Bernie Chiaravalle’s lengthy association with Michael McDonald goes back to the late ’80s, but he’s also fashioned an intriguing solo career away from the Doobie Brothers legend. They initially met through Chiaravalle’s work with Ambrosia’s David Pack, and Chiaravalle then contributed extensively on McDonald’s Blue Obsession. The guitarist also filled in for John McFee on a tour with the reunited Doobie Brothers. Chiaravalle’s solo successes include the singles “Speak,” “From Now On” and “One More Word,” the latter of which was released by Silent Partner, the band Chiaravelle co-founded with Chazz Frichtel. He co-wrote Larry Carlton’s “Till I Hurt You” for 2000’s Fingerprints, as well. Chiaravalle joined Preston Frazier for a Something Else! Sitdown to discuss collaborating with Michael McDonald, his early inspirations, his next solo release – and, as always, his five most treasured albums …

PRESTON FRAZIER: Who was the first artist you worked with as a session player?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: I would say it was probably David Pack. He had me play on a few things at his studio.

PRESTON FRAZIER: The first time I saw Michael McDonald, it must have been the late ’80s, and David Pack was his guitarist. I think the next time I saw him, maybe 5 years later, you were his guitarist.
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: Yes, my work with David was for demos he was working on. He was pulling stuff together for various projects. One ended up on the first Ambrosia anthology album. I think the song is “Sky is Falling.” We also worked on a song which ended up on his solo album.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Were you also collaborating with people with regard to writing?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: I’ve always been kind of a lone writer. I’d say David is the first guy I ever co-wrote with. Shortly after that, I started writing with Michael. After I moved to the Nashville area, I’ve written with a lot more people.

PRESTON FRAZIER: The first composition I recall seeing your writing credit was “No Love to Be Found,” which is on the Michael McDonald album Blue Obsession.
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: Yes, that was one of my first collaborations with Mike. I think the first one we wrote together was a song called “One More Word.” That was written when I first joined Mike’s band in ’88, ’89. He never recorded it, but I ended up putting in on my Silent Partner album. We wrote a lot of things but “No Love to Be Found,” and another song [called] “Someday You Will,” were written while I was transitioning to Nashville and Mike was already living here. Yes, all that was for Blue Obsession. The album almost didn’t come out. It sat for two years. Reprise didn’t want to put it out! I told Mike I would produce and work for nothing just to get the album out. Mike considered putting it on the shelf. I begged him to put it out. We ended up writing “Build Upon It” around that time – really towards the end of the album.

PRESTON FRAZIER: The label didn’t really push that album! I remember also thinking when I heard it that the album was heavier than what we were used to from him. Lots of guitar and very funky.
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: Yes, that was intentional. I produced two songs on the album and co-wrote four. Tommy Sims produced the balance of the album. It has a more R&B/funk vibe to it. “Build Upon It” had a funk-rock vibe. Now that I think of it, there were four producers or so on the album. It definitely had an eclectic, funky vibe.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Did Mike McDonald find you through David Pack?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: No, Mike’s keyboardist introduced me to him. David was the one who proposed to Mike that he check me out as a replacement for him. I auditioned and was picked.

PRESTON FRAZIER: You were in the band with [former Michael McDonald bassist] Chazz Frichtel?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: Yes, Charlie and I joined the same time. He was a wonder to work with. He was in the band for 16 years.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Was that around the time you started your solo career?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: My first album came out in 1997. I’m a songwriter and I write all the time. I’m a studio hobbit. I just love the process of recording. It was a time when anybody could build a home studio and put songs down on CD and put it out. I write all the time, so that’s really why I did it.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Driven By Desire is all you in production and playing?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: I have few friends who added harmonica, cello – and Chazz is on a little bass. I love working with Chazz.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Dreamer, your latest release, came out in 2018 and continues the melodic theme of your prior albums. It almost has a Beatles vibe. How does it differ since your first release?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: I’m a better producer and engineer. As a writer, I’m more detail oriented and more particular. I really try to grow from project to project. I’m very conscious of the music I put out.

