In the summer of 2010 Paul McDonald had just gotten off the road with his band The Grand Magnolias. When he wasn’t on the road touring, he was finishing up The Grand Magnolias self titled debut album. Shortly after Paul’s return to Nashville, American Idol hosted an audition at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. McDonald had no intentions of trying out, but decided to tryout for the Nashville audition of season 10 American Idol on a whim. Needless to say he breezed through the first round and moved on to the judges round. There, he sang Rod Stewarts “Maggie May”. After impressing the judges, Paul quickly got a “Yes!” and packed his bags for Hollywood. Once in Hollywood, Paul McDonald American Idol had to learn new songs, choreography and sing with other American Idol contestants in the group sessions.