Michael McDermott (musician)


Michael McDermott is an American singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Career

McDermott started performing in Chicago coffeehouses in the early 1990s, incorporating elements of Irish music into an American folk rock sound. His 1991 single "A Wall I Must Climb", from the album 620 W. Surf, reached #34 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock tracks chart. McDermott released several albums in the 1990s and toured extensively behind them. His lyrics were quoted in the Stephen King books Insomnia, and in the book Rose Madder, one of the characters constantly wears a shirt of his that reads "I'm in love with a girl called Rain".
In 2013, McDermott formed The Westies together with Heather Horton, Ian Fitchuk, Joe Pisapia and Lex Price. An album of new songs with the band was released in Italy May 13, 2014 on Appaloosa Records. US release was in the spring, 2015. On January 29, 2016 another album with The Westies was released: Six On The Out.
In 2016, McDermott released Willow Springs, named for the small town where he now resides with his wife and daughter. Recorded at his home in the country and fan-funded, Willow Springs was produced by McDermott, with longtime producer and collaborator, Lex Price mixing. Performers on the record include Price; guitarist, Will Kimbrough; keyboard player, John Deaderick and McDermott's wife, Heather Horton on backing vocals.
In April 2018, McDermott released Out From Under and followed it with extensive domestic and international touring.
On February 8, 2019, Orphans was released, which includes tracks recorded during the sessions for both Willow Springs and Out From Under as well as some earlier recordings. The release of Orphans was followed by another tour.
McDermott has performed "God Bless America" and "The Star Spangled Banner" at arenas and stadiums across the country. Teams that have invited him to sing include: The Chicago Cubs, The Chicago White Sox, The Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball team, The Green Bay Packers, The Chicago Bears, The Los Angeles Lakers, The LA Kings, and NASCAR.

Personal life

McDermott was married to singer/songwriter Heather Horton while on tour in Ferrara, Italy on 3 May 2009. Their daughter Rain McDermott Murphy was born in July 2010.

Discography