy. I love a nap … and my snooze button.
One word my mother would use to describe me:
I asked her. I thought she'd say “late.” She said “special.” Not sure how she meant that.
Three people I'd love to have dinner with:
My dad, Paul McCartney and the Pope
Movie I could watch every time it appears on cable:
“The Godfather” or “Saving Private Ryan”
The first band I saw in concert:
My brother took me to see Van Halen at the Civic Arena on July 14, 1981.
The best concert I've ever seen:
That's tough, but I'd have to say U2 at The Fulton Theater, 1983.
Favorite guilty pleasure:
Speeding to try and shave off minutes of my ETA on my GPS
Something I would do over if I could:
Attend my college graduation ceremony. I had my diploma mailed to me. My folks were such a huge part of everything I did and have supported me in everything, and I always regret not going to commencement for them.
Pick one: Pirates, Penguins, Steelers or other:
Steelers
My favorite Pittsburgh athlete:
Mario Lemieux
Favorite lunchtime spot:
Nicky's Thai Kitchen
My favorite Pittsburgh pizza:
Fiori's
The most dangerous thing I've ever done:
Scuba diving in Aruba. Our instructor “certified” us after watching a 15-minute video, then we suited up and he just walked us into the ocean!
Pick one: Cheetos, Cheez-It or Cheerios:
Cheez-Its
Top thing on my bucket list:
I want to see Italy.
Best vacation ever:
Alaska, 2003
I wish I had more time to:
Hang out with my bro and friends. Travel.
My favorite thing about Pittsburgh:
The music community and the people
The movie that always makes me cry:
Hmmm. Don't think I have one. I think I cried after I wasted $8 on “Machete Kills.”
My quirkiest inherited trait:
A little OCD with my keys and never remembering if I actually locked my front door or the front door of the music store :(
When I was 10, I wanted to be:
An archaeologist
In high school, I was:
A jock
My childhood nickname:
Mac
My first job:
Paper route
My worst job:
Paper route. Specifically Sunday mornings!
I'm deathly afraid of:
Having to get a paper route
Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark:
The Point
The person I'm most often mistaken for:
Leonard from “The Big Bang Theory”
My most memorable fashion mistake:
Blue parachute pants
What you'll always find in my glove compartment:
Five years of insurance and registration cards
If I wasn't a musician, I'd be:
A shrink
The last book I read:
“This Is Your Brain on Music”
Happiness is:
An actual day off with nothing to do
My personal motto:
It could always be worse.
The overused phrase I hate most:
When you ask someone how they are doing, and they say, “Living the dream.”
People would be surprised to know that I:
Own only three guitars
If I could go back, I'd tell my teenage self:
You're not going to the NFL; put the football down and practice your damn guitar.
