Jim McDonough

The youngest of four children, Jim McDonough was born in Monticello, Iowa (population: 3,600). When Jim was seven years old, his mother took piano lessons, and when she grew too busy to continue, Jim stepped in to fill the spot. And he discovered a talent and love for music that propelled him into a career as a professional musician.

But the road to success wasn’t without its detours. In eighth grade, an accident nearly ended his musical career. An upright piano crushed three fingers on his right hand – and nearly crushed his dreams in the process. Jim emerged from two hours of surgery with pins in his fingers and tiny fractures across his hand. But throughout more than a year of physical therapy, Jim kept playing – with a cast on his right hand – and concentrated on improving his performance with his left hand.

"I was too interested in piano to give it up," McDonough says. In ninth grade, instead of a car, Jim bought a Steinway grand piano to celebrate how far he’d come.

The night before Jim left for college, a friend who dabbled in recording asked if Jim would let him record a few songs. Jim pushed aside his suitcases and sat at the piano, plinking out a few favorite tunes.

--http://www.pianofavorites.com/