What a Fool Believes: A Memoir by Michael McDonald with Paul Reiser is due in May 2024

Singer/songwriter, five-time Grammy Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Michael McDonald confirms the release of What a Fool Believes: A Memoir — written with actor, comedian and bestselling author Paul Reiser — via Dey Street Books on May 21st.

Interwoven with unforgettable tales from his storied career and a cast of music greats including James Taylor, Ray Charles, Carly Simon and Quincy Jones, What a Fool Believes finds McDonald reckoning with the unshakeable insecurities that drove him and the highs and lows of fame and popularity. Along the way, he relays the hard-earned lessons he has learned.

Co-authors McDonald and Reiser first crossed paths at a party several years ago. McDonald was aware of Reiser’s work as an actor and bestselling author, but that night he learned of Paul’s love for music and his skill as a pianist and songwriter. Reiser invited McDonald over to check out his home studio. The two ended up jamming into the wee hours and a friendship was born. It was Reiser who convinced McDonald that he needed to tell his story.

A member of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan as well as a chart-topping solo artist and collaborator with some of the biggest names in music, McDonald’s unmistakably smooth baritone voice defined an era of popular music with hits like “What A Fool Believes,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “I Keep Forgettin’,” “It Keeps You Running,” “You Belong to Me,” the James Ingraham duet “Yah Mo B There,” the Patti LaBelle duet “On My Own” and many more. Hailing from Ferguson, Missouri, McDonald chased his musical dreams in 1970’s California. As a rising session musician and backing vocalist, a series of encounters sent him on a wild ride around the world and to the heights of rock stardom.

Reiser is a comedian, Emmy Award-nominated actor, screenwriter and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author. Reiser has recently appeared in Netflix’s Stranger Things and The Kominsky Method as well as Hulu’s critically-acclaimed comedy Reboot and Amazon’s The Boys. Reiser created and starred along with Helen Hunt in the long-running hit 90s comedy Mad About You which saw a one season reboot in 2019. Reiser has also appeared in classic films like Diner, Aliens, the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, and the music film, Whiplash. His latest movie, The Problem With People, which he wrote, starred in and produced, is slated to hit theaters in early 2024. Reiser is the author of the bestselling books Couplehood, Babyhood and Familyhood.