Michael Mcdermott

Michael McDermott, born on August 24, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American singer-songwriter whose career spans over three decades. He began performing in Chicago coffeehouses in the early 1990s, blending elements of Irish music with American folk rock. His talent was recognized early, leading to a record deal with Giant Records. His 1991 single “A Wall I Must Climb” from the album “620 W. Surf” reached No. 34 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock tracks chart. Throughout the 1990s, McDermott released several albums and toured extensively, garnering attention for his songwriting. Notably, author Stephen King became a significant admirer, writing liner notes for McDermott’s 1996 self-titled album and quoting his lyrics in his books “Insomnia” and “Rose Madder.” This recognition helped solidify McDermott’s standing as a respected artist.

McDermott’s career includes forming the band The Westies in 2013, which released albums like “West Side Stories” and “Six On The Out.” In 2016, he released “Willow Springs,” a fan-funded album recorded at his home, which reached No. 1 on the Euro Americana album chart. He has continued to release critically acclaimed solo albums such as “Out From Under” (2018), “Orphans” (2019), “What In The World…” (2020), and “St. Paul’s Boulevard” (2022). The latter received significant critical praise, with journalists highlighting his status as a serious and important artist. In September 2022, McDermott also published his memoir, “Scars From Another Life,” detailing his personal struggles and achievements.

A significant career milestone for McDermott occurred in September 2022 when he was awarded the Tenco Award for Songwriting, placing him among esteemed artists like Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell. Beyond his studio work and touring, McDermott has performed “God Bless America” and “The Star Spangled Banner” at various arenas and stadiums for major sports teams including the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, and NASCAR events. His journey also includes overcoming personal challenges, having maintained sobriety since January 2014. In 2018, he was inducted into his school’s Orland Park District 230 Legacy Hall of Fame.