Neal McDonough

EVERYWHERE NEAL MCDONOUGH GOES, HIS HARMONICA IS SURE TO FOLLOW.

In fact, when the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod spoke with him for this interview, he pulled it out and started playing over the phone. “I carry it everywhere I go in case I can show off in front of [my wife] Ruvé,” he says.

Though he plays a little guitar and dabbles in the piano, it’s the harmonica that has him hooked. He received his first one on a trip to Ireland with his mother. “She got me this harmonica, and as soon as I played it, I really liked it,” he recalls. “I backpacked around Europe by myself with the harmonica, and I played all over the place.”

He has continued to play the instrument; at home, he is often accompanied by his lab, Boomer. “If I start playing the blues, he’ll start howling if he hears me,” McDonough laughs. “He comes over and sings with me every single time.”

While we’re not sure if Boomer will show up on stage at next year’s Pops, there’s a good bet the harmonica will. “That goes without saying,” he says. “I’ll blow the doors off of everyone. I have a blast when I play.”

Jung-Ho Pak Artistic Director & Conductor

The Cape Symphony provides outstanding entertainment and education to the Cape Cod community. Visit capesymphony.org