Abraham McDonald's Inspiration Is Vandross

LOS ANGELES – As sugar pop artists trade spots on the Billboard charts, crooner Abraham McDonald is doing it old school – that is, bringing the sexiness of R&B back with a little help from friends, and some inspiration from the iconic singer Luther Vandross.

With a gleaming smile and big heart, McDonald leaped into the hearts of millions as the winner of Oprah’s Karaoke Challenge in 2010. After five appearances on the nationally-syndicated talk show, almost overnight, he was a household name; plus, the winner of a $250,000 cash prize and a record deal with Island Def Jam. He’s been singing for his supper ever since.  Currently, his duet with actress/singer Rebecca Holden, "Dreams Come True," is moving up Billboard, currently sitting at #41 on the AC charts.

To view “Dreams Come True,” performed by Abraham McDonald  & Rebecca Holden, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS-uNYxmrvk

For Grammy weekend, McDonald will perform a benefit concert, called “Remembering Luther: The Night I Fell in Love,” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, located at 4718 W. Washington Blvd in Los Angeles. The benefit concert is a review of classic songs by the late, multiple Grammy Award-winning serenader Luther Vandross,  known for such classic hit songs as ”The Night I Fell in Love,” “Never Too Much,”  “Here and Now,” “If This World Was Mine (duet with Cheryl Lynn),” and “Superstar” – just to name a few. To purchase tickets online, visit  www. EbonyRep.org. And to get the ladies in the mood, the concert will be hosted by soap opera hunks Redaric Williams and Lamon Archey of the highly-rated CBS daytime series, “The Young and the Restless.”

Special performances include appearances by violinist Karen Briggs, who toured with New Age recording artist Yanni as well as the modern soul man Kenny Lattimore, an award-winning, Grammy-nominated R & B recording artist. Plus, through story vignettes and video reflections, special guests will reminisce about the night they fell in love with Vandross’s sultry vocals and musicality.  These special guests include award winning actresses Niecy Nash (“Getting On,” “Clean House,” ), Vanessa Bell Calloway (“Rizzoli & Isles,”  “Hawthorne”), Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Instant Mom,” “Moesha”) , Vivica A. Fox (“Kill Bill: Vol.2,” “Independence Day”),  Dawnn Lewis (“Hanging With Mr. Cooper,” “A Different World”) as well as Grammy-nominated songstress Shanice and  iconic Grammy-winner Natalie Cole.

To view the promo, “Remembering Luther: the Night I Fell in Love,” 

visit YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Snzw38rvgc

To view McDonald's performance of Luther Vandross's classic hit, "Superstar" on Oprah,
visit http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Karaoke-Finalist-Abraham-McDonald-Performs-Video

Proceeds from “Remembering Luther: The Night I Fell in Love” will benefit McDonald’s Dreamland Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides access to performing arts in schools where music, dance, drama and art curriculums have been removed.  Founded in 2008, the Dreamland Foundation mentors and nurtures at-risk youth by bringing performing arts programs to schools where these curriculums no longer exist. The organization believes an arts-integrated program will help youth realize their highest potential by improving academic skills and building self-esteem. By infusing art in the lives of young people, the foundation hopes it can make a difference, and cultivate the dreams and aspirations of these youth into a reality.

The event is sponsored by LLAD Exclusives, AMD Consulting and Our Weekly.  The Dreamland Foundation wants to thank Candy Ice Jewelry for their generous donation. Worn by many celebrities, including Katy Perry and Paris Hilton, Candy Ice Jewelry will auction off a pair of earrings, made of sterling silver and 14k white gold, and set with colorless topaz, green quartz and diamonds. The jewelry is valued at $10,000. 

ABOUT CROONER ABRAHAM MCDONALD

With a gleaming smile and big heart, Abraham leaped into the hearts of millions as the winner of Oprah’s Karaoke Challenge. Overnight, he was a household name, a winner of a $250,000 cash prize, and a record deal in 2010.

Record mogul Antonio “LA” Reid who took notice of Abraham while judging Oprah’s singing contest and signed him to the record label, Island Def Jam. Talk show host Oprah invited Abraham back to the show to perform his first single, “Miracle.”  The single received the Spirit Award and Best R&B Inspirational Record at the Malibu Music Awards.

To view the music video,“Miracle,” by Abraham McDonald,

visit YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE2wlxaF2bA

In the spirit of old school music, Abraham’s rich, velvety tones intertwined with graceful, heartfelt lyrics uplift the hearts of all who hear and watch him. His vocal range takes you to a place of  yesteryear where true crooners like Nat King Cole, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross dominated the airwaves, leaving listeners yearning for more! 

In 2008, Abraham founded the Dreamland Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides access to performing arts in schools where music, dance, drama and art curriculums have been removed. By creating a bridge between the arts, music, positive choices and the classroom, the Dreamland Foundation is an investment in the youth of Los Angeles. Dreamland believes its unique approach to visual and performing arts improves the academic and personal outcomes for children and youth.