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BUENA PARK, Calif., Aug. 30, 2001 -- Multi-talented singer/songwriter Michael McDonald and co-producer Marc Harris were hard at work this summer recording McDonald's upcoming Christmas album, with the help of Yamaha's AW4416 Professional Audio Workstation.

The disc, entitled "In the Spirit - A Christmas Album", is scheduled to hit shelves in October and will be released on MCA Records. In additional to traditional Christmas favorites, it will feature original Christmas songs co-written by McDonald, Harris and other notable artists including Tommy Sims, Beth Nielsen Chapman, James Ingram and Bernie Chiaravalle.

McDonald has worked closely through the years with artists Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and James Ingram, and he has combined his talents at one time or another with Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, Patti Austin, Patti Labelle, Vince Gill, Donna Summer, Joni Mitchell, Carole Bayer Sager, Little Feat, Toto, The Pointer Sisters and Bonnie Raitt. He was also the voice of the Doobie Brothers from 1977 until 1982.

Harris has a 13-year history in the music entertainment industry. He has performed on, written, arranged and produced prerecorded music on over 30 albums throughout his career. His musical skills have allowed him to work with Kenneth "Baby Face" Edmonds, R. Kelly, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Amy Grant, Michael McDonald, Kirk Franklin, and BeBe & CeCe Winans.

According to Harris, the AW4416 is the best piece of digital recording gear on the market today because Yamaha thinks of the user when designing their equipment.

Yamaha Corporation manufactures a complete line of professional audio products for sound reinforcement, project studio, commercial studio, post-production, and broadcast applications.