PRESTON FRAZIER: So, tell us about your background.
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: I started playing music when I was about 9 or so. My parents got me into piano lessons with a neighbor. I think my teacher was a little frustrated with me. I shifted my focus when I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and that inspired me to want to be in a band.

PRESTON FRAZIER: When did you switch over to guitar?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: I was 11 years old when I got my first guitar. It was a little bit after I started playing piano. I still play piano to this day. I also play drums, but guitar is my love and I’ve stuck with it all these years.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Are you formally taught?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: I’m pretty much self-taught.

PRESTON FRAZIER: What kind of guitar did you get?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: It was a Knox. I think it was from Montgomery Ward.

PRESTON FRAZIER: How did you become a professional musician?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: Well, I’ve always been in bands. Being a professional musician is really all I’ve ever wanted to do. I wanted to be in a band and write songs. Little by little, I got local gigs. At some point, I got into a band and started doing Top 40 cover work. We started to gig professionally in the area, usually six nights a week. I did that for about eight or nine years. It taught me a lot.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Your Patreon page is fantastic. It gives a great look at the production process and how meticulous you are. Even you demos are a fascinating glimpse behind the creative curtain. You’re in the process of recording new music?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: Yes, I guess I have about eight or nine songs that are in development right now. I’ve been sharing some on the Patreon page. I think people would be fascinated at seeing the process.

PRESTON FRAZIER: How will the work in progress differ from Dreamer?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: It’s not a drastically different sound. It’s a little more R&B-flavored, but I have a pretty signature sound and it’s certainly me. It reflects my world view, and I have songs of hope. I find myself writing more about current events and songs which make you feel better. I generally come up with music first, then lyrics. I’ll start on a guitar or keyboard and the chords will inspire me to sing a melody. And basically, I’ll put the melody down and find the words. I have written words first but 90 percent of the time, music comes first.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Do you have a title for the new album and a release date?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: No, not a title yet but I’m thinking it will be out around October or November. It usually takes about a year for me to do an album. I like to live with it and listen to it a while.

PRESTON FRAZIER: You just finished the spring tour with Michael McDonald and I understand his summer tour is with Chaka Khan. Do you find time to write on the road?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: No, not anymore. I sometimes come up with an idea but generally no, it’s too exhausting on the road. The kind of travel we do is rough on you, and rest is so important – especially given what’s required for the vocals.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Vocally, has your approach changed any with Michael McDonald?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: Yes, when I auditioned with Michael I was prepared and knew all the guitar and vocals parts after listening to the tapes over and over. I remember I was working with Mike, Chuck Sabitino and Scott Plunkett on keys, all strong singers. I remember we were doing “Real Love” at David Pack’s studio and Mike came to me and said, “Are you going to take the top harmony?” And I said “I am?” It’s a high-C part or something, and I was not prepared for that and I went for it. It wasn’t too great but Mike said “Don’t worry, you’ll get it.” Sure enough, I got the gig and I started singing those high parts. I never sang that high. Absolutely, it changed me. It showed me I could sing different, challenging parts. Singing with Michael has made me grow as a singer tremendously. The way he phrases is so unique. You can’t help but be influenced by him.

PRESTON FRAZIER: And about your stint with the Doobie Brothers?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: Ha, that’s right. John McFee had a conflict with a tour and Patrick Simmons asked Mike if he knew a guitar player to sit in. Mike initially said no, and Pat said, “Well, what about your guitar player?” Mike said, “Oh yeah!” I call Mike the absent-minded professor because sometimes he doesn’t see things right in front of him. Playing with the Doobies for that tour was a wonderful experience. They gave me total freedom in what I played and the solos.

PRESTON FRAZIER: Finally, before I let you go, what are your Top 5 favorite albums?
BERNIE CHIARAVALLE: 1. The Beatles’ Rubber Soul; 2. The Beatles’ White Album; 3. Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life; 4. Crosby Stills and Nash’s self-titled debut; and 5. Paul McCartney’s McCartney.