Forrest McDonald & The Blues Train

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Biography:

Forrest McDonald received the Just Plain Folks Music Award for Best Blues Album of 1999 for the Spirit of the Blues CD. Penned by vocalist Raymond Victor, the song “Work, Work,” appearing on What’s It Gonna Take? was voted Best Blues Song for 2000 by Just Plain Folks. Two of Forrest’s good friends Roy Gaines and James Montgomery appear on What’s It Gonna Take.

Following hot on the heels of What’s It Gonna Take?, 2000’s critically acclaimed release, Finger Lickin’ Blues released in July 2001 has increased the band’s appeal to an even wider range of blues fans. Finger Licking Blues reatures a great remake of the Classic “Ode To Billy Joe” with a great slide solo by Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin. As one reviewer stated Forrest’s version give me goose bumps on my goose bumps.

QUOTES
McDonald’s fiery guitar licks showcase his vast experience in blues-based rock ‘n’ roll and R&B. Raymond Victor’s gut-wrenching, blues-drenched vocals soar above, around, and through each tune building to a choke-hold that won’t loosen its grip until you jump up and boogie!
Black Jack Ketchum, Atlanta Blues Society

What’s It Gonna Take? is the group’s best effort yet and will hopefully deliver the respect and recognition in the industry that they deserve. I can’t take it out of my CD player!
The Blues Stalker, Suncoast Blues Society

McDonald is a versatile guitarist who shows his best licks on the Jimmy Witherspoon jump tune “Call My Baby.” He also shows the ability to play in more of a Santana jazzy-style and to get down with a slow blues. What’s It Gonna Take? surpasses most independent releases in both quality of musicianship and production.
Bill Mitchell, Blues Bytes

The latest musical outing, Finger Lickin Blues, from Atlanta’s very own Forrest McDonald ups the ante at the blues poker table. Even skeptical blues purists cannot scorn this 13-song disc. McDonald plants seeds of old Chicago and Texas traditions in fields of slow blues, fast blues, jazz and good time rock n roll.
Forrest himself said in the CD’s liner notes this was recorded in one take. What a good move. Finger Lickin Blues thrives on spontaneity. Put them ribs on. Butter them biscuits. Grab yourself a cold one. This is one mean mother living up to its name.
Gary Weeks, May 2002 Southwest Blues

Forrest McDonald – What’s it gonna take? Firey guitar player Forrest McDonald was born into the musical hotbed of Austin, Texas. He now calls Atlanta home. From there and between he pushed his playing with vocalist/keyboardist Raymond Victor. For more than three decades, the pair has worked for John Lee Hooker, Bobby Bland, Charlie Musselwhite, and the two special guests on this work ax man and vocalist Roy Gaines and Harp Wizard James Montgomery. You’ll find no bad music on this disc all the songs fit the ensemble like good tight gloves. Relax, kick back, throw on the McDonald and Victor and let the good times roll! Solid through and through, you just wont be able to keep up with the onslaught!
Mark A. Cole, January 2001 Big City Blues.

In 2004 a chance meeting occurred in 2003 between then Kaylon Ward and Forrest while recording Fiona Boyes Live in Atlanta. The two became good friends and soon were playing regularly together. Kaylon won the 1991 Atlanta female entertainer of the year award. Their first CD together was Nothing Wrong with Dreaming released in 2007. Their new release “Certified Blue”, April 2010, is the culmination of 3 years roadwork and it is fantastic.

Kaylon McDonald ~ Bio

Kaylon’s first Performance was in the 6th grade. One student from every school in Georgia was taken to sing at the GA Tech Coliseum Christmas special among other students across the state. She was the one chosen from her school.

Kaylon’s next performance – 14 years old in a bar with her parents and she sang Hank Williams “You Win Again” with the band performing at the time. There was a lot of applause and the customers gave her generous tips. That gave her a lot of confidence to keep working for her dream to be a professional singer one day.

In her early 20’s she won her first singing awards at the Georgia Mountain Fair talent show. If you won Friday and Saturday’s contest then you got to be in the Sunday show with the big stars. She won 3 years in a row singing “I Overlooked an Orchid.”

For six years after that she performed with the Coffee House Entertainers a Georgia based musical comedy troupe performing plays in the South East.

The next few years were spent singing and playing guitar 5 nights a week as a solo performer in the nightclubs and bars of Atlanta. Her persistence paid off when she was voted Female Entertainer of the year 1991.

Shortly after that, a local nightclub engaged her as a weekly host to perform her country folk set. That lasted 3 years.

In 2003 she met Forrest McDonald and started singing the blues.

In 2007 she released her first CD titled “There’s Nothing Wrong With Dreaming” on the World Talent Label.

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