John McDonald

singer songwriter John McDonald

Singer Songwriter John McDonald

Singer songwriter John McDonald is living the salt life on the East Coast of Florida, blending reggae, rock, calypso and Afro-Cuban rhythms in his music.

“I Find Hope”, John's project for 2025, is a collection of Christmas holiday songs filled with fun and inspiring holiday tunes for all ages. It generated TRMA Nominations for album of the year and album art. In addition to those two nominations, five more nominations for song, (“Goodbye Margaritaville”), single, ("At the Soggy Dollar Bar"), Horizon, Band and Video, ("At the Soggy Dollar Bar").

John's 2024 album Everything's Jake: A Jake Sullivan Album is inspired by the hero of author Chip Bell's Jake Sullivan Series, generating eight 2024 TRMA Award Nominations including Album of the Year.

Asking “How does John McDonald mix hard rock and his Floribbean style and make it work?," reviewer Rob Pedrick of Brevard Live Magazine writes “John has a knack for writing tunes…great lyrical content.” Pedrick concludes “This is feel good music at its best."

John’s album Beach More, Worry Less garnered nine 2023 TRMA Award Nominations, including Single (You're My Margaritaville), Song (Beach More, Worry Less), Album and Music Video of the Year (The Last of the Sand Walkers).

Brevard Live Magazine proclaims "Beach More, Worry Less is a phenomenal piece of music…an album you can just play over and over again.”

John’s album Islandology generated eight TRMA Trop Rock Music Association Award Nominations in 2021 and 2022, receiving the 2022 Single of the Year Award for the title track.

Now based in Melbourne on Florida’s Space Coast, John and his band the Mango Men perform a high-energy brand of Trop Rock and fun, feel-good Classic Rock, Floribbean-style!

John & his Mango Men were featured at the Space Coast Seafood & Music Fest where they performed with Molly Hatchet, Charlie Daniels Band and Grammy-nominated reggae band Soldiers of Jah Army.

They have also appeared in concert with The Beach Boys, America, Hall & Oates, Smokey Robinson, Orleans and Don McLean.

Previously based in the Mid-Atlantic, John performs throughout the Gulf Coast region and the United States.

Although he loves to throw a fun, dance party fronting his group of first-rate musicians, as a performing songwriter John McDonald thrives on the intimacy of house concerts and small venues.

Space Coast Daily:

‘John McDonald & the Mango Men blend reggae, rock, Latin percussion and world beat rhythms into a fun, infectious party atmosphere.’

Brevard Live Magazine:

‘John McDonald is a premier songwriter...Right Place, Right Time is a flawless gem.’

Entertainment Central:

‘A Rusted Root-meets-Bob Marley feel. It will be tough to resist the urge to dance.’

Whirl Magazine:

‘We are instantly transported to a land of sunshine and no stress!’

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

‘McDonald’s CD Right Place, Right Time is a tropical breeze with positive energy.’

Brevard Live Magazine:

‘John McDonald has the gift.’